Canadian authors and illustrators selected for largest recreational reading program
NEWS RELEASE
TORONTO, ON (October 15, 2020) – The Ontario Library Association (OLA) is excited to announce the English and French nominees for the 2021 Forest of Reading Awards, the largest recreational reading award program in Canada.
SEE THE 2021 FOREST OF READING AWARD NOMINATED LISTS: accessola.com/forest OR WATCH THE VIDEOS HERE.
“Not only are these lists of great Canadian books carefully curated by library professionals, the Forest of Reading program offers easily accessible online resources for educators, school library professionals, and parents, so they can provide fun and flexible programming to their readers,” says Shelagh Paterson, Executive Director, Ontario Library Association.
The Forest of Reading consists of ten programs distinguished by age group and reading level, each with ten nominated titles. The English school-aged programs are Blue Spruce, Silver Birch (Express and Fiction), Yellow Cedar, Red Maple, and White Pine. French literature is celebrated through the Peuplier, Mélèze, and Tamarac programs. The adult program, Evergreen, celebrates excellence in Canadian literature. Over 270,000 readers participate in the program through schools, public libraries, literacy centres, and at home.
Committees of library practitioners select the nominated titles and those who participate in the Forest have the opportunity to vote for their favourite books in April.
All school-aged nominated titles will be available in alternate formats through Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) and Alternative Education Resources of Ontario (AERO).
The Forest of Reading also supports other initiatives happening this year. To continue reading Canadian all year long, celebrate the breadth of our books for young people on February 17, 2021: the second annual I Read Canadian Day. Take part by reading Canadian for just 15 minutes and register today to be a part of the nation-wide event. Additionally, the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, who is partnering with Communication Jeunesse to offer a bilingual virtual tour in 2020, that will connect book creators with young readers coast to coast to coast. Mark your calendars for May 2-May 8, 2021, ahead of the Forest of Reading Festival, for engaging and interactive presentations and workshops with emerging and celebrated Canadian book creators. For more information, visit bookweek.ca.
Follow the conversation #IReadCanadian and #ForestofReading.
– 30 –
The Ontario Library Association (OLA) is a centre of excellence for the library and information sector, with 5,000 members who work in public, school, academic and special libraries. OLA enables members to advocate for the right of individuals to have free and equitable access to information. Our members research, develop and participate in educational programs designed to provide exemplary library services. Signature OLA events include the annual Super Conference and the Forest of Reading® program.
Tinlids Inc. is the official wholesaler for the 2021 Forest of Reading program.
Bibliovideo is a YouTube channel all about Canadian children’s books. It’s the place to be for readers, librarians, teachers, parents, authors, illustrators, researchers, and anyone who wants to discover great Canadian books for young people.
Media and program contacts:
Meredith Tutching
Director, Forest of Reading
Ontario Library Association
416.363.3388 x222
Lauren Hummel
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Ontario Library Association
416.363.3388 x227