If there is something that binds everyone together, it is music. Whether it be smooth jazz, classical, rap, pop, or any genre in-between, music shares stories to us all, and can also convey cultural norms.

Indigenous people have made indelible marks on the American popular music scene. A fantastic documentary that shares contributions of Indigenous musicians to popular music in a variety of genres is Rumble: The Indians who Rock the World. Produced by Stevie Salas (Apache) and Tim Johnson (Mohawk), this documentary features Indigenous musical powerhouses such as Link Wray (Shawnee), Jesse Ed Davis (Kiowa), Robbie Robertson (Mohawk), Buffy Saint Marie (Cree), Taboo (Shoshone and Hopi) and more. This documentary discusses the undeniable impact of Indigenous peoples on popular music in a variety of genres as we know it.

Want to listen to music by Indigenous musicians? The Tkaronto Music Festival did a live stream on December 21 for Winter Solstice, which features musicians from across Turtle Island. You can watch this year’s live stream, as well as last year's on their YouTube Channel.

Want to listen to Indigenous music from a variety of genres? You can check out some titles in our collection, both physical and through streaming on hoopla. Many of these titles are also available to stream on other platforms, such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. You can also check out books and films about Indigenous music in our collections. You can also read and watch more about Indigenous music with the books and documentaries listed below.

Please note, that when a contributor is Indigenous, their nation will be noted next to their name in brackets.

Music

Wolastoqiyik Lintowakonawa by Jeremy Dutcher (Maliseet/Wolastoqiyik), William Hubbs Mechling, and the Canadian Museum of History

"Jeremy first did music studies in Halifax before taking a chance to work in the archives at the Canadian Museum of History, painstakingly transcribing Wolastoq songs from 1907 wax cylinders. “Many of the songs I’d never heard before, because our musical tradition on the East Coast was suppressed by the Canadian Government’s Indian Act.” Jeremy heard ancestral voices singing forgotten songs and stories that had been taken from the Wolastoqiyik generations ago.

As he listened to each recording, he felt his musical impulses stirring from deep within. Long days at the archives turned into long nights at the piano, feeling out melodies and phrases, deep in dialogue with the voices of his ancestors. These "collaborative" compositions, collected together on his debut LP Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa, are like nothing you've ever heard. Delicate, sublime vocal melodies ring out atop piano lines that cascade through a vibrant range of emotions. The anguish and joy of the past erupt fervently into the present through Jeremy's bold approach to composition and raw, affective performances enhanced by his outstanding tenor techniques." (from Jeremy Dutcher's website).

Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa won'the Polaris Music Prize in 2018 and the Juno Award for Indigenous Music Album of the Year in 2019.

We Are the Halluci Nation by A Tribe Called Red (Mohawk, Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe)

"Their third album We Are the Halluci Nation ramps up the activism and accompanies it with some of the heaviest and most infectious sounds around. The patch on the cover of the album underlines the heart and beat of the album: “500 years and still drumming; Our DNA is the earth and sky.” Canada’s CBC radio promoted this album as “critical listening for all Canadians.” Given Canada’s history of cultural genocide, this is a given, but the statement should be expanded. This album is critical listening for everyone" (from album review on Pitchfork).

A Tribe Called Red received the Jack Richardson Producer of the Year award at the Junos in 2017. They also made it onto the Polaris Prize longlist in 2017.

In 2021, A Tribe Called Red changed their name to the Halluci Nation.

Music for the Native Americans by Robbie Robertson and the Red Road Ensemble (Mohawk)

This album includes songs that were in the feature documentary, The Native Americans.

Image of the album cover is from Discogs. 

Children of the World : A Compilation of some of Native Canada's Best Music featuring various artists

This compilation album features some of the best songs by Indigenous musicians. Featured musicians include Gerry Saddleback (Cree), Shingoose (Ojibwe), Kashtin (Innu), Willie Dunn (Mi'kmaq), Susan Aglukark (Inuk) and more.

Trapline by Snotty Nose Rez Kids (Haisla)

Trapline is Snotty Nose Rez Kids third studio album. According to CBC, Trapline's key message is emphasizing "the importance of preserving one's home right now, but also for future generations."

Trapline was a shortlist nominee for the Polaris Music Prize in 2019.

Image from Light in the Attic Studios, which is the reissuing music studio.

Native North America (Vol. 1): Aboriginal Folk, Rock and Country 1966 – 1985 featuring various artists

"Largely unheard, criminally undocumented, but at their core, utterly revolutionary, the recordings of the diverse North American Aboriginal community will finally take their rightful place in our collective history in the form of Native North America (Vol. 1): Aboriginal Folk, Rock, and Country 1966-1985. An anthology of music that was once near-extinct and off-the-grid is now available for all to hear, in what is, without a doubt, Light In The Attic's most ambitious and historically significant project in the label's 12-year journey."

Native North America was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2016.

Come and Get Your Redbone : The Best of Redbone by Redbone (members are Yaqui, Shosone, Southern Cheyenne, Turtle Mountain Chippewa, Siletz)

This compilation album features top songs issued by Redbone, one of the first all-Indigenous rock bands in North America. For Marvel fans, be sure to check out "Come and Get Your Love" – it may sound very familiar to you!

Powwow Step by DJ Shub (Mohawk)

Powwow Step is DJ Shub's first album after leaving A Tribe Called Red.

It was nominated for the Juno Award for Indigenous Music Album of the Year in 2018.

AKA Grafitti Man by John Trudell (Santee Dakota)

"AKA Grafitti Man was originally released in 1986, and then again in 1992, with executive producer Jackson Browne, as a compilation of the earlier collection of recordings. Upon release, the album was hailed by Bob Dylan as "the best album of the year . . ."." (from PR Newswire). 

John Trudell's vocals are accompanied by a very talented Kiowa guitarist, Jesse Ed Davis.

Going Home Star : Truth and Reconciliation by Tadeusz Biernacki and Christos Hatzis, featuring Tanya Tagaq (Inuit), Steve Wood (Cree) Northern Cree Singers (Cree), and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

"Christos Hatzis' ballet score transcends and shatters the idea of genre and cultural boundaries by joining the searing and internationally renowned Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq and the haunting Cree songs of Steve Wood."

Books

Hip Hop Beats, Indigenous Rhymes : Modernity and Hip Hop in Indigenous North America by Kyle Mays (Saginaw Anishinaabe)

Argues that Indigenous hip hop is the latest and newest assertion of Indigenous sovereignty throughout Indigenous North America.

Buffy Saint-Marie : Musician, Indigenous Icon, and Social Activist by Linda Barghoorn

Inspiring people for decades, Buffy Saint-Marie is a singer-songwriter, visual artist, activist, educator, public speaker, and philanthropist. Beginning life as an orphan on a reserve in Saskatchewan, Sainte-Marie grew to become an international icon. This award-winning songwriter has experienced censorship at times because of her vocal activism against war and on behalf of native peoples. She continues to create music and art, speak out, and support life-long learning through educational and scholarship programs.

Great Musicians by our First Nations by Vincent Schilling (Mohawk)

Follow the journeys of ten talented musicians from the Native community as they make their way to the top. All of them bring their own cultural traditions to their music.

Indigenous Pop: Native American Music from Jazz to Hop Hop edited by Jeff Berglund, Jan Johnson and Kimberli A. Lee

"This book is an interdisciplinary discussion of popular music performed and created by American Indian musicians, providing an important window into history, politics, and tribal communities as it simultaneously complements literary, historiographic, anthropological, and sociological discussions of Native culture"

Films

Electric Pow Wow : A Tribe Called Red by Mary Dartis and Kevin Newman

"If you're an indigenous person living in a country that was forcefully colonized, it's all too common to find yourself underrepresented and misrepresented if not blatantly and systematically devalued and attacked. Positive role models and a positive self-identity are hard to come by, yet the Canadian DJ collective A Tribe Called Red, is a modern gateway into urban and contemporary indigenous culture and experience, celebrating all its layers and complexity… They are part of a vital new generation of artists making a cultural and social impact in Canada promoting inclusivity, empathy and acceptance amongst all races and genders in the name of social justice."

You can also check out Electric Pow Wow : A Tribe Called Red on CTV News W5.

RUMBLE : The Indians Who Rocked the World by Catherine Bainbridge and Alfonso Maiorana

"This revelatory documentary brings to light the profound and overlooked influence of Indigenous people on popular music in North America. Focusing on music icons like Link Wray, Jimi Hendrix, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Taboo (The Black Eyed Peas), Charley Patton, Mildred Bailey, Jesse Ed Davis, Robbie Robertson, and Randy Castillo, RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World shows how these pioneering Native American musicians helped shape the soundtracks of our lives. The idea for RUMBLE came about when guitarist Stevie Salas, an Apache Indian and one of the film's Executive Producers, realized that no one outside of the music business knew about the profound contribution of these Native musicians. Renewed attention to this missing chapter in the history of American music led to the publishing of Brian Wright-McLeod's The Encyclopedia of Native Music, an exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and eventually this documentary."

RUMBLE has won several awards, including Best Documentary at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival (2017) and the DaVinci Film Festival (2018), and took home three awards at the Canadian Screen Awards, among many other winnings and nominations.

RUMBLE can also be watched on CBC Gem.

Are you curious to learn more about Indigenous issues in Canada? Do you enjoy documentaries? Check out these recommendations from our collection!

All the documentaries listed below had at least one Indigenous person as a producer. Their nation is listed in brackets next to their name.

Most of these documentaries are available using our online video streaming services. Some are only available on DVD. Some videos are also available on the National Film Board website.

Note: the descriptions below are summarized from our catalogue.

Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance  produced by Wolf Koenig, Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki) and Colin Neale

“A feature-documentary on the confrontation of the Mohawk people of the First Nations and the Quebec police and the Canadian army in the summer of 1990.”

Also available on the NFB website.

Growing Native Great Lakes: Turtle Island produced by Charles “Boots” Kennedye (Kiowa) and Pam Belgarde (Chippewa)

“The Great Lakes and connecting waterways have remained the center of traditional and contemporary economies for centuries.” For the Ojibwe and the Oneida of Wisconsin, natural resources are their main economy. This documentary will introduce you to those who dedicate their lives to taking care of the land.

The People of the Kattawapiskak River produced by Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki) and Ravina Din.

This documentary shows the living conditions of the Kattawapiskak Cree Nation in October 2011. This documentary also “examines the history and causes of a housing crisis that struck this community hard.”

This documentary is also available on the NFB website.

Gather. Produced by Sterlin Harjo (Seminole, Muskogee), Michael Roberts (Tlingit), Adae Briones (Cochiti/Kiowa), Jackie Francke (Navajo), Raymond Foxworth (Navajo), Jennifer Buffett, Wendy Schmidt, Christine Schantz, Jason Momoa and Brian Mendoza.

This documentary “follows … a growing movement to reconnect with spiritual and cultural identities” through food and science.

Only Available on DVD

Angry Inuk produced by Alethea Arnaquq-Baril (Inuk) and Bonnie Thompson

This documentary looks at the importance of the seal hunt for Inuit livelihood. It also looks at how “international campaigns against the seal hunt” have harmed their lives.

Also available on the NFB website.

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World produced by Catherine Bainbridge, Christina Fon, Ray Halbritter (Oneida), Diana Holtzberg, Tim Johnson, Jake Kent, Linda Ludwick, Claire Mackinnon, Jan Rofekamp, Lisa M. Roth, Stevie Salas (Apache), Oliver Schwehm, and Ernest Webb (Cree).

This documentary shows the deep “and overlooked influence of Indigenous peoples” in North American popular music. This documentary features famous musicians Jimi Hendrix, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Taboo (Black Eyed Peas), Randy Castillo (Ozzy Osbourne), Robbie Robertson (The Band), and many more.

——-

Updates

October 17, 2024: Added additional ways to watch select documentaries.

October 18, 2024: Removed one documentary as it is no longer available in our collections.

The Anishinaabemowin Language Collection at Toronto Reference Library

March 31 is National Indigenous Languages Day. Initially called National Aboriginal Languages Day, this day was created in 1989 by the Assembly of First Nations and was first celebrated in 1993. The goal of this day is to raise awareness of Indigenous languages across Canada and to build support for their preservation.

For over a century, Indigenous languages were pushed towards extinction in Canada due to the Indian Act and Indian Residential Schools. At Residential Schools, children that spoke an Indigenous language were punished. Even after Indian Residential Schools closed, the fear of speaking an Indigenous language remained. As a result, generations of Indigenous peoples never learned their language, and many Indigenous languages have died out or are in danger of becoming extinct. 

In recent years initiatives have emerged to help revitalize Indigenous languages. Recent examples include outcomes for Call to Action numbers 14 and 15 in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action:

• Call to Action 14 calls for the creation of the Indigenous Languages Act. In 2019, the government of Canada passed the Indigenous Languages Act.
• Call to Action 15 calls for the creation of an Indigenous Languages Commissioner. In 2021, an Indigenous Languages Commissioner was appointed and there is now an Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages. 

During the International Year of Indigenous Languages in 2019, the United Nations General Assembly declared the years 2022 to 2032 to be the Decade of Indigenous Languages. The goal of this decade is to help promote and protect Indigenous languages globally and improve the lives of those who speak them.

