T is for Terry: An ABC of Courage

If you have spent any time in a Canadian school in the past 40 years you are probably familiar with Terry Fox. Now the youngest readers have the opportunity to learn all about this amazing Canadian in T is for Terry: An ABC of Courage by Denise Dias and Noémi Gionet Landry.

This stunning picture book takes readers through Terry’s life and the first Marathon of Hope through the letters of the alphabet.

Denise Dias has created a wonderful picture book that will be shared far and wide this September. By using the alphabet book format, Denise Dias welcomes the youngest and newest readers into the story of Terry Fox, a Canadian icon, and the Marathon of Hope that he started way back in 1980. She invites the readers to be a part of the story just like Terry invites all people to join the Marathon of Hope to find a cure for cancer and to finish the work that he started many years ago.

We love backmatter in any non fiction picture book and Denise Dias has added a couple lesser known facts to share with readers after the alphabet is complete. I love how we get to know Terry’s mom a little bit more and the fact that he was superstitious just like many other athletes.

This book would not be the beauty that it is without the illustrations by Noémi Gionet Landry. Her warm, colourful and joyful illustrations ensure that Terry’s story is not one of sadness but of courage, joy and hope, all of the things that are synonymous witth Terry Fox and the Marathon of Hope.