Fondo MS-683 - Allan Shute fonds

In 1971, Allan Shute, with his wife Kathy, established Tree Frog Press with the goal of seeking out and publishing promising new authors. Initially focusing on poetry and novels, the Shutes shifted their attention to children's literature following Tree Frog's 1974 publication of Sue Ann Alderson's Bonnie McSmithers, You're Driving me Dithers. Specializing in K-12 literature, Tree Frog went on to publish more in the Bonnie McSmithers series as well as books for young adults, including It Seemed Like A Good Idea At the Time, by Martyn Godfrey. Though committed to children's literature, Tree Frog continued to publish special interest material, including the Edmonton Access Catalogue during the late 1970s early 1980s. In 1995, the Shutes once again shifted the direction of the press to become more focused on specialty and custom publication. Tree Frog continued to encourage new authors to publish, but instead of taking manuscripts this change allowed the Shutes to council people who wished to act as self-publishers, but who did not have the resources or expertise to do so. With an MA in English, Allan Shute has also written and published poetry and a community history called Riverdale: From Fraser Flats to Edmonton Oasis. Shute also was the managing editor and publisher of the Edmonton Access Catalogue - an urban almanac providing information on and evaluation of various people, places and activities in Edmonton to residents of and visitors to the city. Published four times between 1974 and 1984, Shute conceived the catalogue to be a "survival manual to this peculiar northern city," which also allowed "a peek or two into the city's strange and twisted history, and local customs that have puzzled even Edmontonians for years." A children's version of the catalogue, Kidmonton, was also published in 1979. Due to the sheer volume of material gathered for each catalogue, and the problems associated with keeping it current and updated, Shute suggested that each volume would be the last. There has not been another Edmonton Access Catalogue since 1984.