I have come across the issue of the lack of Canadian books in bookstores and libraries on more than one occasion. This issue has been raised by a diverse group of people within the publishing industry. And it is an issue that has struck a chord with me.
I say this because I was in the dark myself, so to speak. There was a time when I couldn’t name a mere handful of Canadian authors and illustrators. Though I have seen the light, I dare say that there are many more that haven’t. This is a sad truth because the rich talent Canada has to offer is left unrecognized.
An excellent resource to uncover this richness is The Canadian Children’s Book Centre. You’ll find an answer to nearly every question you have concerning children’s literature. The CCBC also publishes the quarterly entitled Canadian Children’s Book News and Best Books for Kids & Teens which is an annual guide that is 100% Canadian. In addition, you can always visit the CCBC library.
Ray Sombach, writer, puts forth a solution to this problem:
Shelving is already dedicated to Canadian history for adults and there are special spots for Harry Potter and Dora the Explorer, so a table of “Canadian Roots” books for children of all reading ages, fiction or non-fiction, would be most helpful …”
I think that Mr. Sombach is on to something here. If visibility is the issue, then we must create a platform to be seen. A designated area that readers can go to find Canadian literature. The optimist in me believes this is an achievable feat.
The truth of the matter is, if we don’t find a home for our own literature, no one else will.
