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FOLD in the News: March 20 – April 1

Apr 1, 2024

Welcome to FOLD in the News! This is where we roundup FOLD 2024 festival coverage. SheDoesTheCity’s Spring Arts Guide: 15 Toronto Events Coming Soon (SheDoesTheCity) We were mentioned in SheDoesTheCity’s Arts Guide for the spring among other fun things to do in the GTA! As Toronto steps into the spring season, a whole new set...

Rectangular graphic with green border showcasing the book covers for the titles chosen for the April FOLD Kids Challenge. The titles are: If I Tell You the Truth by Jasmin Kaur; My Name Is Saajin Singh by Kuljinder Kaur Brar and illustrated by Samrath Kaur; and Kamal's Kes by Baljinder Kaur. Below the text is the website: thefoldcanada.org/kidschallenge24.

April FOLD Kids 2024 Challenge: A book by a Sikh Author

Apr 1, 2024

By Rahma Shere Happy spring! For this month, we’re highlighting three books featuring stories by Sikh authors that act as a means of reclaiming identity and healing. In Jasmin Kaur’s sophomore YA novel, If I Tell You The Truth, a mother and daughter find courage and community to heal as they navigate past trauma and fear...

White rectangular graphic with orange border, showcasing four book covers for the titles chosen for the FOLD April Challenge: A book by a Sikh author. The titles are THE HEART OF A SUPERFAN by Nav Bhatia, HOME BODY by Rupi Kaur, BE A TRIANGLE by Lilly Singh, and LOVE & COURAGE by Jagmeet Singh.

April FOLD 2024 Challenge: A book by a Sikh author

Apr 1, 2024

By Rahma Shere The month of April ushers in the spring season with rain showers and other seasonal signs. For the Sikh community, April is also an important and sacred month. Sikhs across the world celebrate Vaisakhi, which marks creation of the Khalsa and the Sikh articles of faith. Therefore, the designation of April as...

Rectangular light orange graphic with black text that reads: THE FESTIVAL OF LITERARY DIVERSITY. April 28 - May 5, 2024. White text beneath this reads April 28 - May 1 VIRTUAL, May 2 - 5 IN-PERSON BRAMPTON. Surrounding the text are illustrated characters of various ethnicities and disabilities, all of them reading books in various formats. At the bottom of the graphic is a website, thefoldcanada.org.

The Festival of Literary Diversity 2024

Mar 20, 2024

THE FESTIVAL OF LITERARY DIVERSITY 2024 A celebration of diverse authors and storytellers April 28 to May 5 In-person appearances by Waubgeshig Rice, Louisa Onomé, Alicia Elliott, Balsam Karam, Leanne Toshiko Simpson, Jessica Johns, and more. Virtual appearances by Craig Shreve, Farzana Doctor, Téa Mutonji, and others. BRAMPTON, ON | March...

White rectangular graphic with orange border, showcasing four book covers for the titles chosen for the FOLD February Challenge: Young adult mystery by a racialized author. The titles are TENDER BEASTS by Liselle Sambury, FIREKEEPER'S DAUGHTER by Angeline Boulley, THE RED PALACE by June Hur, and QUEEN OF THE TILES by Hanna Alkaf.

March FOLD 2024 Challenge: Young adult mystery by a racialized author

Mar 1, 2024

By Natasha Shaikh This March we are showing our appreciation for the mystery genre—specifically young adult mystery books by Black and Indigenous authors and authors of colour. In recent years, the YA genre has produced many mystery bestsellers, usually revolving around dark crimes, and boarding on thrillers. Despite the mystery genre being so vast, it...

Rectangular graphic with green border showcasing the book covers for the titles chosen for the March FOLD Kids Challenge. The titles are: COLD by Mariko Tamaki; Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring by Angela Cervantes; and Stella and the Mystery of the Missing Tooth by Clothilde Ewing and illustrated by Lynn Gaines. Below the text is the website: thefoldcanada.org/kidschallenge24.

March FOLD Kids 2024 Challenge: A mystery book by a racialized author

Mar 1, 2024

By Meena Johal For the month of March, we’ve decided to highlight books featuring a mystery by a racialized author. All of the books that we’ve shared are written by authors who are from or reside primarily in North America but represent various backgrounds from populations who have traditionally been underrepresented in traditional publishing. Did...

Rectangular graphic with green border showcasing the book covers for the titles chosen for the February FOLD Kids Challenge. The titles are: The Great Bear by David A. Robertson; Salma Writes a Book written by Danny Ramadan and illustrated by Ann Bron; and Asha's Mum written by Rosamund Elwin and Michele Paulse and illustrated by Dawn Lee. Below the text is the website: thefoldcanada.org/kidschallenge24.

February FOLD Kids 2024 Challenge: A book that has been challenged in Canadian schools

Feb 5, 2024

By Toni Duval In Canada, Freedom to Read Week is February 18-24 and this year it will celebrate its 40th anniversary “representing 40 years of dedication to freedom of expression, a fundamental right of all Canadians”. This month, the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) is highlighting texts that have been challenged in Canadian schools. For...

White rectangular graphic with orange border, showcasing four book covers for the titles chosen for the FOLD February Challenge: A book that has been challenged in Canadian schools. The titles are THE HATE U GIVE by Angie Thomas, GENDER QUEER by Maia Kobabe, ALL BOYS AREN'T BLUE by George M. Johnson, and MILK AND HONEY by Rupi Kaur.

February FOLD 2024 Challenge: A book that has been challenged in Canadian schools

Feb 1, 2024

By Monica Tang To celebrate Freedom to Read Week from February 18-24, 2024, this month’s challenge is to read a book that has been challenged in Canadian schools. These are a few of many books that Canadians and others have tried to remove from schools and libraries, deeming them offensive or inappropriate for certain audiences....

Rectangular graphic with green border showcasing the book covers for the titles chosen for the January FOLD Kids Challenge. The titles are: Squire by Nadia Shammas, illustrated by Sara Alfageeh; We Are Palestinian: A Celebration of Culture and Tradition by Reem Kassis, illustrated by Noha Eilouti; and These Olive Trees by Aya Ghanameh. Below the text is the website: thefoldcanada.org/kidschallenge24.

January FOLD Kids 2024 Challenge: A book by a Palestinian author

Jan 4, 2024

By Ardo Omer At the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD), we believe that reading is a critical skill and that reading diversely – across genres, forms, and cultures – fosters empathy and understanding. Each year, we try and think about ways to transform our own reading habits – to fill in gaps, and to spark...

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