CANADIAN INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE DAY 2025: INterview with Josée Bisaillon

This year, CIBA commissioned artwork from talented Canadian artist and illustrator Josée Bisaillon to help celebrate Canadian Independent Bookstore Day. We spoke with Josée about her vision for the design and why she wanted to support the campaign.

What did you want the illustration to say to people about independent bookstores?

The best part of an independent bookstore is the connection that readers can have with the staff. They know their books and every time I speak with a bookseller, I feel the passion they have for books. In my illustration, the booksellers are represented by the bees: hard workers and always ready to give some recommendations, based on the reader’s taste.

I also wanted to share the pure joy of going to an independent bookstore. I wanted the illustration to feel warm and welcoming, like every independent bookstore I had the chance to visit.

Did you know from the outset what imagery you wanted to include?

Of course I wanted to represent the physical bookshops. I made a couples of sketches, then I had the idea of booksellers as bees, and I thought about the book as flowers. Books, like flowers, have their unique colors (not literary, even though I sometimes buy a book only because of the cover!) and smell, so I thought it made sense to bring all this together in an illustration for Canadian Independent Bookstore Day.

Is any of the imagery personal to you or reflective of your experience with indies?

Yes! Most of the time, when I go to a bookstore, I already know what I want to buy, but I always end up leaving with more than expected, thanks to the staff’s suggestions! I feel I would need a little cart to bring back my treasures home, like the young girl and her dog!

Why do you think indie bookstores are important?

I repeat myself, but to me they are important because of the connection that we get with the booksellers.

What I like about indie bookstores are their uniqueness. Each has its own colour. Some are specialized in picture books, some have a wonderful poetry section, etc. It allows the staff to be able to have a deeper knowledge of the books they carry, and therefore to be able to make personalized recommendations.

And of course, it’s important for the community. It’s a good place to exchange and meet people who share the same interests, or to learn new things. I like going to book events in an independent bookstore, such as book launch, readings, etc. for that reason.

Where else can people find your work?

You can find my work in an independent bookstore! I have illustrated more than 40 pictures books and written two of them (working on my third!), so you’ll probably find my work somewhere in the picture books section.

You can also visit my Instagram (@joseebisaillon) and my website at joseebisaillon.com.

See Josée's full illustration below. Canadian Independent Bookstore Day is on April 26, 2025. 

Click here to download our save the date featuring Josée's artwork (sized for Facebook and Instagram posts/stories).