I Read Canadian Day was a national day celebrating Canadian books for young readers on February 19. This day was devoted to reading Canadian authors. Also, national libraries, schools and organizations were encouraged to host activities and events within the week.
This occasion in February was designed to raise awareness of Canadian literature. Readers across the nation were asked to read a Canadian author for 15 minutes then share their experiences at the local library, school or with friends, families and friends, or communicate what they鈥檝e read on social media.
In conjunction with the Palliser Regional Library, the Assiniboia and District Regional Library and other libraries connected with the organization based in Moose Jaw remembered I Read Canadian Day this February. 鈥淭here鈥檚 Canadian writers in every genre,鈥� said Librarian Lori Crighton, as she discussed the versatility of the nation鈥檚 authors.
Crighton began by talking about the works of Louise Penny, one of her preferred authors of late. Louise Penny is the author of a series of novels about Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. 鈥淟ouise Penny has written a series which is set mostly in small town Quebec,鈥� Crighton explained then reviewed her reasons why this series of crime novels has inspired her to read more about the adventures of Chief Inspector Gamache. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e very well-written, with interesting characters and you don鈥檛 necessarily guess who the culprit is in the end.鈥�
Penny, who is based in Quebec, has earned several awards, including the CWA Dagger. Penny鈥檚 also a six-time winner of the Agatha Award 鈥� a literary award for mystery and crime writers.
Gordon Korman is another author who has captured Crighton鈥檚 literary imagination. Korman is a Canadian-American author who has written over 80 children鈥檚 and YA fiction. He has sold more than 28 million books over a writing career spanning four decades. 鈥淗e wrote his first book at age 13. He鈥檚 based in the States, but still mentions Canada,鈥� the librarian clarified.听
鈥淭here鈥檚 a Canadian author coming here on March 25,鈥� Crighton continued then described the event in late March where Candace Savage is scheduled to appear at the Assiniboia and District Public Library in the Kay Cristo Room on Wednesday, March 25 at 2 p.m. to present her creative nonfiction work, A Geography in Blood.
Savage has written several other publications as well, including books for children. Aside from novels and historical books, Savage also authored a text on the prairie ecosystem titled Prairie: A Natural History. 鈥淚t sounds pretty dry, but patrons have strongly recommended it,鈥� said Crighton.
鈥淥ne of my favourite Canadian writers is someone who has passed on,鈥� Crighton further recollected. 鈥淕regory Clark wrote beautiful, humorous pieces in the Depression,鈥� adding 鈥淗e was an outdoorsman before environmentalism became popular.鈥�
In addition to his career as a reporter for the Toronto Star, Clark wrote regular columns about everyday stories his readers could connect with. In the late 1930s, Clark鈥檚 popular columns were illustrated by the cartoonist, Jimmie Frise. 听听听
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