A former Airdrie resident who now lives in Carstairs has been shortlisted for the 2023 Alberta Book Publishing Awards. Ayesha Clough, the author of Howdy, I’m Flores LaDue, has been nominated in two categories: Children’s & Young Adult Book of the Year as well as Regional Book of the Year.

The illustrated children's storybook chronicles the life and accomplishments of Flores LaDue, a rodeo queen and instrumental figure in the Calgary Stampede.

"I have this crazy conviction that I want Alberta kids to grow up knowing Alberta stories; so, even being nominated, tells me that what I'm doing matters and that other people also believe in this crazy vision," Clough said. 

Clough who owns the publishing company, Red Barn Books, said that she was inspired by her own son's passion for all things cowboys and horses. This led her to find stories within Alberta's own past that could encapsulate all of that. She added that while Alberta's elementary school curriculum does indeed have within it pioneers in the province that kids learn about in the classroom, she wanted to explore the topic further.

"When he was Grade one and two; there really were so few options for him to read about that. There were lots of [books on] ponies and unicorns, but there was nothing about horses," she said. "I just found that so strange, given that we live in Alberta, which is the heartland of Canada and so many of us get to enjoy this amazing western lifestyle."

Clough started what she calls the Howdy Book series, which chronicles different Alberta pioneers. The first book she wrote, Howdy, I’m John Ware, was about Canada's most famous African American cowboy. Now with the picturebook on Flores LaDue (illustrated by Hugh Rookwood with Keegan Starlight), Clough is celebrating the woman who was a ride, roper, as well as a trailblazer.

"She was a woman totally ahead of her time; she was tiny - five feet tall and yet she just had this huge impact. She helped to put Alberta on the map," Clough said. "I feel like we need to honour these people and we can make it interesting for our kids so that they have local role models." 

When asked how Clough came to explore Flores LaDue's exploits and accomplishments, she said that it was during a rodeo in High River in which she became more familiar with LaDue's story. LaDue's husband, Guy Weadick who is very well known, was featured at a booth set up by the Highwood Museum. It was then that she became intrigued by LaDue.

"[I thought] what about Flores and wouldn't she be such an awesome role model for girls, especially in our province?"

Clough is already planning a third book in the series, this one will be about the life and times of Harnam Singh Hari - the province's very first Indo-Canadian immigrant who after immigrating to Alberta became a successful rancher.

"His descendants - now fifth generation are still ranching in the High River area."

Looking back on the research on the children's book, Clough said that one of the most memorable things about LaDue's life was her childhood.

"Flores lost her mom when she was very, very young and I think that was a real hardship for her because she didn't get along with her dad. She ran away from home when she was almost 20," she said. "I just love the gutsiness of this woman; back in the 1920's women didn't just run away and join the local Wild West show. She followed her dreams."

The winners of the 2023 Alberta Book Publishing Awards will be announced at a gala reception at the Matrix Hotel in Edmonton on Thursday, September 21, 2023. 

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