Are you a fan of Jillian Jiggs? The Winter 1985 issue of Book News featured a positive review of the new picture book. But who could have predicted how popular it would be with young readers? The series is still widely available over 40 years later! #FromTheCCBCArchives
May 21, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Are you a fan of Jillian Jiggs? The Winter 1985 issue of Book News featured a positive review of the new picture book. But who could have predicted how popular it would be with young readers? The series is still widely available over 40 years later! #FromTheCCBCArchives
“A sparkling procession of children’s authors will be spreading out across Canada...”
Dubbed “The Storytellers”, these Canadian book creators had a real impact on kidlit in the 80s. Did you read any of their books when you were a child? #FromTheCCBCArchives
Dubbed “The Storytellers”, these Canadian book creators had a real impact on kidlit in the 80s. Did you read any of their books when you were a child? #FromTheCCBCArchives
April 23, 2026 at 2:01 PM
“A sparkling procession of children’s authors will be spreading out across Canada...”
Dubbed “The Storytellers”, these Canadian book creators had a real impact on kidlit in the 80s. Did you read any of their books when you were a child? #FromTheCCBCArchives
Dubbed “The Storytellers”, these Canadian book creators had a real impact on kidlit in the 80s. Did you read any of their books when you were a child? #FromTheCCBCArchives
Who remembers reading Amos’s Sweater? This hilarious picture book released In 1988 to a storm of praise. That year it would win the Ruth Schwartz Award, the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award, and the Governor General's children’s literature prize for illustration! #FromTheCCBCArchives
July 9, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Who remembers reading Amos’s Sweater? This hilarious picture book released In 1988 to a storm of praise. That year it would win the Ruth Schwartz Award, the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award, and the Governor General's children’s literature prize for illustration! #FromTheCCBCArchives
In 1988, children’s book store Mabel’s Fables opened “with style!” in Toronto's Mount Pleasant Village. Nearly 40 years later, Mabel’s remains iconic and is an important hub for the Canadian children’s book community #FromTheCCBCArchives
June 25, 2026 at 2:01 PM
In 1988, children’s book store Mabel’s Fables opened “with style!” in Toronto's Mount Pleasant Village. Nearly 40 years later, Mabel’s remains iconic and is an important hub for the Canadian children’s book community #FromTheCCBCArchives
Phoebe Gilman (1940-2002) was one of Canada's best-loved creators of children's books. Her picture book Something From Nothing, adapted from an old Yiddish tale, swept up awards on its way to being adapted for television #FromTheCCBCArchives
September 3, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Phoebe Gilman (1940-2002) was one of Canada's best-loved creators of children's books. Her picture book Something From Nothing, adapted from an old Yiddish tale, swept up awards on its way to being adapted for television #FromTheCCBCArchives
“The Children’s Book Centre has a new executive director as of February 8. Kathy Lowinger replaces Virginia Davis”—1984 issue of Book News.
Kathy would stay in children’s publishing for the rest of her career. Recently, she's collaborated on a number of non-fiction books #FromTheCCBCArchives
Kathy would stay in children’s publishing for the rest of her career. Recently, she's collaborated on a number of non-fiction books #FromTheCCBCArchives
April 16, 2026 at 1:59 PM
“The Children’s Book Centre has a new executive director as of February 8. Kathy Lowinger replaces Virginia Davis”—1984 issue of Book News.
