Star Sailor, the Story of Words

Humans need words to communicate, whether they are spoken, written, signed or even sung. But what exactly is a word? And why does the way we use words continue to change?

The English language has morphed, melted and remade itself since its beginning. From imitating the sounds of the world to squishing two words together to describe something unique, words on their own and strung together are capable of expressing many meanings. Star Sailor, The Story of Words ventures into the history of how language came to be and explores the ways words reveal a whole new impression of the world around us.

Sara Cassidy’s children’s books include finalists for the Governor General’s Literary Award in Young People’s Literature, Chocolate Lily Award, City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize, Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award, Diamond Willow Award, Silver Birch Express Award and Sunburst Award for Excellence in Canadian Literature of the Fantastic. Her book Genius Jolene won the Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize. Her most recent book for young readers is The Secret Office. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia, and works in communications for the BC Ministry of Health.

Julie McLaughlin is an award-winning illustrator who has illustrated numerous children’s titles, including Pride Puppy, Little Pine Cone and Why We Live Where We Live, winner of the 2015 Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non- Fiction. She was also the recipient of the Victoria Book Prize and The Nature Generation Green Earth Book Award in 2023. Her work with various editorial, advertising and publishing clients can be seen around the world. Julie grew up on the Prairies and now resides on Vancouver Island, BC.