Mister Diggle’s Dream
Written by Valerie Teed
 Illustrated by Jim Edsall
Recommended for ages 4-8.
$11.95

As the proprietors of Benjamin’s Books for the past 11 years, we have been fortunate to have a prime location for our business in the heart of Rothesay, NB.  In fact, we share the same location as the once-famous Mr. Diggle’s Store.  More times than I can count, customers have walked into our shop and recalled stories of how Mr. Diggle, handlebar moustache and all, stood behind his counter selling his wares.  A fond memory of many is how he counted out penny candy for the children of Rothesay.  In fact my Mom was one of these lucky children.
 
Although I was never fortunate enough to meet the legend myself, it is fun to think that a story has been written based loosely on his dream of living in Canada as a shopkeeper.  
 
Mr. Diggle grew up in a family of ten children living over the pub that his father owned in the busy streets of England.  Although he loved his family, he always dreamt of leaving the hustle bustle of his home country for the green grass and wide, blue rivers of Canada.
 
After working as a ship steward and making his way across the pond, Norman Diggle arrived achieving his dream of living in this free country of Canada.  After a short stint in an industrial part of the country, Mr. Diggle eventually settled in our neck of the woods.  With his faithful cat, Charlie Chaplin, at his side, Mr. Diggle set up shop in the heart of Rothesay and ran his business for an astonishing 50 years.