IBBY Canada and its members join others in the Canadian children’s literature community in expressing their sadness at the loss of Andrea Deakin, who died on February 20, 2022, in Edmonton.
Ms. Deakin received IBBY Canada’s Claude Aubry Award in 2010 in recognition of her efforts and impact for 40 years as a reviewer and tireless champion of Canadian children’s books. The Claude Aubry Award, established by IBBY Canada in 1981, is given biennally to individuals who have made a significant contribution to Canadian children’s literature in English and French.
Andrea began reviewing in 1971, covering children’s books for a number of newspapers and radio outlets in BC. In 2004, she began the bi-monthly Deakin Newsletter, an online publication that covered Canadian and non-Canadian titles. The mix was deliberate—to attract readers from many countries and to set excellent Canadian books within the context of international lists. The newsletter was published through the Library of Okanagan College and linked through the British online journal ACHUKAto reach audiences in a number of countries. She retired in 2011 and turned over responsibility for the publication to the University of Alberta Libraries. Renamed The Deakin Review of Children’s Literature, the publication continued until 2020.
After the death of her husband Dr. Barry Deakin in 2000, Andrea donated her extensive collection of children’s books to the Okanagan College Library in Salmon Arm, BC, in his honour. She had been touched by her husband’s childhood story. Born into a life of poverty in England, his library card was a special gift and opened up the world beyond his own. Books for children, she knew, can change and enrich lives.
The Canadian children’s literature community was the richer for Andrea Deakin’s enormous and generous contributions. She will be missed.
Contributed by Theo Heras with files from Gillian O’Reilly
Andrea Deakin
IBBY Canada and its members join others in the Canadian children’s literature community in expressing their sadness at the loss of Andrea Deakin, who died on February 20, 2022, in Edmonton.
Ms. Deakin received IBBY Canada’s Claude Aubry Award in 2010 in recognition of her efforts and impact for 40 years as a reviewer and tireless champion of Canadian children’s books. The Claude Aubry Award, established by IBBY Canada in 1981, is given biennally to individuals who have made a significant contribution to Canadian children’s literature in English and French.
Andrea began reviewing in 1971, covering children’s books for a number of newspapers and radio outlets in BC. In 2004, she began the bi-monthly Deakin Newsletter, an online publication that covered Canadian and non-Canadian titles. The mix was deliberate—to attract readers from many countries and to set excellent Canadian books within the context of international lists. The newsletter was published through the Library of Okanagan College and linked through the British online journal ACHUKAto reach audiences in a number of countries. She retired in 2011 and turned over responsibility for the publication to the University of Alberta Libraries. Renamed The Deakin Review of Children’s Literature, the publication continued until 2020.
After the death of her husband Dr. Barry Deakin in 2000, Andrea donated her extensive collection of children’s books to the Okanagan College Library in Salmon Arm, BC, in his honour. She had been touched by her husband’s childhood story. Born into a life of poverty in England, his library card was a special gift and opened up the world beyond his own. Books for children, she knew, can change and enrich lives.
The Canadian children’s literature community was the richer for Andrea Deakin’s enormous and generous contributions. She will be missed.
Contributed by Theo Heras with files from Gillian O’Reilly
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