The 2011 Willow Awards
Shining Willow Nominee
Viola Desmond Won’t be Budged
Viola Desmond was a black woman who took a stand against segregation in Nova Scotia in 1946, by refusing to accept that being black meant she couldn’t sit where she wanted to in the movie theatre. Her determination gave strength to her community.
About the Author
Jody Nyasha Warner is from Toronto, ON
Jody Nyasha Warner is a writer, editor and former librarian. She lives in Toronto, Ontario, with two children. This is her first book.
About the Illustrator
Richard Rudnicki is an artist known for his paintings of Nova Scotia as well as for his award-winning children’s books. Gracie, the Public Gardens Duck by Judith Meyrick won the Lillian Shepherd Memorial Award for Excellence in Illustration and was a finalist for the APMA Best Atlantic Published Book Award. Richard also teaches drawing and portraiture and frequently gives school workshops. He lives in Halifax.
Book Reviews
Suggested Activities
- Viola Desmond is sometimes called “The Canadian Rosa Parks”. Find out who Rosa Parks was and talk about why they are often compared.
- The African American community in Nova Scotia is one of the oldest and most established black communities in Canada. Find out how the first African Americans arrived in Nova Scotia.
- Viola Desmond Won’t be Budged is historical fiction. That means it is a story about a real person or event that happened in the past. Look at the pictures painted by artist Richard Rudnicki and find clues about what life was like at the time of this story.
- Learn about social justice. Talk to adults in your family or community about people they know who are working for social justice.
Teacher Resources
- The book's webpage has many links for suggestions on using the book, compliments of Groundwood Books.
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