The book tells the story of a little girl who overcomes all obstacles in order to have a Christmas tree. Bella lives with her aging Nan who has given up hope of having a tree. Nan feels Bella is too small for the task.
Bella volunteers, and the story tells of her exploits leading to the finding of a tree which meets Nan's approval.
The plot follows a familiar path and one which is metaphoric to the career of the artist.
Despite earning an earlier nomination for a GG, five years ago Jirina was sending off proposals to publishers with little success. Now, through persistence and perseverance, she has won the prestigious award which she will receive next week.
In a lengthy interview last week, the illustrator had not considered the parallels with her life, but pointed to the dedication at the front of the book. Jirina beams as she tells of her wonderful 10-year-old granddaughter, Katrina. Only a child, she has transformed the lives of those around her as she has challenged the limits of a genetic deficiency.
Readers of Cramahe Now and the now defunct Colborne Chronicle have read the stories of Jirina's early life in Czechoslovakia and in France, before she immigrated to Canada about 30 years ago.
It was during a trip to the Czech Republic about two years ago that she got a call from her publisher, Groundwood Books. Would she consider illustrating a story for them? It was set in the winter and the publisher knew she "knew how to do snow".
The publishers sent her a copy over the internet, but she couldn't open the file. When they called again to get her reaction she told the company she'd do it if they liked the story. It was the beginning of her journey with the indomitable Bella.
It took several readings for Jirina to grasp the story well enough to begin work. And it wasn't an easy task. Four times Bella went out in search of the perfect tree. Each journey required a different illustration. Jirina feels that the illustrations in a storybook should augment the story line - a difficult task when you're illustrating the same scene repeatedly.
But she must have succeeded. Her efforts were rewarded with the announcement today that she had won the award.
Jirina feels the fact that the story is Canadian helped - the author, Janet Russell, is from Newfoundland.
People who have read the book, and know the province have asked Jirina if she has been there. She hasn't. She visited the Maritimes once, briefly, and she researched thoroughly before embarking on this project.
It took about a year to complete about 23 full-size colour illustrations. She first worked with rough drawings which she showed to Groundwood for approval. When the illustrations were submitted, the publisher chose the 20 which were used in the book.
Jirina credits some of the success of her illustrations to living in Northumberland County where she is a member of the Colborne Art Gallery cooperative. "Living here allows me to see nature and the environment evolving," she remarks. Even elements of her home are entwined in the evocative artwork of the story. She admits she was inspired by the tree she sees from the kitchen window in her century home.
The artist is excited to have won the award. She knows how difficult it is even to be a finalist. Jirina was on a jury last year for the children's illustrations.
The three-member jury started with about 95 books which they reviewed. The first culling left them with 25. That number was pared to 10, then the five finalists, and finally the one winner.
The jury members met in Ottawa three months ahead of the awards to gain consensus on the finalists and the eventual winner.
Asked how winning this year's award would affect her career and future earnings, Jirina was reflective. The income from sales of the book are relatively small. She acknowledges that she does the work for the love of it. She has no idea how her life will change; perhaps she will get more work.
An artist works by herself. She does something because she hopes it will please somebody. Jirina smiles as she recounts times when readers were overwhelmed or surprised by the authenticity of the illustrations.
The award is recognition that she is doing something right. "There are lots of good-quality illustrators. It's good to be among them." She chuckles as she says that Goodwood got her in her prime.
Copies of the Governor General's Award-winning Bella's Tree are on sale at the Colborne Art Gallery for $19.95.
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