In support of preserving and celebrating Indigenous languages, we'd like to highlight our language learning resources and growing collection you can access at Toronto Public Library (TPL). We've also included resources outside of the library to further your learning.

Resources at the library

Our resources and books can be accessed for free using your library card. 

Online language learning app

Mango Languages offers the following Indigenous languages: Cherokee, Hawaiian, Igbo and Potawatomi. 

Books available in various Indigenous languages

The library holds many books written in or featuring Indigenous languages in our collection. Below, we've collected just a few to share in this blog post. You'll find a few more gathered for all ages in our National Indigenous Languages Day reading list. All of the books shared below and the reading list have copies available in Indigenous languages, English and/or French.

What the Chickadee Knows : poems in Anishinaabemowin and English by Margaret Noodin (Anishinaabe)

"… the poems of What the Chickadee Knows open into an Anishinaabemowin world, asking us to listen, to be present in what we notice."

When We Were Alone (Swampy Cree and English Edition) by David A. Robertson (Swampy Cree), illustrated by Julie Flett (Métis and Cree), translated by Alderick Leask (Swampy Cree)

"When a young girl helps tend to her grandmother's garden, she begins to notice things that make her curious. Why does her grandmother have long, braided hair and beautifully colored clothing? Why does she speak another language and spend so much time with her family? As she asks her grandmother about these things, she is told about life in a residential school a long time ago, where all of these things were taken away."

Stories of Survival and Revenge from Inuit Folklore (Inuktitut Edition) by Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley (Inuit and Cree) and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley (Mohawk), illustrated by Jeremy Mohler

"With comic book-inspired illustrations … this book presents these folktales as they were meant to be experienced, with all of the heart-pounding action and awe-inspiring creatures that Inuit mythology has to offer."

Owls See Clearly at Night : A Michif Alphabet by Julie Flett (Métis and Cree)

Michif and English words combine with images from Métis culture to introduce all generations to the unique Michif language.

Anishinaabemowin Language Collection

Earlier this year, TPL launched the Anishinaabemowin Language Collection. These books in Anishinaabemowin are currently available to browse and borrow in four branches. Some books are also available online. For more details on this collection, and for more resources available in Indigenous languages, check out the Native Peoples Collection webpage.

More resources outside of the library

• Anishinaabemodaa offers resources on how to learn Anishinaabemowin. Anishinaabemodaa also offers a free browser app where you can learn Anishinaabemowin.
• First Voices share many language resources on its website, including an app that you can install on your phone to type using syllabics.
• Native-Land.ca has a cool feature where you can see a map of Indigenous languages spoken around the world, as well as treaty and territory boundaries.
• On the Path of the Elders is a free online video game where players can learn and listen to Cree. The game can be accessed on any internet browser.

Updates

This blog was written by Jamie in 2023 and updated by Eleni in March 2025.

A tight-knit community

The library is so much more than just books—it's a vibrant community hub where creativity and connection thrive. Across the city, libraries host knit and crochet circles that welcome everyone, from beginners eager to learn to seasoned crafters looking to share their expertise. These gatherings are a chance to unwind, meet new people, compare patterns, trade tips and create something beautiful together. Find a knitting and crochet circle near you.

Wrap yourself in library love 

If you love your library and crafting, why wear your heart on your sleeve when you can wear it around your neck? These crochet and knitting patterns—lovingly created by library staff—are sure to be your right on your row.

Crochet Pattern

This scarf was designed by Belinda, a Digital Design Technician for Innovation and Youth Services at Toronto Reference Library. A lifelong crocheter, this is the first pattern she's written and shared.

Materials

• 2 (or more) skeins of Paton’s Canadiana Yarn in Clearwater Blue (or any other Medium (4) weight yarn)
• 1 skein of Paton’s Canadiana Yarn in White (or any other Medium (4) weight yarn)
• 4 or 5mm crochet hook 

Abbreviations

Ch = Chains(s)

Sc = Single crochet

Mc = Main colour

Cc = Change colour

Setup 

Chain 27 with Mc 

Row 1: Beginning with second chain from hook, Sc through both loops and continue down the whole row. 

Row 2: Chain 1, turn your work and continue Sc down the row. 

Repeat row 2 until you reach desired length minus rows needed for logo. 

Logo

Row 1: Chain 1, turn work. Work 6 Sc with Mc, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc Sc 9, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc Sc 7.

Row 2: Chain 1, turn work. Work 7 Sc with Mc, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc Sc 9, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc work 6 Sc.

Row 3: Chain 1, turn work. Work 6 Sc with Mc, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc Sc 9, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc Sc 1, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc work 4 Sc.

Row 4: Chain 1, turn work. Work 4 Sc with Mc, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc Sc 1, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc work 9 Sc, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc work 4 Sc.

Row 5: Chain 1, turn work. Work 4 Sc with Mc, Cc work 12 Sc, switch to Mc Sc 1, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc work 7 Sc.

Row 6: Chain 1, turn work. Work 4 Sc with Mc, Cc work 2 sc, switch to Mc work 1 Sc, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc work 1 Sc, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc work 2 Sc, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc work 2 Sc, CC work 2 Sc, switch to Mc work 6 Sc

Row 7: Chain 1, turn work. Work 6 Sc with Mc, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc work 2 Sc, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc work 2 Sc, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc work 1 Sc, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc work 1 Sc, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc work 4 Sc.

Row 8: Chain1, turn work. Work 7 Sc with Mc, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc work 1 Sc, Cc work 6 Sc, switch to Mc work 1 Sc, Cc work 3 Sc, switch to Mc work 6 Sc.

Row 9: Chain 1, turn work. Work 6 Sc with Mc, Cc work 3 Sc, switch to Mc work 1 Sc, Cc work 5 Sc, switch Mc work 2 Sc, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc work 7 Sc.

Row 10: Chain 1, turn work. Work 14 Sc with Mc, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc work 10 Sc.

Row 11: Chain1, turn work. Work 10 Sc with Mc, Cc work 2 Sc, switch to Mc work 14 Sc.

Row 12: Repeat Row 10.

Row 13: Repeat Row 11.

Row 14-15 (or longer if you like): Chain 1, turn your work and continue Sc down the row with Mc.

Tidy up or weave in your ends from your colour changes, and you’re done!

Knitting Pattern

This tube scarf was designed by Christine, Innovation and Youth Services Librarian at Toronto Reference Library’s Digital Innovation Hub. An enthusiastic knitter for many years, this is the first pattern she has ever created and shared.

Materials

• 2 (or more) skeins of Loops & Thread Impeccable in Clear Blue (or any other Medium (4) weight yarn)
• 1 skein of Loops & Threads Impeccable in White (or any other Medium (4) weight yarn)
• 5 mm circular knitting needles, 18.5 inches (47cm) long
• 1 tapestry needle

Abbreviations

K= Knit
CO = Cast On
BOR = Beginning of Round
RND = Round
ST = Stitch
BO = Bind Off
MC = Main Color
SC = Second Color

Instructions

Step 1: Cast on 84 stitches of Clear Blue (MC), and join for working in the RND, being careful not to twist your STS.

Step 2: Starting from the BOR, knit every RND, and continue knitting in the RND until your scarf reaches your desired length.

Step 3: When your scarf has reached an appropriate length, leave the scarf ends open, BO all stitches on the circular needles and sew up any long ends inside the finished scarf tube.

Step 4: Starting from the CO edge of the scarf, count up 20 STS. Using the chart below and starting with row 1, add the pattern to your scarf using the duplicate stitch technique. To do this, thread a tapestry needle with white yarn (SC) and then stitch over the top of existing stitches to create the TPL Logo pattern on your scarf.

Step 5: Turn scarf inside out and neaten up any remaining threads. Turn it back right side out when finished and enjoy showing off your stylish new piece of winter wear!

Share your creations

If you knit or crochet this scarf, we'd love to see your work! Share a photo on Instagram and tag us @TorontoLibrary to show off your creation and connect with fellow makers.

Back in 2021, we started a conservation project to treat 26 early versions of books, known as dummy books, by Toronto-born illustrator Margaret Bloy Graham.

Graham illustrated many beloved children’s books, including Harry the Dirty Dog and other books in that series as well as standalone books. She also wrote and illustrated five books of her own before her death in 2015. Our Osborne Collection of Early Children’s Books holds Margaret Bloy Graham's archive, which includes original artwork, sketches and publishing proofs in addition to the artist's dummy books.

After three years of careful treatment, the conservation project is complete. Read on to see how we preserved these important pieces of Canadian children's literature from the 1950s to 1970s and to learn more about dummy books.

Dummy book of Harry by the Sea (approximately 1956) and a few conservation tools.

What is a dummy book?

A dummy book is a mock-up that authors and illustrators use to work out stories, illustrations and layouts of a book. They are important, one-of-a-kind items that give us insight into their creative process.

Some dummy books in Graham's archive are full-size mock-ups, while others are over-sized or miniature. Some are preliminary drafts in store-bought notebooks, while others were made entirely by Graham and bound with staples or adhesive.

They also show multiple layers of alterations. Sometimes these changes are written annotations from Graham. Other times they are taped-over or pasted-on sections inserted over top of previous versions of text or illustrations.

Left: Cover of the dummy book for The Plant Sitter (approximately 1959). Right: Inside the dummy book. Both photos are before treatment.

Condition assessment

The biggest issue with the dummy books was the use of rubber cement adhesive that had become yellow and brittle and was no longer sticky. Many of the bindings were already broken or at risk of falling apart. Taped-in text and images were also loose and separated from their correct pages. Both types of adhesives also had begun to stain pages and would cause further damage unless treated.

Interior of the dummy book for No Roses for Harry (approximately 1958). Like most of the treated dummy books, Graham constructed this book from scratch. Here, the accordion-style binding that was glued together is partially detached. (It is full detached elsewhere in this book.)

Another interior of the dummy book for No Roses for Harry (approximately 1958). This shows an example of loose taped-in text at risk of being damaged or lost.

Designing a conservation plan

We planned to preserve the look and feeling of the dummy books as ephemera in an artist’s archive. Because these were working objects, it was important to retain qualities like smudges, stains and fingerprints that show how closely the artist worked with these books.

The treatments were not designed to improve the appearance of the books. For example, we wouldn’t do any stain reduction. Instead, we wanted to physically stabilize the books by repairing bindings and tears and securing loose elements so that the books could be safely accessed by current and future generations of staff and researchers.

Conservation treatment

Many of the detached or lifted elements were re-adhered with a mixture of a stable conservation-grade acrylic adhesives. Sometimes our conservators used this mixture with Japanese paper to make repairs, and other times wheat starch paste is used.

Re-adhering pages and fixing tears from the dummy book for Really Spring (approximately 1956).

Before treatment, the binding of the dummy book for No Roses for Harry (approximately 1958) was completely split.

Maybe the most interesting part of the treatments was the new “tape” we made to replace the old, deteriorated tape. Any conservator will tell you that tape is not good to use, but we figured out a way to make an exception by creating a conservation-friendly alternative using stable materials.

A thin layer of adhesive applied to Mylar (left) and, once dry, the adhesive turns transparen't (right). This sheet was cut into thin strips to mimic tape found in the original dummy books.

We applied the same acrylic mixture that we used to re-adhere detached elements in a thin layer onto thin sheets of Mylar. Once dry, the adhesive was clear — just like tape! We cut these sheets into long strips that were the same width as the original tape pieces. To replace each tape piece, we cut the new strips with a tape dispenser to re-create the original serrated edge, trimming each piece according to the original tape size.

The new tapes were secured using a tacking iron. The stains left by the old tape were essential to figuring out where to place the detached pieces. The result is an attachment that looks and functions like the original tape without the risk of becoming yellow and brittle. (Fun fact: we saved the original tape alongside the dummy books in the archive.)

Left: Dummy book for Harry by the Sea (approximately 1965) before treatment. Right: The same pages after treatment, with new, stable, replica tape.

Storage

The final treatment step was housing. Each dummy book was housed inside a custom-made four-flap folder that was large enough to accommodate the largest dummy book. For the smaller books, we created custom spacers to ensure a good fit.

The folders are stored flat in five custom-made boxes. Flat storage will help to preserve the fragile adhesive bindings over time.

Four-flap folders were custom-made for each dummy book for safekeeping.

The final results

You can see in the example below of No Roses for Harry that the before and after photos aren’t drastically different, even though treatment included adhesive reduction, re-attachment of cut-outs and pages, repair of the spine and split binding, replacement of the tape, corner fills, and tear repair — but that was the goal!

These dummy books are now available for use in the reading room of the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books at Lillian H. Smith branch.

The dummy book for No Roses for Harry (approximately 1958) before treatment (left) and after treatment (right). As we intended, the visual appearance is very similar, but the treatment has ensured it will be accessible for long into the future.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to the Friends of the Osborne Collection for generously funding this conservation project.

The 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) takes place from September 7-17. While the ongoing SAG-ACTRA strike will certainly impact celebrity promotional appearances, the festival is proceeding with a full lineup of feature films, shorts and documentaries from around the world.

