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Maritime Ned

by David Sheridan

26 pages; Saddle stitched; full colour children's book; catalogue #06-3318; ISBN 1-4251-1719-8; US$13.00, C$14.95, EUR10.14, £6.72

Maritime Ned is a fun, and inspirational story of a fisherman lost at sea and rescued by a heroic puffin. Its classical feel, and surprise ending will surely be remember by all readers.

About the Book

This story begins one early morning in a small cottage on a rock somewhere off a maritime coast. Ned and his wife, Belle, live alone except for two puffins who've nested in their flower box, just outside their window. Ned rushes to meet the morning tide as Belle waves goodbye. The morning sky is a threatening red which is a warning Ned ignores. His catch is meagre but he stays out for just a little longer. Suddenly he and his dog, Mudder, are fighting for their lives in a deadly storm which leaves them stranded with a broken mast. Ned and Mudder fall into a deep sleep. Many days go by while Belle waits for her fisherman to come home. The puffins are also in distress with their nest in tatters. One decides to fly off in search of twigs to repair their tattered home. Time goes on, and finally the puffin finds a twig at the end of Ned's mast, way out at sea. Ned's beard has now grown long enough to wind up the broken mast only to be plucked up by the puffin while taking the twig. The tireless puffin heads home while towing Ned by the beard. Days and nights pass before the puffin reaches home. The twig mends the nest and the end of the beard is left on the window sill. Bell has been spending her time on the spinning wheel spinning flax into yarn. She reaches up to the bowl of flax on the window sill and grabs the beard instead. She spins and spins and spins and suddenly the love of her life is standing in her window with her holding onto the scruff of his chin. She hugs and kisses the man that she missed and that concludes this adventure of Maritime Ned.

About the Author

Dave Sheridan has been an art teacher for the past 20 years. He is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario in Fine Arts and a graduate of Classical Animation from Sheridan College. His career began in the animation industry and illustration. His passion for illustration continued throughout his career as an art teacher.

During this time he was the illustrator for the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation Resource Books, and for C.B.C.'s award winning Bob MacDonald's book Measuring the Earth with a Stick. His various book illustrations, graphic arts and mural painting have been squeezed into a very successful career as an art Teacher. In 2001 Sheridan received the Innovation in Teaching Award by his local school board. His students have received provincial recognition for winning the young Leaders Awards from the Ontario Heritage Foundation. Sheridan is also proud to announce his most recent award Dec /2006 the Prime Minister's Award of Teaching Excellence - Certificate of Achievement. Throughout his busy career Dave has been raising three children with his wife Diane in Brockville, Ontario. Maritime Ned has been a constant in his life as well. Sheridan has slowly developed this story between the many projects he has become known for and is now hoping to create a series of Ned adventures. Each story containing hilarious conflicts and surprise resolutions, seasoned with themes of hope, peace, and ecological awareness.

Excerpts