The First Ones on the Ice (pb)

For fans of When the Moon Comes, a gentle winter story about a brother and sister and the simple beauty of their neighbourhood outdoor rink, inspired by the author's hometown of St. Stephen, New Brunswick.

My brother and I are the luckiest kids in town.
We start the path. We"ll get there first.

On a quiet winter morning, before the sun has fully risen, a brother and sister set out with their skates. They spend the day on the icy pond behind their house–clearing the snow, skating with the crowd of neighbourhood kids, and cheering on the local hockey team, who play until the sun begins to set. Finally, under the moon and stars, the siblings once again have the ice to themselves.

Inspired by the author's childhood memories of growing up in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, this nostalgic and beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates community, family, and the joy of playing outside.

Lana Button is an early childhood educator and an award-winning author of more than a dozen books for children. Lana is a former actress who considers every read-aloud a mini-performance. When not writing new stories, Lana spends her time travelling to schools and festivals to share her books and her passion for social-emotional literacy. Lana grew up in New Brunswick and now lives in southern Ontario. She is active on social media @lanabutton and would love to connect with you.

Alex MacAskill is a Halifax-based designer and illustrator, often working under the moniker of his studio, Midnight Oil Print & Design House. Alex works on a broad scope of projects from editorial illustration, to developing brand identities, to creating gig posters. His work is inspired by process, textures, the history of illustration and print, and all things organic, which is often why his work is screenprinted or letterpress printed by hand. Alex has always had a strong love for animals and the environment, and you often can find him with a pair of binoculars, birdwatching with his wife and two cats. midnight-oil.ca.