The Reference Desk
Stephen D. Roxburgh · Children's Literature Association quarterly · 1977
The Reference Desk Stephen D. Roxburgh Publishers Weekly, reporting on the June convention marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Canadian Booksellers Association, observed: "If there was one change from previous years, it was the emphasis on new Canadian children's books. Most prominent was the launching of Magook (rhymes with book), a children's magazine and book venture from McClelland and Stewart. The house plans to issue 100,00 copies each of 16 issues of a 48-page book with four-color illustrations. The magazine, produced and issued in groups of four, will be available only on the stands and sell for $1.95. At the same time, McClelland and Stewart will publish in hardcover the book featured in each issue." Phaedrus: An International Journal of Children's Literature Research contained an excellent bibliography of research materials dealing with Canadian children's literature in the Spring 1977 (Vol. IV, No. 1) issue, pp. 34-35. John R. Sorfleet, editor of CCL, prepared the survey. Elizabeth S. Halbrooks, editor of The Horn Book Crier, reports the following survey results in the September 1977 issue: "I have mentioned before the fact that we send out letters every year in September and January, addressed to Professor of Children's Literature, Department of Education or English. At the bottom of each letter there is an order form where, in addition to the name and address of the professor filling it out, the name of the college and the department are requested. In the past the department in the majority of cases was given as Education, but in the most recent returns many more English than Education Departments were listed—and also the following departments: Reading, Social Sciences, Child Development, Developmental Studies, Communications, Arts and Communications, Religious Education, Elementary/Early Childhood, Health and Psychology, Library Science, Library Education. Children's Literature is getting around!" The Friends of IBBY/ Newsletter (U.S. National Section), ed. John Donovan, contained two interesting articles in its Summer-Fall 1976 (Vol. I, No. 2) issue. Irma McDonough discussed "Publishing Books for Children in a Bilingual Nation—the English Sector." (pp. 1-3) Irene Aubrey discussed "French-Canadian Children's Literature Since 1960." pp. 3-6. Ms. Aubrey has prepared a five-page listing of "Sources," including bibliographies and guides to French-Canadian children's literature. For a free xerox copy of this listing send a 13¢ stamped, self-addressed envelope marked "French-Canadian Sources" to the Children's Book Council, 67 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003. Irma McDonough, "Canadian Books for Children." The Booklist, Sept. 15, 1975, pp. 172-74. This bibliography reflects English-language publishing in Canada during the last ten years, with a few older books included. Adele Ashby (ed.), Canadian Materials: An Annotated Critical Bibliography for Canadian Schools and Libraries. 1975—. Begun in Autumn 1975, the new journal contains English language learning materials written by Canadians, published or produced in Canada, or on Canadian subjects. Subscriptions are $5 per year for three issues; single copies are $3. For more information or to enter subscriptions, write to Canadian Materials, The Canadian Library Association, 151 Sparks St., Ottowa, Ontario K1P 5E3. For detailed review, see Top of the News. Vol. 33, No. 1 (Fall 1976), pp. 96-97. [End Page 10] Whitaker, Muriel. "Children's Literature North of the Arctic Circle: Teaching in an Unusual Community." Children's Literature in Education XVIII (Fall, 1975), pp. 125-33. (Reviewed in CLA #12, March, 1976). Google Scholar ___. "Tales of the Wilderness: The Canadian Animal Story." Canadian Children's Literature I (2), Summer 1975, pp. 38-45. Google Scholar Aubrey, Irene E. "French Literature in Canada for the Young: A Brief Survey." Bookbird XII (4) 1974, pp. 64-70. (Reviewed in Children's Literature Abstracts #9, May 1975). Google Scholar Chapman, Geoffrey. "Canadian Reference and Information Books for Children." Canadian Children's Literature I (1) Spring 1975, pp. 42-52, and I (2) Summer 1975, pp. 47-65. (Reviewed in CLA #11, Nov. 1975). Google Scholar Google Scholar Egoff, Sheila. "Children's Books in Canada, 1971, 1972." English Quarterly VII (2), Summer 1974, pp. 121-3. Google Scholar ___. "Reflections and Distortions: Canadian Folklore as Portrayed in Children's...