March 9th: An evening discussing books with 6 Canadian independent publishers!

We invite you to spend a fun (virtual) evening with six awesome Canadian independent publishers: Annick Press, Biblioasis, Coach House Books, ECW Press, Groundwood Books and House of Anansi Press! 

Join this friendly group of book-lovers as we chat with each other about our favourite upcoming titles and answer your burning questions about our lists. All librarians and bookstore staff are welcome. Feel free to share this invitation with fellow book-loving friends! 

 The event will be held virtually over Zoom on March 9th, 2021 at 8:00 PM EST. Please register to the event and sign up to receive a gift bag of new books and ARCs here (quantities limited)!

Fall Indie Book Social invite: Oct. 20, 8-9 pm ET

Want to hear about the fabulous new books coming from your favourite Canadian publishers? Then sign up for a fun event on Oct. 20, 8-9 pm ET to hear from Annick Press, Biblioasis Press, Coach House Books, ECW Press, Groundwood Books and House of Anansi Press.

The event will be held virtually over Zoom on October 20^th, 2020 at 8:00 PM EST. Please register to the event and sign up to receive a gift bag of ARCs and goodies here https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SaB2cSyZTrSqjfnzNWqqZw> (quantities limited)!

September 30th is Orange Shirt Day

This Wednesday, September 30th, is Orange Shirt Day! On this day, kids, parents, teachers, and librarians are encouraged to wear orange shirts to represent their belief that Every Child Matters, and to recognize the traumatic legacy of Residential Schools on generations of Indigenous people. Medicine Wheel Education recently published a beautiful book chock full of information and photos to help you prepare for Orange Shirt Day. It explores the historical impact of Residential Schools, looks at the path to reconciliation and healing, and promotes the message that Every Child Matters. Get your copy today and learn about how you can observe Orange Shirt Day with all of Canada!

Operation Readaloud

Operation Readaloud was created by Lisa von Drasek (formerly of Bank Street and now directing the Kerlan Collection) in response to the need to aggregate children's book creators read-alouds while children are sequestered at home. Submissions from all authors and illustrators are more than welcome! There are millions of Canadian kids out there who had their school years cut short by the pandemic, and countless more who don't have access to the generous resources our school systems and libraries provide. Spread the word, my friends! You never know how far a virtual read-along can go!

Here is the link to Lisa von Drasek's Facebook page for Operation Readaloud:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/138080447610791/

DK Canada's "Stay Home, Stay Curious" Campaign

DK Canada is thrilled to share their "Stay Home, Stay Curious" campaign on DK Canada's website.

This hub will house content from across DK Canada's books and divisions. Everything from home learning ideas, recipe extracts to great Canadian content such as a free downloadable teacher's guide for Our Great Prime Ministers. There's also DIY ideas & Gardening tips as well as excerpts to make staying fit at home easy!

Paper Bag Princess Turns 40: A Podcast Primer

A classic of children's literature will be celebrating a big birthday in May 2020; its 40th, to be precise. And what a celebration it will be! Robert Munsch's seminal story, The Paper Bag Princess, has been adored by millions of children around the globe, and inspired countless artists over the last forty years to challenge the framework of 'normal' fairy-tales. The CBC recently published an illuminating interview (which you can check out here) on Munsch's creative process and various inspirations for PBP, along with the exclamation that Elizabeth's proud declaration of independence is indeed a happy ending; Munsch adds, "That's the ending it's supposed to have."

Stay tuned for more PBP news & updates - there's going to be plenty this year!

In The Kitchen with Antoni Porowski

Antoni Porowski, best known from the TV Series Queer Eye, has recently published an amazing cookbook called Antoni in the Kitchen. From the official blurb: "Some of the recipes in this book are weeknight healthyish meals, while others are perfect for off-the-cuff entertaining. Visual stunners, they're often composed of fewer than five ingredients. Whether Bastardized Easy Ramen; Malaysian Chili Shrimp; Roasted Carrots with Carrot-Top Pesto; or Salty Lemon Squares, all are visual stunners and can be carried off with panache, even by beginners."

Click here for an exclusive Antoni interview;

And click here for another one!

OLA Superconference 2020 Author Signings- HarperCollins/Harlequin

Please be sure to visit the HarperCollins (732/734) and Harlequin (730) Booths at the OLA Superconference this week! 

We have some great authors signing throughout the day on Thursday and Friday, and lots of great ARC giveaways and contests in-booth!

Thursday, Jan 30^th

• Molly Fader (The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season) 10:30am
• Kate Hilton (Better Luck Next Time) 10:30am
• Bryn Turnbull (The Woman Before Wallis) 11:30am 
• The Fan Brothers (The Scarecrow) 12:30pm 
• Hannah Mary McKinnon (Sister Dear) 2:30pm.

 Friday, Jan 31st

• Kelly Rimmer (Truths I Never Told You) 10:30am 
• Jessica Westhead (Worry) 10:30am
• Ken Oppel (Bloom) 11:30am 
• Kate Elizabeth Russell (My Dark Vanessa)- 12:30 pm 

Tune in tomorrow for a preview of some of the ARCs we'll have on hand at the HarperCollins booth!

Hope to see you at the conference!

