After the creators found success on Kickstarter, they heard from publishers that initially rejected them – and signed with a press that gave them full creative control
Julie Flett’s Birdsong wins TD Children’s Literature Award
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre handed out its awards on Oct. 30 at an online ceremony during the Toronto International Festival of Authors.
The 2021 Forest of Reading nominations shine a light on the best in Canadian kidlit
Kids and teen books by Kenneth Oppel, Mariko Tamaki, Danny Ramadan, Zalika Reid-Benta and more will be read and voted on by students in Ontario.
Another Story Bookshop joins Adam Pottle in boycotting his own book
The bookstore is supporting Pottle’s request to have his book re-illustrated after the original featured a racist stereotype

Bonnie Sherr Klein brings her legacy of activism to a picture book about grandparenting
While Beep Beep Bubbie incorporates feminism, disability rights, and environmentalism, it’s all about fun.
Kidlit Special: Dylan Glynn on his fashion-inspired illustrations of drag heroes and events in LGBTQ2S+ history
Dylan Glynn talks about two of his favourite illustrations from Be Amazing: A History of Pride.
Kidlit Special: Illustrator Nahid Kazemi and author Joanne Schwartz team up for an unusual picture book
“I knew that this story is a bit unusual with no kids and nothing happening, but I felt deeply that it’s a story with a few layers,” says Nahid Kazemi.
TIFA launches full online slate with performances, virtual IV programme, and award changes
This year’s festival marks the first with new festival director Roland Gulliver at the helm.
Julie Flett, Tom Ryan, and Sydney Smith lead the CCBC Award nominees
In total, eight awards and $175,000 will be given out for the best in Canadian children’s literature.

With school libraries closed and staff redeployed, students and teachers will suffer
The library is the hub of a school, vital to students’ academic and emotional growth, and a critical support to educators – especially during COVID-19.