Virginia Wolf

(Kids Can Press; distributed by University of Toronto Press. Text by Kyo Maclear )
(ISBN 978-1-55453-649-8 )

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Summary

Virginia’s “wolfish” mood is upsetting the whole family. Her sister, Vanessa, cheers her up by painting an idyllic imaginary world on the bedroom walls. Soon Virginia picks up the brush and undergoes a transformation of her own. A celebration of sibling relationships and the healing power of art.

Jury Statement

Isabelle Arsenault’s Virginia Wolf is an imaginative journey into the world of children’s dreams and creativity. This delightfully whimsical and tactile book has the feeling of children’s sidewalk drawings. Through her unique style, the illustrator merges fantasy, emotions and inspiration.

Isabelle Arsenault (GG 2012, children's literature -- illustration) at the Canada Council for the Arts' public announcement of the 2012 winners of the Governor General's Literary Awards.

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Biography

Isabelle Arsenault’s illustrations, sensitive and finessed, appeal to children and adults alike. After studying graphic design, she contributed to several magazines in Canada and the U.S. In 2004, she illustrated her first children's book, Le cœur de monsieur Gauguin, which won a GG award. Since then, her passion for illustrating books has earned her recognition as two-time GG finalist and, in 2012, a GG award for Virginia Wolf. The book Spork was a finalist for the Marilyn Baillie Award 2011 and Migrant was named one of the ten best illustrated books of 2011 according to the New York Times. Isabelle Arsenault lives and works in Montréal.