Dear Canada: I AM you.

Scholastic’s Dear Canada books are the ultimate reference desk crossover books.  I’ve recommended them on the job both at the public library (for chidlers wanting some good historical fiction) and the academic library (for teachers looking for books to integrate into the curriculum).  They’re well-written, have teacher resources, and are very, very purdy.  What’s more, they have often been my “I’m stressed out and need something I know will be good to read in the bathtub” book of choice.  My favourite one is  A Prairie as Wide as The Sea: The Immigrant Diary of Ivy Weatherall by Sarah Ellis. I was born, had my awkward years, and did my undergraduate degree in Saskatchewan and worship at the alter of Sarah Ellis, so this isn’t really a surprise.

The authoresses of the Dear Canada books are the best in the country, and I remember being tickled with glee when I heard a boy was being let into the all-girls club.  Perry Nodelman joined the ladies in 2007 with Not a Nickel to Spare: The Great Depression Diary of Sally Cohen and the series chugged along being dependably awesome.

However, while Dear Canada works with both reference desks, it doesn’t totally work with both genders as the main characters (not to mention all the authors except Nodelman) have been chicks.  But the Canadian Children’s Book Centre recently announced that there would be a new series, just for dudes called…drumroll…

I AM CANADA.

Okay.  Here’s what I think about that…

First: It really, really, really (really) sounds like a certain beer commercial.  By “a certain beer commercial” I mean this beer commercial.

Second: Won’t girls  have the reaction of, “Hey, I’M Canada, too!”  I kinda did.  And I’m a girl.

Third: Why can’t the new books with a boy focus just be incorporated under the already-existing Dear Canada series? Is there an assumption that boys might not be into the Dear Canada title because of its association with writing?  I’m not saying that the association with writing will or won’t turn boys off, but perhaps that was a consideration in deciding the name?  Perhaps it was thought that the connotation had to be something more of “I am a man who stands on a mountain and wears beaver pelts!” as opposed to “I am a thoughtful, pensive citizen who favours written communication over killing a beaver with my bare hands?”

In any event, I can’t wait to read them, see what they look like, and see how much boys love them. I’m super pumped to see John Wilson on the list of authors who will kick off the series.  I met him during my time as Coordinator of the Canada Book Camp and he is a stand-up guy and a huge hit with the chidlers (especially when he busts out some WWII stories).