Jacy Backpack / Keychain

It was a late afternoon in March 2023 while I was having a late lunch when a spark of magic drifted into my thoughts. What if the elf slipped the ticket into the locker, waiting to be found by the child who discovers the maple leaf? The idea felt like a secret gift, and I rushed to my Remarkable to capture it before it could fade away. From the very beginning, I knew Jacy and the Maple Leaf would be more than words alone. To truly bring the story’s wonder to life, I worked hand in hand with our illustrator, whose colors and imagination transformed my vision into a world children could see and feel.

A Magical New Holiday Tradition

There’s a new story lighting up hearts this holiday season - Jacy and the Maple Leaf, a beautifully illustrated children’s book that captures the true wonder of Christmas through the eyes of a young boy named Jacy.

Published by Santa and Me Inc., and written by Q. Ahsan with illustrations by Sofia Garyayev and Wendy Lemeric , this heartwarming tale is a celebration of imagination, kindness, and a uniquely Canadian twist on Christmas magic.

Always brave enough to wander beyond the familiar, eight-year-old Jacy often finds himself in magical and mysterious situations. Alongside him are the other main characters—some who help him on his journey, and others who challenge him—each adding depth, excitement, and heart to his story. Read on to learn more about Jacy and his magical friends.