Book Week Theme

TD Canadian Children's Book Week 2011 celebrates global citizenship. The official theme is Changing the World, One Child at a Time and will focus on books that highlight children and teens who are doing things to make the world a better place in their community, country, or abroad. The theme will also encompass environmental issues, world conflict and world events.

Readers will be introduced to Craig Kielburger who, at 12 years old, founded the international development organization Free The Children, which is the world’s leading youth-driven charity; Bilaal Rajan who, since the age of four, has been raising funds to help children in other countries such as India and Haiti; and Mariatu Kamara who, at 12 years old, fell victim to rebel soldiers in Sierra Leone and was left an amputee after they cut off her hands, and who is now a UNICEF Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict and speaks to North American audiences about her experiences.

There are also several children’s authors who have turned their focus to writing about world issues, including Deborah Ellis, Eric Walters, Janet Wilson (who will be touring the Northwest Territories during Book Week 2011) and Canadian War Artist Sharon McKay (who will be touring Quebec during Book Week 2011). Their books are included in the theme guide and can be used to open important discussions on world issues and what children can do to make a difference.