Imagination & Immigration by Brenda Halliday, Canadian children’s book news, winter 2008

Interview with Paul yee: Shu-Li and Tamara by Stephen Ullstrom and Aaron Si, Translated by Joanna Li

The topic of friendship has historically been a popular topic in children's literature because of its appeal to children and its pertinence to their daily lives. In the process of growing up, children interact with people from a variety of backgrounds. Books that focus on friendship can be potentially didactic, particularly when a positive "message" about friendship is conveyed at the expense of creating an engaging story for readers. However, stories written effectively about this topic can encourage a particular vision of how people can live and relate positively with others who come from different backgrounds. Children's books that deal with cross-cultural friendships are increasingly relevant today because of Canada's growing ethnic and cultural diversity.
more at CM, Volume XIV Number 8, December 7, 2007