CANADIAN INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE DAY 2026: INterview with Sid sharp

This year, CIBA commissioned artwork from talented Canadian artist and illustrator Sid Sharp to help celebrate Canadian Independent Bookstore Day. We spoke with Sid about their vision for the design and why they wanted to support the campaign.

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

That they are mysterious, warm places full of casual everyday intrigue and magic. They are simultaneously familiar and exciting—like scratching a big itch or having a really good yawn.

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

I knew I wanted to draw a pigeon. Other than that, it was just a fun challenge painting in the colour palette that CIBA uses, figuring out new combinations for the colours and making it my own.

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

I've been an illustrator who is also an indie bookseller for several years now, so I liked combining the two things and putting in a ton of little visual details from my bookseller life. I paint everything by hand, which feels fitting for the DIY spirit of indies. I also got to be selfish and put one of my own books in the window display, surrounded by a bunch of my favourite books I've read in the past few years, so that was fun for me.

Why do you think indie bookstores are important?

I love my neighbourhood, I love my community, and I love knowing my reading life is helping to support those things. I'm not a fan of billionaire big box stores that fund wars and bust unions, and I'm a huge fan of personal recommendations on little handwritten cards. I think Amazon sucks, and convenience culture is boring. I want connection and curiosity instead.

Where else can people find your work?

I have two books for kids with Annick Press, The Wolf Suit and Bog Myrtle, with another one called Midnight Manor coming in October 2026. Your favourite indie has them or can order them in for you. Tell them I say hi.

See Sid's full illustration below. Canadian Independent Bookstore Day is on April 25, 2026. 

Click here to download our save the date featuring Sid's artwork (sized for Facebook and Instagram posts/stories). Additional assets will be made available to CIBA members in March.