IBBY Canada is pleased to announce that Dr. Samantha Cutrara, a History Education Strategist and Curriculum Specialist at York University, is the recipient of the Frances E. Russell Grant.

The $1,000 grant will be presented to Samantha Cutrara for her critical analysis of children’s graphic novels with a focus on Canadian history. Combining her previous research both examining children’s picture books on Canadian history and exploring the representation of gender in graphic novels, the research funded by this grant will explore how the medium of graphic novels can invite new stories into the teaching and learning of Canadian history. The research will result in academic contributions as well as curriculum-linked supports for teachers and librarians.

As a consultant and professor, Samantha Cutrara develops strategies, projects, and programs that help organizations and individuals teach history in interesting, meaningful, and comprehensive ways. In 2012 she received her Ph.D. in Education from York University with a focus on meaningful learning in Canadian history education. She developed the education and exhibition program at the Archives of Ontario from 2012 to 2015. Currently, she is a Curriculum Specialist in the Office of the Vice Provost Academic at York University, managing a Digital Humanities and Social Sciences project designed to bring greater opportunities for student-centric teaching and learning practices into the classroom. Along with her teaching work, Dr. Cutrara is currently completing a manuscript for UBC Press titled Imagining a New “We”: Canadian History Education for the 21st Century.

The jury for the Russell Grant consisted of Erin Spring (former grant winner and assistant professor at the University of Calgary), Jo-Anne Naslund (instructional programs librarian at the University of British Columbia) and jury chair Deirdre Baker (assistant professor at the University of Toronto, Toronto Star children’s books reviewer and author).

The Frances E. Russell Grant was established in memory of a longtime supporter of IBBY Canada. The $1,000 grant is intended “to initiate and encourage research in young people’s literature in all its forms” and is given in support of research for a publishable work (a book or a paper) on Canadian children’s literature. Past winners include Ruth Bradley-St-Cyr, Erin Spring, Bonnie Tulloch, Beverley Brenna, Paulette Rothbauer, Gail Edwards and Judith Saltman, Michelle Mulder, Michelle Cobban, André Gagnon, Ronald Jobe, Carole Carpenter, Linda Granfield and Françoise Lepage.

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IBBY Canada est heureuse d’annoncer que la lauréate de la Bourse Frances E. Russell est Samantha Cutrara, une spécialiste en histoire de l’éducation et des curriculums à l’Université York.

La bourse de 1000 $ sera remise à Samantha Cutrara pour son analyse critique des romans graphiques ayant pour sujet l’histoire du Canada. En alliant sa recherche précédente qui examinait les albums illustrés sur l’histoire canadienne et l’exploration de la représentation des genres dans les romans graphiques, la recherche subventionnée par cette bourse va permettre d’explorer comment le médium du roman graphique peut proposer de nouveaux récits pouvant être utilisés autant pour l’enseignement que pour l’apprentissage de l’histoire du Canada. La recherche va apporter une contribution à la connaissance ainsi que des documents de soutien liés aux curriculums pour les enseignants et les bibliothécaires.

À titre de consultante et de professeur Samantha Cutrara a développé des stratégies, des projets et des programmes qui ont aidé des organismes et des individus à enseigner l’histoire de façon intéressante, significative et complète. Elle a reçu son doctorat en 2012 de la faculté d’Éducation de l’Université York avec une concentration sur l’apprentissage significatif en enseignement de l’histoire du Canada. Elle a développé le programme d’éducation et d’exposition des Archives de l’Ontario de 2012 à 2015. Elle est présentement la spécialiste des curriculums au bureau du Vice-recteur des Affaires académiques de l’Université York. Elle dirige le projet des Humanités numériques et Sciences sociales destiné à apporter de plus grandes possibilités pour un enseignement tourné vers l’étudiant et des pratiques d’apprentissage dans la salle de classe. En plus de son enseignement, Samantha Cutrara travaille sur un manuscrit pour les Presses universitaires de Colombie- britannique intitulé : Imagining a New “We”: Canadian History Education for the 21st Century.

