The New Tecumseth Library welcomed a "rising literary talent," teen author Andrea Matei, at its recent Local Author Showcase and Book Fair held at the Tottenham Community Centre.
Matei, a Beeton resident and French immersion student at Banting Memorial Public School in Allison, introduced her children's picture book series, Little Girl Big Imagination, "enchanting" the young readers and established local authors alike, with her first two books, At the Beach and By the Tree.
Designed as early literacy tools targeting a preschool and early primary school audience, these children's picture books feature what has been described as easily readable text in a repetitive pattern, along with a word list at the beginning of the book and a writing list at the books’ ends, making them perfect companions for young readers.
What sets these books apart is the inclusion of real-life images starring Matei's little sister, Gabriela, affectionately known as the protagonist, Little Girl Gabi, courtesy of Toronto photographer Ricardo Araújo.
Gabriela's imaginative adventures are illustrated through the lens of her sister's storytelling, with objects from Gabi's vivid imagination portrayed by talented dancers, as the book series is based on the short dance film series with the same title.
Notably, Leah Shenishevska brings to life the gingerbread man in the book By the Tree just like Andrea, a dance artist herself, portrays the ballerina doll that Gabi find at the beach in the first book: Little Girl, Big Imagination: At the Beach.
Andrea Matei's next scheduled appearance will be at the Local Author Book Market held at the Gathering Space, Main Stage at the Barrie Public Library's downtown branch on Worsley Street. The local event is set for Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Click here for event details.
For more information about Andrea Matei as a multimedia artist and her Little Girl, Big Imagination book series click here. To watch the accompanying short films, click here.