Kathy would stay in children’s publishing for the rest of her career. Recently, she's collaborated on a number of non-fiction books #FromTheCCBCArchives
Kathy would stay in children’s publishing for the rest of her career. Recently, she's collaborated on a number of non-fiction books #FromTheCCBCArchives
First published in 1997, The Hollow Tree by Janet Lunn is a tale of a brave young girl caught up in the American Revolutionary War. It was an early “choice” novel of the Book Centre. Who remembers reading The Hollow Tree? #FromTheCCBCArchives
October 8, 2026 at 2:01 PM
First published in 1997, The Hollow Tree by Janet Lunn is a tale of a brave young girl caught up in the American Revolutionary War. It was an early “choice” novel of the Book Centre. Who remembers reading The Hollow Tree? #FromTheCCBCArchives
The first ever Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People was awarded in 1988 to Winnipeg writer Carol Matas for her book Lisa. Lisa chronicles the experiences of a 12-year-old Jewish girl throughout the Nazi occupation of Denmark during the second World War #FromTheCCBCArchives
June 18, 2026 at 2:01 PM
The first ever Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People was awarded in 1988 to Winnipeg writer Carol Matas for her book Lisa. Lisa chronicles the experiences of a 12-year-old Jewish girl throughout the Nazi occupation of Denmark during the second World War #FromTheCCBCArchives
In 1990, Paul Yee won the National Chapter IODE Book Award for Tales from Gold Mountain, a collection of 8 stories that blend history and folklore to chronicle the experiences of 19th-century Chinese immigrants to North America #FromTheCCBCArchives
July 23, 2026 at 2:01 PM
In 1990, Paul Yee won the National Chapter IODE Book Award for Tales from Gold Mountain, a collection of 8 stories that blend history and folklore to chronicle the experiences of 19th-century Chinese immigrants to North America #FromTheCCBCArchives
“My goal is to do this the rest of my life—although I would also like to try writing for children” illustrator Ruth Ohi told us back in 1992. Today Ruth Ohi is the illustrator of over 60 books, 23 of which she is also the author. Amazing! #FromTheCCBCArchives
August 27, 2026 at 2:01 PM
“My goal is to do this the rest of my life—although I would also like to try writing for children” illustrator Ruth Ohi told us back in 1992. Today Ruth Ohi is the illustrator of over 60 books, 23 of which she is also the author. Amazing! #FromTheCCBCArchives
“Put in a nutshell: an Annick Press book should feel like a hug of reassurance!”—Sept. 1984 issue of Book News.
In 1984, Annick Press was named Publisher of the Year by the CBA—a big win for children’s publishing in Canada. Canadian kids books do feel like a hug! #FromTheCCBCArchives
In 1984, Annick Press was named Publisher of the Year by the CBA—a big win for children’s publishing in Canada. Canadian kids books do feel like a hug! #FromTheCCBCArchives
April 30, 2026 at 2:00 PM
“Put in a nutshell: an Annick Press book should feel like a hug of reassurance!”—Sept. 1984 issue of Book News.
In 1984, Annick Press was named Publisher of the Year by the CBA—a big win for children’s publishing in Canada. Canadian kids books do feel like a hug! #FromTheCCBCArchives
In 1984, Annick Press was named Publisher of the Year by the CBA—a big win for children’s publishing in Canada. Canadian kids books do feel like a hug! #FromTheCCBCArchives
Welcome to the ‘90s! At the start of the decade a new prize for children’s literature was announced, the Mr. Christie’s Book Awards. The first ever winners were Kit Pearson for her book The Sky Is Falling and Ian Wallace for The Name of the Tree #FromTheCCBCArchives
July 16, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Welcome to the ‘90s! At the start of the decade a new prize for children’s literature was announced, the Mr. Christie’s Book Awards. The first ever winners were Kit Pearson for her book The Sky Is Falling and Ian Wallace for The Name of the Tree #FromTheCCBCArchives
Geoffrey Bilson was researching cholera when he was struck by an account of two children who suffered from the disease—this inspired him to begin writing for children. After his untimely passing in 1987, an Award for Historical Fiction for Young People established in his name #FromTheCCBCArchives
June 11, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Geoffrey Bilson was researching cholera when he was struck by an account of two children who suffered from the disease—this inspired him to begin writing for children. After his untimely passing in 1987, an Award for Historical Fiction for Young People established in his name #FromTheCCBCArchives
In 1988, a new Canadian children’s publisher with a feminist focus appeared on the scene. Over 35 years later, Second Story continues to publish groundbreaking books for young readers #FromTheCCBCArchives
July 2, 2026 at 2:01 PM
In 1988, a new Canadian children’s publisher with a feminist focus appeared on the scene. Over 35 years later, Second Story continues to publish groundbreaking books for young readers #FromTheCCBCArchives
"Can you give correct answers to the following questions about well-known Canadian children’s books?"—March 1983 issue of Book News.
Let us know if you can answer any of these trivia questions from 1983! #FromTheCCBCArchives
Let us know if you can answer any of these trivia questions from 1983! #FromTheCCBCArchives
April 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM
"Can you give correct answers to the following questions about well-known Canadian children’s books?"—March 1983 issue of Book News.