Browse the TIFF film program with its many offerings. Looking for the legendary Contemporary World Cinema series? It's been rebranded (somewhat mystifyingly) as "Centrepiece." Among this year's many notable Canadian highlights:

• Ru directed by Charles-Olivier Michaud
• Seven Veils directed by Atom Egoyan
• Mademoiselle Kenopsia directed by Denis Côté
• Tautuktavuk (What We See) directed by Carol Kunnuk and Lucy Tulugarjuk 
• I Am Sirat directed by Deepa Mehta and Sirat Taneja
• All The Light We Cannot See directed by Shawn Levy (no relation to Eugene)
• Black Life: Untold Stories directed by Leslie Norville 
• Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe directed by Robert McCallum

This year, there is a remarkably long list of films based on or inspired by books.

Here are 21 titles for the annual TIFF reading list available from the Toronto Public Library. Place your holds and let us know about your favourites in the comments below. 

Ru. Canada. Directed by Charles-Olivier Michaud. Starring Chloé Djandji, Chantal Thuy, Jean Bui, Olivier Dinh, Xavier Nguyen, Patrice Robitaille, Karine Vanasse, Mali Corbeil-Gauvreau, Marie-Thérèse Fortin, Ralph Prosper, Richard Fréchette, Jean-Marc Dalphond, Emma Bao Linh Tourné, Eugénie Beaudry, Sean Lu, Long Pham. 

This film is based on the Governor General's Award-winning novel Ru by Kim Thúy about the  memories of An Tinh Nguyen, a Vietnamese child who immigrates to Canada as a refugee in the late 1970s. 

All The Light We Cannot See. USA. Directed by Shawn Levy and Steven Knight. Starring Aria Mia Loberti, Mark Ruffalo, Hugh Laurie, Louis Hofmann, Lars Eidinger, Marion Bailey, Nell Sutton.

This film is based on the 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr about the intersection of two young lives — a blind French girl and a German boy recently inducted into the military — during World War II.

A Normal Family. South Korea. Directed by Hur Jin-ho. Starring Sul Kyung-gu, Jang Dong-gun, Kim Hee-ae, Claudia Kim.  Based on Herman Koch's novel The Dinner. Originally published in Dutch in 2009 and in English in 2012, the story is about two couples and their tense encounter when they realize that their sons are involved in a terrible crime.   

This is the fourth film version. There is the 2015 Italian version directed by Ivano De Matteo and the 2017 US version starring Richard Gere and Laura Linney. Unfortunately, the 2013 Dutch version directed by Menno Mevjes is no longer available on DVD. 

Expats. USA. Directed by Lulu Wang. Starring Nicole Kidman, Sarayu Blue, Brian Tee, Jack Huston,  Ji-young Yoo, Ruby Ruiz, Amelyn Pardenilla, Bonde Sham, Flora Chan, Maggie Lee, Blessing Mokgohloa, Will Orr, Bodhi Del Rosario, Tiana Gowan. 

This film is based on the 2016 novel The Expatriates by Janice Y.K. Lee about three different American women living in Hong Kong and their complicated relationships to both trauma and motherhood. This film is the final feature-length installment to the six-part television mini-series. 

The Zone of Interest. United Kingdom, Poland, USA. Directed by Jonathan Glazer. Starring Sandra Hüller, Christian Friedel.

This film is based on the 2014 novel The Zone of Interest by British author Martin Amis. A Nazi officer falls in love with the wife of an Auschwitz camp commandant in this chilling exploration of evil and genocide. Glazer's film was awarded the Grand Prix at Cannes. 

The End We Start From. United Kingdom. Directed by Mahalia Belo. Starring Jodie Comer, Joel Fry, Katherine Waterston, Gina McKee, Nina Sosanya, Mark Strong, Benedict Cumberbatch. 

This film is based on the dystopian novel The End We Start From by British author Megan Hunter about a new mother coping during a devastating flood.  

The Boy and the Heron. Japan. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Starring Soma Santoke, Masaki Suda, Aimyon, Yoshino Kimura, Shōhei Hino, Ko Shibasaki, Takuya Kimura, Takuya Kimura, Jun Kunimura, Kaoru Kobayashi, Keiko Takeshita, Jun Fubuki, Sawako Agawa, Karen Takizawa, Shinobu Otake. 

This film was inspired by the 1937 Japanese novel How Do You Live? by Genzaburō Yoshino (a favourite book of director Miyazaki) about a teenage boy working to find his place in life. This film is this year's festival opener — and it may be the final work from this legendary director.   

American Fiction. USA. Directed by Cord Jefferson. Starring Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Keith David, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown. 

This film is based on the 2001 darkly satiric novel Erasure by Percival Everett about a writer in a rut who is enraged by the cynical market forces placed upon Black authors after he is told that his latest submission "isn't Black enough."

Kidnapped. Italy, France, Germany. Directed by Marco Bellocchio. Starring Paolo Pierobon, Fausto Russo Alesi, Barbara Ronchi, Enea Sala, Leonardo Maltese, Filippo Timi, Fabrizio Gifuni. 

This film is based on the true story of The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara by David I. Kertzer published in 1996. This critically-acclaimed historical thriller is about a six-year-old Jewish boy who was kidnapped by the Vatican in 1858 after a family servant secretly baptized the child. 

The Critic. United Kingdom. Directed by Anand Tucker. Starring Ian McKellen, Gemma Arterton, Mark Strong, Ben Barnes, Alfred Enoch, Romola Garai, Lesley Manville. 

This film is based on the mystery Curtain Call by Liverpool author Anthony Quinn about murder in the theatre world of 1936 London. 

I Do Not Come To You By Chance. Nigeria. Directed by Ishaya Bako. Starring Paul Nnadiekwe,  Blossom Chukwujekwu, Jennifer Eliogu, Sambasa Nzeribe, Beverly Osu, Emeka Nwagbaraocha.

This film is based on the 2009 award-winning novel I Do Not Come To You By Chance by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani about a young Nigerian university graduate who ends up mired in the business of email scams. 

Lee. United Kingdom. Directed by Ellen Kuras. Starring Kate Winslet, Alexander Skarsgård, Andrea Riseborough, Marion Cotillard, Josh O'Connor, Andy Samberg. 

This film was inspired by the 1985 book The Lives of Lee Miller by Antony Penrose (Lee Miller's son). Miller was a photographer, photojournalist and model who became a war correspondent for Vogue during WWII. 

Robot Dreams. Spain, France. Directed by Pablo Berger. Animated by José Luis Ágreda, Benoît Feroumont, Daniel Fernándes Casas, Patricia Andrades.

This animated film is based on the 2007 graphic novel Robot Dreams by Sara Varon, a wordless story about a robot and his dog. 

Nyad. USA. Directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin. Starring Annette Bening, Jodie Foster, Rhys Ifans, Ethan Jones Romero, Luke Cosgrove, Jeena Yi, Eric T. Miller.

This film is based on the 2015 memoir Find a Way by Diane Nyad, an America long distance swimmer who at the age of 64 swam from Cuba to Florida. 

Origin. USA. Directed by Ava DuVernay. Starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Victoria Pedretti, Nick Offerman, Jon Bernthal. 

This film is inspired by the life of American journalist Isabel Wilkerson on writing her 2020 bestselling non-fiction book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent about the structures of racism in the United States. 

Dumb Money. USA. Directed by Craig Gillespie. Starring Paul Dano, Pete Davidson, Vincent D’Onofrio, America Ferrera, Nick Offerman, Anthony Ramos, Sebastian Stan, Shailene Woodley, Seth Rogen.

This film is based on the 2021 non-fiction book The Antisocial Network by Ben Mezrich about the group of amateurs who started the bizarre GameStop "short squeeze," causing havoc on Wall Street.  

Widow Clicquot. France, United Kingdom. Directed by Thomas Napper. Starring Haley Bennett, Tom Sturridge, Sam Riley, Anson Boon, Leo Suter, Ben Miles, Natasha O’Keeffe, Cecily Cleeve, Paul Rhys, Ian Conningham, Christopher Villiers, Cara Seymour, Phoebe Nicholls, Nick Farrell, Chris Larkin, Mark Tandy. 

This film is based on the 2008 biography The Widow Clicquot by Tilar J. Mazzeo about Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, the 18th-century French woman who is credited with creating champagne at the age of 27. 

Pain Hustlers. USA. Directed by David Yates. Starring Emily Blunt, Chris Evans, Catherine O'Hara, Chloe Coleman, Jay Duplass, Brian d’Arcy James, Amit Shah, Aubrey Dollar, Willie Raysor, Andy Garcia. 

This book is based on the 2022 non-fiction book The Hard Sell: Crime and Punishment at an Opioid Startup by Evan Hughes about the Insys Therapeutics scandal and those who worked to make millions from the opioid crisis.  

The Pigeon Tunnel. United Kingdom. Directed by Errol Morris. Starring David Cornwell (a.k.a. John le Carré). 

This documentary is based on the 2016 John le Carré memoir The Pigeon Tunnel: Stories From My Life in which the author recalls his years in British intelligence. This is the last interview with the master of the espionage novel. 

Orlando, My Political Biography. France. Directed by Paul B. Preciado. Starring Arthur, Emma Avena, Amir Baylly, Jenny Bel'Air, La Bourette, Nathan Callot.

This film is based on Virginia Woolf's 1928 feminist novel Orlando about a poet who changes from man to woman and lives through centuries. A previous film adaptation of Orlando was made in 1999, starring Tilda Swinton.

Gonzo Girl. USA. Directed by Patricia Arquette. Starring Willem Dafoe, Camila Morrone, Patricia Arquette, Elizabeth Lail, Ray Nicholson, Leila George, James Urbaniak. 

This film is based on the novel Gonzo Girl by Cheryl Della Pietra about a young woman in publishing who becomes the assistant of a notoriously difficult author. This novel was likely inspired by the author's time working as the assistant to Hunter S. Thompson. 

Related Reading:

• TIFF 2022: A Reading List
• TIFF 2021: A Reading List
• TIFF 2020: A Reading List
•  TIFF 2019: A Reading List

August 17 is Marcus Garvey Day in Jamaica. This day has been celebrated in many parts of the world, including Canada. In Toronto, Marcus Garvey is not as widely celebrated or even known, yet he has been profoundly influential worldwide. Who was he and what did he accomplish?

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA

Marcus Garvey was born on August 17, 1887 in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica. As a supporter of the Pan-African Movement, Garvey advocated for a strengthened unity between all people of African descent whether they lived in Africa or part of the African diaspora. His work led him to establish the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), an organization focused on improving the lives of Black people worldwide through solidarity and empowerment. At its peak in the 1920s, the UNIA had divisions in over 40 countries, including Canada. 

Black Liberation flag at Mel Lastman Square, Toronto, ON. Photo by author.

Marcus Garvey designed the Black Liberation flag, also known as the UNIA flag, Pan-African or Afro-American flag. It vibrantly showcases three bands of colour: red, black and green. The red represents the blood that unites all people of African descent and the lives that were lost to enslavement and human trafficking. The black represents the skin of Black people all over the world, and the green represents the fertility of the African continent. 

Dr. Julius Garvey, his grandson Chase and Aina-Nia Ayodele at the Emancipation Month Celebration at North York Central Library, Toronto ON. Photo by author.

Today, his son Dr. Julius Garvey, a surgeon and medical professor, continues to promote Black unity and pride through his lectures. On August 4, 2023, Dr. Garvey raised the Black Liberation flag at Mel Lastman Square. Afterwards, he shared his thoughts about Black unity, activism and empowerment at an Emancipation Month celebration held at North York Central Library. With almost 200 people in attendance, he captivated the audience with his words and encouraged Black youth to be proud of who they are and where they come from. The event was also live-streamed through the City of Toronto's Emancipation Month webpage.

Related links

What's the Connection Between Carnival and Emancipation Day?

Emancipation Day in Canada 2022

Emancipation Day in Canada 2023 Reading List

Black History Series 

Steampunk is a science fiction subgenre that features advanced versions of 19^th century technologies. Think Victorian adventurers, mad scientists and clockwork automata — all covered in a healthy layer of gears. The settings often reflect the British Victorian (1820s–1901) or Edwardian (1901–1914) eras.

Steampunk tends to draw on old-fashioned British society, etiquette and fashions. But steampunk books also challenge the sexism, imperialism and rigid norms of these settings. That's what puts the "punk" in steampunk.

And although the steampunk genre is often associated with England, it has expanded much further since the term was coined in 1987. Some of the expansion follows British colonial history. Another part comes from writers infusing steampunk themes into the history of other places. The common element of the genre is technology. 

At the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation & Fantasy, we recently launched Steampunk! An exhibit, which explores the many facets of this dynamic genre. For the discerning reader, we’ve selected some choice titles that push steampunk beyond its British roots.

Everfair by Nisi Shawl
The native populations of the Congo use their own steam technology to stand against European conquerors. Everfair is a safe haven for the Congolese and enslaved people who have escaped Europe and America. They are determined to protect their freedom and way of life at any cost.