Le jury de la bourse Frances E. Russell était composé de Erin Spring (lauréate précédente de la bourse et professeur adjoint à l’Université de Calgary), Jo-Anne Naslund (bibliothécaire des programmes de formation à l’Université de la Colombie-Britannique) ainsi que la présidente Deirdre Baker (professeur adjoint à l’Université de Toronto, auteure et critique de livres jeunesse au Toronto Star).

La Bourse Frances E. Russell fut créée en mémoire d’une contributrice de longue date d’IBBY Canada. La bourse de 1000 $ est destinée à «susciter et encourager la recherche en littérature pour les jeunes sous toutes ses formes» et est attribuée pour appuyer la recherche d’un essai en voie de publication (livre ou article) sur la littérature canadienne pour la jeunesse. On retrouve parmi les anciens lauréats: Ruth Bradley-St-Cyr, Erin Spring, Bonnie Tulloch, Beverley Brenna, Paulette Rothbauer, Gail Edwards et Judith Saltman, Michelle Mulder, Michelle Cobban, André Gagnon, Ronald Jobe, Carole Carpenter, Linda Granfield et Françoise Lepage.

IBBY Canada invites submissions from published Canadian children’s book illustrators for the Joanne Fitzgerald Illustrator in Residence program. The program will be held during the month of October 2018, hosted at Toronto Public Library branch. The submission deadline is Friday, May 18, 2018.

The Joanne Fitzgerald Illustrator in Residence program is a joint project of IBBY Canada, the family of Joanne Fitzgerald, Toronto Public Library, Edmonton Public Library, and the Canadian Urban Libraries Council. The program honours the memory of Joanne Fitzgerald (1956–2011), whose books include Plain Noodles, Emily’s House and Doctor Kiss Says Yes (winner of the Governor General’s Award). The program launched in 2013 with children’s book illustrator Martha Newbigging, followed by Patricia Storms, John Martz, Dianna Bonder, and Ashley Barron.

Overview of the Illustrator in Residence program:

• The illustrator conducts art activities for classes of children, presentations to adults and students, and individual portfolio reviews
• The illustrator’s original work is exhibited in an art gallery space at Toronto Public Library
  Remuneration of $4,000 is provided to the illustrator, plus up to $300 for art supplies
• Funds or other support for travel and accommodation may be available
• Submissions are evaluated and the illustrator is selected by a jury with expertise in illustrated children’s books

Requirements for illustrators:

• Has illustrated four or more professionally published children’s books, with publication confirmed for a new book within the next few years
• Experience in developing and delivering programs for kids, teens and adults
• Is friendly and empathetic, with an understanding of the needs of aspiring artists
• Has mounted or framed finished work that can be displayed in the library’s art gallery
• Is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Is available for the month of October 2018 for 15 to 20 programming hours per week including two weekday evenings (but no weekends)

Send submissions by Friday, May 18, 2018 to promotions@ibby-canada.org. Submissions must be a single Word or PDF document that includes:

• Your programming ideas for different audiences: classes of school kids, art students in high school/college/university, adults (see Programming Guidelines below)
• CV or resume that includes books (with publisher and year) and presentation experience
• Two letters of reference about your presentations

Programming Guidelines

IBBY Canada’s Illustrator in Residence program coordinator works closely with the illustrator and the library before and during the residency. The coordinator arranges and schedules the class visits and portfolio reviews, maintains and updates the calendar of activities, and keeps the illustrator informed about any changes. The library promotes the program through their marketing vehicles, provides rooms and equipment, and offers space for the illustrator to store their supplies. The illustrator develops and presents the programming sessions, conducts the portfolio reviews, brings mounted or framed artwork for the gallery display, and purchases materials and supplies (costs are reimbursed).

