From: Kathleen Horning <horning>
Date: Wed, 04 Jun 2003 15:34:23 -0500

By the Red Maple : Canadian Children's Publishing


Learning about life in other countries helps build bridges of understanding. What better place to begin learning about our northern neighbors - and better time - than at the 2003 ALA Conference in Toronto? The ALSC International Relations Committee and EMIERT are co-sponsoring "By the Red Maple : Canadian Children's Publishing", a program designed to acquaint Canadian children's publishing to the American market. The program will feature a panel of Ken Setterington, Marie-Louise Gay, Loris Lesynski, and Brian Doyle.

Ken Setterington, Children and Youth Advocate for Toronto Public Library and children's author, will serve as keynote speaker. Ken will present a review of the background of the history of Canadian children's publishing. Ontario Library Association named him "Librarian of the Year, 2000," recognizing the work he has done bringing children and books together. Ken is currently working on his PhD at the University of Toronto. With coauthor Deidre Baker, he recently published A Guide to Canadian Children's Books, which will be available for purchase after the program.

Author and illustrator Marie-Louise Gay, one of Canada's premier children's authors and illustrators, has won numerous awards, including the Canadian Council Children's Literature Prize for Illustrations and the Governor General's Literary Award for Illustrations (twice). Gay's two dozen picture books run the gamut of children's literature, from the playful Stella, Star of the Sea, to the Faustian Rumplestiltskin. At home in Montreal, Marie-Louise writes her books in both English and French.

Loris Lesynski has been writing full-time since her first book, Boy Soup, or When Giant Caught Cold, was published in 1996. A freelance graphic designer, illustrator, writer, and children's book critic, Loris has also designed and illustrated many educational texts. The Booklist review for Lesynski's Night School called it "lighthearted fun". Lesynski's poetry lends itself to the primary school age child.

One of Canada's most-loved authors of fiction for young people, Brian Doyle was infused with a love of storytelling growing up in the Gatineau Hills north of Ottawa, the ancestral home of his father. Doyle's first book was published in 1978.
 He has received several Canadian awards, including the CLA's Book of the Year for Children (twice) and Mr. Christie Book Award (twice). He was shortlisted as the Canadian entry for the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1998. Spud Sweetgrass was a YALSA Popular Paperback selection. SLJ review states that in his recent Mary Ann Alice, "Doyle's fans won't be disappointed".

Information about Canadian children's publishing, including website information, will be distributed. Broaden your knowledge of North American children's literature by joining us! "By the Red Maple : Canadian Children's Publishing" is scheduled on Saturday, June 21, 1:30 to 3:30 pm.

For more information, contact: Stephanie Bange ALSC IRC Chair km_sbange at dayton.lib.oh.us
(937) 227?09
Received on Wed 04 Jun 2003 03:34:23 PM CDT