During his treatments at the cancer centre, Jean decided to write. Facing the uncertainty of his life — a year or two — counting down, he embarked on a project: to be a grandpa to his future grandkids, the petits-zamours he’ll never know, and to introduce them to the simple, essential pleasures of life — love, family and friendships — through children’s stories. Bequeathing a legacy of pleasure and imagination is so Jean Quirion. Exclaiming “This would make lovely picture books!” spouse Lyne Marcil struck a happy chord with the love of her life — someone who brings people together — greatly expanding on the original idea..
With the six picture books having just been completed, Jean Quirion recounted the fantastic journey he took to mourn the loss of his inner grandpa, surrounded by his family, the loves of his life and his friends. Never one to shun pleasure, Jean also took the opportunity to close, in his own way, the chapter on his career as a researcher, linguist and professor at the University of Ottawa.
The end of writing Les Petits-Zamours, the beginning of an adventure
What was the writing process like for Les Zaventures des Petits-Zamours? “I did it in one go,” Jean says. He knew he’d told all the stories he had inside him when he wrote the last story, the one in which Grandpa is no more. That ending became the beginning of the adventure, with the picture-book idea bringing Team Quirion-Marcil together. Lyne officially became the second-in-command, to take over the helm of the adventure, come what may. Sylvain Lemay, a former colleague and friend of Jean’s, lent his expertise as a comics specialist. Rosaura Guzman Clunes, Sylvain’s spouse, handled the graphic design. Richard, his long-time friend, supported the project financially, donating his employer’s generous retirement gift.
At the start of each picture book, the caption “Under the artistic direction of Lyne and Sylvain” is testimony to their invaluable role in the creative process. Jean provided the rich raw material, while Sylvain suggested where to trim, and Lyne kept everything on track. They were joined by Thom, for the illustrations, and three of Jean’s former PhD students for the audio versions—Baris Bilgen, Julián Zapata and Elizabeth Saint (and her son Elliot). Pictures, colours, drawings, sounds and sound effects brought new ways of entering the world of the petits-zamours. Ever the linguist, Jean says he discovered different storytelling techniques. His rectangular pages of words come to life in story tables.
Les Petits-Zamours is inspired by Jean and Lyne’s life with their own children, Vincent, Flavie and François, who are now grands-zamours. The family traditions created for the simple pleasure of being together have been kept alive through the books. Then there are the slides, stuffed toys, ice cream treats, bike rides and the cargo bike, Jean’s dream invention for taking his grandchildren on outings.
An epic adventure for a grand exit. To my suggestion that the adventure also take in the uOttawa campus, Jean replies, “Sounds good!”
Bequeathing his thirst for learning together: Hi campus!
It’s no secret that Jean Quirion is a teacher, researcher and colleague whom everyone adores. To the question, “What would you say to the students you’ll never know?” he pauses briefly, then holds forth again. “Truth be told, this article is also allowing me to mourn the loss of everything to do with university, which has been a huge part of my life.”
“Truth be told, this article is also allowing me to mourn the loss of everything to do with university, which has been a huge part of my life.”
Jean Quirion, professor, uOttawa’s School of Translation
— Jean was named Faculty of Arts Professor of the Year in September 2024.
To him, academic research and life are similar to the process of creating his picture books: they offer the freedom to invent, innovate and collaborate. Jean, the epicurean linguist, insists that this freedom must be based on the pure pleasure of being together.
For the students he’ll never know, the man who was named Faculty of Arts Professor of the Year in September reminds us that classes are collaborative environments in which the professor serves as a guide. Each class is an invitation to discovery. Professor Quirion has always put this non-hierarchical vision of teaching into practice. In his renowned “Terminology Biciclass,” Jean took students on a bike tour exploring the reality of the translator in real-world working environments and the vitality of the language in the locales the group cycled to, as well as their stories. Quirion the guide observed the progress of his students over their 500-kilometre trek. Two weeks pedalling to the topic of language and translation—what freedom!
To the students he’ll never know, Jean says that research is really the free-flowing meeting of ideas over a coffee... or a beer. Collaboration multiplies innovation potential, and these ideas become serious research and publications. He would like to pass on this infectious thirst for learning that’s always driven him.
Time, which we come back to, is flying by, and our meet-up is drawing to a close. I suggest to Jean that we carry on a little longer with another project: “When’s the Petits-Zamours movie coming out, Jean?” He laughs and merely replies, “Why not? Did you know that a friend of mine whose son lives in Barcelona has taken on a new adventure in children's literature? Maybe the Petits-Zamours will be translated into Spanish!” Pequeños amores...
And the discussion continues with this translation professor, children’s author and master of the art of bringing people together.
The Petits-Zamours also has a social component. For each picture book sold, 100% of the net profits will be donated to the Fondation Santé Gatineau.
