FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Toronto (November 14, 2022) — The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) is excited to announce the addition of more artists to its Picture Book Gallery.
During the second phase of this initiative, artwork by the following seven creators has now been added: Rebecca Bender, Jamileh Salek, Celia Godkin, Peggy Collins, Sahar Abdallah, Jeni Chen, and Loris Lesynski.
A three-person jury conducted the process of selecting the new artists to showcase in the gallery. The jury members were Kathryn Cole, a publishing professional, who in her 50-plus years in the business has held various positions, including illustrator, art director, and children’s book publisher; Audrey Hudson, Richard & Elizabeth Currie Chief, Education & Programming, Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO); and Paul Wildridge, president, Roberts Gallery.
In 2021, the CCBC introduced the Picture Book Gallery with an inaugural collection of art created by 14 illustrators: Barbara Reid, Sue Todd, Soyeon Kim, François Thisdale, Gary Clement, Qin Leng, Marie-Louise Gay, Michael Martchenko, Michele Nidenoff, Debbie Ridpath Ohi, Anne Villeneuve, Jeremy Tankard, Kevin Sylvester, and Wallace Edwards.
The Picture Book Gallery features Canadian illustrators (many award-winning) who sell prints and original art to support the CCBC’s annual Canadian Children’s Book Week program. Illustrators donate 60 percent of the value of their art sold in support of the CCBC. All funds raised contribute to connecting authors, illustrators, and storytellers with young audiences across Canada.
Two of the illustrators recently added to the gallery, Peggy Collins and Jeni Chen, will be touring as part of Book Week 2023.
Canadian Children’s Book Week is the most influential national event celebrating Canadian children’s books and the importance of reading. Each year, hundreds of presentations are given to thousands of children, teens, and adults in over 100 communities across the country as we make every possible effort to reach children in more remote regions and communities. The upcoming Canadian Children’s Book Week tour will take place from April 30–May 6, 2023.
“As the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, and the illustrations from our favourite picture books are no different,” says Sarah Sahagian, Executive Director of the Canadian Children’s Book Centre. “Our online Picture Book Gallery offers a selection of one-of-a-kind art pieces by Canada’s favourite illustrators. These works of art would be perfect for use in libraries, schools, and workplaces. The pieces found in The Picture Book Gallery also make meaningful holiday gifts that are sure to be enjoyed for decades to come! Ultimately, each piece in this curated collection was chosen because it is both beautiful and inspirational. When patrons purchase one of these iconic works, they will receive the added satisfaction of knowing a portion of the proceeds go directly to the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, funding Book Week, a program that was founded in 1977, and which brings Canadian authors and illustrators to schools and libraries across the country.”
Purchases can be made at thepicturebookgallery.com. More information about Canadian Children’s Book Week and the 2023 tour can be found at bookweek.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Tara Mandarano
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre
416 975-0010 ext. 2
tara@bookcentre.ca
About the Canadian Children’s Book Centre
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre is a national, not-for-profit organization founded in 1976. We are dedicated to encouraging, promoting and supporting the reading, writing and illustrating of Canadian books for young readers. Our programs, publications, and resources help teachers, librarians, booksellers and parents select the very best for young readers. For more information, please visit our website.