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News Release2002-07 Launch of International Forum on Canadian Children's Literature at the National Library of CanadaOttawa, April 2, 2002 -- On the occasion of International Children's Book Day, Dr. Roch Carrier, National Librarian, at a ceremony at the National Library of Canada, today officially launched The Fun of Reading: International Forum on Canadian Children's Literature, a major initiative taking place in Ottawa June 26-29, 2003, as part of the National Library's 50th anniversary celebrations. The purpose of the International Forum is to promote Canadian children's literature in its full cultural, linguistic and regional diversity, and to strengthen its presence in Canada and abroad. Joining Dr. Carrier in today's announcement were His Excellency John Ralston Saul, who is a member of the Forum Steering Committee, Senator Landon Pearson, Chair of the Steering Committee, Catherine Mitchell of Tundra Books, and Canadian illustrator Marie-Louise Gay. Ms. Gay's artwork is the basis for the Forum's design. The Forum will include an international conference on Canadian children's literature, as well as a host of literary and artistic activities for young people in the National Capital Region and across Canada. The conference will bring together, for the first time, writers, illustrators, storytellers, translators, publishers, teachers, librarians, booksellers, Canadian literature specialists from Canada and abroad, literacy groups, policy-makers and the media, whose efforts support Canadian literature for young people in both official languages. "Canada produces children's books and illustrations of remarkable quality and diversity -picture books, poetry, stories, tales, novels, biographies, histories and other non-fiction works which bring the world of science, technology and nature to young readers," said Dr. Carrier. "This Forum will create a greater awareness of these works and their creators, in our own country as well as internationally". The National Library of Canada is proud to work in partnership with the Canadian Children's Museum, part of the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the National Gallery of Canada, the National Film Board, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the National Arts Centre, the Ottawa Public Library and the National Archives of Canada to promote a variety of public activities for children and youth as part of the Forum. More details are available on The Fun of Reading: International Forum on Canadian Children's Literature Web site at www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/forum. -30- For more information:
Céline Gendron |