***BEST BOOKS FOR KIDS AND TEENS 2021 CATALOGUE***

Once upon a fine morning, a little shed awakens to discover she isn’t quite the same as she used to be. Uncertain and feeling as if she no longer fits in, she decides to leave home and sets out to sea. All alone on the wide, wide ocean, she meets an extraordinary new friend who sees how special she really is, and with newfound confidence, the little red shed returns home and inspires everyone to cherish their differences.

Adam Young is best known for his whimsical and colourful depictions of Eastern Canada, particularly Newfoundland. He was born in Halifax, NS, and raised in Moncton, NB; he’s been living on Fogo Island, off the northeast coast of Newfoundland, since 2008. Adam graduated with a BFA from Mount Allison University in 2003 and started his artistic career as a freelance illustrator for newspapers and magazines throughout Canada. His professional body of work began after his first visit to Newfoundland in 2005. He is the co-author and illustrator of the children's book, The Little Red Shed. Find more at ayoungstudios.com

Adam Young's profile page

Jennifer Young's profile page

• Featured in the Best Books for Kids & Teens Catalogue

“Adam Young’s bold and brightly-hued illustrations make this book a visual treasure but the poignant message about diversity and self-acceptance is both timely and timeless. The lively, folk-art style of the artwork beautifully depicts the maritime setting and provides wonderful energy and motion. The simple verse narrative looks at the pain of being rejected for being different, the difference that one person (or whale!) can make and how being true to yourself can inspire others.”

Atlantic Books Today

"This is a wonderful book with a positive message of celebrating who you are. We are all made different and unique. Together we weave a diverse tapestry where everything and everyone is a thread. All need to feel accepted and included to make the glorious cloth complete. The Little Red Shed is an inspirational story that encourages everyone to applaud their individuality. I highly recommend this book!"

Storywraps

"In The Little Red Shed, by Adam Young and Jennifer Young, a shed goes on a journey (really!) and comes home to realize just how important it is to cherish what makes us different."

49th Shelf

“From worry and despair through compassion and hope and finally self-appreciation and diversity, The Little Red Shed offers a lesson for young children to accept themselves as they are, not as others decide they should be... Adam and Jennifer Young make sure the text is minimal, enough to carry a story, choosing words that are absolute in their power and naturalness... The voice of the story is ideal for young children, helping them understand that differences are not a curse but a gift… With Adam Young's bold and colourful art, the story is carried from the darkness and despair of stormy blues through the hope of green and ending with the vibrancy of the rainbow of sheds and water and landscape. There is so much movement and emotion in Adam Young's illustrations that the story of the little red shed becomes an odyssey of self-discovery and colour that every reader can and will appreciate.”

CanLit for Little Canadians