Girl Takes Drastic Step!

Jillian Dobson

$24.95 $24.95

I will be in stock soon

ISBN: 9781774712788

Girl Takes Drastic Step!

How Molly Lamb Bobak Became Canada's First Official Woman War Artist

  Author:   Jillian Dobson  
  Artist :   Genevieve Simms    
  Publisher:  Nimbus Publishing Limited

An inspiring picture book biography of the pioneering mid-century female visual artist and military officer who never gave up on her dream.

It’s 1942 and Molly is an artist through and through. With World War II raging overseas, she wants more than anything to capture with her art what it’s like there. She takes a drastic step and joins the Canadian Women’s Army Corps in the hopes of realizing this dream, but her commanders believe the front lines are no place for a woman artist. Instead, she’s assigned to the cafeteria, to the kitchen, to the garage. Eventually her talent is recognized, but she’s dispatched to illustrate cooking manuals and paint theatre scenery—not to the front lines.

Molly never stops marching towards what she wants and keeps writing and drawing in her diary, describing what enlisted life is like for women. Finally, in spring 1945, her dream comes true. Molly becomes Canada’s first official woman war artist working overseas.

Looking back it’s clear that Molly Lamb Bobak was an unofficial war artist from the day she signed on to the army; her uniquely crafted journal has allowed generations to understand what everyday life was like for Canadian women working as part of the war effort. Jillian Dobson’s warm, engaging story brings Molly’s determination and optimism to young readers, and Genevieve Simms’s dynamic and unique illustrations nod to Molly’s vivid, energetic style in this essential Canadian story.

Details and Specs
ISBN associated with this title: 9781774712788
Item NB1650
PublisherNimbus Publishing Limited
PublisherNimbus Publishing Limited
Published on May 28 2024
Language ENG
Pages 32
Format Hardcover
Dimensions10(in) x 8(in)
Shipping weight(g)
Status NOT YET PUBLISHED

Jillian Dobson delights in discovering stories in the everyday. She's gathered tales through various unofficial and official roles, including museum guide, classroom assistant in Thailand and Brazil, vermicompost coordinator, event planner, real estate broker, and now children's author! Jillian has lived in Alberta and Quebec and now lives in Richmond Hill, Ontario, with her incredible husband, their two inspiring children and a cuddly cat. She's thankful for her supportive family and writing partners Heather Camlot and Loretta Garbutt.



Genevieve Simms studied illustration at the Alberta College of Art and Design and recently completed her Masters in Architecture at the University of Toronto. She has produced illustrations for a variety of clients throughout North America since 2006. Genevieve is from St. John's, Newfoundland, and currently lives in Toronto with her husband, Josh Holinaty, who is also an illustrator. They share a home with a mostly-beagle named Jack.