-By Jill Westerman
A Yellowknife author and illustrator is well on his way to filling library shelves with his written works.
Sebastian Bernabe did a public reading of his newest book, SA国际影视传媒業 Wish I Lived in a Library,SA国际影视传媒� for an appreciative audience at the Yellowknife Public Library recently.
While itSA国际影视传媒檚 quite impressive that this is the third book Sebastian has written, illustrated and published this year, what is more notable is that he is but eight years old.
Bernabe, who moved to Yellowknife with his family from Fairbanks, Alaska, in 2019, said he wanted to write about the enjoyment he gets from reading and visiting the library.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 about why I want to go to the library, where I am from, and all the books I like,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
He not only read his newest book to his audience, but also played several songs on the keyboard and had everyone guessing the titles.
The Grade 3 student at Ecole St. Joseph School said inspiration for his writing comes from reading a wide variety of books during his many visits to the library.
Oyuka Bernabe, SebastianSA国际影视传媒檚 mother, said he is multi-talented in his ability to write, draw, play music, swim, play hockey and learn through reading.
SA国际影视传媒淏ecause we do not have internet, we spend more time reading and talking or exploring,SA国际影视传媒� she said of the time they spend at home.
She said she was very proud of her son and praised the library staff, his school, the publishers and everyone who always encouraged Sebastian in his accomplishments.
Sebastian has also gained widespread support from the writers community in Yellowknife and beyond.
The NorthWords NWT event held in May SA国际影视传媒� an annual literary festival that supports writers through various workshops and readings SA国际影视传媒� had a story-time reading event that included Sebastian reading from one of his books to an audience.
In April 2021, he claimed top prize for his entry in the SA国际影视传媒榊ounger ChildrenSA国际影视传媒� category of the Yellowknife Public LibrarySA国际影视传媒檚 poetry contest.
Sebastian wrote his first book, SA国际影视传媒楾he Alaskan Boy Who Explored Bushkids,SA国际影视传媒� followed by SA国际影视传媒楾he Rainbow Fish,SA国际影视传媒� an e-book, earlier this year.
All three books are written in English and French. His written works can be found in the Northern Collection of the Yellowknife Public Library.
The talented writer said he already has an idea for his fourth book.
Excerpt from SA国际影视传媒業 Wish I Lived in a LibrarySA国际影视传媒�:
I wish I lived in a library,
where I would read all
night without my mom
telling me to go to bed.
Correction: Due to an editing error, a previous version of this story indicated an incorrect number of published books in the headline.
