Once a Wizard: A Story About Finding a Way Through Loss

While attending Uncle Wizard s funeral, Ari sees some striking images: a snow-covered statue that resembles Uncle Wizard, a memorial candle with his picture on it, and his body displayed in an open casket. That night, Ari meets Uncle Wizard in a dream. Together, they embark on an adventure through a snowy land, encountering a magic candle, a living stuffed toy, and a goblin, before finally meeting an unstoppable giant. Through this journey, Ari learns to explore their feelings and awakens with the comfort that their memories of Uncle Wizard will live on.

This wordless children's book has the potential to create many imaginative storylines. It empowers children to tell their own stories and explore the meaning of their own experiences of loss. The book includes helpful tips, questions, and activities to support parents and caregivers as they help children navigate their way through loss.

Curtis L. Wiebe
Author and Illustrator
Curtis is a sculptor, animator, award-winning filmmaker, costume designer, puppeteer, and musician, but his first love has always been drawing. He has worked with children in a variety of settings and currently teaches art to middle-years students at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. He lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with his wife and son. This is his first published book.

Curtis brings a spirit to his drawings that is both grounded and whimsical. He creates a beautiful space where you can feel sadness, joy, anger, curiosity, and confusion, while still feeling supported and safe. It is a true pleasure to see his creative storytelling come alive in these illustrations. -Vicki

Vicki Enns
Clinical Consultant
Vicki worked closely with Curtis to create a book that would be both interesting for children and helpful for them to explore the topic of grief. She is the Clinical Director of the Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute (CTRI) and a registered Marriage and Family Therapist. She is the editor and a contributing author of two of CTRI s books, Counseling Insights and Counseling in Relationships, as well as the author and editor of many of CTRI's training materials.

Vicki was a joy to work with. She wholeheartedly entered the world that I had created and brought ideas to the story that helped make it a more wonderfully detailed and rich experience than I could have ever done on my own. I greatly appreciate the guidance and enthusiasm she brought to the creative process. -Curtis