Toronto- February 12, 2010

February 26th 2010 – The Ontario Library Associate (OLA), featuring the Honourable Romeo Dallaire, is pleased to recognize author Eric Walters with its President’s Award for Exceptional Achievement. The award will be presented by OLA President Peggy Thomas. Walters is being honoured for his commitment to informing a generation of children about the experiences and realities of children worldwide at their 17th annual Super Conference.

The award recognizes Walters commitment to social justice and making meaningful contributions to our society by establishing The Creation of Hope, an outreach program and orphanage in Kikima, Kenya that provides direct support, education, advocacy, micro-grants and micro-loans for children and their extended families throughout the region who are living at risk. The orphanage also houses and cares for children without families to support them.

Eric Walters utilizes his novels and speaking engagements to promote his philanthropic initiatives. Through his books and speaking engagements, Eric hopes to demonstrate the importance of global citizenship and social justice by drawing children’s attention to world events.

Walters presentations, which have been enjoyed by 125, 000 children around the world, blend drama, storytelling, audience participation and interaction. Not only is he dedicated to promoting global citizenship he helps teach children about the writing process by getting them excited about writing, reading and literacy.

Eric Walters began his writing career as a teacher and his stories often reflect the curriculums that he taught. A course in creative writing and a challenge from one bold student sparked Walters’ interest in writing novels. Now Eric draws on story ideas from notable moments in Canadian history and his extensive travelling experiences.

Walters commitment to social justice frequently makes its way into his books, where he introduces young adults with topics ranging from the grey areas of contemporary race dynamics (Black and White) to the impact of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on a soldier’s family (Wounded).

Eric Walters is a critically acclaimed children’s author, having won more than 80 awards for his works. He has published over 60 novels, many of which are sold internationally. While remaining one of the best selling authors in the country, his works have been translated into French, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Chinese, Dutch, Japanese, Italian, Spanish and Slovenian.

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For more information please visit www.ericwalters.net Available for interviews, Eric Walters

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