Past News

On January 6, 2017, author Maureen Haddock featured her third book, With Love, From Iraq in Bridges in The Star Phoenix, and in QC in The Leader Post. After a strong 2016, where the book enjoyed 18 consecutive weeks on the McNally Robinson Booksellers bestseller list, it reappeared for the first three weeks of January, and has appeared several times since. Maureen is grateful for this opportunity to reach new readers. ... continue reading

Author Maureen Haddock's latest book, With Love, From Iraq, tells the story of Wajid and Maysoon Toma. Wajid and Maysoon are successful, happy Canadians who came to Saskatoon from Iraq with no money, no knowledge of English, and three small children. Wajid is a skilled hair stylist and had owned his own business, in Iraq, at the age of fourteen. The book offers the reader a love story, an escape story, and a recipe for becoming Canadian. ... continue reading

Wajid and Maysoon Toma of First Impressions Hair Design were the recipients of the Spirit Award at the NEYA Gala at TCU Place on June 6, 2016. The evening was one of love for Canada, multiculturalism, and entrepreneurism. There was excellent entertainment, good food, and conversation. Near the end of the evening, as the Spirit Award was announced, Maysoon and Wajid's story was shared on the large screens, and the crowd rose to their feet in a standing ovation. It... continue reading

SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN – Earlier this year, the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) launched a brand new event called the Newcomer Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (NEYA). This event showcases small business owners who have journeyed through immigrating to Canada and have successfully launched and grown their business in the Saskatoon Region. The finalists and award recipients will be honoured at the first annual NEYA Gala on June 6 at TCU Place... continue reading

With Love, From Iraq: a true story of hope, perseverance, and becoming Canadian will be released in June of 2016, a perfect Canada Day read. Maysoon and Wajid are young entrepreneurs who immigrated to Canada in 2002. They have become happy, contributing Canadians, who raised their children in the family business. Author, Maureen Haddock, begins their story with their births in Baghdad, Iraq and tells of their meeting in 1992, their deep and growing love for... continue reading

When I learned that nominations were being accepted for the first annual Newcomer Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, (NEYA) I knew I had to nominate Wajid and Maysoon, of First Impressions Hair Design here in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.  Wajid, Maysoon, and their first three children moved to Canada from Iraq in 2002, with no money, and no understanding of our language or culture, having spent 28 months in limbo, in Turkey, waiting for, what turned out to be lost paperwork. By 2007... continue reading

Maureen Haddock's visit to St. Dominic began with a tour of the unique features of the school. Maureen thought that the kindergarten room felt like walking into someone's home. She loved the art corridor, which is an art gallery for the rotating display of student works and creates a sense of calm for all who walk through it. Maureen experienced the peace provided by the Zen Den as she sat there, for a few minutes, prior to her first presentation.&n... continue reading

During February and March of 2015, Maureen Haddock's school schedule has been busy. She has shared stories from her books, Get a Bigger Wagon, and Get an Even Bigger Wagon, with children ranging in age from 5 to 12. Maureen said, "I sometimes think I learn more from the children than I offer them. They certainly have lots of opinions about life in the 1950s and 60s."  Kindergarten children at one school were quick to point out that wag... continue reading

  Author Maureen Haddock is pleased to announce that her first book, Get a Bigger Wagon, is being reprinted this month. The release of Get an Even Bigger Wagon, in late 2012, has increased sales for the first book, depleting stock. When Gord “the boy” Haddock was asked to comment on this development he said, “That’s exciting! We’re on the way to a Canadian bestseller. Next, we want to film a few of the stories.”... continue reading

Maureen Haddock enjoyed an evening with an interested audience on the 25th of April, at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Saskatoon, SK. The cozy travel alcove provided a perfect ambiance as Maureen shared stories from both Get a Bigger Wagon, and the newly released Get an Even Bigger Wagon. Gord, the boy, Haddock was there to answer questions, and Denyse Klette, the artist for the books, brought a selection of paintings, not previ... continue reading

The Get a Bigger Wagon philosophy I have known my husband for over half a century and the Get a Bigger Wagon books chronicle his journey to manhood. The title for the first book was taken from the story The Delayed Dream.  From the moment the boy pressed his face against the shop window to get a better look at that three speed bicycle, he planned to own it.  His little red wagon enabled him to go into business collecting bottles, and he... continue reading

I would like to thank Bridges for providing authors with such a wonderful forum to discuss their books.  People were enthusiastic about the article on Maureen Haddock's Get an Even Bigger Wagon. ... continue reading

Author Maureen Haddock and Gord, the boy, Haddock had a lovely visit with Mrs. Hannay's grade six class on the sixteenth of April, 2013. The students and their teacher walked from Walter Aseltine School to the Pharmasave gathering room, arriving rosey cheeked and ready to listen. After the reading, the discussion was about kids earning and saving money today, compared to the Get a Bigger Wagon days. Maureen did a reading to a small but intimate... continue reading

The reading Maureen did in the Humboldt Reid-Thompson Library was the perfect first reading for Get an Even Bigger Wagon. The weather was blustery, the roads icy, but the people in attendance were welcoming and friendly. Thanks Humboldt!... continue reading

Get an Even Bigger Wagon was introduced December 14, 2012 at a book signing at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Saskatoon. Maureen Haddock (the author), Gord (the boy), Denyse Klette (the artist) and the fabulous paintings were there. Thanks for joining us! Like Get a Bigger Wagon on Facebook to learn about upcoming special event details. Get an Even Bigger Wagon, chronicles the boy’s risky adventures... continue reading

Get a Bigger Wagon made the top 50 best selling books for two years in a row at McNally Robinson Booksellers. In the second year the book finished in the 41st position in the top fifty books for 2006. This followed a successful year in 2005, where it finished at # 35.... continue reading

The book contains 25 stories about a boy, born with an entrepreneurial spirit, who was allowed to learn from his adventures in and around small town Saskatchewan. Set in the 1950’s, each story is skillfully and sympathetically illustrated by Denyse Klette who, like the author, pays particular attention to the era and the boy who learned so much from these incidents. Over the past year, Maureen interviewed her husband hundreds of times in an attempt to experience the events th... continue reading

McNally Robinson Booksellers has just announced it's top ten best selling Saskatchewan books for adults for 2006 and once again Get a Bigger Wagon is on the list at the number eight position. This follows a successful year in 2005 where it finished seventh place. ... continue reading