The Haunting of Tram Car 015 by P. Djèli Clark
Cairo in 1912 is a thriving hub of mechanical innovation, thanks to the djinn. When Agents Hamed Nasr and Onsi Yussef investigate a misbehaving tram car, they find a much bigger problem. Ghosts and spirits are possessing city automata. Now these essential machines can'think for themselves! The sequel, A Master of Djinn, follows the adventures and investigations of Fatma el-Sha'arawi. 

Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear
Seattle is teeming with steam-powered automata, airships and opportunity-seekers. Karen Memery is horrified to learn someone is building a new machine to control people’s minds and bodies. At the same time, a serial killer is preying on streetwalkers. Drawn into danger, Karen will have to fend for herself and her friends.

The Sea is Ours: Tales of Steampunk Southeast Asia edited by Jaymee Goh and Joyce Chng.
Travel to Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and beyond in this anthology by Southeast Asian authors. These stories are both cultural celebrations and commentary on the often British-centric steampunk genre.

Arabella of Mars by David D. Levine
Humans landed the first airship on Mars in the late 1600s. A century later, Mars is home to a thriving British colony. Arabella, who has a knack for clockwork, disguises herself as a boy to sneak aboard the airship Diana. Her goal? Aid in the war between France and Britain back on Earth to save her home. The first book in the Adventures of Arabella Ashby. 

More to explore

Looking for more recommended reads? Visit Steampunk! An exhibit at the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation & Fantasy. On until September 30, 2023.

And join us for a free movie screening of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen on Monday, July 31, at 6 pm. The movie will be shown with English subtitles. A legion of superheroes, the likes of which mankind had never seen, must band together under the leadership of Allan Quatermain to save the world from "The Fantom," who is threatening to launch a global Armageddon. Based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill.

This post was co-written with Ames G.

When I was a little girl, my paren'ts would take me to the Toronto Caribbean Carnival parade. Back then, it was called Caribana. As a first generation Canadian, this annual extravaganza was more than a mere festival: it ignited a blazing flame within me, and created an eternal bond to my Caribbean roots that would shape my identity. I remember the harmonious beats of the steelpan intertwining with the palpitations of my eager heart. I can still vividly recall how the kaleidoscope of costumes, rhythm of calypso, smell of island foods and jubilant atmosphere flooded my soul. 

Little masquerader. Image by Dionne Taylor-Allum. Used with permission.

The 2023 festivities are now well on their way, so don't wait until the Grand Parade on Saturday, August 5 to have a blast. There are many incredible Carnival events happening across Toronto, including at TPL branches. Head to your local library to learn how to play the steelpan or take part in a Cuban and Brazilian drumming workshop. 

Plus, on Thursday, August 3 at 6 pm, enjoy a tribute concert celebrating the life and legacy of Harry Belafonte at Toronto Reference Library. Groove to the sounds of Maurice Gordon and the Pimento band, and explore the indigenous and roots music of Jamaica. 

In my teens, I continued to enjoy all that Carnival had to offer, but it wasn't until decades later that I learned about its connection to Emancipation Day. In fact, Carnival began as an expression of freedom from slavery. For this reason, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival takes place around the anniversary of the abolishment of slavery in the British Empire in 1834. While this day has been recognized for years, it was not until March 24, 2021, that Canada's House of Commons voted to officially designate August 1 as Emancipation Day.  

Check out this timeline from the Canadian Encyclopedia to see how Canada was involved in slavery as early as 1628. Many people often see Canada as a place of refuge for freedom seekers, yet we have a long history of enslavement that was just as brutal here as it was in the Untied States. I found many eye-opening documents in our digital archive, including, Slave Days in Canada, which provides a glimpse of what life was like for those who were enslaved.

Slave Days in Canada, PDF. Baldwin Collection of Canadiana

As we move into Carnival season, let's take the time to learn more about Emancipation Day and its significance. Check out some titles below or browse our carefully curated Emancipation Day and Caribbean Voices reading lists. 

Emancipation Day : Celebrating Freedom in Canada by Natasha L. Henry

Learn about the history of Emancipation Day in Canada and how people of African descent celebrated their newfound freedom.

River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer

After Emancipation is decreed in Barbados, cries of joy turn to sorrow when the plantation owner announces that all slaves must now work for him for another six years as his apprentices. In the aftermath, Rachel, a runaway slave, leaves the plantation in search of her five children who were previously sold.

Blacks in Canada: A History by Robin W. Winks

Read about the detailed histories of African Canadians, from the introduction of slavery in 1628 to the first wave of Caribbean immigration in the 1950s and 1960s.

Sister Mother Warrior by Vanessa Riley

This historical novel about the Haitian Revolution is based on the true-life stories of two extraordinary women: Gran Toya, a West African-born warrior who helped lead a slave rebellion in Haiti, and Marie-Claire Bonheur, the first Empress of Haiti. 

For a quick overview of Carnival, watch Toronto Caribbean Carnival: fun and free, a documentary that celebrates this festival while exploring the history of Caribbean colonization. 

No matter how you choose to spend Carnival or Emancipation Day, feast on the wonderous culture of the Caribbean and be sure to enjoy "yuhself"!

Related links

• Black History Series
• The Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection
• Toronto Caribbean Carnival is Back!
• African Caribbean Reads

Join in the walk with Amal

As part of Luminato Festival Toronto’s 2023 lineup, come check out Amal as she walks through different Toronto neighbourhoods to shine a light on the lives of refugee children.

Little Amal is the 12-foot-tall puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee child at the heart of the walk. She has become a global symbol of human rights, especially those of refugees. 

Since July 2021, Little Amal has travelled more than 9,000 km in thirteen countries and been welcomed by more than a million people on the street, including hundreds of artists and civil society and faith leaders, as well as by tens of millions online. Her journeys are festivals of art and hope that draw attention to the huge numbers of children fleeing war, violence and persecution – each with their own story. Her urgent message to the world is “Don’t forget about us.”

Walk with Amal: Scarborough 
Thursday, June 8 at 12 pm | Scarborough Civic Centre Branch
Starts and Ends: Scarborough Civic Centre, Albert Campbell Square 150 Borough Drive, Scarborough 

Walk with Amal: Thorncliffe Park
Friday, June 9 at 3 pm | Thorncliffe Branch
Starts: Thorncliffe Branch, 48 Thorncliffe Park Drive, East York
Ends: The Rose Garden, opposite 45 Overlea Boulevard #180, Toronto

Explore more opportunities to Walk with Amal Toronto other neighbourhoods, including Regent Park, Union Station, Etobicoke and the Waterfront communities. And don't miss other Luminato Festival Toronto events happening from June 7-18, 2023.

Free family workshops

Amal surrounded by people holding up yellow butterfly artwork. Photo credit: The Walk Productions

In addition to being part of Amal's Toronto walks, you can also take part in a workshop and participate with the whole family.

Spoken Word Workshop 
Thursday, June 1 from 4-6 pm | Scarborough Civic Centre Branch
Get creative and have fun! Write and record a poem that will be played during Little Amal's visit to Albert Campbell Square on Thursday, June 8 at 12 pm. Hear your words in front of hundreds – or maybe thousands – of Torontonians celebrating Amal. Registration is not required.

Butterfly-making Workshop
Thursday, June 1 from 3:30-5:30 p.m | Thorncliffe Branch
Butterflies have become an unofficial symbol for Amal and refugee children around the world. Take part in Amal's walk through Thorncliffe by making your own butterfly that you can wave high in the air when she walks through that area on Friday, June 9 at 3 pm. All supplies are included, and registration is not required. 

Library resources 

Want to read and learn more? Check out our Refugee Experiences: Books for Kids reading list for children. Here are a few highlights: 

What is a Refugee? by Elise Gravel

Using simple text and cartoon art, this picture book explores the reasons why people are forced to leave their homes and how they find safety.

Finding Home: The Journey of Immigrants and Refugees by Jen Sookfong Lee

Follow the journey of different immigrants and refugees as they search for a place to call home. This book explores both current issues and the history of human migration.

When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

Omar and his little brother Hassan live in a refugee camp in Kenya. When Omar has the opportunity to go to school, he knows it might be a chance to change their future.

Toronto Public Library also provides Library Services for Newcomers, Resources for Teachers & Paren'ts and Staff Picks for Kids. 

It’s always exciting to discover a new plant, flower or fungus. And the desire to bring it home and add it to your garden is understandable. However, there's one thing we've learned reading science fiction: it's a bad idea. Always take caution when transplanting a newly discovered species, especially one from another planet. Better yet, just don't do it. It’s far too likely that it will become an invasive species and harm Earth’s natural ecosystem.

According to the Invasive Species Centre, invasive species are "plants, animals, insects, and pathogens that are introduced to an area and cause harm to the environment, economy, or society." In short, a non-native species — even if it's from another planet — is only considered invasive if it causes harm. If you can’t be sure if your interdimensional or unearthly plant is invasive, consult an expert.

Read on for some of the popular plants and fungi that are invasive to Earth and should be eradicated at all cost. This guide was created by the staff of the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy. We’ve included tips on how to deal with these organisms, too.

More species have been catalogued by Merril Collection staff than are mentioned here. Visit the The Unearthly Garden: An Exhibit of Fictional Flora and Fungi to discover them all. The exhibit runs until June 30, 2023, and can be viewed during regular Merril Collection hours (weekdays 10-6, Saturdays 9-5).

Our expert staff will also be holding a related talk on May 10, 2023, at 6:30pm. Feel free to come and ask your questions about alien plants in person.

The Body Snatchers by Jack Finney. 

One of the most dangerous invasive species ever known is the body snatchers. These plantlike aliens drift across space until they find a hospitable planet with hosts in which they can replicate. They replace their hosts with identical copies, leaving the original bodies to disintegrate. Body snatchers strip entire planets bare, turning them into dead worlds.

Body snatchers decimated the town of Mill Valley, California, in the 1950s. Luckily, they were met with fierce resistance from residents and decided to flee rather than fight. Jack Finney documented this incident in his 1954 book The Body Snatchers. There have also been several instructive films about the body snatchers made over the years. The Merril Collection will be screening one on June 9, 2023 for your further edification.

How can you tell if a body snatcher has replaced a host? The lack of emotion. It's the only thing they can't replicate. In their original form, body snatchers are three-foot-long seed pods. If discovered in your garden or community, destroy pods and duplicates with fire immediately.

The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham.

Triffids were not viewed as invasive when they were first cultivated, though they have always been dangerous. Triffids are easy to spot. They range from seven to ten feet in height, with a root mass at the base and a long, neck-like trunk ending in a funnel-shaped flower. Three appendages on their root ball enable them to walk. They are carnivorous and their venomous stingers can kill a fully-grown human. They also produce a valuable, nutritious oil.

Triffids can be successfully farmed. However, if not kept tightly under control they will spread and prey on humans. John Wyndham's 1951 book, The Day of the Triffids, documents a meteor shower that blinded most of the human race. In the ensuing collapse of civilization, triffids quickly took over the world.

The fastest a triffid can move is at a walking pace. Therefore, the best way to survive is to flee.  Decapitating them will make them less of a threat, but will not kill them. For that, it is best to use fire. Amateur gardeners should not attempt to cultivate triffids.

Cascade by Rachel A. Rosen.

Shriekgrass is dangerous both to the land and the people around it. As described by Rachel A. Rosen in her book Cascade, shriekgrass is "pale and spindly, sharp fronds edging its drooping stems. It sways in the wind like the legs of a centipede or a human spine." When cut, blades of shriekgrass will cry out in pain, hence its name.

Shriekgrass grows where magic has touched. There is no known way to eradicate it. Proximity to shriekgrass appears to turn humans into demons, for which there is no cure. Avoid at all costs. If shriekgrass has invaded your garden, you will need to move house.

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher.

"…mushrooms are not the only fungus. There are many, many types in the world. We walk constantly in a cloud of their spores, breathing them in. They inhabit the air, the water, the earth, even our very bodies." – Mrs. Potter, What Moves the Dead

The tarn fungus is a rare, aquatic fungus that originated in a lake on the grounds of Usher, England. It grew there for centuries and eventually spread to the brains and bodies of fish and hares using its hyphae – thin filaments resembling white hairs. Infected animals show no fear and move strangely. This behaviour in local wildlife is the first clue of a tarn fungal invasion. The animals can only be killed with fire. Even dismemberment is ineffective.

Should you suspect that your garden pond has become a breeding ground for the tarn, drain the water immediately. The tarn is best handled by professionals. It can be killed using strong alcohol, fire or sulfur. If you insist on trying to treat it yourself, be sure you wear protective gloves, masks and outer garments.

The Beauty by Aliya Whiteley.

The Beauty originated as a plague of yellow fungus that grew on human women. It has since changed form. The current variant was discovered growing on grave sites or places where dead bodies decomposed. Small, early mushrooms have an appetizing, beefy smell but are bitterly inedible. Eventually they will grow to the size and shape of a human woman, and develop mobility and sentience. These humanoid fungal creatures are capable of displacing humans at the top of the food chain. If you discover Beauty mushrooms in your garden, uproot the fruiting bodies and burn them. You will also need to hire a professional to excavate the site and remove any human remains.

