THUNDER BAY - Every family immigrating to Canada has a different story to tell but what remains the same is the experience of being introduced to a new culture while also maintaining old ones.
A local author and illustrator are sharing the story of Italian immigrants in a new children’s book that goes beyond national or traditional borders.
“My grandparents and family immigrated to Thunder Bay back in the day and I wanted something for kids to learn about Italian culture and be able to share traditions with their families over the generations,” said author, Leah Nadin.
Tarantella to Thunder Bay, written by Nadin and illustrated by artist, Caterina Tolone, was released on Sunday.
The children’s book tells the story of Italian immigration to the city of Thunder Bay and started as Nadin’s master’s project at Lakehead University. After two years working on the book, Nadin decided to publish it through the Institute of Italian Studies at Lakehead.
“Kids will learn about Italian customs that their grandparents brought from Italy and continue to be shared in Canada,” Nadin said. “Its also a book for all immigrants who move to Canada and what it’s like to live in a new place and learn different customs as well.”
Tolone said it was important that the book speak to the universal experience of immigrants coming to Canada because while every story is different, many of the experiences are the same.
“Different food, different culture, different heritage, but dealing with the same changes and becoming Canadian,” she said.
Coming from a background in painting, this is Tolone’s first time illustrating a book, but she wanted to work with Nadin because they share a similar background.
“We noticed we both have the same inspiration,” she said. “Both of our families immigrated from Italy. I do artwork that kind of shows that and is inspired by that. We definitely made a good partnership that matches our styles of art.”
The book includes 56 traditional style drawings done by hand, which Tolone said were inspired by family and emotion.
“They are more expressive, almost like sketches. It’s more to show a feeling and atmosphere of what’s happening,” she said.
And capturing that traditional style and emotion is at the heart of Tarantella to Thunder Bay because it helps bring the stories of the immigrant experience to life.
“Leah provided something that we don’t have the story written down,” Tolone said. “You can only get it when you are talking to your grandparents and if they are going to tell you the story. Now that everyone’ s getting older, the kids don’t’ really realize how their family came to be.”
“We have so many different cultures in Thunder Bay especially and I’m so excited for people to read the book and learn about Italian traditions,” Nadin added.
