Co-creator Julie Mason spent nearly 50 years as a newspaper columnist (including the Ottawa Citizen), fiction writer, book reviewer, street photographer, film producer, political strategist, and advertising director. She was a passionate advocate for the rights of women and children and for the Canadian health care system.
Miriam Bloom, an artist, professional graphic designer and book designer, lives in the city’s Kitchissippi ward. “ It’s fun for young readers to open a colourful book and recognize places where they live and play. When Julie died the project went on hold, but I couldn’t let it go. ” This book is for thousands of Ottawa kids and Julie would be delighted.
An ABC of Ottawa is Canada's first ABC book featuring Ottawa's well-loved sites. It is for young readers, families and visitors, a child's-eye view of Canada's colourful capital. An education guide is available to help plan visits and activities.
My friend Julie Mason began work on this book in 2009. Julie believed that the cityscape of Ottawa would be the perfect backdrop to a children's book. With her trademark enthusiasm the project was launched, and I was thrilled to do the design and illustration.
When Julie died, the book was not finished. With the support of Julie's husband, Don McGregor, I resumed work on the project. Even a short children's book can be surprisingly complex: it has taken much time and the help of many people to steer this to completion. I hope the book will be as much fun for its readers as it was for us to create.