What:

The Ontario Library Association presents the Forest of Reading Virtual Celebrations, the celebration and culmination of the 2021 Forest of Reading program. The Forest of Reading is Canada’s largest recreational reading program with more than 270,000 readers participating every year. It is also a readers’ choice award program — one of only a few programs in the country where the readers choose the winners.

The Virtual Celebrations include dozens of events and videos that connect young readers with Canadian authors and illustrators. Parents, schools, and libraries who have registered for the program have access to read alouds, nominee visits, author interviews, and book talks.

The Celebrations are supported by official wholesaler and sponsor, Tinlids. This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada.

 

When:

Throughout April and May, leading up to the Forest of Reading Awards on May 18, 19, and 20, 2021 (presented online in partnership with CBC Books).

Where:

Online through the Forest of Reading Password Website at forestofreading.com. The public can access these events by registering for the Forest of Reading program.

 

Who:

Hundreds of schools and thousands of young readers and featuring some of our 140 nominees who are Canada’s top authors and illustrators, including: Abdi Nazemian, Kenneth Oppel, Anita Daher, Anna Priemaza, Anuradha Rao, Bob McDonald, Brian Francis, Clayton Hanme, Danielle Younge-Ullman, Danny Ramadan, Gail Herbert, Hazel Hutchins, Heather M. O’Connor, Ibtihaj Muhammad, Isabelle Groc, Kim Smith, Kira Vermond, L.E. Carmichael, Mike Boldt, Rina Singh, Sennah Yee, Sherry J. Lee, Tanaz Bhathena, Tanya Lloyd Kyi, Tim Wynne-Jones, Zalika Reid-Benta. French nominees participating include: Andrée Poulin, Angèle Delaunois, Anne-Marie Fortin, Carine Paquin, Émilie Demers, Katia Canciani, Lucie Crovatto, Mathieu Lampron, Roxane Brouillard.

 

Virtual:                

The Forest of Reading Virtual Celebrations include Read Alouds for our picture book award programs (Blue Spruce and Peuplier) and virtual nominee visits from our Yellow Cedar and White Pine programs, as well as content already available like our Blue Spruce Book Club, Forest Fridays and Mercre-LIT nominee video series. More than 80+ videos will be available for registrants to watch and share with their readers. We will also feature interviews with our winners of the 2021 Forest of Reading Awards once they are announced.

For more information and for media access, please contact Lauren Hummel at lhummel@accessola.com.

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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.