We encourage illustrators to propose creative and engaging programming ideas, and also to be open to suggestions from Toronto Public Library and IBBY Canada. The illustrator develops and leads the following types of workshops and presentations:

Workshops for Grades 2 to 6 in the library
Classes of kids from Grades 2 to 6 visit the library for 90-minute hands-on art workshops developed and led by the illustrator. In the workshops, everyone creates an individual piece to take with them, or works together on a group project to bring back to the school. Since different classes come to each workshop, the art activity can be the same, with modifications as needed for the ages of the kids.

The workshops for school classes should include a short presentation about the illustrator’s work with projected visuals (e.g., PowerPoint); a projector and screen are provided by the library. However, most of the workshop should be spent on the hands-on art activity.

The workshops for school classes are scheduled in the morning and afternoon on two days each week, with about 15 in total for the month. The illustrator provides enough art materials and reusable supplies for a class set and at the end of each workshop collects the reusable supplies. The costs of materials and supplies is reimbursed. Teachers and parent volunteers stay in the workshop to supervise the class.

Presentations for adults in the library
Presentations for adults are 60 minutes, with a presentation scheduled one evening of each week in October, four in total. The content of each presentation should be different, since adults may come to several presentations. Hands-on art activities aren’t recommended for adult presentations. The focus should be on professional development topics, such as getting started as an illustrator, illustration work opportunities, developing a style, promoting illustration work, building a portfolio, and illustrating for publishers. Adult presentations should include projected visuals (e.g., PowerPoint).

Portfolio reviews in the library
Artists and art students can book individual 30-minute portfolio review meetings with the illustrator, to get feedback and suggestions on the artwork they bring with them. Portfolio reviews are held in the library, on one evening of each week in October, with up to six portfolio reviews per evening.

Presentations for students at high schools, colleges and universities
High school, college and university presentations are held at the school, not in the library. Presentations are 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the school’s schedule. The presentations for students at their schools can be similar to the presentations for adults at the library.

IBBY Canada is pleased to announce that A Pattern for Pepper, written and illustrated by Julie Kraulis, is the winner of the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award. The book is published by Tundra Books.

Author-illustrator Julie Kraulis lives and works in Toronto. She received a Bachelor of Design in Illustration from the Ontario College of Art & Design. She has written and illustrated three other picture books: Whimsy’s Heavy Things, An Armadillo in Paris and An Armadillo in New York.

The jury for the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award was comprised of jury chair Lyne Rajotte, school librarian at the Commission scolaire de la Seigneurie-des-Mille-Îles; Camilia Kahrizi, former Marketing and Website Coordinator for the Canadian Children’s Book Centre; and Carol-Ann Hoyte, school librarian, children’s poet and editor.

In selecting A Pattern for Pepper, the jurors commented:

What an original book this is! Julie Kraulis gives a lesson on fabric patterns and their origins in this story about Pepper who needs a special dress for a special occasion. There is a nostalgic feel to the book as Pepper goes to the tailor shop with her mother to choose just the right fabric for her dress. The illustrations in oil are filled with patterns in the background as well as with images of who wore what and where the fabrics came from. Pixie-like and curious, Pepper is depicted in a variety of poses and is hard at work designing her dress as the tailor sets to his task. Both a documentary and an endearing story, A Pattern for Pepper, is a delicate and delightful confection.

The jury also selected two Honour Books that were considered for the Award:

Town Is by the Sea, illustrated by Sydney Smith and written by Joanne Schwartz (Groundwood Books, 2017).

Smith seduces us from the first spread … Throughout the picture book, he juxtaposes bright and dark pages to reveal the contrast between life outside and inside of the mine.
 

When the Moon Comes, illustrated by Matt James and written by Paul Harbridge (Tundra Books, 2017).

James’s illustrations are magnificent, an excellent marriage between bright and dark colours. He evocatively captures the sense of waiting for the perfect moment when the ice will finally be ready for that first hockey match on the pond.

IBBY Canada’s Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Picture Book Award, established in 1985, honours one of Canada’s pre-eminent book illustrators. Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver left funds in her will to annually recognize outstanding artistic talent in Canadian picture books; the winner receives $1,000.

