Toronto Summer Reading Poster Draws Fire
RSSBy Lauren Barack
A poster meant to draw children into the adventures of the jungle-and hopefully spark their summer reading-has drawn some controversy at a branch of the Toronto Public Library.
Staff members at the Albion Library in Rexdale expressed concern about three characters drawn in the poster for TD Summer Reading Program, now in its 15th year, says Anne Marie Aikins, manager of corporate communications with the Toronto Public Library.
The poster depicts two young boys rowing a canoe and tourists entering a jungle. Of issue? That the people depicted with darker skin, including the boys and one of the tourists, had very little clothing or were barefoot while the paler characters were fully dressed.
"We regret that the staffers had that reaction," says Aikins. "We were upset that the staff was upset."
Drawn by award-winning illustrator and artist Stéphane Jorisch, the poster is used by local branches to attract young readers to the summer program. A committee, which included representatives from the Toronto Public Library, selected this year's jungle theme, as well as this year's artist, Jorisch, to create the poster, says Aikins.
Jorisch, winner of the 2010 Sydney Taylor Book Award for illustrating April Halprin Wayland's New Year at the Pier (Dial, 2009), contends that the figures are meant to be part of a literary mishmash and were images he believes one might see should they enter a South American jungle.
"Nothing was done in the intent conveyed by certain people," he says.
However, Aikins says library staffers have the option to not use the poster and select other official materials in its place. And Toronto Public Library staffers, who met with branch officials when they first raised their concerns, will continue to monitor the situation should additional issues come about, she says.
Jorisch, who says his next illustrated book is Michael Kaplan's Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake (Dial, 2011), is sanguine about the experience, saying that he believes these kinds of experiences can promote dialogue.
"I don't think it's a bad thing," he says. "If they have this reaction, it brings up a change for discussion."
