By Martha Lai
Ottawa children have probably heard of Mordecai Richler’s Jacob Two-Two, or the poetry of Dennis Lee, but what about the mysteries of Larry McCloskey? Or the novels of Rita Donovan?
Don’t be surprised if you don’t know the last two — their books aren’t as famous as Alligator Pie, even though Donovan won the Ottawa-Carleton Book Award twice. Like other authors featured at the Ottawa Public Library’s second annual Kids’ Literary Gala, their books are probably not taught in schools. Parents whose knowledge of children’s literature runs as far as the Harry Potter series are not likely to buy their books, either.
Yet why not? Canadian literature, having long played second-fiddle to that of the British (or even the Americans), is coming into its own — a point driven home by the prestigious Man-Booker Prize nominations, where Canadian authors clinched three of the six berths.
If that’s too high-brow, consider that Oprah chose at least two best-selling Canadians — Ann-Marie MacDonald and Rohinton Mistry — to add to her infamous book club. Canadian fiction for adults may finally be getting some of the recognition it deserves, but the kids’ section is still sadly overlooked.
For example, the most famous Canadian children’s author is not some contemporary, multiple-award-winning author like Tim Wynne-Jones, but Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of the various Anne of Green Gables books. How tired Prince Edward Island residents must be of all those visitors expecting to see Anne Shirley’s beloved, Edwardian Green Gables every year!
Even Robert Munsch, who wrote one of the best-selling children’s books — I Love You Forever — was met with blank looks when the New York Times released its best-seller list.
There isn’t any excuse for this. Even though it is a great honour to be nominated for international prizes or listed in the New York Times, there doesn’t seem to be as much respect or commercial success in being nominated for, say, the Governor General’s Award.
It seems that, unless the author has been “validated” by another country (notably, the United States) first, Canadian readers won’t have anything to do with it. This is especially tragic in cities like Ottawa, which have almost a surplus of intriguing children’s authors ready and willing to be discovered.
Parents and children should learn to seek out and support Canadian authors; the organizers of the library’s gala, the Ottawa Children’s Literature Roundtable, is an excellent place to start.
There is nothing wrong with children’s literature from the United States or Britain — or anywhere els, for that matter. Let’s just not lose sight of the fact that there are also some excellent books being written and illustrated right under our noses.