Anne L. MacMaster passed away in August 2006 after a long battle with cancer. We at Community Books were honoured to work with her on both her children's book and her mother's book, Homestead Collections. Anne was a special person and will be greatly missed.

Ross and The Big Happening is based on true events in Pictou, a small town in Nova Scotia. Ross, a young boy, looks for something big to happen, and it does on September 29, 2003. Hurricane Juan visits the town and sets the replica ship Hector free. Inspired by the author’s photographs, artist Sharon D. McKenna stirs emotion, imagination and humour with her beautiful illustrations.

Anne Lorraine MacMaster was born in Pictou, Nova Scotia, and has been a resident of nearby Caribou for most of her life. She is a poet, painter, rug hooker, photographer and mother whose creativity has always been inspired by the community she loves. The people, events and her own photographs of September 2003 moved Anne to the challenge of writing and publishing this children’s book. Anne is shown here with her cat, Marvin.

International-award-winning artist Sharon D. McKenna was raised in British Columbia but returned to her roots in Nova Scotia the first chance she got. She has had many exhibitions of her work on both coasts and currently owns the Raven Gallery and Frameshop in Tatamagouche. Her many accomplishments include carving, woodworking, three dimensional painting, miniatures, editorial cartoonist for the Pictou Advocate, and illustrating book covers and magazine articles. This is her first children’s book. Sharon is shown here with Seamus, Sasha and Gus the cat.