News Release

2001-20

Learning to Read Page by Page

Ottawa, September 8, 2001  --  In celebration of International Literacy Day, the National Library of Canada is proud to announce two new initiatives to promote reading and literacy among young Canadians. National Librarian Roch Carrier said, "In Canada, more than 20 percent of the population is illiterate to some degree, and over 40 percent has difficulty reading a newspaper. Given this disturbing situation, what gift could be more precious to a child than the ability to read."

Page by Page is an electronic resource on the National Library’s Web site that takes an inside look at how books for children are made. Using real-life examples, you can explore the story behind the story and travel the route from writer to reader. The two books featured on the site are Zoom Upstream, by Tim Wynne-Jones, and L’École, by Ginette Anfousse. Page by Page includes original illustration and manuscript texts, biographies, bibliographies on featured authors and illustrators, resources for teachers, links to related Web sites, lists of books for adults about writing and illustrating children’s books and recommendations for children who wish to write and illustrate their own books.

Page by Page is based on the collections and resources of the National Library’s Literary Manuscript Collection, the National Arts Centre, Rag and Bone Puppet Theatre, Groundwood Books/Douglas & McIntyre, Les Éditions de la courte échelle, Canadian authors and illustrators, and Canadian newspapers and magazines.

The second initiative to encourage reading among students is being developed for September 2002. A national bilingual project, this initiative will bring students from across Canada in contact with one another through their school libraries. Children will find the project not only fun, but also rewarding  -  they will have the opportunity to win support for their own school library. More details of the project will be announced in April 2002.

The National Library of Canada is dedicated to helping Canadians, young and old, to know more about themselves and their country by putting knowledge about Canada within their reach. The National Library’s Web site is www.collectionscanada.gc.ca. Our toll-free number is 1-866-578-7777.

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For more information, contact

Pierre Ostiguy
Media Relations Coordinator
Telephone: 613-996-7413

Page by Page: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/pagebypage