Wild One in the Wild – CANADA!

A friend of mine very astutely pointed out that while I have written two posts showcasing some of the wonderful libraries that have added Wild One to their collections, both of them have focused on American libraries. Where’s the love for my home country?

Well, today I am going to correct that oversight, so pack your bags and come along with me as we tour the Great White North and visit some of the very kind, generous, supportive libraries that have welcomed me and my little book into their communities.

A quick note: I have lived my entire life in Canada and have only managed to visit four provinces – British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. And really, I’ve only barely visited those provinces. Canada, if you haven’t looked at a map of the world recently, is big. Really, really big. You could likely spend an entire lifetime here and only ever touch the surface of all there is to see (especially if you keep going on holidays to Japan every year..ahem…)

With that said, perhaps I can inspire you to consider Canada as your next travel destination!

Saltspring Island Public Library

Saltspring Island is one of the Gulf Islands, and is easily accessible via ferry or plane from Vancouver, Victoria, northern Vancouver Island or Seattle. It’s famous for its locally produced cheese, fresh produce, hand-crafted art, Saturday market, and all-around Pacific Westcoast upscale hippy vibe. Its library is also notable because, although entirely volunteer-run, it can compete with most major library systems in terms of programming, collection, staff and facilities. It’s a very popular summer weekend getaway spot for Raincity residents looking to get out of the city, and is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.

Winnipeg Public Library

So…I have a confession to make. I have visited more cities in the United States than I have in my home country. Heck, I’ve visited more cities in Japan than I have in my home country. Like many Canadians, my idea of a vacation means going somewhere else, which is really a shame, since there is so much of this country that I have yet to visit. I do have a faint connection to Winnipeg, as my father-in-law grew up there, and my partner’s maternal grandparents also lived there for a time. Also – one of the all-time greatest Canadian bands of all time was founded in Winnipeg, so there’s that. Oh, and Neil Young grew up there, too. And they have a hockey team!

Halifax Public Library

Like countless other newcomers to this country, my mother’s first experience of Canada was Halifax‘s famous Pier 21, which is sometimes referred to as the Canadian equivalent of Ellis Island. In fact, between 1928 to 1971, over one million immigrants entered the country through this historic seaport. Today the site is home to the Canadian Museum of Immigration , where you can learn more about Canada’s history of immigration. The largest city in the maritime province of Nova Scotia, Halifax has more pubs and clubs per capita than almost any other city in Canada, and is home to one of the country’s best known universities, Dalhousie. They also have a fairly new Central Library that looks pretty spiffy!

Prince Edward Island Public Library

Odds are, even if you know next to nothing about Canada, you’ve heard about Prince Edward Island, or P.E.I, as it’s more commonly known. That’s thanks to a certain red-haired girl named Anne, and the author who brought Canada’s tiniest province to the attention of the world.

You might have also heard that the Japanese passion for P.E.I, and for Anne in particular, is both deep and abiding. This is indeed true. The Anne of Green Gables books, or “Red-Haired Anne”, as she is better known there, gained national fame due to their translation into Japanese and adaptation into both a manga (comic book) and anime (animated series). Whenever we told our Japanese hosts “watashi-wa Kanada-jin desu” (I am Canadian), the ensuing conversation would inevitably involve at least a passing reference to Anne.

There is more to P.E.I than Anne, though, or so I’m told, since alas I have never been further east than Ontario. I’m sorry, Maritime Canada, please don’t hold it against me! P.E.I. offers an incredible array of outdoor experiences, including sandy beaches, golf courses, and provincial parks. The Maritime provinces (which include P.E.I, Nova Scotia , New Brunswick and Newfoundland) have a unique culture, cuisines and even accent, which is deeply influenced by its Celtic roots. Oh, and the province also offers the “longest bridge crossing ice-covered water” in the world (that…is oddly specific), the Confederation Bridge! Who says Canada is boring?

Toronto Public Library

Toronto, whatever its residents might suggest, is not the capital of Canada. I kid, I kid, of course…or do I? I’m sure every country has its own regional rivalries, and in Canada the rivalry tends to be between Toronto and the rest of the nation, though I doubt Torontonians are all that perturbed. And why should they be? Toronto really is the beating heart of Canada. It’s the largest city, by area and population, by a wide margin. The majority of Canadian banks and major businesses have their headquarters there, as do most of the major publishing houses. Toronto has the finest art galleries, museums, theatres, music scenes, restaurants, culture scene, libraries…It also has the only basketball team in the country, as well as the most famous Canadian rapper. Well, thankfully we here in Raincity can take some comfort in our superior climate.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this brief tour across Canada, a mari usque ad mare! I really enjoyed this little trip through my home and native land (which is moving to change its national anthem to be more gender-inclusive – Canada, I love you more than words can say).

See you next time, eh?