This spring I visited the IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities at the North York Central Library with the intention of writing an article on the 2019 Selections which had just been announced at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
Leigh Turina, Lead Librarian for the Collection, had graciously boxed some books she thought might be of interest. The contents were an inspiration — and as I dug deeper into the boxes, the article evolved into this special edition newsletter.
I am delighted to share with you stories inspired by the contents of those boxes: features on the three Canadian books on the list — Caterpillars Can’t Swim, Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess and On the Spectrum — and highlights of the three categories of books in the collection, and an origin story about a book from 1999, The Clever Rabbit, which was handmade in India and is ingenious.
Thank you to Leigh Turina for participating in a Q&A about the Collection and selecting the highlights from the three categories: Specialized Formats, Universal Access and Portrayals of Disability.
And thank you, Leigh, for suggesting we approach Amy Mathers, founder of the Amy Mathers Teen Book Award, for her perspectives on the reading and portrayals of disability.
Many thanks Amy for your thoughtful article!
And a special thank you also to Vinita Krishna for providing the beautiful origin story for The Clever Rabbit — and solving the mystery of the sock.
I hope you enjoy this exploration of the IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities.
Letter from the Editor
This spring I visited the IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities at the North York Central Library with the intention of writing an article on the 2019 Selections which had just been announced at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
Leigh Turina, Lead Librarian for the Collection, had graciously boxed some books she thought might be of interest. The contents were an inspiration — and as I dug deeper into the boxes, the article evolved into this special edition newsletter.
I am delighted to share with you stories inspired by the contents of those boxes: features on the three Canadian books on the list — Caterpillars Can’t Swim, Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess and On the Spectrum — and highlights of the three categories of books in the collection, and an origin story about a book from 1999, The Clever Rabbit, which was handmade in India and is ingenious.
And thank you, Leigh, for suggesting we approach Amy Mathers, founder of the Amy Mathers Teen Book Award, for her perspectives on the reading and portrayals of disability.
Many thanks Amy for your thoughtful article!
And a special thank you also to Vinita Krishna for providing the beautiful origin story for The Clever Rabbit — and solving the mystery of the sock.
I hope you enjoy this exploration of the IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities.
Happy reading!
Patti McIntosh
Newsletter Editor, IBBY Canada
p.s. If you have the chance, check out the Collection’s first art gallery exhibit – You, Me, Us: Outstanding Books for and about Young People with Disabilities up from November 16, 2019-January 26, 2020 at the TD Gallery at the Toronto Reference Library located at 789 Yonge Street.
View next article –>
Back to Winter 2019 Newsletter Home