The Last of Us: American Dreams by Neil Druckmann, Faith Erin Hicks and others.

A parasitic strain of the Cordyceps fungus was discovered growing on crops in South America. By the time it was found, contaminated food had already been sold around the world. When ingested, the fungus infects the human brain and takes over. Those who are infected eventually lose their higher brain function and will attack the uninfected.

The fungus’ spores are transmitted through the air to other plants. Should it be discovered in your vegetable patch, there is only one solution: burn it to the ground. Be sure to wear a hazmat suit to avoid inhaling any of the spores.

In summary, always wear personal protective equipment when dealing with otherworldly plants and fungi. And keep a source of fire at hand.

Learn more

• Visit the exhibit The Unearthly Garden: An Exhibit of Fictional Flora and Fungi, on until June 30, 2023.
• Attend our talk Unnatural Botany: A Merril Collection Show and Tell on Wednesday, May 10 at 6:30pm.
• Watch the free screening of the educational film Invasion of the Body Snatchers on Friday, June 9 at 6:30pm.

This post was co-written with Ames G. Further thanks to Maya, Brian and Kim.

The autistic community is a beautifully diverse community made up of people from all walks of life, including people of all ages. Despite this, conversations about autism often focus exclusively on children. Autistic adults frequently face barriers to accessing vital support because they are only for minors. It also means they are rarely consulted about things that directly affect them, like policies, laws and advocacy campaigns. Their experiences and opinions are ignored or outright dismissed.

I want to celebrate the adult members of the autistic community. In an effort to amplify their voices, all of the books included in this post have at least one autistic author. Below you'll find biographies, resources for both neurodivergent and neurotypical people and fiction featuring autistic characters.

Biographies

Autistic people share their life stories, including how being autistic shapes their experiences and identities.

Sensory : life on the spectrum : an autistic comic anthology edited by Rebecca Ollerton

From artist and curator Bex Ollerton comes an anthology featuring comics from thirty autistic creators about their experiences of living in a world that doesn't always understand or accept them.

Ten steps to Nanette : a memoir situation by Hannah Gadsby

Gadsby takes us through the moments in her life that led to the creation of Nanette, her popular standup comedy show.  She traces her growth as a gay woman from Tasmania–where homosexuality was illegal until 1997–to her ever-evolving relationship with comedy, to her struggle with late-in-life diagnoses of autism and ADHD, and finally to Nanette.

Typed words, loud voices edited by Amy Sequenzia and Elizabeth J. Grace

Essays written by a coalition of writers who talk by typing rather than speaking aloud. 

Book for Autistic Folks, by Autistic Folks

Words of wisdom from fellow members of the autistic community.

Unmasking autism : discovering the new faces of neurodiversity by Devon Price

For every visibly autistic person you meet, countless “masked” autistic people pass as neurotypical. Dr. Devon Price takes a deep dive into the spectrum of autistic experiences and the phenomenon of masked autism, giving individuals the tools to safely uncover their true selves while broadening society’s narrow understanding of neurodiversity.

The autism relationships handbook : how to thrive in friendships, dating, and love by Joe Biel and Faith G. Harper

Dr. Faith G. Harper joins autistic author Joe Biel to offer hard-won guidance on a wide range of topics about friendships, dating, and romance. The pair also wrote The autism FAQ : everything you wanted to know about diagnosis & autistic life.

The autism-friendly guide to self-employment by Robyn Steward

Successfully self-employed autistic author Robyn Steward shares her insights about the valuable skills and unique visions self-employed autistic people bring to the job market. This book will teach you how to bring these strengths into the world of self-employment. Also check out Robyn's The autism-friendly guide to periods.

Books for Neurotypical People

If you've got an autistic friend or family member, or just want to learn more, these books provide excellent insight into what it's like to be autistic and how you can support the community.

We're not broken : changing the autism conversation by Eric Garcia 

From education to healthcare, autistic journalist Eric Garcia explores how autistic people wrestle with systems that were not built with them in mind. He shares the experiences of all types of autistic people, from those with higher support needs to autistic people of colour, to those in the 2SLGBTQ+ community. In doing so, Garcia gives his community a platform to articulate their own needs, rather than having others speak for them.

Sincerely, your autistic child : what people on the autism spectrum wish their paren'ts knew about growing up, acceptance, and identity edited by Emily Paige Ballou, Sharon daVanport and Morénike Giwa Onaiwu

A diverse collection of autistic voices that highlights how paren'ts can avoid common mistakes and misconceptions, and make their children feel genuinely accepted, valued, and celebrated for who they are.

The #ActuallyAutistic guide to advocacy : step-by-step advice on how to ally and speak up with autistic people and the autism community by Jennifer Brunton and Jenna Gensic

An in-depth look at the key elements of respectful, inclusive advocacy and allyship. The advice and strategies laid out in this guide center on the wisdom and experiences of Autistic people and enable the reader to confidently speak up with insight and understanding.

Fiction

From science fiction to romance, enjoy these fictional stories featuring autistic main characters.

The Outside by Ada Hoffman

Autistic scientist Yasira Shien developed an energy drive that could change the future of humanity. But when she activates it, reality warps, destroying the space station and everyone inside. The super-intelligent AI Gods declare her work heretical. Instead of executing her, they offer mercy if she'll help them hunt down her mysterious mentor. Now Yasira must choose who to trust: the Gods or the rebel scientist whose mathematics could turn her world, literally, inside out.

The Winter Knight by Jes Battis

The knights of the round table are alive in Vancouver. When one winds up dead, Hildie, a Valkyrie, is assigned to the case. On her list of suspects is Wayne, an autistic college student and the reincarnation of Sir Gawain. After finding himself at the scene of the crime, Wayne is pulled deeper into his medieval family history while trying to navigate a new relationship. The Winter Knight is an urban fairy tale with queer and trans heroes that asks what it means to be a myth and who gets to star in these tales.

Two wrongs make a right by Chloe Liese

There's much ado about everything when an autistic artist and an anxious doctor become allies and fake a relationship to fool their meddling friends in this swoony, inclusive reimagining of Shakespeare's play Much Ado About Nothing. 

An unkindness of ghosts by Rivers Solomon

Aster lives in the low deck slums of the HSS Matilda, a space vessel organized much like the antebellum South. For generations, Matilda has ferried the last of humanity to a mythical Promised Land. On its way, the ship's leaders have imposed harsh moral restrictions and deep indignities on dark-skinned sharecroppers like Aster. Embroiled in a grudge with a brutal overseer, Aster learns there may be a way to improve her lot…if she's willing to sow the seeds of civil war.

This post highlights books by some amazing women with disabilities who have made unique and ground-breaking contributions to Canadian arts and culture.

Maud Lewis

Maud Lewis (1938-1970) is one of Canada's most celebrated folk artists. As a child, she developed rheumatoid arthritis, which limited mobility in her hands. She lived most of her life in poverty in Nova Scotia, selling her cheerful hand-drawn Christmas cards and colourful paintings of animals and landscapes for a few dollars each.

These days, paintings by Maud Lewis sell for tens of thousands, her difficult life story has been romanticized in film (2017's Maudie), and her joyful art was recently celebrated in a major exhibition at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and accompanying book, Maud Lewis: Paintings for Sale.

Maud Lewis: Paintings for Sale by Sarah Milroy.

"From her black cats and kittens, to her cart horses and oxen hauling logs, to her quayside scenes of ships in port and the Maritime landscape in all seasons, Maud Lewis made paintings that still delight in their optimism and buoyant vitality."

More books about Maud Lewis.

Vivian Chong 

Vivian Chong is a multi-disciplinary artist who has created works as a playwright, dancer, comedian and graphic novelist. Her graphic memoir Dancing After TEN follows her journey of living with sight loss due to a medical reaction that caused scarring on her skin and the surface of her corneas. This beautiful book was created in collaboration with cartoonist Georgia Webber, whose own memoir is next on this list.

Dancing After TEN: A Graphic Memoir by Vivian Chong and Georgia Webber.

"In late 2004, Vivian Chong's life was changed forever when a rare skin disease, TEN (Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis), left her with scar tissue that would eventually blind her. As she was losing her sight, she put down as many drawings on paper as she could to document the experience. This graphic novel is an inspirational tale and a powerful work of graphic medicine."

Georgia Webber

Georgia Webber is a comics artist and editor who facilitates courses on creating at the intersections of health and art. Before collaborating on Vivian Chong's graphic memoir, she published her own graphic member, Dumb: Living Without a Voice, about her experience following a sudden throat injury that forced her into months of silence.

Dumb: Living Without a Voice by Georgia Webber.

"Part memoir, part medical cautionary tale, Dumb tells the story of how the book’s author copes with the everyday challenges that come with voicelessness. Throughout, she learns to lean on the support of her close friends, finds self-expression in creating comics, and comes to understand and appreciate how deeply her voice and identity are intertwined."

Related reading: Disability Representation in Comics and Graphic Novels.

Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha

Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha is a U.S./Canadian queer, autistic and disabled nonbinary femme writer. They have written or edited numerous books rooted in disability and transformative justice, and are a lead artist with the performance project Sins Invalid.

Their newest book is The Future is Disabled: Prophecies, Love Notes, and Mourning Songs. It was written over the course of two years of disabled isolation during the pandemic.

The Future is Disabled: Prophecies, Love Notes, and Mourning Songs by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha

"What if, in the near future, the majority of people will be disabled–and what if that's not a bad thing? And what if disability justice and disabled wisdom are crucial to creating a future in which it's possible to survive fascism, climate change, and pandemics and to bring about liberation?"

More books by Leah Laksmi Piepzna-Samarasinha.

Dorothy Ellen Palmer

Dorothy Ellen Palmer is a disabled senior writer, accessibility advocate, and former drama teacher and union activist. Her hilariously honest memoir, Falling for Myself, was featured in a previous library blog post, Celebrating Assistive Technology.

Her latest book is the seriously funny Kerfuffle: A Novel That Speaks Spoof to Power. It's about a group of disabled improvisers and abled comrades who share the stage during the 2010 G20 protests in Toronto.

Kerfuffle: A Novel That Speaks Spoof to Power by Dorothy Ellen Palmer.

"It's one hot summer. Jumping on and off stage, the diverse, five-member improv troupe called Kerfuffle make sense and nonsense of their complex lives and the 2010 Toronto G20 protests. Uncertain which player is her baby daddy, nine-months-pregnant Nellie Wolfe wields her crutch as both prop and weapon to hunt him down. It’s an inside-anarchy exposé of G20’s crucible moments, from black balaclavas to a burning police car to being kettled, incarcerated, and freed to continue the struggle. Satire at its best, Kerfuffle offers both belly laughs and a demand for justice."

More books by Dorothy Ellen Palmer.

Amanda Leduc

Amanda Leduc is a disabled writer and disability rights advocate who speaks regularly on accessibility and the role of disability in storytelling. Her last novel, The Centaur's Wife, was featured on our International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2021 booklist. Her earlier non-fiction book, Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space, explores how disability is portrayed in fairy tales and offers new ways to celebrate the magic of all bodies.

Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space by Amanda Leduc.

"In fairy tales, happy endings are the norm – as long as you're beautiful and walk on two legs. After all, the ogre never gets the princess. And since fairy tales are the foundational myths of our culture, how can a girl with a disability ever think she'll have a happy ending?"

More books by Amanda Leduc.

For more great books with Deaf and disability representation check out our Deaf and Disability Book Lists and blog posts on accessibility, disability, and Deaf culture.

For information about accessibility at Toronto Public Library, including accessible format collections and accessibility services, please visit the Accessibility section of our website. 

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 Early Children's Books has materials which reveal the history of Puss in Boots' adventures. 

From The Surprising Adventures of Puss in Boots, or, The Master-cat (1830), a chapbook edition of the popular fairy tale.

Charles Perrault’s famous fairy tale

Charles Perrault’s Puss in Boots first appeared in the fairy tale collection Histoires ou contes du temps passé: avec des moralitez (Stories or Tales from Past Times with Morals). Published in 1697, the story's French title is Le Maître chat ou le Chat botté (The Master Cat, or Cat in Boots). Perrault’s collection includes beloved fairy tales like Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood.

Illustration from a 1697 unauthorized edition of Histoires ou Contes du temps passé. Perrault's story collection was instantly popular and spread throughout Europe via authorized and unauthorized editions.

In Perrault’s story, a miller’s youngest son despairs when he inherits only a cat in his father’s will. But this is no ordinary cat. All the cat needs is a pair of boots to set in motion a clever plan to help his owner. The cat convinces a local King that the miller’s son is the wealthy “Marquis de Carabas.” Soon the cat manages to trick an ogre out of his castle and engineer a marriage between the miller’s son and a princess.

Perrault's Puss in Boots is a product of a specific time and place. The cat's scheme allows the miller's son to succeed in King Louis XIV's high society, the same circles Perrault lived in. Many adaptations of Puss in Boots reference the fashion, architecture and culture of late-17th century France. 

Many Puss in Boots illustrators draw inspiration from 17th century French courtly fashion. From Puss in Boots (1897) illustrated by Walter Crane.

