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2005
finalists.

2005 Hackmatack

Children's Choice Book Award/Prix littéraire - le choix de jeunes

An adaptation of a traditional folktale, Peg Bearskin makes copious use of universal narrative patterns: there are three daughters, three quests, and three husbands. But Peg is a ferociously ugly and thoroughly unconventional heroine who makes sure that the happy end holds a humorous surprise in store.

Andy Jones and Philip Dinn have previously collaborated to produce the play for children, Jack Five Oh, which was performed at the International Children's Festivals in Canmore, Calgary, Vancouver and Ottawa in the Spring of 2003 and at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa in May 2004.

Thematic Links

• Folktales
• Newfoundland
• Beauty versus ugliness
• Helping others, unselfishness
• Resourcefulness

Suggested Activities

• Join in the oral tradition. Practice telling your own version of Peg Bearskin.
• Try illustrating other images from the story.
• Change the story: imagine that Peg didn't want to get married. How might the story be different?
• Read other folktales and compare them according to place of origin, gender roles, realism and fantasy and morals etc.
• Write a modern version of your favourite folktale.