2003 is set to be an exciting year for Canadian children's literature. As part of the 50th anniversary of the National Library of Canada, the Children's Literature Division is hosting an international forum. The Fun of Reading will be held in Ottawa from June 26th through 29th and will include presentations from some of Canada's most celebrated children's writers and illustrators as well as teachers, librarians, academics, publishers, book reviewers and booksellers from across Canada and abroad. I'll be giving a talk, entitled "A World Always at War: International Conflicts as seen Through Contemporary Children's Books", as well as acting as curator for a special exhibition at the National Library, "Beyond the Letters", which looks at Canada from the perspective of its alphabet books. You can find out more about the forum by visiting their website at: www.nlc-bnc.ca/forum.
Yet another exciting event is the launch of Judith Saltman, University of British Columbia's School of Library, Archival & Information Studies, and Gail Edwards' new web site celebrating the diversity and success of Canadian illustrated children's literature has been launched. The Canadian Children's Illustrated Books Project web site is now accessible to the public via the World Wide Web at:
http://www.slais.ubc.ca/saltman/ccib/home.html.
Our wrap-up of exciting new non-fictions has been delayed by perilous winter flues and colds but watch for it in the April issue. Meanwhile, enjoy these great new books for children and teen readers and excerpts from Deirdre Baker's provocative essay on excellence in children's literature.
Jeffrey Canton, editor, Children's Book section, Books in Canada