A new Christmas story that’s warming the hearts of children is making a splash after being named an official book of the Toronto Santa Claus Parade.
‘Snowball: A Christmas Dilemma’ is written by Scarborough resident Ian R. White and was edited by a former Bracebridge resident, Tim Gentle.
Illustrated by BC Artist Sarah Cowan in pencil crayon, it’s a tale of how Santa Claus lost his hat on Christmas Eve and the ensuing adventure he went on to recover it, finding a newfound appreciation of the Christmas Spirit along the way.
It’s a redeeming tale with many twists and turns. At its centre is a cat named Snowball who plays a pivotal role in helping the Jolly old elf and his trademark toque.
More from Gentle about the inspiring, long road to the book’s creation…
White, now 87, hailed from England and worked for the Toronto Star, Toronto Telegram and the Globe and Mail in his earlier days. He’d written short stories and poems throughout his life and had worked on Snowball on-and-off for over 30 years. White was the oldest and best friend of Tim’s father Allan Gentle who was the District of Muskoka rep for the Toronto Star between 1977 and the mid-90s who also worked with Big Bothers and was a member of the Muskoka Men of Song.
Author Ian R. White with editor Tim Gentle many years ago in Bracebridge.
White would often drive up and spend weekends golfing with the Gentles in Muskoka in those days – Tim remembers he always had a funny story to tell, a card trick to teach and was generally an all-round fun loving guy. On those trips he’d often tell Tim the different iterations of the ongoing Christmas story which was coming together in his head year after year:
Author Ian R. White during a reading of the book at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto
The Snowball audio book will be re-released again closer to Christmas, says Gentle, adding that White currently has health problems, but is very happy with how the book has come together and been received.
A feather in the cap for the Author & publication team was the book recently being named an official book of the Toronto Santa Claus Parade (above).
At the Nov. 23rd parade, they were at the Bloor and Brunswick stage along the parade route spreading word about the book. Santa himself also read from its pages on the parade’s Instagram page.
Gentle says the book is ideal for children ages four to nine. Available on Amazon it’s the perfect Christmas story to get delivered to your door this season for the little ones.
Signed copies and gift bundles are also available for order at www.snowballchristmasstory.com
Gentle, (above) says buyers can also get signed copies delivered to the Bracebridge area via him. He can be reached via the book’s website.