The contrary and hilarious adventures of Mother Hubbard and her dog have entertained readers for centuries. First published in 1805, The Comic Adventures of Old Mother Hubbard and Her Dog represented a new kind of children’s literature. The nursery rhyme book integrated text with coloured pictures and focused on amusement over imparting moral lessons. Our […]
A clever cat helps a commoner become a noble and marry a princess in Puss in Boots. This classic fairy tale has been in circulation for over 450 years. Italian Giovanni Francesco Straparola first wrote down Puss in Boots, but today French fairy tale collector Charles Perrault's version is best known. Our Osborne Collection of […]
In folklore, "wee folk" have many names and forms. These fictional characters range from tricksters to helpful companions. But, these secretive and magical creatures can be difficult to spot! Peek under the toadstool at our new exhibit, Wee Folk: Fairies, Elves, Trolls and More. The exhibit runs until January 14, 2023 at the Osborne Collection […]
First commercially released in 1902, October 2022 marks the 120th anniversary of Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit. This classic children's story has sold more than 45 million copies and been adapted into everything from jigsaw puzzles to a Gap fashion line. Yet, the success of Beatrix Potter and her most famous character was […]
From fantastical adventures to real life stories, our recommended reads for the “a book about a library worker” cover many genres. Library workers and library lovers share their favourite books featuring library worker characters. Love in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Yas Imamura Love in the Library is based on the true story of […]
September 2022 marks the 100th anniversary of Boys & Girls House, a former branch of Toronto Public Library. Boys & Girls House opened on September 11, 1922 and was the first dedicated children’s library in the Commonwealth. Boys & Girls House was influential on the development of children's library services. The branch served young Torontonians, […]
For almost 200 years, Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid has captured the imaginations of readers young and old. The mermaid's story has been told and retold by generations of writers, with each writer putting their own spin on the tale of a mermaid caught between her ocean home and adventures on land. Below is […]
Explore the cities around the world, from Seoul to New Orleans, with recommended reads for the “a book about a city” category. Remnants of Mid-Century Toronto photographs by Vik Pahwa and edited by Matthew Blackett Every Torontonian will find a building they recognize in this tribute to Toronto’s mid-century architecture. From apartment towers and places […]
Mental health touches all our lives. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association "[i]n any given year, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness." Our recommendations for the "a book about mental health" category include memoir, fiction and even some free therapy from dinosaurs. Hello! I Want […]
There are many ways to complete the "an illustrated book by an Indigenous creator" category. Recommendations in this post span children's picture books, graphic novels, memoir, history and arts anthologies. Dive into books by multi-talented Indigenous creators, including writers, poets, illustrators, photographers, painters, cartoonists and more. We All Play / Kimêtawânaw by Julie Flett (Cree-Métis) […]