When her wheelchair-bound Granddad must move into a nursing home, a young girl is determined to dislike the boarder who comes to stay in his old room. But it's difficult to be angry with the quiet Timmerman, who is invariably kind and gentle to all. Even Henrietta - the girl's dog, who doesn't "take to just anyone" - comes to like him. But when Timmerman is seen late at night, with a shovel and a sack, rumors begin to fly, and the girl discovers that "it wouldn't always be easy liking him..."

With a quiet, contemplative tone, and lovely artwork by Nicolas Debon, Timmerman Was Here is a sensitive portrayal of a young girl's discovery that friendship comes in many forms, and that things are not always as they seem. Timmerman's final gift, to the girl and to the town, is a moving reminder that we shouldn't assume the worst, simply because someone is a little different. This is a wonderful little book, unassuming but deeply satisfying! ( )

Tuesday evening, November 9th, the 2010 winner of the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award was announced at The Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s gala. Jury members’ comments were as follows, ““This is a sublimely humanistic and memorable story about the way we discover the difference between truth and appearances… Dramatic pictures equally involve the reader, while the artistic use of dark and light further affect our emotional response… This intriguing tale with a twist delves exceptionally well into values and perceptions, the rational and the irrational, achieving a conclusion that is profoundly self-affirming for the child… This emotionally rich and suspenseful story is capped by an uplifting ending that will stir hearts from 8 to 80… A perfect pairing of text and illustration.”

Written from the perspective of a young girl, we share her nervousness as a stranger arrives at her home. The stranger moves into a bedroom, recently vacated by the girl’s grandfather who has gone to live in a residence for seniors. The young girl is not happy about the stranger’s arrival but as she watches and interacts with him, she discovers a gentle heart. When the stranger is discovered walking the neighbourhood at night (with a spade and a burlap sack), gossip abounds. The neighbours speculate that he could be a bank robber or responsible for the death of a cat.

Timmerman Was Here is a lovely, thought-provoking story that encourages the reader to rethink assumptions and stereotypes. Highly recommended.

Suggested for children 4 – 8

On our list of Wonderful Canadian Picture Books
http://goo.gl/bxDAro