Puss in Boots' Italian origins

Charles Perrault's telling of Puss in Boots is best known to modern readers, but an Italian writer first recorded the fairy tale. The earliest version of Puss in Boots appeared in Giovanni Francesco Straparola's 1551 collection of tales Le piacevoli notti (The Pleasant Nights). Straparola's story is titled Costantino Fortunato (Lucky Costantino).

A Lucky Constantino illustration from a 1604 edition of Straparola's tales. 

In Straparola’s story, the clever cat is a transformed fairy, who sets out to help a poor peasant. Lucky Costantino's adventures involve less trickery than Perrault's story. Instead of hoodwinking an ogre to obtain a castle, the castle’s owner conveniently dies and leaves the castle empty.

A later Italian version of Puss in Boots appeared in Giambattista Basile's Il Pentamerone (1634), a collection of fairy tales in Basile's Neapolitan dialect. However, by the 17th century, only Le piacevoli notti had been translated into French. Scholars think Perrault likely encountered Straparola's Costantino Fortunato as a written or oral story. 

George Cruikshank’s sanitized story

George Cruikshank was a celebrated 19th century illustrator.  He was also a passionate advocate for temperance and social reform. His version of Puss in Boots appeared in George Cruikshank’s Fairy Library (1853), a collection of rewritten fairy tales with newly assigned morals. Cruikshank criticized the Perrault telling of Puss in Boots, calling the story “a succession of successful falsehoods…a clever lesson in lying!” In his version of Puss in Boots, the cat gives a lengthy speech at the wedding feast, revealing that the miller’s son is the castle’s true heir and no lies were told. 

"Tom Puss" explains that the miller's son is the castle's true heir in Cruikshank's Puss in Boots.

Charles Dickens was close friends with Cruikshank, but condemned the rewritten fairy tales in an article entitled “Frauds on the Fairies.” Dickens argued: 

"[Cruikshank] has no greater moral justification in altering the harmless little books than we should have in altering his best etchings. If such a precedent were followed we must soon become disgusted with the old stories into which modern personages so obtruded themselves, and the stories themselves must soon be lost."

Puss in Boots today 

In the 21st century, Puss in Boots continues to be a popular tale. Some modern adaptations closely follow Perrault's traditional tale, but others experiment with new settings and storylines. Books like Puss in Magical Motocross Boots (2022) and Puss in Cowboy Boots (2002) imagine new adventures for the clever cat. 

In the Shrek film franchise, Puss in Boots is a breakout character voiced by actor Antonio Banderas. For the character, filmmakers took inspiration from Banderas' performance in The Mask of Zorro (1998). Puss became a Spanish, swashbuckling vigilante rather than a French or Italian trickster. This version of Puss has inspired two popular spin-off films, Puss in Boots (2011) and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022).

Further Reading

Books

• Puss in Boots books to borrow and take home
• Full digitized Puss in Boots books on our Digital Archive
• The Classic Fairy Tales edited by Iona and Peter Opie 
• The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales edited by Jack Zipes

Blogs from TPL

• 5 Digitized Fairy Tales from Our Collection of Early Children’s Books
• The Adventures of Red Riding Hood: An Exhibit at the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books
• The Three Bears Before Goldilocks: The History of a Fairy Tale
• Many Little Mermaids: Hans Christian Andersen's Classic Fairy Tale

Posted on behalf of Services to Vulnerable Persons (SVP).

As we celebrate Social Work Month in March, let us revisit the important role the library plays as a social support site.

Social workers, much like library professionals, break down barriers to access. Public libraries are hiring social workers in Canada and the United States to work with people who are vulnerable and those living in poverty.

The goal is to connect individuals and families to programs and services that meet their needs. Many front-line social workers provide one-on-one support to assist individuals as they seek solutions to the challenges they are facing. They also connect people with relevant benefits and services.

Other social workers engage in activism and work at a larger scale; for example, they work with the community to address poverty, food insecurity and advocate on behalf of vulnerable persons.

March 21 marks Social Work Day according to the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW)

Libraries support your well-being and that of your community. To some extent, our library services complement those offered by other agencies. In essence, we are an extension of the web of resources available in our city.

Some of our services like the PRESTO card initiative, Personal Care Bank, Wi-Fi Hotspot lending, and Adult Literacy Services, meet the basic needs of vulnerable individuals. Other services support your educational and employment goals. We also address the specific needs of our communities by offering resources and services such as health and wellness, financial literacy and Financial Empowerment programs, and settlement services.

Your local branch can help you find information related to emergency shelters and housing, social assistance, counselling, mental health, health care and more. Our knowledgeable staff can help you navigate these resources by using tools like 211, Helpseeker.org or the Toronto Central Health line.

If you are looking to form connections with the community at large, join us in our Coffee and Conversation program at the Jane/Dundas branch. You will meet supportive staff, learn about community resources and chat with other customers.

We look forward to connecting you with these programs and services on your next visit to the library!

In 2022, The United Nations General Assembly designated March 15th as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. This designation was adopted in response to an alarming rise in anti-Muslim discrimination and bigotry. The purpose of this day is to remember victims of Islamophobic acts of violence and encourage the promotion of “interreligious and intercultural dialogue in order to enhance peace and social stability, respect for diversity and mutual respect.” Let us use this day to learn more about the experiences of Canadian Muslims and consider ways we can support efforts to combat anti-Muslim hatred and promote greater religious tolerance.

Green Ribbon against Islamophobia. CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The Ontario Human Rights Commission describes Islamophobia as the “racism, stereotypes, prejudice, fear or acts of hostility directed towards individual Muslims or followers of Islam in general.” While Canadian Muslims have a long history of enduring religious discrimination, reactions to the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks intensified pre-existing negative perceptions of Muslims, fuelling an increase in violence and discrimination towards the Muslim community.

Tragically, in recent years, there have been numerous incidents of violent Islamophobic attacks in Canada. In June 2022, a man, fueled with hatred of Muslims, attacked a Muslim family, killing four members and severely injuring a child in London, Ontario. In March 2022, a man entered a Mississauga mosque armed with an axe and bear spray saying he was there to "kill terrorists.” In 2017, a white-nationalist gunman entered a mosque in Sainte-Foy, Québec, and murdered six Muslim men and injured 19 others after evening prayers. This was the worst mass murder, in a house of worship, in Canadian history.

Messages of support in French and English to the Muslim community on the front door of Centre Islamique de Verdun in Montreal. Posted after the Quebec City mosque shooting (CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons).

Sociology professor Jasmin Zine's article in The Conversation emphasizes the connections between these incidents and our national culture of Islamophobia. Zine highlights two national polls conducted in the same year as the Quebec mosque killings. One poll revealed that “46 percent of Canadians held unfavourable views of Islam as compared to other faiths” and the other found that “23 percent of Canadians favoured a ban on Muslim immigration."

Muslim advocates and organizations urged Ottawa to establish a commemorative day dedicated to the remembrance of the Quebec mosque attack. After years of campaigning, the federal government finally designated January 29th as the National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia.

The creation of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia (March 15) and the Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia (January 29) serve as important advocacy tools for raising awareness about Islamophobia. According to Statistics Canada, in 2021, police-reported hate crimes targeting Muslims were up 71% compared to the previous year. And as noted in a 2021 report produced by the National Council of Canadian Muslims, “more Muslims have been killed in targeted hate-attacks in Canada than any other G-7 country in the past 5 years because of Islamophobia.”

Actions to take today

Here are some suggestions for actions we can'take to resist and counter anti-Muslim hate:

1. Educate yourself about Islam and Muslims. Learning more about Muslims, their beliefs and their experiences help provide information to dispel common myths and stereotypes.
2. Develop media literacy and demand unbiased reporting. Examine the representation of Islam and Muslims in the media you consume and learn more about how the press has contributed to the negative perception of Muslims.
3. Join or create an event. Get involved or create anti-Islamophobia campaigns in your community such as rallies, community talks, and interfaith demonstrations. Show solidarity by wearing the Green Ribbon against Islamophobia.
4. Become politically active and aware. Know your elected official's stance and be aware of anti-Muslim legislation (e.g. religious clothing bans). Make your voice heard by contacting your elected officials, writing letters to local papers and through your vote.

Books and documentaries available at the library

Here is a selection of books and films to start you on your learning journey. There are also many more documentaries on Kanopy, our online resource for classic films, world cinema, documentaries and popular movies available for on-demand streaming. Don't have a library card? Get one online or sign up for one at our branches.

Un-Canadian : Islamophobia in the True North by Graeme Truelove (Book)
Truelove explores the prejudice and systemic discrimination faced by Canadian Muslims, which the author argues contradicts the values at the heart of Canada's self-image as a welcoming and freedom-loving nation.

Islamophobia: Deal with it in the Name of Peace by Safia Saleh (Book)
Saleh’s illustrated book is written for both Muslim and non-Muslim children, providing them with tools to help navigate and deal with bias, prejudice and Islamophobia.

You Truly Assumed by Laila Sabreen (Book)
After a terrorist attack, three female Muslim teens create a blog to share true stories about love, hate, anger, religion and friendship. Will a new threat force them to abandon'their safe space?

Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire: 20 Years After 9/11 by Deepa Kumar (Book)

Kumar shows how Islamophobia is being used as a critical tool in the maintenance of American imperialism and should be viewed more as anti-Muslim racism than as just an ideology of religious intolerance.

Under Siege: Islamophobia and the 9/11 Generation by Jasmin Zine (Book)

Conducting over 130 interviews with Canadian Muslim youth, Zine explores the impact of the “War on Terror” on a generation shaped by the aftermath of a post-9/11 world.

Your Last Walk in the Mosque (Documentary)

Four months after the mass murder of six Muslim worshippers in a mosque in Quebec City, survivors and the victims' families share about the devastating impact it has had on them, their loved ones and their community.

Constructing the Terrorist Threat : Islamophobia, the Media & the War on Terror (Documentary)

Deepa Kumar examines the media’s role in the circulation of anti-Muslim tropes. Kumar argues that the creation of the threatening Muslim “race” has been central to the growth of U.S. power on the global stage.

There are a lot of misconceptions about Down syndrome. About what it is, how it affects a person and what that person is capable of. Down syndrome is an intellectual disability, but it is not a birth defect. The Canadian Down Syndrome Society defines it as "a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always existed and is universal across racial, gender, and socio-economic lines."

Disability activists often use the phrase "Nothing about us without us" to mean that disabled people must be included in conversations about disability. This is especially true for people with intellectual disabilities. With that in mind, I have tried to highlight materials that center on the experiences of people with Down syndrome themselves, rather than their family or caregivers. Frustratingly, there isn't a lot, especially featuring adults. Most of the literature on Down syndrome focuses on children. Most of the books that feature characters with Down syndrome are picture books. But children with Down syndrome grow up into adults with Down syndrome. And those adults deserve to see themselves in film and print too. They deserve to tell their stories.

Documentaries

Sam & Mattie make a zombie movie

Sam and Mattie, two friends with Down syndrome, rally friends and family to help them make a teen zombie movie called, Spring Break Zombie Massacre.

Monica & David

Monica and David are in love and want an independent life. While they are capable beyond expectations, their paren'ts, aware of mainstream rejection of adults with intellectual disabilities, have trouble letting go. Also check out Luca + Silvana, an Italian documentary about a couple with Down syndrome who wish to get married but encounter bureaucratic obstacles.

Friends' and Families' Perspectives

Many books about Down syndrome are from the perspective of a caregiver and often focus on how the disabled person changed the writer's perspective about disability. This is a valid experience but, while we read these books, it is also important to remember that disabled people have their own unique experiences and do not exist just to inspire other people.

Mallko and dad by Gusti 

Argentinian artist Gusti brings his mixed-media artistic style to his scrapbook-like memoir about life with his son, who has Down syndrome. Gusti has also published the delightful picture book No Somos Angelitos (We are not Little Angels) which does a great job of challenging the stereotype that depicts all people with Down syndrome as innocent and sweet. It was inspired by his mischievous son and a reference copy is available in the IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities. 

Writing with Grace : a journey beyond Down syndrome by Judy McFarlane

Grace Chen, born with Down syndrome, dreams of being a writer. When Judy McFarlane was asked to help Grace, she realized she held the unacknowledged assumption that Grace would be a dull-eyed young woman who couldn't read, let alone write. With honest introspection, McFarlane delves into what it takes to face one's own prejudice. From a young woman who is marginalized by society, McFarlane learns how much courage it takes to follow a dream when everyone tells you it's impossible.

Institutionalization

Shut away : when Down syndrome was a life sentence by Catherine McKercher

Catherine McKercher's brother Bill was born with Down syndrome and institutionalized at the Ontario Hospital School. Catherine discusses the pressure families felt to send away children with intellectual disabilities, as well as the abuse that residents experienced in these institutions. Bill passed away in 1995, but the last institution for people with intellectual disabilities in Ontario was not closed until 2009. For more on this part of Ontario's history, check out Broken : Institutions, Families, and the Construction of Intellectual Disability by Madeline Burghardt.