Let us know if you can answer any of these trivia questions from 1983! #FromTheCCBCArchives
Let us know if you can answer any of these trivia questions from 1983! #FromTheCCBCArchives
First published in 1995, Bone Button Borscht has become a Hanukkah classic and annual reading tradition for many families. Do you have a fond memory of reading Bone Button Borscht? #FromTheCCBCArchives
September 24, 2026 at 2:01 PM
First published in 1995, Bone Button Borscht has become a Hanukkah classic and annual reading tradition for many families. Do you have a fond memory of reading Bone Button Borscht? #FromTheCCBCArchives
If you attended elementary school in Canada, there’s a good chance your teacher read The Cremation of Sam McGee to your class at some point! One of Canada’s most famous poems was given the illustrated treatment by Ted Harrison and Kids Can Press back in 1986 #FromTheCCBCArchives
June 4, 2026 at 2:01 PM
If you attended elementary school in Canada, there’s a good chance your teacher read The Cremation of Sam McGee to your class at some point! One of Canada’s most famous poems was given the illustrated treatment by Ted Harrison and Kids Can Press back in 1986 #FromTheCCBCArchives
In 1990, David Booth won the IODE Children’s Book Award for Voices on the Wind: Poems for All Seasons. A lifelong champion of poetry, David left a lasting legacy. In 2022, an award for Children’s and Youth Poetry Award was established in his name #FromTheCCBCArchives
August 6, 2026 at 2:01 PM
In 1990, David Booth won the IODE Children’s Book Award for Voices on the Wind: Poems for All Seasons. A lifelong champion of poetry, David left a lasting legacy. In 2022, an award for Children’s and Youth Poetry Award was established in his name #FromTheCCBCArchives
“Canada’s most respected picture-book artists”. In the summer of 1985, Elizabeth Cleaver passed away from cancer. Shortly after her death, the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award was established and named in her honour. #FromTheCCBCArchives
May 14, 2026 at 2:02 PM
“Canada’s most respected picture-book artists”. In the summer of 1985, Elizabeth Cleaver passed away from cancer. Shortly after her death, the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award was established and named in her honour. #FromTheCCBCArchives
In 1990 the Book Centre moved into a new home at 35 Spadina Road. If you have any fond memories of visiting or attending events at that locations, please share in the comments! We would love to read them ❤️ #FromTheCCBCArchives
July 30, 2026 at 2:01 PM
In 1990 the Book Centre moved into a new home at 35 Spadina Road. If you have any fond memories of visiting or attending events at that locations, please share in the comments! We would love to read them ❤️ #FromTheCCBCArchives
“Reporting back from the Frankfurt Book Fair, Annick Press publisher Rick Wilks tells us there was considerable bidding among foreign publishers... Annick Press’ success is one example of the interest international publishers are starting to show in Canadian children’s books.” #FromTheCCBCArchives
February 19, 2026 at 3:00 PM
“Reporting back from the Frankfurt Book Fair, Annick Press publisher Rick Wilks tells us there was considerable bidding among foreign publishers... Annick Press’ success is one example of the interest international publishers are starting to show in Canadian children’s books.” #FromTheCCBCArchives
First published in 1996, To Dance at the Palais Royale took YA readers on a journey to explore Toronto in the Jazz Age. The novel would go on to win the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People #FromTheCCBCArchives
October 1, 2026 at 2:00 PM
First published in 1996, To Dance at the Palais Royale took YA readers on a journey to explore Toronto in the Jazz Age. The novel would go on to win the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People #FromTheCCBCArchives
In 1991, the film Angel Square based on the book by Brian Doyle and directed by Anne Wheeler released. One of the rare Canadian children’s book to be adapted to the screen in the 90s, Angel Square is one example of the impact Brian Doyle made telling stories for young audiences #FromTheCCBCArchives
August 13, 2026 at 2:01 PM
In 1991, the film Angel Square based on the book by Brian Doyle and directed by Anne Wheeler released. One of the rare Canadian children’s book to be adapted to the screen in the 90s, Angel Square is one example of the impact Brian Doyle made telling stories for young audiences #FromTheCCBCArchives
“Janet Lunn is the winner of two major awards. Her novel The Root Cellar won the 1982 Canadian Library Association Book of the Year Award for Children... Lunn also won the Canadian Authors Association’s Vicky Metcalfe award of $1,000”—June 1982 issue of Book News #FromTheCCBCArchives
March 26, 2026 at 2:01 PM
“Janet Lunn is the winner of two major awards. Her novel The Root Cellar won the 1982 Canadian Library Association Book of the Year Award for Children... Lunn also won the Canadian Authors Association’s Vicky Metcalfe award of $1,000”—June 1982 issue of Book News #FromTheCCBCArchives
Lights for Gita is a beloved Canadian picture book. An early review in Book News described Lights for Gita as “a universal story of child-like anticipation and hope, and of the resilience and adaptability of children in a new place”. Do you remember reading Lights for Gita? #FromTheCCBCArchives
September 17, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Lights for Gita is a beloved Canadian picture book. An early review in Book News described Lights for Gita as “a universal story of child-like anticipation and hope, and of the resilience and adaptability of children in a new place”. Do you remember reading Lights for Gita? #FromTheCCBCArchives