Hilda Frances Young: Community connector

THE TEACUP TREE  WRITTEN BY GORDON KUBANEK, ILLUSTRATED BY KATERINA MERTIKAS

Omi-Kooch-Ka publishing $11.99 in Canada

The Teacup tree is a simple story illustrated by a well known- Canadian artist featured in fine art galleries across Canada. The story is true as the author uses the teacup tree” when he goes for a walk in his neighbourhood. It is told in a way that speaks to the child in all of us. I asked the author a series of

Questions. His answers are below with some editing. I asked some personal questions about his background which is not completely related to the book but it gives the reader an idea of Gordon’s personal philosophy of life and shows up in his writing. His connection to the natural world is critical to his writing style.

1. Is the book self published? published by omi-kooch-ka.com

2026 Legrand Crescent Ottawa, Canada
Phone: 613-407-8768            Email: omikoochkapub@gmail.

I checked out this publisher. It is a small house in the Ottawa area worth checking out for beautifully illustrated books.

2. How did you choose your illustrator? I had a print of 1 of her painting in my hallway and said “I wish i could have her as my illustrator’ and I looked her up on google. I saw she was a local Ottawa artist so I called her. As it was covid and she was not busy in galleries she agreed to do the work.

3. How long did it take you to write the story, get it in book read form and get it published?

writing the story was fast – a couple of weeks, editing was many, many weeks and getting it published took months. 

4. Who was your reader for the story besides your wife?

My sister in law is a retired elementary school teacher who said “this one is good enough to publish” [i have written 10 other kids books]. I also had other friends look it over to get response and have them read it to their kids.  

5. Did you give your neighbour Lambert a complimentary copy of the book? Is he a recluse as well as the main character?

Yes I did, I also asked for his permission to publish the book as he is very sensitive about things like that. I also asked him permission to dedicate the book to him. he is a recluse, but he did have work, earlier as a plumber, later in real estate – so he did meet with people . He was not a total recluse because, like in the story, he lived with his wife, who he adored – just like in the story. His wife died around 3-4 years ago.

6. I notice in your bio. other places where you name comes up on google that you have run for the Green Party 6 times in Kars! Are you planning to write all your children’s books with a natural world background?

Yes, I have been a Green party candidate since 2007. yes, all my books have the natural world as a back drop. I do not believe we can be totally human without non-human life being important in our lives – it stops us from becoming narcissists, in the way that it stops of from seeing only humans as important and only humans as the centre of all – we are not – we are just 1 strand in the web of life = and if we don’t see that we will kill ourselves – in a mental health kind of way – and of course, the world around us along the way.

7. Have you travelled up to the Upper Ottawa valley area and met other bee keepers?

Many times! there is a great annual beekeepers meeting past Carleton place.

we also go canoeing in Algonquin every year. entering near Petawawa.

I enjoyed interacting with the author as he lives in a similar geographical area to myself. I admire his ability to express himself through words.