Pennhurst and the struggle for disability rights edited by Dennis B. Downey and James W. Conroy

A comprehensive study of the history of the Pennhurst State School and Hospital (1908-87), a state-operated institution in Pennsylvania for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities that was closed for violating patients' constitutional rights. For a less academic look at the realities of life at Pennhurst, check out this 2018 documentary.

Judith Scott

Judith Scott, 1943-2005, was born Deaf and with Down syndrome. She was institutionalized for thirty years before moving to the San Francisco area to live with her twin sister Joyce. It was there that she discovered her love of and talent for fiber arts.

Judith Scott : bound & unbound edited by Catherine Morris and Matthew Higgs

An in-depth look at the art and life of Judith Scott that accompanied the first major exhibition of her artworks in the U.S. In addition to illustrations of more than forty essential works, this volume includes a number of essays that trace Scott's artistic development and her place within the field of contemporary art as a whole. Please note that this is a reference item and cannot be checked out.

Entwined : sisters and secrets in the silent world of artist Judith Scott by Joyce Wallace Scott

An inside look at the life of the Scott sisters, as told by Judith's twin Joyce. For more on Judith's life and art, check out this beautifully illustrated picture book and this 2006 documentary.

The 95th Academy Awards takes place on Sunday, March 12 with Jimmy Kimmel hosting.  It will be hard to top the drama of last year's ceremony with The Slap, but as long as live television is live, it will continue to deliver.  

Canada's most prominent nominee, Women Talking based on Miriam Toews' novel, is also Canada's biggest Oscar snub since Sarah Polley was not nominated for Best Director.  Other notable snubs are Viola Davis for The Woman King and Danielle Deadwyler for Till, with ongoing allegations of misogynoir. The biggest scandal to date involves accusations of impropriety in the campaign leading to Andrea Riseborough's Best Actress nomination but the Academy ultimately allowed the nomination. 

Some notable highlights:

• Michelle Yeoh is the first Asian to be nominated for Best Actress – this year has the most nominations for Asian artists ever.
• Supporting Actor nominee Ke Huy Quan returned to acting after a long hiatus. He worked as a child actor in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and The Goonies. 
• The Quiet Girl is Ireland's first ever International Feature nomination.

On March 12, for those of us watching from home (i.e. Will Smith), settle in with snacks and use this handy ballot to track your favourites. 

Many books have inspired films this year including novels, novellas, graphic fiction, and comic books. 

Our Annual Oscar Reading List

Blonde. USA. Directed by Andrew Dominik. Starring Ana de Armas, Adrien Brody, Bobby Cannavale, Xavier Samual, Julianne Nicholson 

Oates' Blonde, a Pulitzer finalist, is a fictionalized account of the life of Marilyn Monroe. This film did receive some criticism that, despite a strong performance by de Armas, the film's approach was both exploitative and sexist.  

Oscar nomination: Actress (de Armas)

Women Talking. USA.  Directed by Sarah Polley. Starring Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Judith Ivey, Ben Whishaw, Frances McDormand, Sheila McCarthy, Michelle McLeod. 

Based on Canadian author Miriam Toews' novel, Woman Talking is about a group of Mennonite women who strategize a response to the male community members who have repeatedly drugged and raped them. This novel is a fictional account of a true story. Toronto's venerated actor Sheila McCarthy appears in the film along with the always-powerful Frances McDormand and the Crown's Claire Foy. If you've already read this book and loved it, check out our list of read-alikes.

Oscar nomination: Best Picture

The Quiet Girl (An Cailín Ciúin). Ireland. Directed by Colm Bairéad. Starring Carrie Crowley, Andrew Bennett, Catherine Clinch, Michael Patric, Kate Nic Chonaonaigh.

This film is based on Claire Keegan's 2010 novella Foster about a young girl from a poor, rural family who is sent to live with distant relatives while her mother gives birth.  The Quiet Girl is the highest grossing Irish-language film of all time. 

Oscar nomination: International Feature 

The Whale. USA. Directed by Darren Aronofsky. Starring Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins, Samantha Morton.

Aronofsky's film is based on the 2012 play, The Whale by Samuel D. Hunter who also wrote the screenplay.  The play centers on a 600 lb gay man who is trying to reconcile with his estranged teenage daughter.  The film is being touted as the triumphant return of actor Brendan Fraser with standing ovations shared widely across social media; Fraser had sunk into semi-obscurity over recent years. It has also divided some viewers on the issue of fatphobia.  

Oscar nominations: Actor (Fraser), Supporting Actress (Chau), Makeup and Hairstyling

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. USA. Directed by Ryan Coogler. Starring Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Florence Kasumba, Michaela Coel, Angela Bassett. 

The Black Panther films are based on Marvel comics. Sadly, the second installment of this film franchise was without actor Chadwick Boseman who died in 2020 from cancer.  

Oscar nominations: Supporting Actress (Bassett), Original Song, Costume Design, Makeup and Hairstyling, Visual Effects

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris.  UK/France/Hungary. Directed by Anthony Fabian. Starring Lesley Manville, Isabelle Huppert, Lambert Wilson, Alba Baptista, Lucas Bravo, Ellen Thomas, Rose Williams, Jason Isaacs.

This film is based on Paul Gallico's 1958 novel Mrs 'Arris Goes to Paris. A cleaning lady (Manville) goes to Paris to fulfil her dream of owning a Dior dress.  There was a 1992 version of this film (now out-of-print), starring Angela Lansbury and Diana Rigg. 

Oscar nomination: Costume Design

All Quiet on the Western Front. USA, Germany. Directed by Edward Berger. Starring Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch, Aaron Hilmer, Moritz Klaus, Edin Hasanovic, Thibault De Montalembert, Daniel Brühl, Devid Striesow. 

This film is the latest adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque's anti-war classic novel All Quiet on the Western Front. Published in 1929, Remarque's novel is a testament to the horrors of war.  Watch or re-watch the 1930 Oscar-winning adaptation directed by Lewis Milestone which was startlingly graphic for its time. 

Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, International Feature, Original Score, Cinematography, Makeup and Hairstyling, Production Design, Sound, Visual Effects

Living. UK. Directed by Oliver Hermanus. Starring Bill Nighy, Aimee Lou Wood, Alex Sharp, Tom Burke. 

This film is also based on another film, Ikiru, directed by the legendary Akira Kurosawa which was also inspired by Tolstoy's classic novella. Both the novella and the films focus on a man with a terminal disease and his contemplations about death and what it means to have a life well-lived. 

Oscar nominations: Actor (Nighy), Adapted Screenplay

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio. USA/Mexico. Directed by Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson. Starring Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Gregory Mann, Burn Gorman, Ron Perlman, John Turturro, Finn Wolfhard, Cate Blanchett, Tim Blake Nelson, Chistoph Walz, Tilda Swinton.

This film is based on the classic fairy tale, The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi. The 1940 Disney adaptation of this film thrilled (and traumatized) generations of children; Matteo Garrone released his version of Pinocchio in 2020 starring Roberto Benigni. 

Oscar nomination: Animated Feature

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. USA/UK. Directed by Peter Baynton, Charlie Mackesy. Starring Jude Coward Nicoll, Gabriel Byrne, Idris Elba, Tom Hollander.

This short animated film is based on the bestselling graphic book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy about a young boy's journey with three friends and their musings on life.   

Oscar nomination: Animated Short

Books about the Oscars

Looking to read more about the annual award ceremony? Here's a couple of books about the Oscars to check out.

Oscar Wars: A History of Hollywood in Gold, Sweat, and Tears by Michael Schulman. 

The Academy and the the Award: the Coming of Age of Oscar and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences by Bruce Davis.

Borrow a 2023 Oscar-nominated film

The following films are not based on books but are available to place on hold and borrow from the library.

Everything Everywhere All At Once. USA. Directed by Daniel Kwon & Daniel Scheinert. Starring Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Jenny Slate, Harry Shum Jr., James Hong, Jamie Lee Curtis.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Director, Actress (Yeoh), Actor (Ke Huy Quan), Supporting Actress (Curtis, Hsu), Original Screenplay, Original Score, Original Song, Costume Design, Editing

Tár. USA/Germany. Directed by Todd Field. Starring Cate Blanchett, Nina Hoss, Noémie Merlant, Sophie Kauer, Julian Glover, Mark Strong.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Director, Actress (Blanchett), Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing

The Banshees of Inisherin. UK/USA. Directed by Martin McDonagh. Starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, Barry Keoghan

Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Director, Actor (Farrell), Supporting Actor (Gleeson, Keoghan), Supporting Actress (Condon), Original Screenplay, Original Score, Editing

The Fabelmans. USA. Directed by Steven Spielberg. Starring Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Gabriel LaBelle, Jeannie Berlin, David Lynch, Judd Hirsch. 

Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Director, Actress (Williams), Supporting Actor (Hirsch), Original Screenplay, Original Score, Production Design.

Elvis. USA/Australia. Directed by Baz Luhrmann. Starring Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJonge, Helen Thomson, Kelvin Harrison, Kodi Smit-McPhee

Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Actor (Butler), Cinematography, Costume Design, Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, Production Design, Sound

Marcel: The Shell With Shoes On. USA. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp. Starring Jenny Slate, Rosa Salazar, Thomas Mann, Dean Fleischer Camp, Lesley Stahl, Isabella Rossellini

Oscar nomination: Animated Feature

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. USA. Directed by Joel Crawford. Starring Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek Pinault, Harvey  Guillén, Florence Pugh, Olivia Coleman. 

Oscar nomination: Animated Feature

Turning Red. USA. Directed by Domee Shi. Starring Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Hyein Park, Maitrevi Ramakrishnan, Orion Lee, Wai Ching Ho Tristan Allerick Chen, James Hong.

Go Toronto! 

Oscar Nomination: Animated Feature

Top Gun: Maverick. USA. Directed by Joseph Kosinski. Starring Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Ed Harris, Val Kilmer.

Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Original Song, Editing, Sound, Visual Effects

Who do you think should win (or not win) this year?  Let us know in the comments.

Previous years' nominees

• The 2022 Oscars: A Reading List
• The 2021 Oscars: A Reading List
• The 2020 Oscars: A Reading List
• The 2019 Oscars: A Reading List 

Speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy and horror) is usually seen as a boy's club. But women have been contributing to these genres for just as long. Women have taken part in every level of the creation of speculative fiction, from writing to editing to illustrating.

The Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation & Fantasy is celebrating these women in an exhibit running from January 16 to April 1, 2023. People like Mary Shelley, who invented modern science fiction at age 18. Or Judith Merril, the founder of the collection and an internationally-renowned editor. Discover these women and many more at the Speculating Women exhibit.

Unable to come in-person or missed it? Read on to learn more about six of the featured women.

Women in Disguise case from Speculating Women: Pioneers of the Fantastic, an exhibit at the Merril Collection.

Six pioneering women of speculative fiction

Begum Rokeya (1880–1932)

Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain was a feminist thinker, educator and activist from the country now named Bangladesh. She went by the name Begum Rokeya and was celebrated for her work promoting women's education and liberation. She founded a school for Muslim girls in Kolkata that still operates today. She is also the author of several books.

Her feminist utopian novel Sultana’s Dream was first published in 1905 in The Indian Ladies Magazine. The story depicts a technologically advanced society called “Ladyland." In this world, traditional gender norms for men and women are reversed.

Books by and about Begum Rokeya at TPL.

Clare Winger Harris (1891–1968)

Harris started publishing short stories in the 1920s, usually featuring female lead characters. She was the first American woman to publish in science fiction magazines under her own name. In this traditionally male-dominated industry, women often wrote under pen names. Some women chose to and others were told to use a man’s name by publishers. It was believed that science fiction published under a man’s name would be better received by the public. Today, some women authors continue to disguise their gender by using initials or pen names.

Stories by Clare Winger Harris at TPL.

Away From the Here and Now: Stories in Pseudo-Science. Harris' first anthology. This copy on display in exhibit. Available to read in the Digital Archive.

Mary Gnaedinger (1897–1976)

Mary Gnaedinger was the first woman to be the lead editor of a science fiction publication. She edited all 81 issues of Famous Fantastic Mysteries over its 15 year run, from 1939 to 1953. But her name originally wasn’t mentioned. Instead, the publication information and introduction simply credited “the Editors.” It wasn’t until the December 1951 issue that “Mary Gnaedinger, Editor” was stated on the publication page.

Read more about Mary Gnaedinger in the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction.

The first and last issues of Famous Fantastic Mysteries.

Andre Norton (1912–2005)

Andre Norton was a pseudonym used by Alice Norton. She is called the Grande Dame of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Norton originally planned to write juvenile historical fiction and felt that a male-sounding name would appeal to young, male readers. She legally changed her name to Andre Alice Norton in 1934, soon after she started writing.

In 1952, Norton turned to science fiction and wrote the novel that would make her famous — Star Man's Son, 2250 A.D. She went on to write many celebrated works of science fiction and fantasy. These include the long-running Witch World series and the very first Dungeons and Dragons tie-in novel.

Books by Andre Norton at TPL.

Web of the Witch World, second book in the Witch World series.

