• Age: 3 to 8
• Grade: p to 3

Where do ideas come from? Everywhere!

From the mind and paintbrush of one of Canada’s best-loved children’s book creators comes a visually delightful story about ideas, creative expression, and mindfulness.

When our hero, a pig, stares at his empty canvas, he feels like he doesn’t have any new ideas. So he sets off to find inspiration. Does he really go anywhere, or is it mostly in his mind? That’s up to the reader, but a fantastic journey winds him through lots of interesting places, surreal and everyday, which provide a feast for his senses. When he’s had enough, he heads home, full of ideas. He returns to his canvas and paints something that was always close to home — just outside his door, in fact — but that he now sees in a new light as a result of his creative journey.

Full of humour, whimsy, and wisdom, Can You Imagine? is a great jumping-off point for thinking about where to find ideas (everywhere!), taking in the world around you, and listening to yourself to find your creativity.

WALLACE EDWARDS, diplômé de l’École d’art et de design de l’Ontario, était un auteur-illustrateur primé. Ses peintures et ses illustrations se retrouvent dans des collections privées et publiques, des livres, des magazines et des expositions au Canada et aux États-Unis. Il est le créateur de Sur ma route…, Qu’est-ce que la paix?, Tombé du ciel et Alphabeasts. Ce dernier a remporté le Prix littéraire du Gouverneur général en 2002. Depuis, il continue à recevoir des nominations et des récompenses prestigieuses soulignant son approche géniale des albums illustrés. Il est malheureusement décédé en 2022.

WALLACE EDWARDS was a beloved children’s book writer and illustrator, known for his richly imaginative paintings, and the sense of wonder and humour in his work. His picture books were nominated for three Governor General’s Literary Awards; he won the award for Alphabeasts. Other honours include the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Award, two Independent Publisher Book Awards, a CLA Honour Book and two OLA Best Bets, among many others; and his work is on the International Youth Library White Ravens list. Edwards completed work on his final picture book, Pigs Can’t Fly, before his sad passing in December 2022.

Wallace Edwards' profile page

• Commended, Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre

Praise for Alphabeasts:

*“Edwards . . . lets his beautiful, mysterious pictures operate on the imagination as they will.” — Quill & Quire, starred review

Praise for The Cat's Pajamas:*“ Many young readers are (rightly) allergic to anything that can be described as "exquisite", but there is no better word for The Cat's Pajamas.” — Quill & Quire, starred review

Praise for Mixed Beasts:

“In a finished, painterly style, Edwards places his often hilariously imagined subjects in elaborate settings.” — Kirkus Reviews