Message from the National Librarian
The theme of Read Up On It is particularly dear to me. We are all part of the larger family of humanity. Thanks to All the World’s Children, we can welcome children and stories from around the world into our homes. The immigrants who settled Canada and who come into our country every day bring with them their traditions and experiences, and they enrich us. Our family grows. Our stories become more beautiful and more varied. Reading the books selected for Read Up On It may help a teacher to appreciate a student who has just arrived in Canada or help students to understand why a friend’s or neighbour’s customs are different from their own. The books selected for All the World’s Children will help young readers, their parents and teachers expand their horizons. Multiculturalism promotes the cultural diversity that exists in a pluralistic society and is a reflection of a society in which individuals from all cultures are accepted and respected. Multiculturalism fosters harmony and intercultural understanding; it rejects hatred, discrimination and violence. The annual Read Up On It publication introduces us to an assortment of Canadian books for young people. These are not only for new readers but are also for teenagers or even parents and educators who read to their little ones. Read Up On It promotes Canadian authors and illustrators and encourages the reading of Canadian literature for young people. This publication is made possible thanks to many partners and sponsors: the National Literacy Secretariat, Canadian Library Association (CLA) and Association pour l’avancement des sciences et des techniques de la documentation (ASTED). We are also grateful to other organizations for their help, including the Canadian Children’s Book Centre and Communication-Jeunesse. Our sincere thanks to each and every one of these organizations. The cover illustration, by Philippe Béha, shows his trademark imagination and child-like perspective, reminding us that we are all the world’s children. Roch Carrier |