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Canada Book DayRandall Ware
Every April 23, the world celebrates International Book and Copyright Day. In Canada it is known as Canada Book Day (in Quebec, la Journée mondiale du livre). Whatever you might call it, it is a good time to celebrate the richness and diversity of the written word. The National Library has always done something to mark the occasion, and this year we outdid ourselves. The day began at 1:00 p.m. when 125 students from two Ottawa elementary schools came to take part in the announcement of two awards. The Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People is given annually and is administered by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, one of our partners for the event. The winner was Sharon E. McKay for her book Charlie Wilcox. She spoke to the students about her writing and her pleasure in receiving the prize.
Lorraine Filyer, Literature Officer of the Ontario Arts Council, then introduced the students who selected the winners of the Ruth Schwartz Award, an annual prize awarded for the best Canadian illustrated children’s book and the best Canadian book for young adults or middle readers. The winner in the young adult category was Janet McNaughton, for The Secret under My Skin. As luck would have it, the author of the winning book in the illustrated children’s book category, Stephanie Simpson McLellan, lives in Ottawa and was able to attend the ceremony. Her book The Chicken Cat was illustrated by Sean Cassidy. Two of Canada’s favourite writers, both of whom live in Ottawa, then read to the students. Janet Lunn and Brian Doyle charmed the audience with their heart and their humour. Scott Mullin, a vice-president of the Toronto Dominion Bank, the principal sponsor of Canada Book Day, gave copies of each of their books to the schools in attendance. Roch Carrier, in his typically warm and enthusiastic manner, encouraged the students to keep reading and writing and to use the National Library.
After several hours of rest, we proceeded to launch a first book of poems, Poisons obscurs, by Stéphane Jean. What made this special was that Stéphane works in the Music Division of the Library, and we were delighted to celebrate the accomplishment of one of our co-workers. Finally, we hosted the launch of The Grim Pig, a novel by Charles Gordon, the well liked and respected Ottawa Citizen columnist. An overflow crowd turned out to laugh and applaud what sounds to be one of this year’s funniest books. We think that every day is Canada Book Day at the National Library. Still, it’s fun to celebrate! For more information about Canadian literature, contact Canadian Literature Research Service |
