When New Westminster resident Duane Laird first put pen to paper during the early days of the pandemic, he wasn’t planning on becoming an author. He just needed a creative outlet to avoid going stir-crazy. Fast forward a few years, and he now has five books available on Amazon—two for adults and three imaginative picture books for children, all written and illustrated by hand.

A former journalist and tech professional, Duane settled into retirement with a sketchpad and a challenge: “I’d always heard that if you write a page a day, you’ll have a book in a year,” he says. “So I sat down, wrote a prologue, and just kept going.” That first adult novel sparked a creative fire, but it was his grandchildren who inspired a turn toward kids’ books.

Now living in a cozy loft on the Quay, Duane spends afternoons illustrating stories that celebrate childhood curiosity, daily adventures, and the little moments that matter most. His favourite writing companion? His granddaughter, who joins him weekly for strolls along the boardwalk, raspberry ice cream stops, and plenty of playground detours—some of which inspire his next book.

🎨 Books That Start Conversations and Spark Imagination

Duane’s children’s titles include an alphabet book, a whimsical tale called Giants about a baby navigating a world of towering grown-ups, and the cleverly titled Don’t Forget to Flush. Each book is rooted in fun, wonder, and just the right amount of silliness. His stories don’t push messages—they invite imagination.

“I try to make them fun for both kids and the adults reading them aloud,” he explains. “A bit of wordplay, a bit of humour for grown-ups, like Pixar does.”

The artwork? All hand-drawn and painted by Duane himself. Though he’s quick to admit that illustrating is the most challenging part, it’s also where he finds the most growth. “I’m learning every time I sit down—how to draw, how to paint, how to tell a story visually. That’s what keeps me going.”

📚 Printed in Canada, Rooted in New West

While Duane’s books are only available on Amazon for now, there’s something delightfully local about them. Not only are the stories inspired by his life on the Quay, but the books themselves are printed right here in Canada, Acheson, AB, to be exact. “It’s kind of cool,” he says. “A locally made book in more ways than one.”

Although he’s just beginning to explore options for local events and book launches, Duane is open to partnering with local businesses like Kinder Books, Wildfires Books or Collective Treasures for readings and signings. “This is my first real outreach beyond just friends and Instagram,” he laughs. “You’re breaking me into the business side of things.”

📖 Perfect for Gifting, Reading, and Laughing Together

Duane’s books make wonderful gifts for grandparents to share with their grandkids, or for parents looking for bedtime stories that keep the giggles going. Whether it’s a toddler learning their ABCs or a six-year-old getting into space adventures, there’s something in his collection for every young reader—and every adult who still remembers the joy of being a kid.

You can find Duane’s books on Amazon by searching his name or visit him on Instagram at @cargobiker for updates and a peek behind the scenes of his creative process. If you’re a bookstore, gift shop, or event planner, keep an eye out; you just might see his books popping up locally soon.

📌 Want to learn more or invite Duane to a local event?
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