February 2007

Hot, Hot Cuba 2007!

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your interest in Hot, Hot Cuba 2007! This biennial fundraiser, hosted by IBBY Canada, is the fifth fantastically fun evening of live music, salsa dancing, portraits, and silent auction in support of IBBY's activities to help connect children and books. This year's event will take place on March 21 at the Lula Lounge in Toronto.

IBBY Canada is the Canadian national section of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), a not-for-profit organization that represents an international network of people who are committed to bringing children and books together. Founded in the wake of the Second World War, IBBY believes in the ability of children's books to bridge cultures, and ultimately, to foster understanding and peace. For more information, please visit www.ibby.org and www.ibby-canada.org.

Hot, Hot Cuba! started in 1999 as a benefit for IBBY Canada's twinned national section, IBBY Cuba, and has successfully raised money for important projects such as the first writers' workshop held at the Congress Para Leer El XXI in Havana in 2005, the publication of an anthology of Cuban writing, and general help with the running of IBBY Cuba. The next congress will take place in Havana October 24-27, 2007. These activities would not happen without the financial support generated by Hot, Hot Cuba!

This year, in addition to Cuba, we are expanding our support to IBBY's Fund for Children in Crisis, a new initiative that aims to help children in areas affected by war, civil disruption, or natural disaster. Funds will be directed to bibliotherapy, the therapeutic use of books and storytelling, and to collect or replace collections of selected appropriate books. The first project to receive support is about to begin in Lebanon, the Conflict Control Project, with future projects in areas such as Afghanistan, Darfur, Gaza, Iraq, and Northern Uganda.

Please lend your support for the important work of IBBY and help us ease the lives of children through shared stories.

Thank you.

Susan Shipton
President, IBBY Canada