About Us

Growing
Over the years, Roundtable’s events grew in size, too.  A case in point is the annual “Serendipity” held at UBC which brings well known authors and illustrators from around the world to share the details of their craft and to provide attendees an opportunity to engage in discussions about their work. These creative artists are usually joined by an author or publisher.  Each event is designed to generate dialogue and discussion with the goal of promoting and encouraging all facets of children’s literature from its creation through its dissemination and scholarly interpretation. Serendipity 1990 was a big event, with many authors, illustrators, publishers, translators, children’s librarians from around the world presenting and attending. More than 500 registrants came, and Roundtablers took over the main lecture halls of Buchanan as well as the Old Auditorium concert hall for plenary sessions. (http://www.library.ubc.ca/edlib/table/events/serendipity.htm)  A dedicated crew arranged book sales for the work of the dozens of writers and illustrators there, and Roundtable was able to make a substantial donation to the work of the International Board of Books for Young People. (For the Canadian chapter, see  http://www.ibby-canada.org/)
Many events have been held at UBC, as is still the case, but as Roundtable grew, events moved into other venues, such as public library branches, schools in the Lower Mainland, a children’s gallery on the North Shore, ballrooms in downtown hotels, the Museum of Vancouver, and even HMCS Discovery, the naval training base on Deadman’s Island in Stanley Park. A favourite venue is Hycroft, the University Women’s Club. For many years now the November Hycroft evening has brought CWILL-BC (Children’s Writers & Illustrators of BC) members together with Roundtable members, especially UBC students, librarians, and teachers, to talk about books and share their enthusiasm for the wonderful work being done in our part of Canada. http://www.cwill.bc.ca/ Roundtable is honoured to have among its active members some of the country’s most distinguished writers and children’s literature advocates.  Distinctions have come through awards of various kinds: Among these are the Governor General’s, Canadian Library Association, BC Book Prizes, IBBY (the Aubry and Frances Russell awards), Canadian Children’s Book Centre Awards (the Bilson, TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award) and the “Festival of Tree” Awards (e.g, the Red Maple, the Blue Spruce) and Children’s Choice awards (e.g., Hackmatack, Chocolate Lily).