S y d e l l W a x m a n

"Wonderful book. If there's a young woman in your life..this book will find a place on her book shelf..or maybe you'd just like to add this book to your bookshelf. It is wonderfully written. Delightful book."
Andy Barrie, Host of Metro Morning CBC Radio One

CHANGING THE PATTERN, The Story of Emily Stowe won the prestigious Toronto Heritage Award of Merit and the "Our Choice" seal as one of the best books for children in Canada. This historical coverage, of a heroine’s challenge to society’s restrictions, launched a series of biographies which now includes BELIEVING IN BOOKS, The Story of Lillian Smith.

Emily Stowe overcame obstacles to become Canada’s first female principal and the first female practising physician. Depicting medicine along with the mores of the late l800’s, this informative book offers a feminine role model and information about the fledging Canadian feminist movement. Ideal for grades 4-6, CTP is often utilized in grades 7-8.

*****Amazon.com five-star book. "This wonderful children’s book is truly written with the child in mind. Many short stories create the whole. The sidebars are an excellent touch for added information. Ms. Waxman takes you on the journey of one woman’s path to change a woman’s pattern and become Canada’s first female doctor. This book combines history with an easy to read story. It is sure to teach young minds and widen their horizons, to think beyond the stereotype, to make your dreams come true. This book shall be shared with my grandchildren and I look forward to reading other books by Sydell Waxman.
Sue Freeman, California

"Emily Stowe was a pioneer in the feminist movement - Waxman vividly shows the gauntlet of abuse that early feminists were subjected to. Sidebars provide biographical and wider cultural information."
Quill and Quire

"book is truly wonderful!"
Status of Women Canada

"Writers like Sydell Waxman know you have to reach beyond facts to write a lively book for young people. They recognize that you have to use dynamic techniques like storytelling to fashion facts into a compelling narrative. Written in clear, crisp sentences, Changing the Pattern follows the tumultuous life story of Stowe (1831- 1903)"
Books in Canada

"while many women criticize the lack of Canadian female role models for young girls, one woman is doing something about it. Waxman took her research beyond Stowe's life and into the lives of the women of the time."
The Liberal

"a fine job presenting the circumstances in which Emily Stowe struggled to practise as a physician. I especially like having each page illustrated with a photo, drawing or sidebar text....promoting a better understanding of women's history."
National Women's History Project

"What an incredible entertaining and informative way to learn about history. To write a book that could capture the interest and imagination of a preteen is quite an accomplishment nowadays."
Tana Brown, Bend , Oregon