On Thursday, November 17 at 10:30 a.m. in the atrium at the Centre for Education (One Kingsway), Edmonton Public Schools, in partnership with the United Cultures of Canada Association (UCCA), will host the official book launch for World on a Maple Leaf: A Treasury of Canadian Multicultural Folktales. The collection was developed in collaboration with the Human Rights Education and Multiculturalism Fund and the City of Edmonton.
The book is a compilation of 25 folktales written by people from different cultural backgrounds who call Canada home. Rooted in cultures from around the world, the stories offer an imaginative world to students while promoting the true spirit of multiculturalism and educating students in the principles of diversity, equality and respect. The folktales, which come from many countries such as Japan, India, Ireland, Senegal, Afghanistan and Lithuania, delve into the world of spiders and foxes, kings and farmers, old women and young maidens.
While some of the stories originated from outside of Canada, they are distinctly rooted in Canadian soil. These stories will give students an opportunity to study various cultures, and will provide them an opportunity to see the universal elements that we all share as humans, irrespective of our differences.
The first 1,000 copies of World on a Maple Leaf: A Treasury of Canadian Multicultural Folktales will be distributed free of charge to children’s hospitals, emergency shelters and community organizations. Proceeds from the sale of the remaining copies will support the UCCA’s Children’s Fund, which provides grants to children who are in critical need.
As part of the launch, there will be a performance of a folktale from Daly Grove School students. In addition, some of the book’s authors will be in attendance.
