French Canadian Picture Books in Translation

Abstract

French Canadian Picture Books in Translation André Gagnon (bio) Quebec has always had a talented pool of writers and illustrators for young children. Nevertheless, English Canadian writers and artists have been better represented in translation than have French Canadians. Since the mid-eighties, however, the situation has improved considerably, with a number of French Canadian picture book authors and illustrators gaining recognition in English Canada. Their success has led to even more translations and, thus, to the availability in English of a broader, more up-to-date sampling of Quebec picture books. Three factors have contributed to the increasing number of French Canadian picture books available in English translations. First, some Quebec publishers have proven that it is profitable to publish in both languages. Tundra Books, a Montreal-based firm, for example, has been a leading force in helping its French Canadian authors, such as Stéphane Poulin and Gilles Tibo, gain recognition in English Canada. La Courte Echelle and Héritage have recently joined forces to release a number of their most successful French titles in English. The aggressive marketing and promotion strategies of these firms have helped to ensure a greater audience and to nurture a demand for the French Canadian artists. Second, the books, with their full-color illustrations and improved literary quality, have caught the attention of English publishers. A greater awareness among English publishers of what is being published in Quebec has been an asset to translation. Third, English Canadian firms outside Quebec are now seeking French Canadian authors and illustrators for simultaneous English and French publication. Marie-Louise Gay has had four books published in English by Stoddart. French editions of the books were published subsequently by a Quebec publisher. More interesting, however, is the simultaneous publication by English publishing firms of books written by Quebec authors. For example, Stéphane Poulin's recent book, The Pillow Saga (1989), was published simultaneously in French and English by Annick. Five authors who have established significant reputations in English Canada, Ginette Anfousse, Bertrand Gauthier, Marie-Louise Gay, Stéphane Poulin, and Gilles Tibo, demonstrate the quality of Quebec picture book art. Their books are worthy of consideration not only by Canadians, but by all people who value this vital art form. With her first two books, My Friend Pichou (1978) and Hide and Seek (1978), Ginette Anfousse became one of the first French Canadian picture book authors to achieve popularity in English Canada. At the same time, she received recognition for the French-language editions of The Fight and Chicken Pox, which received the Governor General's Award in French for text and illustrations. Anfousse has currently written and illustrated ten books in the Pichou series, which features JoJo, the mischievous heroine, and her favorite toy, Pichou, a baby-aardvark-who-really-eats-ants. All have been translated. The secret of Anfousse's popularity lies in her ability to choose the small, telling incidents in children's daily lives and to relate them in a simple, lively, and appealing style. Incidents such as the first day of classes in School (1988), fears of being alone in bed at night in Winter of the Seven-o-Clock-Bogey-Man (1981), anticipation of a birthday party in The Party (1988), a fight with a best friend in The Fight (1978), misunderstanding parents in I'm Sulking (1988), the loneliness of being sick at home in Chicken Pox (1978), and the importance of the birth of a child in A Baby Sister (1988) succeed in portraying the fears, joy, anxiety, and sadness that children regularly experience. This is well exemplified in Soap (1988). JoJo complains about her mother, who not only tells her to wash herself but who also knows when a tiny spot has been missed. After having a bath, JoJo immediately returns outdoors to play. For a child who likes to explore, staying clean is not an easy task. After eating a chocolate ice cream cone and making big mud pies, JoJo is ready for a second bath. Children will identify with JoJo, who succumbs to the temptations of chocolate ice cream and mud-play, despite the consequences. Anfousse's text does not follow a standard third...