Philipsburg/St-Armand
Author creates a community-inspired tale of a mischievous raccoon
Author Yves Langlois and daughter Shakti, one of the illustrators
Yves Langlois is a former urbanite and self-described world traveler who finally found happiness in the tiny village of St-Armand. "As a traveler you meet fantastic people, but you have no roots," explained the author at a recent reading at the Missisquoi Public Library. His professional past has also included work as a filmmaker, singer, songwriter, psychologist and international journalist. Through Les Productions Lany of St-Armand, he now makes his living primarily as a filmmaker and video consultant but relishes his role as part-time storyteller.
How did the author of two books in psychology find an identity as a storyteller? "I have always been a communicator," he explained. "I once took a Zen group class entitled 'Who Am I?' The Zen Master told me that I am a storyteller: journalism, songwriting and filmmaking are all about telling a story, about explaining the world to others."
His background in psychology and youth counseling were useful in his first foray into children's fiction. Rakou, the story's main character, shares with his creator the itch to travel. When he becomes lost, he is forced to depend upon strangers in a hostile and alien world. The raccooon's first home is a library where children secretly care for him, visiting him every day, reading stories and bringing him snacks. When he is discovered and chased out of his haven by an irrascible janitor, he falls into the company of an assortment of animal guides: a squirrel, who has boundless energy but never quite thinks things through, a cat who is clever but doesn't care a smidgen what happens to the young raccoon and finally, sewer rats who, in spite of their unkempt appearance and hideous smell, prove to be his best allies in the search for a way to the forests of Lake Champlain. When the brave raccoon finally arrives at his destination, he encounters a fairy who grants his wish to once again live in a library surrounded by children who will read and play with him but only on the condition that he be transformed into a stuffed animal.
To illustrate his tale, Langlois sought out the help of the surrounding community. Thirteen volunteer illustrators, each contributing one or more illustrations, came from St-Armand, Philipsburg, Bedford, Pike River, Frelighsburg and Granby. The illustrators were split evenly between children and adults, from all walks of life and skill levels, each lending his own interpretation. The result is a crazy quilt that changes, as in a oral storytelling tradition, with each telling.
Capturing community cooperation, he insists, would have been difficult in an urban environment. "This is what I like about a small village: in a city, you socialize with a narrow group, mostly your own age and your own professional group. In a village, you have cross- communication: any age, any sex, any dress." With the help of graphic artists Frédéric Mahieu, his sister Nathalie amd Chantal Fournier, the text and illustrations were fused and the book took its current form in "desk-top" published form.
Rakou's adventures were formally unveiled at a reading at Philipsburg's Missisquoi Public Library where the raccoon is now in permanent residence. Speaking to the crowded room of children who had brought their own favorite "toutous" for the occasion, Langlois dedicated his book to library founder and director, Normand Paquin who, he said, "has given life to his own dreams" through his work with the Corporation d'initiatives communautaires as well as his role in founding both the Missisquoi Public Library and what is now the municipal public library in Pike River.
The library was filled with youngsters each clutching a stuffed animal brought from home or supplied by volunteers for the occasion. During a short break, the kids snacked on a feast of Rakou's favorite foods of potato chips, ham sandwiches and chocolate cakes.
The author intends to make copies of the book and the video available on loan from the library. "Instead of renting a video, kids will be able to check out a tape and the book from the library. I think they will appreciate seeing a storyteller." Langlois said that children will also be able to check out the stuffed animal of their choice with a book, making the library the world's first "Toutouthèque". Eventually, he hopes to make copies of his book available for sale with all proceeds going to the library.
The next step, now that a paper copy of Rakou's adventures exists, will be to search for a publisher, but not before tying up a few lose ends. Langlois said that he still needs a few more illustrations to round out the text and is in search for volunteer illustrators of any age or skill level to help bring the adventures to life.
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"L'Aventure de Rakou le petit raton laveur" will soon be available on loan from the Missisquoi Public Library located at 187 Champlain in Philipsburg.
Rakou in his new library home
Although Rakou prefers the comfort of the library, his fellow stuffed animals are happy to go home with youngsters who promise to read to them.
Library hours are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For information, call the library at (450) 248-4402.
Anyone seeking information on contributing an illustration may contact Yves Langlois at Les Productions Lany (phone: (450) 248-3209).
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text and photos © Caroline Kehne, june 1999
A Contribution to Sunnymead Village Magazine: SunnyZine
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