Bologna, Italy — On Tuesday, March 23, 2010 a Canadian picture book was honoured at the 47th annual Bologna Children’s Book Fair — a coveted recognitiion for publishers all over the world. The picture book, The Drum Calls Softly (Red Deer Press) received the Non-Fiction Mention award. It is the second time a Canadian book has received recognition at the Bologna Ragazzi Awards. The first was another non-fiction title called Too Young to Fight (Stoddart).

Fitzhenry & Whiteside’s Foreign Rights Manager, James Chalmers was there to receive the prestigious award, which was presented to winners in the 15th century Salaborsa Library in the famous Plaza Maggiore. The award was presented in front of a packed audience of publisher and authors from all over the world. “I was truly honoured and humbled to be a part of this distinguished gathering of authors, publishers and jury members, in a setting of such cultural and historical significance,” says Chalmers. “The international stage in which this award is presented is the reason why it is coveted by publishers worldwide and to be only the second Canadian book to be recognized in all these years is a truly amazing achievement.”

Jury Comments:
The joyful yet complex style of Jim Poitras is the vehicle for an enjoyable lesson in cultural anthropology. The clear contours of the foreground figures dialogue effortlessly with the landscapes in the background whose colourful, complex and material quality is rendered almost tangible. This novel illustration technique is particularly suited as a book for children since it highlights to great effect how man’s customs, lifestyle and traditions take on significance only when seen against the backdrop of the skies, hills, rivers and natural world that gave rise to them.”

For more information, please contact:

Lori Avakian, Publicist
Tel: 905 477-9700 ext. 258
lori.avakian@fitzhenry.ca