‘Beatrice and Croc Harry:’ New children’s book on race, identity, healing

One of Canada’s most celebrated authors has done something new– Lawrence Hill has written his first novel for children.

He joined Annette Hamm on Morning Live to discuss his new book, Beatrice and Croc Harry.

His latest novel for children aged nine to 14 follows the story of a young Black girl of an uncertain age named Beatrice.

“It’s nice to be able to work with complicated and sometimes painful themes like the loss of identity, racism and injustice, but to be fun and playful about it,” Hill said.

One day Beatrice awakens alone in a treehouse in the magical forest of Argilia, but doesn’t remember how or why she arrived there. The treehouse is stocked with bookshelves and oatmeal accoutrements, while the forest is filled with every conceivable bird, fish, mammal and reptile and they can all communicate with each other.

Something within Beatrice tells her there is a family anxiously waiting for her return as she notices a trail of clues written in delicate purple handwriting.

Next door to Beatrice, there is the enormous King Crocodile Croc Harry who has a secret. 

As they form a truce and work toward their similar goal, Beatrice and Croc Harry learn more about their forest home and what they learn about themselves may destroy Beatrice’s chances of returning home forever.

The novel emerged from bedtime stories that Hill used to tell his fifth and youngest child Beatrice.