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IBBY Canada est heureux d’annoncer que A Pattern for Pepper, écrit et illustré par Julie Kraulis, est lauréate du Prix Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver pour un album illustré. Le livre est publié par Tundra Books.

L’auteure et illustratrice Julie Kraulis vit et travaille à Toronto. Elle a obtenu un Baccalauréat en Design et Illustration du Collège d’art et de design d’Ontario. Elle a écrit et illustré trois autres albums: Whimsy’s Heavy Things, An Armadillo in Paris et An Armadillo in New York.

Les membres du jury du Prix Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver pour un album illustré étaient sous la présidence de Lyne Rajotte, bibliothécaire à la Commission scolaire de la Seigneurie-des-Mille-Îles; Camilia Kahrizi, ancienne coordinatrice du marketing et du site web du Centre du livre canadien pour la jeunesse; et Carol-Ann Hoyte, bibliothécaire scolaire, poète et éditrice de littérature pour la jeunesse.

En choisissant A Pattern for Pepper, les membres du jury ont fait ces commentaires:

Quel livre original! Julie Kraulis offre une leçon sur les motifs des tissus et leur origine dans cette histoire à propos de Pepper qui a besoin d’une robe unique pour une occasion toute spéciale. Le livre revêt une ambiance nostalgique lorsque Pepper va à la boutique du tailleur avec sa mère pour choisir le tissu parfait pour sa robe. Les illustrations peintes à l’huile sont agrémentées de motifs en arrière- plan, d’images de qui a porté quoi et de la provenance des tissus. Vive et menue, Pepper est représentée dans une variété de poses, elle s’applique à créer le modèle de sa robe alors que le tailleur s’affaire à la tâche. A Pattern for Pepper est autant un documentaire qu’une histoire touchante, c’est un assemblage délicat et adorable.

Le jury a également sélectionné deux livres à l’honneur pour ce prix :

Town Is by the Sea, illustré par Sydney Smith et écrit par Joanne Schwartz (Groundwood Books, 2017). Dès la première double page, l’illustrateur nous séduit. Tout au long de l’album, le contraste entre les pages lumineuses à l’extérieur de la mine et les pages sombres dans la mine vivent en alternance.

When the Moon Comes, illustré par Matt James et écrit par Paul Harbridge (Tundra Books, 2017). Les illustrations sont magnifiques, un excellent mariage entre les couleurs vives et sombres. Matt James saisit subtilement l’attente du moment parfait où la glace sera enfin prête pour cette première partie de hockey sur la mare.

Le Prix Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver pour un album illustré a été mis sur pied en 1985 en l’honneur d’une des illustratrices les plus reconnues au Canada. Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver a laissé des fonds dans son testament pour honorer annuellement un talent artistique remarquable pour un album illustré canadien. Le lauréat reçoit 1000$.

IBBY Canada is launching a therapeutic reading program for young refugee claimants from 6-12 years old living in shelters in Toronto, based on the model of IBBY Children in Crisis programs worldwide.

Increasing numbers of refugee claimants are arriving in the Greater Toronto Area and are facing longer and longer waits for refugee hearings. Children and families need support during this transitional stage.

IBBY Canada will be training volunteers to read with the children. A six-week pilot reading program at the Christie Street Welcome Centre will begin in mid-May 2018. We hope to expand to shelters across the GTA and eventually across the country, as fuelled by need and volunteer interest.

To learn more about the IBBY Canada Children in Crisis Refugee Centre Reading Program and how you can get involved as a volunteer reader, committee member or sponsor, please join us:

Monday, April 23, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
Palmerston Library
560 Palmerston Ave., Toronto, ON

Please RSVP to info@ibby-canada.org if you would like to attend.

Please feel free to share this post with anyone who might be interested!

IBBY Canada is pleased to announce the shortlist for the 2017 Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Picture Book Award.

