A Petrolia teacher has received the 2022 Children's Literature Award from the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario [ETFO].
Steve McGrail said he's honoured, and humbled, to be recognized for his book titled 'A Heart Full of Cash.'
"It started out as a COVID project when I had some spare time and I decided to write a book," said McGrail. "I had a great topic right in front of us at school every day and decided to write about Cash and it was well received."
He said the book is about a year to complete and was finished last fall.
"The main character is Cash McKinnon. He's a student at Lambton Centennial and he has cerebral palsy. He came out for our cross country school team when he was in Grade 3. That was the first year he was able to. He's actually now going into Grade 7, but we wrote the story based on his school experience with running cross country."
McGrail, a physical education and health teacher for the students from kindergarten to Grade 8, said McKinnon's participation was, and continues to be, inspiring.
"People just kind of stopped and were in awe of how much effort and determination he had to put into his race and he continues to do that."
The video has since been viewed over 64,000 times.
McGrail said the story he wrote was based on those events, but the book was a group effort.
"We had the kids at school in his class contribute by each doing illustrations for the book and a local artist helped us put it all together. It took a while because of the interruptions with COVID and trying to get things done, but in the end it was a good project."
McGrail said The Book Keeper in Sarnia and The Artz Den in Petrolia had copies, and about 800 books have been sold on Amazon.
"I think it's just a feel good story and story that everybody can relate to about never giving up and you just keep going and it's not important who wins a race, it's that you had the courage to get up there and try and finish what you started."
100 percent of the book sale profits have been donated to the Parents for Parks group in Petrolia, which has been working to build a fully accessible playground.
ETFO President Karen Brown said the award recognizes quality children's literature that keeps with the organization's position on social justice and equity.
“Unfortunately, we continue to live in a society where, every day, individuals face barriers that exist due to ongoing systemic discrimination,” said Brown. “Steve’s heartwarming story teaches children about the obstacles some individuals face and demonstrates what it is to have the heart of a champion.”