Anne Renaud is a life#45;long Quebecker who was born in Valleyfield and now lives in Westmount. She received her Bachelor of Translation from Concordia University in Montreal. A Bloom of Friendship#58; The Story of the Canadian Tulip Festival#40;Lobster Press, 2004#41;, Renaud#39;s first children#39;s book, was dedicated to her uncle who fought in Holland during World War II. It was shortlisted for the Ontario Library Association#39;s Silver Birch Award, the Hackmatack Children#39;s Choice Award, and the B.C. Young Readers#39; Choice Red Cedar Book Award. Renaud, a descendant of English, Irish, and French immigrants, launched the #34;Canadian Immigration#34; series with Island of Hope and Sorrow#58; The Story of Grosse Ile#40;Lobster Press, 2007#41;, which went on to be shortlisted for the Ontario Library Association#39;s Red Maple Award. She continued the series with Pier 21#58; Stories from Near and Far#40;Lobster Press, 2008#41;, which was shortlisted for Hackmatack Children#39;s Choice Award and the Quebec Writers#39; Federation Prize for Children#39;s & Young Adult Literature.