Canadian Books in Canadian Schools: The Need for Teacher/Teacher-Librarian Collaboration in Reading, Knowing and Doing

Abstract

This Canadian research which explored elementary teachers’ use of, and beliefs about, Canadian children’s books in the classroom, has implications for teacherlibrarians and other educators in many countries faced with the impact of the homogenization and “Disney-fication” of children’s books and other media. The research builds on previous studies which identified some of the supports that facilitate elementary teachers’ use of children’s books in their teaching (e.g., access to teacher-librarians, funding for materials, and opportunities for professional development). The case study school district was committed to supporting the work of teachers through the school library and had these supports in place. The study participants had clear ideas about what it meant to them to be Canadian and about the values that were important to them as Canadians. They believed it was important to incorporate Canadian books into classroom activities. However, they often felt a need to justify their use of Canadian books, whereas they unquestioningly used American books in their teaching across the curriculum. Overall, they were more knowledgeable about Canadian books and Canadian authors and illustrators than teachers in earlier studies. The teachers relied on the recommendations of the teacher-librarians about books, but they rarely collaborated with teacher-librarians in selecting and using Canadian books with their students. The research report concludes with questions about lost potential in terms of the power of books to enhance children’s sense of national identity and their sense of social cohesion.