OTTAWA, July 5, 2013 /CNW/ - Stella, one of the country's most popular children's characters, is always up for a new adventure. Her latest journey begins today as Canada Post celebrates children's literature with two new stamps that will take Stella across Canada countless times.
Stella, a creation of award-winning author and illustrator Marie-Louise Gay, is featured in many books and a television series based on those stories. The series is published by Groundwood Books and the TV program currently airs on Disney Junior Canada. Together with her little brother, Sam, and pet dog, Fred, Stella makes new discoveries on her imagination-filled adventures. The latest book in the series - titled Read Me a Story, Stella - is scheduled for release in August.
"Children's literacy is a fundamental part of our future," says Jim Phillips, Canada Post's director of Stamps Services. "The exciting adventures of a character like Stella spur the imaginations of our kids. These stamps are just one way to highlight the positive influence these great stories have on our children."
"It's a great honour that my art has been chosen to appear on stamps," says Ms. Gay. "I think it's a sign that the art created for children's books is recognized as an important medium that leads to visual literacy and changes one's vision of the world."
The stamps are based on original watercolour artwork from the Stella books and depict the character playing in a tree and sitting with her brother and dog reading a story.
The Stella stamps are the second in Canada Post's Children's Literature series. Last year's stamps featuring Franklin the Turtle were immensely popular.
About the stamp
The Stella stamps measure 32mm x 32mm with simulated perforations. The Permanent™ domestic stamps are printed by Lowe-Martin on Tullis Russell paper using seven-colour lithography. The stamps are pressure sensitive and the Official First Day Cover will feature a cancel from Stella, Ont. Four million stamps featuring Stella have been produced and are sold in 10-stamp booklets. Also available are a 150mm x 110mm (horizontal) souvenir sheet and postcards featuring the images from the stamps. To purchase philatelic products, visit canadapost.ca/shop.
Image with caption: "Canada Post issued today two stamps on children's literature featuring Stella, a creation of award-winning author and illustrator Marie-Louise Gay. (CNW Group/Canada Post)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130705_C5696_PHOTO_EN_28826.jpg
SOURCE: Canada Post
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