Theo’s Poppa was an explorer. He had been everywhere. He kept an old trunk packed with the pictures, postcards, maps and menus that he had collected on his adventures. Someday, Theo wants to be an explorer, too. For now, it’s Poppa’s birthday, and Theo has planned a special trip to the beach with him to celebrate. They plot out their course on a map they’ve drawn and then take the streetcar to the local beach, where they stroll in the sand, hunt for stones and slurp gazpacho at the beachside restaurant. It’s a perfect day, and Theo is so happy to have given Poppa just the right gift. But best of all, Theo has also had her first lesson in being an explorer: you don’t have to travel far from home to have an adventure! In this heart-warming picture book, popular author Andrew Larsen has created a rich story that captures the magic of turning an ordinary day into an adventure. The closeness between Theo and Poppa is touching, and offers a terrific opportunity for classroom discussions about family relationships. The emphasis on discovering the world right outside your door is a wonderful springboard for projects in which children can do the same in their own communities. With subtle and imaginative details in the cityscape, the beach and Poppa’s home, Irene Luxbacher’s fresh and expressive illustrations add depth to the story. The endearing Poppa and Theo also star in The Imaginary Garden, written and illustrated by the same creators. AGES: 3-7 AUTHOR: As a young boy, Andrew dreamed of being a hockey player. His first job was delivering newspapers to the houses in his neighbourhood. He has had many jobs over the years, but once he started a family, Andrew discovered his true calling: he became a stay-at-home dad and started writing stories. He still loves to skate. Andrew spends his days cooking, cleaning, daydreaming and writing. He often visits schools and libraries, where he encourages children to discover their own stories. ILLUSTRATOR: Irene has exhibited her work while teaching art at the Avenue Road Arts School and consulting at the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Learning Through the Arts Program. Irene is the author and illustrator of The Jumbo Book of Art, which won the 2003 National Parenting Publication Award, and ‘The Jumbo Book of Outdoor Art’. She is the illustrator for the Starting Art series, which includes the titles ‘123 I Can Paint!’ and ‘123 I Can Draw!