• Age: 6 to 9
• Grade: 1 to 4

***WINNER - BRUNEAU FAMILY CHILDREN'S/YOUNG ADULT AWARD. NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR BOOK AWARDS***

This is the story of a young mouse named Errol who takes a ride on a ferry and visits the mines of Bell Island. Errol's best friend Old Rat, has told him wonderful stories, about how the mice and rats first came to Newfoundland as stowaways on the big sailing ships. Errol longs to have his own adventure but his parents are unhappy when he strays too far from their garbage box home. Errol, however, is a mouse on a mission and early one summer morning, he decides to follow his dream. A tale of narrow escapes and dogged determination, it's Full Speed Ahead for our intrepid rodent. Errol's Bell Island Adventure is a first chapter book for ages 7 and up.

Sheilah Lukins has had a great education travelling and working in foreign countries, drinking in the culture and meeting lots of people. She has been a Bollywood movie extra in India, an art school model in Italy, a chambermaid in Germany, a bartender and a riding instructor in England, a theatre arts administrator, a library assistant, and a teacher of various subjects, primarily music and English, here in Newfoundland. Generally, nothing stops her. Somewhat fearless, or perhaps just 'stunned', she loves history, horses and dogs, good food and great stories. Sheilah was born in Corner Brook, Newfoundland but now lives in Portugal Cove-St. Philip's with her husband and, sadly, no pets at the moment. She has a BA in German Language and Literature and a B.Ed. from Memorial University, an ARTC in voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music and various diplomas from a British technical college. Just recently, she completed her TESL diploma with Acadia University. She has been published in many magazines including, Riddle Fence, Canadian Women's Studies, and Downhome Magazine. Her previously published books include Rain, Drizzle and Fog (Boulder Publications) and For Maids Who Brew and Bake (Flanker Press), which was nominated in the special interest category of Cuisine Canada's National Culinary Book Awards.

Sheilah Lukins' profile page

Laurel Keating’s illustrations charm and delight children of all ages. An award-winning artist, her work has adorned several Newfoundland children’s books, including Yaffle’s Journey, the Find Scruncheon and Touton books, Moose’s Roof, Elliot and the Impossible Fish, Full Speed Ahead: Errol’s Bell Island Adventure, and Flying Ace: Errol’s Gander Adventure. Once Upon an Iceberg: Errol’s Twillingate Adventure is her tenth book.

Laurel Keating's profile page

• Winner, Bruneau Family Children's/Young Adult Award: Newfoundland and Labrador Book Awards

"Peppered with shipping terminology and Newfoundland trivia, young readers will likely not realize how much they are learning as they zip through this distinctly Canadian tale ... a fun romp that emphasizes how looking to the past and believing in yourself can help you chart a new course for the future." Resource Links, Natalie Colaiacova