Florence and Leon have never met.

Florence is a swimming instructor. She has a small problem with her lungs: it's as if she's breathing through a straw. Leon is an insurance salesman. He has a small problem with his eyes: it's as if he's seeing the world through a straw. One day Florence and Leon bump into each other, literally, and this mishap turns their lives upside down. Over slushy drinks with proper straws, Florence and Leon find out how their differences make them alike.

Award-winning Qu&eacuteb&eacutecois author Simon Boulerice is a playwright, novelist, poet and children's book author. His picture book Florence & L&eacuteon (Qu&eacutebecAm&eacuterique, published as Florence & Leon in English by Orca) was nominated for the 2016 Governor General's Award for French-language children's illustration. Inspired by the power of the imagination, Simon believes in the gift of time to let your mind wander...because you never know what it will come up with.

Simon Boulerice's profile page

C’est pendant ses études en graphisme au Cégep de Sherbrooke que Delphie Côté-Lacroix tombe en amour avec l’illustration. Depuis, elle s’est lancé dans l’aventure avec succès, remportant notamment un Prix littéraire du Gouverneur général, et en co-signant avec Valérie Plante sa première bande dessinée: Simone Simoneau: Chronique d’une femme en politique. En publiant des histoires illustrées, Delphie souhaite contribuer à la représentation d’idées qui lui sont chères, notamment la contemplation, la résilience et l’engagement citoyen.

Delphie Cote-Lacroix's profile page

• Short-listed, The Prix Albertine Jeunesse, 9 - 14
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
• Nominated, Prix Alvine-Belisle
• Nominated, Prix littéraire du Gouverneur Général: littérature jeunesse de langue française- livres illustrés