At the Ottawa Catholic School Board, we believe every student has a voice. Sometimes, that voice writes a book.
When Edwin Villemaire, an OCSB student, first stepped onto the ice at just five years old, it felt “kind of big… kind of loud.” There were so many kids. So much happening. It was overwhelming. He felt scared.
So Edwin did something brave. He wrote about it.
Now six years old, Edwin is the author of The Boy Who Feared the Ice, a story that invites readers to “join Macanora on an imaginative journey through every wild and wacky ‘what-if’ scenario his mind can dream up.” Page by page, those fears begin to soften, and courage starts to take their place.
In a recent interview, Edwin shared that writing the book helped him feel better about hockey. When asked how he feels about the ice now, his answer was simple and joyful: “I love it.”
That transformation speaks to the heart of mental health. Naming our fears. Talking about them with people we trust. Finding creative ways to work through them. Edwin began by sharing his worries with his parents. They wrote them down together. What started as a conversation at home became a book with a bigger purpose.
“Do you think other boys and girls have these fears and these what ifs?” Edwin asked his mom. “Do you think we could print the book so we could help other boys and girls with their fears?”
That intention says everything.
With the support of his parents, Patrick Villemaire (Author) and Tabitha Villemaire (Editor), Edwin turned his personal experience into a bridge for others. He hopes to share his story with students across our Board so they know they are not alone. #ocsbBuildsBridges
Edwin is a busy, curious, joyful six-year-old. He wiggles in his seat. He makes jokes. He talks about his love of turtles. He is silly, thoughtful, and energetic all at once.
And that is precisely as it should be.
While Edwin helped write a book with his parents’ loving guidance, he is also very much a typical child, growing, learning, asking questions, and exploring the world around him. At OCSB, we celebrate the whole child. The author and the hockey player. The deep thinker and the turtle enthusiast. The brave voice and the giggles in between.
His educators and school Principal are incredibly proud of him, not only for publishing a book at such a young age, but for showing that it is healthy to talk about fears and to ask for support. We are a community rooted in faith, love, and care. We walk alongside our students as they navigate big feelings and big dreams.
From media interviews to partnering with the Sens Foundation in support of children’s mental health, Edwin is already making a meaningful impact. His book, The Boy Who Feared the Ice, is available for purchase on Amazon, helping even more families start conversations about fear, bravery, and resilience.
We are so proud of Edwin. His story reminds us that courage can grow from a simple “what if,” that creativity is a beautiful gift in childhood, and that with the support of a caring community, our students can turn their worries into something that helps others.
Thank you for being YOU, Edwin!
