Starlight Investments, one of Canada’s leading providers and developers of purpose-built rental housing, is delighted to announce a partnership with Jackie Burns, author of “The Condo Kids,” to launch a heartwarming new children’s book celebrating the power of community.
“Ivan’s Garden of Hope” tells the story of a young boy named Ivan who immigrates to Canada with his family. Ivan struggles to adjust to his new life, and his mother misses her family, friends, and favorite comfort foods. Determined to bring a smile back to his mother’s face, Ivan seeks help from his new neighbors at their multi-family apartment residence. With the community garden as a vibrant backdrop, they embark on a creative mission to cure his mom’s homesickness by preparing her favorite meal for an upcoming potluck.
Ivan’s project transforms into a vibrant symbol of hope, reminding his mother and the entire community of the strength found in connection.
Burns, who met with residents and their children to gather inspiration for the story, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I am thrilled to partner with Starlight Investments to share ‘Ivan’s Garden of Hope’ with children and families across Canada. With so many Canadian families raising their children in multi-family apartment buildings, I believe it’s essential for kids to see their lives reflected in literature. The story speaks to the universal desire for belonging and the powerful role of finding community.”
Thousands of copies of the book, beautifully illustrated by Ana Patankar, are being distributed to residents within Starlight communities across Canada. Starlight recently gifted copies of “Ivan’s Garden of Hope” along with gardening kits to families as part of Mother’s Day celebrations and at community garden planting events at their residences.
David Chalmers, President, Canadian Residential at Starlight Investments, highlighted the company’s commitment to fostering strong communities, saying, “At Starlight, we are committed to fostering strong communities within our residences. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Jackie Burns on a children’s book that celebrates the diversity of our residents and the importance of building connections with one another. ‘Ivan’s Garden of Hope’ is an inspiring reminder that even in the face of change, hope can always be found through the collective spirit of a community.”
About Starlight Investments
Starlight Investments is a leading global real estate investment and asset management firm with CAD $28B in assets under management. As a privately held owner, developer, and asset manager of over 68,000 multi-residential suites and over 7 million square feet of commercial property space, Starlight offers a range of investment vehicles across various real estate strategies. Starlight’s guiding mission is to balance their tenure with visionary curiosity to create a positive impact for investors and communities alike. At Starlight, they invest with impact.
Learn more at www.starlightinvest.com or connect with them on LinkedIn.
About Jackie Burns
Jackie Burns and her husband raise their two teenage boys in a Toronto condo. She has spent more than 20 years working in the Toronto media as a reporter, online writer/editor, and TV producer. She is the author of “The Condo Kids” series, inspired by the adventures of her children and their friends in a high-rise community.
