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Michael Bedard
Micahel Bedard.jpg
Born (1949-06-26) 26 June 1949 (age 76)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Occupation Writer
Language English
Alma mater University of Toronto
Period 1979–present
Spouse Martha Crean
Children 4

Michael Bedard is a Canadian writer known for his books for children and young adults. He was born on June 26, 1949, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in Toronto and later studied at the University of Toronto, graduating in 1971.

Michael Bedard started writing after his high school teacher showed him the works of famous poets like Emily Dickinson and T. S. Eliot. Today, he lives in Toronto with his wife, Martha. They have four children and six grandchildren.

Michael Bedard's Books

Michael Bedard has written many different kinds of books, including stories, novels, and retellings of classic tales. Here are some of his works:

  • Woodsedge and Other Tales: A Gathering of Tales (1979) – a collection of stories.
  • Pipe and Pearls (1980) – another collection of stories.
  • A Darker Magic (1987) – his first novel.
  • The Lightning Bolt (1989) – illustrated by Regolo Ricci.
  • Redwork (1990) – a novel that won several awards.
  • The Tinder Box (1990) – a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale.
  • The Nightingale (1991) – another retelling of a Hans Christian Andersen story.
  • Emily (1992) – a story about the poet Emily Dickinson.
  • Painted Devil (1994) – a sequel to A Darker Magic.
  • Glass Town: The Secret World of the Brontë Children (1997) – about the famous Brontë family.
  • The Divide (1997) – a story about the writer Willa Cather.
  • Sitting Ducks (1998).
  • The Clay Ladies (1999).
  • The Wolf of Gubbio (2000) – based on a legend about St. Francis of Assisi.
  • Stained Glass (2001).
  • The Painted Wall and Other Strange Tales (2003) – retellings of old Chinese stories.
  • William Blake: The Gates of Paradise (2006) – about the artist and poet William Blake.
  • The Green Man (2012) – a sequel to A Darker Magic.

About A Darker Magic

A Darker Magic was Michael Bedard's first novel, published in 1987. The story is about an old teacher named Miss Potts. She finds a flyer for a magic show that reminds her of a sad event from her childhood. She believes the magic show was involved in the death of a friend. With the help of a student named Emily, Miss Potts tries to stop the show from happening. Reviewers have called it a "well-crafted eerie novel" that keeps readers interested.

About Redwork

Redwork, published in 1990, is one of Michael Bedard's most famous novels. It won several important awards, including the Governor General's Literary Award in Canada. This book is known for its detailed descriptions and how the story unfolds through conversations between characters.

About The Painted Devil

The Painted Devil is a follow-up story to A Darker Magic. It takes place in the same town, Caledon, about 28 years later. This book features Emily, a character from the first novel, and her niece, Alice.

About The Green Man

The Green Man is another sequel to A Darker Magic. In this book, the story follows Ophelia, who is Emily's niece. Ophelia has to face a new generation of the same dangerous magic that her Aunt Emily dealt with when she was younger. The book explores poetry, family relationships, and a fascinating mystery.

Awards and Honors

Michael Bedard's books have received many awards and honors:

  • Redwork
    • Governor General's Literary Award, Canada, 1990
    • Canadian Library Association Book of the Year Award for Children, 1991
    • IODE Violet Downey Book Award, 1991
  • The Nightingale
    • IODE Children's Book Award, 1991 (shared with illustrator Regolo Ricci)
  • The Clay Ladies
    • IODE Children's Book Award, 1999 (shared with illustrator Les Tait)
  • The Green Man
    • IODE Violet Downey Book Award, 2013
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