Maple Deer Entertainment

Next Sunday, June 14, we'll be joining Nanaimo UkrFest as a family — and as creators of "The Tale of Strong Roots" 💙💛

For our family, this is more than just an event. It's a chance to celebrate our community, Ukrainian culture, language, traditions, and the stories that connect generations.

A heartfelt thank you to St.Michael the Archangel Parish-NANAIMO-Парафія Св.Архангела Михаїла and all the partners, volunteers, and sponsors who help make events like this possible. They keep traditions alive, bring people together, and create opportunities for children to learn about their heritage while making new memories with friends and family.

Nanaimo UkrFest will feature Ukrainian food, music, dancing, children's workshops and activities, local vendors, embroidery, souvenirs, and more — making it a wonderful way to spend a summer day on Vancouver Island.

We'll be there with copies of "The Tale of Strong Roots", a children's book inspired by grandparents, roots, family traditions, and the experience of finding home.

If you're in the area, come celebrate with us and support this wonderful community event. We'd love to meet you!

📍 4017 Victoria Avenue, Nanaimo
🕐 June 14, 1:00–6:00 PM

See you there 🌻

Happy Mother’s Day 🌷

Some of the strongest roots in our lives grow from love, care, stories, and the quiet moments shared across generations.

Today, we’re especially thankful for all mothers, grandmothers, and caregivers who help children feel safe, rooted, and loved 💛

Reviews like this stay with us 💛

We created "The Tale of Strong Roots" as a gentle story about home, family, and the roots we carry with us — even when life changes.

Messages like this remind us why we do what we do.

Thank you to everyone who reads, feels, and shares.

We are now working on the second book in the series — Grandma’s Garden 🌱

Happy International Women’s Day 🌷

Many of our stories at Maple Deer begin with grandmothers — with their wisdom, warmth, and the traditions they pass on to children.

Our first book, The Tale of Strong Roots, was inspired by that connection between generations.
And right now we’re actively working on the second book in the series — Grandma’s Garden 🌱
A story about a boy discovering the secrets of his grandmother’s garden… and learning to see nature, food, and family in a new way.

Today we celebrate all the women who nurture stories, families, and the next generation.

An Evening in Support of Ukraine 🇺🇦

This Saturday, on February 21 at 6:00 PM, we warmly invite you to join for a meaningful evening in support of Ukraine.

This special event is organized by the Canadian Association of the New Ukrainian Generation (CANUG), together with St.Michael the Archangel Parish-NANAIMO-Парафія Св.Архангела Михаїла and the Kinsmen & Kinette Club of Nanaimo, and supported by dedicated volunteers and community partners.

It will be an evening of music, shared stories, food, and connection — a space to stand together in strength and hope.

All proceeds will support humanitarian and rescue efforts in Ukraine, including providing vital vehicles for life-saving missions on the front lines.

You will also be able to purchase our book The Tale of Strong Roots.
50% of each book sale will be donated to support the organizers’ charitable mission.

Your presence matters. Your support makes a difference.

📍 February 21, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Harvest Church Hall
6553 Portsmouth Rd., Nanaimo, BC

We’ve just released a new promo video for The Tale of Strong Roots 🌿

This short video is about family, grandmother’s wisdom, and the roots we carry with us wherever life takes us.
If you’ve already read the book, this is a lovely way to see it from a new angle.
If not — this video might be the perfect place to start 💛

🎥 Watch here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7JZAsEdcNs

We’d love to hear your thoughts.

The First Book in the Strong Roots Series | A Children’s Story About Roots and Home The Tale of Strong Roots is a children’s book about family, belonging, and the quiet strength that comes from knowing where you belong.Written as a warm, tim...

Today is a very special day for our family 💛
It’s the birthday of Valentyna Miliohlova.
Today, we celebrate 76 years of love, wisdom, and stories.

Valentyna is a Ukrainian grandmother, a mother, and the author of The Tale of Strong Roots.
But more than anything, she is the heart behind the story — someone who turns simple things into warmth: family moments, quiet conversations, time in the garden, and stories shared with love.

This is where The Tale of Strong Roots was born — from real life, care, and values passed gently from one generation to the next.

And today, we’re happy to share one more piece of news 🌱
We’ve started working on the second book in the series —
The Secret of Grandma’s Garden, a story about patience, nature, and the small miracles that grow from love and care.

Happy birthday, dear Mom and Grandma.
Thank you for the roots, the stories, and the light you share with our children 🤍

Meet the illustrator behind The Tale of Strong Roots

We’re excited to introduce Rebeckah Brinkerhoff Gerstner, the talented artist who brought Mariyka, Babusia, and the maple-tree magic to life.

Rebeckah’s illustrations are warm, gentle, and rooted in nature — exactly what we hoped for when creating a story about belonging, memory, and inner strength.
She spent months shaping the visual world of the book: the colours of Vancouver Island’s forests, the details of Ukrainian embroidery, and the tender bond between grandmother and granddaughter.

Every spread reflects her care and intuition.
Every small detail invites children to slow down and feel the story.

If you’ve read The Tale of Strong Roots, which illustration stayed with you the most?

Creating the book The Tale of Strong Roots was our way of holding onto memory, family, and home — especially during a time of change and uncertainty.
Hearing words like Colleen’s reminds us that these feelings resonate far beyond one family.
Thank you for reading with your heart. 💛

We’d love to hear what this story means to you too — your impressions always help us see the book through new eyes!

A small milestone for Maple Deer
Today, our producer Liubov Nazarenko had a warm radio conversation at CHLY 101.7 FM about The Tale of Strong Roots and family’ immigration and adaptation story in Canada.
It was our first radio interview — a little exciting, very meaningful.

The episode airs tomorrow afternoon on CHLY 101.7 FM and online.
Thank you, Joe, for the kind welcome 💛