Once a year, the Master of Arts in Children’s Literature Program at the University of British Columbia hosts a colloquium with a respected speaker from the creative or scholarly side of children’s literature. Paulette Bourgeois is author of Franklin the Turtle series and other award-winning picturebooks and nonfiction. Franklin is a best-selling picturebook series in Canada and has had huge global success, with articles written about it just recently in the popular press.
The title of her talk is “The Inside Story of Franklin the Turtle: From Book to Brand” – on the subject of marketing and branding of her series as an example of what is happening in today’s children’s literature. It should be fascinating.
Date: Thursday, January 26th 2012 (Today!) @ 4:30-5:30 pm
Location: Dodson Room, 3rd floor of the Irving K Barber Learning Centre, UBC
Free; no registration required; refreshments served.
Paulette Bourgeois is one of Canada’s most noted and beloved picture book creators. She is the author of scores of picture books and nonfiction books and the creator of the Franklin the Turtle series, beginning with Franklin in the Dark, illustrated by Brenda Clark. The series is a landmark in Canadian publishing for children. It has sold more than 60 million books in 38 languages. The licensed character of Franklin has his own animated television series, seen in over 15 countries. Paulette Bourgeois will discuss her 25-year experience in the creation of the series, and what it has been like to participate in and watch Franklin transform from book to brand. She will consider her creative involvement and how she positions the series within the context of her career and the Canadian children’s book publishing industry.
Paulette Bourgeois is best-known for creating Franklin the Turtle, the character who appears in picture books illustrated by Brenda Clark. The books have sold more than 60 million copies and have been translated into 38 languages. An animated television series, merchandise, DVDs and full-feature movies are based on the character. She is also the author of award-winning books for children including Oma’s Quilt which was developed as a short film by the National Film Board of Canada, and more than two dozen non-fiction science books. She is a member of the Order of Canada, has received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Western Ontario and an award of merit from the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, and most recently graduated with an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia.