Toronto's TD Kids Book Club brings painter Emily Carr to life with Kit Pearson

Kit Pearson shared the inspiration behind her middle-grade novel A Day of Signs and Wonders with students at St. Robert Catholic School in Toronto. A finalist for the 2017 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, the book is an exploration of one fateful day in the life of celebrated Canadian painter, Emily Carr. It's also an account of Emily's unlikely friendship with the young Victorian socialite, Kitty O'Reilly. 

• Meet the finalists for the $30K 2017 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award

A Day of Signs and Wonders takes place when Emily is nine years old, and just discovering her artistic talents. The story centres around Emily's relationship with Kitty, who is coping with a tragic loss in her life. Speaking with the book's author, Kit Pearson, students at St. Robert Catholic School reflected on both girls' characters — and the aspects of the book they found surprising and relatable. 

CBC Books3:04Kit Pearson visits Toronto classroom

Toronto students meet with YA author Kit Pearson at a TD Kids Book Club.

• Kit Pearson on conjuring up brave children, and that time she tried writing for grown-ups

The Toronto classroom visit was one of six TD Kids Book Clubs across Canada, in celebration of the five books nominated for the 2017 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award.