I’m still in the midst of processing the jam-packed days of IBBY World Congress in Ottawa last week at Carleton University. I wish I could have cloned myself in order to attend more sessions. I came in on my own and stayed on campus. From the wealth of topics, I concentrated on those about children in war, refugees and immigration and it was fascinating to listen to so many perspectives and experiences from around the world.
Even though I am an extreme introvert by nature, I made a point of sitting beside a person I didn’t know over meals, at the lectures, during breaks, and I’m really glad that I did this because I met so many people who were involved in different facets of children’s literature, and from so many countries!
I also had the opportunity to visit in person with a number of my Canadian children’s book friends, particularly Joan Marie Galat and Lindsey Carmichael.
The last time I saw Joan in person was about twenty years ago, yet we recognized each other from across a packed room, and it was as if no time had passed at all! She was doing a poster session on Stories, Science and Dark Skies, and here’s a pic!
Lindsey and I had been working together on some communities initiatives, yet this was the first time we’d met in person. She also was doing a poster session on her upcoming book, The Matilda Effect, about women who’ve been hidden from history.