The winner and honour books will be announced online on Tuesday, April 10, at 10:00 a.m.

The jury reviewed over 135 books, and this high number of submissions is a testament to the quality and artistry of Canadian picture books published in 2017. For their originality, impressive synthesis between art and text, and skilful portrayal of children’s experiences, we would like to recognize these five illustrators on the shortlist.

Dépareillés, illustrated by Geneviève Després and written by Marie-Francine Hébert (Les editions de la Bagnole, 2017)

Després has a particular talent for strong double-page spreads, contrasting the little girls’ emotions by showing Rose under a half-sunny, half-cloudy sky, and Blanche with a great sorrow in her heart under a sinister sky.

Stolen Words, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard and written by Melanie Florence (Second Story Press, 2017)

With her signature soft, sensitive illustrations, Gabrielle Grimard portrays the grandfather and the little girl’s experiences through many finely illustrated emotions: joy, incomprehension, gentleness, sadness and redemption.

When the Moon Comes, illustrated by Matt James and written by Paul Harbridge (Tundra Books, 2017)

James’s illustrations are magnificent, an excellent marriage between bright and dark colours. He evocatively captures the sense of waiting for the perfect moment when the ice will finally be ready for that first hockey match on the pond.

A Pattern for Pepper, written and illustrated by Julie Kraulis (Tundra Books, 2017)

What an original book. … Kraulis gently guides us in a fictional story that verges on documentary.

Town Is by the Sea, illustrated by Sydney Smith and written by Joanne Schwartz (Groundwood Books, 2017)

Smith seduces us from the first spread … Throughout the picture book, he juxtaposes bright and dark pages to reveal the contrast between life outside and inside of the mine.

The jury for the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award was comprised of jury chair Lyne Rajotte, school librarian and board member for the Corporation of Professional Librarians of Quebec; Camilia Kahrizi, former Marketing and Website Coordinator for the Canadian Children’s Book Centre; and Carol-Ann Hoyte, school librarian, children’s poet and editor.

IBBY Canada’s Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Picture Book Award, established in 1985, honours one of Canada’s pre-eminent book illustrators. Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver left funds in her will to annually recognize outstanding artistic talent in Canadian picture books; the winner receives $1,000.

More information is available here.

Publishers across Canada are invited to submit picture books for the annual Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award (the Cleaver Award). The Cleaver Award is given annually in recognition of outstanding artistic talent in a Canadian picture book. The recipient receives a cheque for $1,000 and a certificate. An award ceremony to celebrate the winner is held each year.

The Cleaver Award is administered by a committee of three members of IBBY Canada. The jury members for the 2017 award are Lyne Rajotte (chair), Camilia Kahrizi, and Carol-Ann Hoyte.

Criteria:

1. The recipient of the Cleaver Award is a Canadian illustrator of a picture book published by a Canadian publisher in English or French between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017.
2. The book must be a first edition and contain original illustrations by a Canadian artist (either a citizen or permanent resident).
3. All genres are considered: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and folk and fairy tales.
4. If a book has been submitted in previous years, the book will not be eligible for consideration. Translations are not eligible.

Submission information:

1. A copy of each submitted title is mailed by the publisher to each of the three committee members. Please contact Lyne Rajotte for the addresses of the committee members.
2. There is a $20 fee for each title submitted to the Cleaver Award. For example, if you are submitting two titles for consideration, you will mail one copy of each book to each of the three jury members and a cheque for $40 to IBBY Canada’s head office. The fee is non-refundable, even if your submission is determined to be ineligible, so please read the submission guidelines carefully. This fee will be used to offset administration costs as well as costs associated with the presentation of the award.

Please send a cheque made payable to “IBBY Canada” with “Cleaver Award fee” on the memo line to:

IBBY Canada
c/o The Canadian Children‘s Book Centre
217-40 Orchard View Blvd.
Toronto, ON M4R 1B9

Please ensure that your submission fee arrives no later than December 1, 2017. Deadline for mailings to jurors is December 15, 2017.