Rosalyn

The Biblio File - An Amazing Bookish Podcast!

The Biblio File, hosted by Nigel Beale, is one of the world's leading podcasts on all things book-nerdy! In Nigel's own words, his podcast "features wide-ranging conversations with authors, poets, book publishers, booksellers, book editors, book collectors, book makers, book scholars, book critics, book designers, book publicists, literary agents and other certified bibliophiles". Recently, he sat down with Leslie Hurtig and Jan Walter to discuss, among other things, their experiences over the years in the Canadian book industry and the lasting impact that Leslie's father, Mel Hurtig, had on the industry.

Check out Nigel's interview with Leslie Hurtig & Jan Walter here

Canada Reads is finally here!

At long last, the week of Canada Reads is upon us, when bookish Canadians join together to listen to "literary Survivor." The debates take place at 11 a.m. today, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. There are many ways you can tune in: watch the livestream on cbc.ca/books, YouTube or Facebook, watch on CBC TV, listen on CBC Radio or on your favourite podcast app. For full details, check out the site. See you there!

The first Loan Star Jr. list!

BookNet Canada has finally announced their Loan Stars list for Juvenile and Young Adult titles, the Loan Stars Jr. list!

This new list allows library staff to recommend forthcoming picture books, middle-grade, and YA titles.  Click here to review the top 10 picks from BookNet's first Loan Star Jr. list! 

Introducing Red Apple Reading!

Canadian Children's Book Centre is excited to launch it's new Red Apple Reading program! This is a fantastic online community where Canadian librarians and educators connect through their love of books for children and teens. Ask librarians and educations questions and share ideas by joining their Facebook community online! 

The Legacy of George and Hana Brady

The significance of Hana's Suitcase cannot be understated. This amazing story of a brother's search for his sister and the Japanese curator who worked on bring closure to touched many of us. In fact this book is one of the most awarded Canadian children's books of the past 20 years. Hana's Suitcase inspired a play, movie and has been translated into 40 different languages.

George Bradywho was searching for his sister for over 50 years and who inspired this book passed away on January 11th, 2019. To hear the documentary that started it all you can go here.

Awesome Canadian Authors!

From vivid graphic novels and heart-warming picture books to white-knuckle murder mysteries and profound literary fiction, Canada's Authors are absolutely killing it! CBC Books kicked off July with their list of 100 Canadian writers you need to know, featuring a diverse mix of old favourites and incredible newcomers. Check out the full list here!

Which Anne of Green Gables Character Are You?

Marilla or Matthew? Diana or Gilbert? Or are you Anne all the way? Anyone who's read L.M. Montgomery's classic, or fell in love with any one of the films or T.V. series has a favorite character! Find out who you are with this fun Bookriot Quiz!

#NotYourPrincess

#NotYourPrincess, edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale, hit bookstores last fall. A collection of poems, essays, interviews, and artwork submitted by Native American women, #NotYourPrincess is a visual anthology that challenges stereotypes and celebrates the diverse voices of the many women who shared their stories.

Teaching Books is now sharing #NotYourPrincess audio resources with over 33,000 schools! Listen to Lisa Charleyboy's clip here, and Mary Beth Leatherdale's clip here, where both editors read an excerpt from #NotYourPrincess and discuss how the book came to be (believe it or not, Beyoncé's Lemonade had a little something to do with it).

Catherine Hernandez's Scarborough Shortlisted for Trillium Book Award

Catherine Hernandez's Scarborough has been shortlisted for the 2018 Trillium Book Award. Scarborough tells the story of this diverse Toronto neighbourhood through the eyes of several of its inhabitants. It was previously named winner of the Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop Emerging Writers Award in 2015 and was a finalist for the $50, 000 Half the World Global Literati Award for best unpublished manuscript in 2016.

Scarborough is also shortlisted for “One Book, One Brampton” by the Brampton Library (cast your vote here); the 2017 City of Toronto Book Award; and the 2018 Edmund White Award for Debut Fiction. It was longlisted for Canada Reads.

Read more at the Toronto Star or check out the other nominees here.

History, Family, Promises

Through touching narrative and surreal illustration, Margie Wolfe's The Promise tells the true story of two sisters, her Mother and her Aunt, forced into labour at Auschwitz during the holocaust. Before being stolen away, they received from their parents three gold coins and a promise to keep - stay together. Wolfe, co-founder of Second Story Press, recently joined CBC's The Next Chapter to discuss the story behind the story, her family's history, and the making of the book - Listen to the full discussion here. 

Bookworms to B.C.!

From Galiano to Kootenay, British Columbia is full of Canadian Literary gems! Take in the Galiano Literary Festival from the ocean side Galiano Inn; Get lunch at The Library Lounge in the Hume Hotel; Or grab a coffee at Oso Negro, one of the best coffee shops on the west coast. B.C. is no doubt a must visit destination for every bookworm. 

Canadian Indie Bookstore Day

Saturday April 28th, Canadian book lovers celebrate Independent Bookstore Day! Head on out to your local independent bookstore to meet authors, participate in activities, shop, and so much more. In an increasingly digital and big-box world, it's amazing how much you can discover and learn by connecting, browsing, and chatting within the book community - Let's make it a great day for our indie bookstores!