Young Canadians may not realize that free medical care was not always available to those unable to pay for treatment. This nonfiction biography relates the story of Tommy Douglas, considered to be the father of Medicare. As a youngster, a bad accident almost resulted in the loss of his leg, but it inspired Douglas to search for ways to assist those less fortunate, not only in his home province of Saskatchewan but Canada-wide. From preacher to politician to premier, and eventually the leader of the national CCP party (now known as the NDP), Tommy’s insatiable drive to pass laws supporting full access to medical services is chronicled. Steacy’s bold and dynamic illustrations liven the text, making Tommy’s achievements accessible to a younger audience. A one-page addendum provides details such as Douglas' support of women and the elderly and his selection as the Greatest Canadian in a vote on a CBC television show.

Other End Matter: Biographical Summary
Images: Colour illustrations
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Source: Books BC - BC Books for Schools

Beryl Young is the author of the best-selling young adult novel Wishing Star Summer (Raincoast, 2001). The book was on the Victoria Times Colonist BC Children’s Bestseller list for twenty-six weeks, was named to Our Choice book by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, and received nominations for the Red Cedar Award (BC), the Chocolate Lily Award (BC) and the Diamond Willow Award (SK). Young is a member of the Federation of BC Writers, the Children’s Writers and Illustrators of BC, the Writers Union of Canada, and the Canadian Society of Authors, Illustrators and Performers. In the autumn of 2009, she published, to great acclaim, Charlie: A Home Child’s Life in Canada (Key Porter). She has a passion for elephants and for India, where she has travelled three times in an unsuccessful search for her real life pen pal. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. Beryl has three children and four grandchildren.

Beryl Young's profile page

Joan Steacy grew up in southern Ontario, and is a graduate of Sheridan College, The Ontario College of Art & Design University, and The University of Victoria. With her husband Ken Steacy she co-created the Comics and Graphic Novels program at Camosun College in Victoria, BC, where she taught from 2012 to 2020. Her first graphic novel Aurora Borealice: a Graphic Memoir, was published by Conundrum Press in 2019, and was listed as one of “Ten Canadian Comics to Read Right Now” by the CBC, and won the sequential magazine award for best graphic novel of 2019. Joan also produced the illustrations for a biography of our greatest canadian, titled A Boy Named Tommy Douglas which is published by Midtown press as well.

Joan Steacy's profile page

Ken Steacy's profile page