Barbara Hehner describes our Canadian literary heritage as a kaleidoscope, in which "each little piece of glass keeps its shape and colour, but together they constantly shift and overlap to form something new. At times, some of the pieces are hidden in the larger design, but just a slight shift in viewpoint and they leap out again, plain to see. And the beauty and symmetry of a kaleidoscopic image is, of course, fragile." The Arrogant Worms maintain that Canada is basically rocks and trees, rocks and trees, rocks and trees, and w a t e r. We'll investigate what such an environment translates into when represented on paper from a variety of human perspectives, eh?

    Issues to be considered include nation and region, the aspirations of and challenges to  children's literature (read: censorship), and the foundations it provides. The assigned readings explore the iconic Anne and an array of recent and contemporary Canadian works for younger and older children (1970s onward). The course's central objectives are to explore the possibilities and variety inherent in children's literature and its contribution to our understanding of Canadian places, stories, and identities.

Books on the course:

Bedard, Michael. Redwork Fitzhenry & Whiteside 9780773733329

Doyle, Brian. Ann Mary Alice 9780888995513 Groundwood

Hudson, Aida. Windows and Words: A Look at Canadian Children’s Literature

                        U of Ottawa Press 9780776605562

Lemieux, Michèle. Stormy Night KidsCanPress 9781550746921

Littlechild, George. This Land is My Land Children’s Book Press 9780892391844

Major, Kevin Major Blood Red Ochre Groundwood 9780770427172

-- --- --. Eh? to Zed Groundwood 978088995225

Montgromery, L. M. Anne of Green Gables Broadview  9781551113623

New, W. H. The Year I was Grounded Tradewind Books 9781896580357

Pamela Porter The Crazy Man Groundwood 9780888996954

Wilson, Budge. Before Green Gables Puffin 143055365

Note: all books will be available at The Box of Delights, 466 Main St. in Wolfville (and not at the University store). If checking availability on Box of Delights website, use the isbn number provided. If you already own some of these books, that's fine, no need to worry about the edition.