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When authors and longtime friends Martin Bois and Sebastian Levek envisioned the story of Eloik, they remembered their simple childhoods in Quebec, a land stark with winter snow, and lacking the wealth of fantasy stories teeming in our culture today. But the former media professionals point to a mighty symbol of how far children’s books have come, by exhibiting their own ambition. Says Bois of their book: “Hopefully it will become as large as Harry Potter.”

The Dreamer’s Awakening tells a solid if familiar coming-of-age story about a boy named Eloik MacMillan, as he enters a new school. Before long, Eloik gets swept up in a war against Kuwursha, the dark queen of nightmares. Eloik and a band of loyal friends race to stop Kuwursha’s menacing plan that could mean the end of humankind.

Originally written in French and released in 2007, the book enjoyed great success in its native Canada, and led to a popular Saturday morning cartoon show. The English-language publisher is Hong Kong-based Fountain, so it’s no surprise the English edition debuted here during the recent book fair, with distribution in the US and Europe on the horizon. Clearly Eloik holds wide appeal, though time will tell if it approaches the phenomenon penned by JK Rowling.

Ian Won

Fountain Publisher