One event that I look forward to every year is The Toronto Comic Arts Festival, a week-long celebration of comics, graphic novels and their creators. It’s impossible to not get inspired as I wander through the festival. There is simply so much talent. With very little self-control, I always end up with a loot bag full of goodies. Keep reading…

Six men search for a place to live and farm in peace. At last they find the land that they longed for. Soon they prosper. And, as their riches grew, so did their worries. Keep reading…

I am looking for a book. I was a tiny tot than but I remember borrowing this book a dozen times from the library. It was about an animal architect who built home for other animals. The creativity in the design of each home was incredible; I spent hours absorbed in the detail and coming up with my own stories about the families of each dwelling. That is about all I remember. Does any of this sound familiar? Keep reading…

Is graffiti art or vandalism? Keep reading…

I have been spoiled rotten. Take a look what my friend Kahori gave me: Six little books, and from the looks of it, they were well loved. None of the books are dated so I can’t tell when they were printed, but judging by their delicate condition, these books are really old. The pages are torn, stained, and crumbling, but the charming illustrations still shine through. Tanned by age, the pages of these books hold pen and ink drawings with an occasional colour illustration mixed in. There is no acknowledgment of authorship nor is there any indication who the illustrator is.

These books have survived countless hands. I am curious about their history, their journey into my possession, and lives of children who held these books. I am looking forward to sharing these with the next generation of readers. Keep reading…

Last Wednesday on my way to swimming lessons a wide grin spread across my face when I noticed the lights were on in the library. After 10 days of negotiations both sides have reached a deal. Phew!

I wasn’t quite panicking as the strike rolled into day 10. Owlkids Books had generously sent me enough books to last for another week or two, had the strike continued. Keep reading…

Grandpa loved fishing and if you let him he would bend your ears for hours with stories of his fishing expeditions. His stories were legendary struggles between man and animal. With arms expanded Grandpa would size up these monstrous creatures that snapped his fishing rods like twig. Grandpa’s walls were adorned with photos of fish that had lost their battle with Grandpa. Successful catches were photographed and eaten. Keep reading…

Day 6 of the library strike. Librarians continue to march and negotiations have stalled. Frustration over the lack of agreement seems to soar with the temperature. It’s the middle of March and we have been breaking record highs. It won’t be long now before everything around us turns green again. Keep reading…

The Toronto Librarians are on strike. There is no need to panic… Ahhhhhhhh!

Failing to reach a labour agreement over the weekend 2,400 librarians went on strike. All 98 library branches across Toronto are close as of Monday. The library is asking borrowers to hold on to all checked out books and materials. No overdue fines will be charged during the strike. Folks, it’s important we remain calm and optimistic. The libraries will open again. I’ll keep you apprise on the situation as it unfolds. Keep reading…

My local library was the first library in the British Empire devoted exclusively to children. The Lillian H. Smith Public Library was first open in 1922 under the name of the Boys & Girls House Library. The library has gone through a lot of changes over the years including being demolished, moved and rebuilt. The Lillian H. Smith Public Library houses a series of special collections: the Canadian Children’s Collection, the Children’s Literature Resource Collection, the Lillian H. Smith Children’s Collection, the Osborne Collection of Early Children’s books, the Merril Collection (a science fiction, fantasy and horror collection), the Marguerite G. Bagshaw Collection of Puppetry Creative Drama, and Theatre for Children.

Keen observers will notice that the last couple of books showcased on B is for Books have been from my local library. Collecting books can get expensive so for those on a shoestring budget the public library offers the perfect solution. My local library is great at keeping the bookshelves stocked with newly released books and even stocks books that at no longer in print. Keep reading…