Octavia Butler (1947–2006)

Octavia Butler is one of the most important science fiction authors. Her books tackle themes of Black social justice, women’s rights and climate change. She was the first science fiction author to receive a MacArthur Fellowship (or “Genius Grant”). Butler died suddenly from a fall outside her house at age 58. But, her stories live on and gain popularity as the issues they address continue to be relevant. Her work is studied all over the world.

Books by Octavia Butler at TPL.

Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents, with cover art by Paul Lewin. This dystopian duology is set in California ravaged by rampant inequality and climate change. The first book was adapted as a graphic novel and a movie version are in development.

Julie Bell (1958–)

Julie Bell is a self-taught artist. She later married her mentor, fantasy artist Boris Vallejo.

Bell created the cover art below with only four years of experience in painting. She is best known for her sensuous semi-nudes and her innovative technique of painting metallic surfaces.

Books featuring Julie Bell at TPL.

Authors in discussion

On Wednesday, March 29 at 6:30 pm, we’ll be hosting Chinelo Onwualu, Julie Czerneda and Michelle Sagara for a panel discussion. They will share their experiences as authors, editors and booksellers of speculative fiction. Discover more about this free event. Everyone is welcome to attend and no registration is required.

More early women writers available online in our Digital Archive

The Digital Archive features PDF ebooks of items in Toronto Public Library’s collections that are out of copyright and in the public domain. These ebooks are always available to download! The following women are all early writers of speculative fiction.

Madeline Yale Wynne (1847–1918)

American writer, artist and metal smith. Lifelong partner of artist Annie Cabot Putnam. Wynne turned to writing late in life and her supernatural stories have been mostly forgotten. Her story "The Little Room" is regarded as her best work. It is often compared to the later feminist horror story “The Yellow Wall-Paper,” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.

Digitized books by Madeline Yale Wynne.

L. Adams Beck (1862–1931)

Pen name of UK-born author Elizabeth Louisa Moresby. She settled in Canada in 1919 after living abroad in China and Japan. Her writing drew on ideas from the occult, featuring narratives about reincarnation.

Digitized books by L. Adams Beck.

Inez Haynes Gillmore (1873–1970)

American feminist author, journalist and activist. She was a war correspondent in Europe during WWI and wrote many works of fiction and nonfiction. Her fantasy novel, Angel Island, follows a group of men who encounter an island of winged women. Their attempts to take over do not go as planned.

Digitized books by Inez Haynes Gillmore.

Marjorie Bowen (1888–1952)

Pseudonym of the British author Margaret Gabrielle Vere Long, who also wrote as Joseph Shearing. She is renowned for her supernatural horror. All told, she wrote over 150 books in her life in many different genres.

Digitized books by Marjorie Bowen.

Margery Lawrence (1889–1969)

English author and illustrator who wrote fantasy, horror and ghost stories. Her best known work is Number Seven, Queer Street. The book is a collection of tales from the casebook of Dr. Miles Pennoyer, who finds occult cures for his patients’ ills.

Digitized books by Margery Lawrence.

Katharine Burdekin (1896–1963)

British author who wrote science fiction with a feminist bent. Burdekin also wrote under the name Murray Constantine. Her most famous novel is Swastika Night, an alternate history set after the Nazis win World War II.

Digitized books by Katharine Burdekin.

On February 11, 2023, the United Nations and scientists around the world celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Although the inclusion of women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields has improved significantly in recent years, there is still a long way to go. According to the UN, women in STEM careers typically receive smaller research grants than their male colleagues and are more likely to be passed over for promotions. They are also less likely to be published in major research journals and are underrepresented at national science academies. 

While you may have heard of a few women scientists, like Marie Curie and Jane Goodall, there are so many other women who have contributed greatly to the sciences. In honour of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we encourage you to read about some of these scientists.

Lethal tides : Mary Sears and marine scientists who helped win World War II by Catherine Musemeche

During World War II, the United States was unprepared for waging an ocean war amongst the many islands in the Pacific. They turned to Mary Sears, a marine biologist who lead a team that studied the ocean currents, made tidal predictions and identified deep water areas for submarines. Though her name is mostly unknown today, her expertise was highly valued by the US Navy and she was frequently called upon during the war to make last minute decisions for top secret missions.  

Unbowed : a memoir by Wangari Maathai

Wangari Maathai was a fiercely determined activist and scholar. Born in rural Kenya, she fought for her education and went on to earn a PhD in veterinary anatomy. Alongside her scholarly work, she founded the Green Belt Movement, an advocacy organization dedicated to environmental conservation and women's right. In her memoir, Maathai humbly documents her incredible life, including the moment in 2004 when she became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Carbon queen : the remarkable life of nanoscience pioneer Mildred Dresselhaus by Maia Weinstock

Growing up in New York City in the 1940s, Mildred Dresselhaus was told she could be a nurse, a secretary or a teacher. But Millie had other ideas. Instead, she became an expert in the field of carbon nanoscience. She was one of the first women professors at MIT. She stayed there for nearly six decades, conducting groundbreaking research and earning both the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Science. 

Letter to a young female physician : notes from a medical life by Suzanne Koven

Dr. Suzanne Koven's 2017 online essay "Letter to a Young Female Physician" went viral. Her experiences of imposter syndrome, sexism, pay inequality, and more resonated with other women in the medical profession. Now in book form, Dr. Koven shares more stories from her life as a female doctor, from being pregnant during the AIDS crisis to working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through the glass ceiling to the stars : the story of the first American woman to command a space mission by Col. Eileen Collins

In her own words, Eileen Collins documents her career as a pioneer for women in aviation and space travel. She was one of the first women to become a pilot in the United States Air Force, and their first woman flight instructor. As a child, she secretly dreamed of becoming an astronaut. Not only did she achieve this goal, but was the first woman to command an American space mission and to pilot a space shuttle. 

Forgotten women : the scientists by Zing Tsjeng

As part of the Forgotten Women series, The Scientists features short biographies of 48 women scientists, many of whom have been overlooked in the history of science. Importantly, author Zing Tsjeng highlights the achievements of many women of colour, such as Ruby Hirose, a Japanese-American biochemist, as well as Fe del Mundo, a Filipina pediatrician, and Chien-Shiung Wu, a Chinese-American particle physicist. 

Power in numbers : the rebel women of mathematics by Talithia Williams

Much like in the broader scientific community, the involvement of women in mathematics is mostly forgotten or ignored. In a collection of short biographies, Talithia Williams traces the history of women mathematicians. She features early pioneers, such as the 18th century Chinese mathematician Wang Zhenyi, as well as more recent scholars, including Trachette Jackson, who uses mathematical modeling to advance cancer research. 

Mathematics for ladies : poems on women in science by Jessy Randall

As if to prove that science and art are not mutually exclusive, Jessy Randall brings us a series of hilarious and heartfelt poems about women in science. Mathematics for Ladies is a fun and fact-filled way to learn about well-known women scientists, like Marie Curie, and those whose achievements have been largely overlooked, such as Mexican-American botanist Ynés Mexia.

Is there a woman scientist that has inspired you? Tell us in the comments below.

February is Black History Month and there are so many ways to celebrate. Canadians are invited to participate in Black History Month events and celebrate Black culture, heritage, and achievement all year long but February is a time when you'll see a vast array of activities. The theme this year, is Ours to Tell. Check out the Canadian Heritage website to learn about significant events in Black history, interesting facts, and download the poster. 

Government of Canada –

This theme shines a bright light on our successes, triumphs, and trailblazers. Black Canadian History is not the same as African American History. Sure, there are some things that we have in common with our neighbours to the south but there is so much to commemorate and celebrate right here in Canada.

Black History Month signifies many things to people of African descent. It can be a time to ponder, a time to celebrate, a time for action, or a time to learn. Canadian Heritage provides many Black History resources, including links to eight video shorts. Each provides a glimpse into what Black history is all about.

Take this short quiz to test your knowledge. Then check the answer through the links provided.

1. Who was the first Black person to arrive in Canada? Answer
2. Who was first Black woman to publish a newspaper in North America? Answer
3. Who is the first Black female Member of Parliament? Answer
4. When was Black History Month first officially recognized in the House of Commons? Answer
5. Who was the first Canadian-born Black person to become a physician? Answer
6. Who was Canada's first Black Member of Parliament? Answer

How did you do? Fear not, if you did not know some of these facts. There are many ways to learn about Black Canadian history and culture. In honour of Black History Month, we have curated a diverse reading list for adults, teens, and children. More great reads can be found in The Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection. To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of this iconic collection, staff from the Maria A. Shchuka branch used images of book covers to design an imaginative collage in homage to the collection’s namesake.

Collage of Dr. Rita Cox at Maria A. Shchuka Branch

Check out our Black History webpage, your portal to upcoming in-person and online Black History Month programs, and replays of past events. Here you will also find links to blog posts, podcasts, and our Black Voices playlist. Toronto Public Library celebrates Black History year round, so check back regularly for new content.

Keeping with the theme, Ours to Tell, please join us on February 22nd, from 7:00-8:00 pm for Invisible Boy: Finding the Self. In this Live & Online program, Harrison Mooney, shares about his life as a reader, writer, and transracial adoptee. Born to a Ghanaian immigrant mother, Mooney was adopted as an infant by a white family and raised in the Bible belt of British Columbia. If you are unable to attend, a recording of the event will be available on Crowdcast.

Harrison Mooney, award-winning journalist and best-selling author.

Related links

• Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection
• Uncovering Joy through the Eyes of Black Canadians
• Great Books on Black History in Toronto and Ontario
• Black History Month 2021: Amazing Inventors and Inventions

Pablo Picasso called him “the Leonardo of our time.” Among his inventions: a machine to wag tails of lazy dogs (never built). A chair “for very short visits” with a seat at a 45-degree angle (built, beautifully). A children’s bed combining a cockpit with a jungle gym. A beautiful half-clock/half-sculpture, mass-produced so everyone could have one. Toy monkeys with bendy arms. He also designed book covers for Italy’s most prestigious publisher. And he produced over a dozen amazing children’s books meant to provoke kids to “be free and aware of their power.”

He is Bruno Munari. A few of Munari’s books are still available to borrow from the library, but most are now out of print and hard to find. Not to worry, though — you can still come and see them at the Osborne Collection of Early Children’s Books.

From January 30 to April 15, 2023, you can explore Munari’s books as part of our exhibit, Bravo, Pinocchio! 600 Years of Italian Tales. And even when the exhibit is over, you can still ask to see his books any time!

Top left: Bruno Munari. Photographer unknown (caricato sul sito da TomStardust.com), CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.

About Bruno Munari

Bruno Munari (1907–1998) was a Milanese artist, industrial designer, editor and author. He began his career as a member of Italy’s Futurist art movement. Later, he left the Futurists because of their association with Fascism. He went on to a long, prolific and playful career in publishing and industrial design. Among his goals: to democratize art, and make creativity available to everyone.

Design as Art by Bruno Munari. (Available to borrow in print and ebook.)

Munari’s children’s books

Munari started writing and illustrating picture books after his son, Alberto, was born. He published all of these three books below in 1945. Like most of Munari’s early picture books, they feature quirky illustrations, flaps to lift and surprising plot twists.

The Elephant’s Wish, Storie di Tre Uccellini (Story of the Three Birds), and Georgie Has Lost His Cap – Where Can He Have Left It? by Bruno Munari.

In later picture books, Munari experimented with transparencies and cut-outs. Nella Notte Buia starts with a night studded with hole-punch fireflies. It then takes us on a walk through tall grass shrouded in mist (via layer upon layer of translucent paper). Finally, it leads us into a prehistoric cave deep underground, cut in jagged holes from paper with the rough texture of rock.

In The Circus in the Mist, Munari combines layers of translucent paper with colourful, die-cut pages. Together, they recreate the feeling of walking through a fogbound city, into the sensory overload of a circus, and back out again. A non-linear story lets readers find their own path through the book.

Nella Notte Buia, 1956 by Munari.

The Circus in the Mist, 1969 by Munari.

From 1972 to 1976, Munari directed a children’s book imprint for Einaudi called Tantibambini. On the back covers of the books, he summarized his philosophy of children’s literature:

“Simple tales and stories where we find no fairies, no witches, no luxurious castles, no handsome princes, no mysterious wizards, for a new generation of human beings who are to refuse inhibition, submission, and should be free and aware of their power.”

This translation of Edward Lear’s Nonsense Poems (below) was the second book Tantibambini published. To make sure these books would be available for everyone, Munari set the price at only 300 lire or about 60 U.S. cents. In fact, the price contributed to the imprint’s downfall. The books were so unprofitable that many booksellers didn’t bother carrying them.

Poesie Senza Senso by Edward Lear, 1972.

In his quest to help children become “free and aware of their power”, Munari began experimenting even more with his books. Below is his unconventional alphabet book subtitled “Let’s write a book together”. The letters are organized, not in alphabetical order, but “according to the difficulties they present in being learned by the child.” In his introduction, Munari encourages children to cut letters out of magazines and glue them into the book. “For [the child], it will be like hunting for insects in the grass of a meadow, being careful not to confuse ants with grasshoppers.”  

Alfabetiere Secondo il Metodo Attivo by Bruno Munari. 1960.

In another experiment, Munari created a collection of “Prelibri” (or “Prebooks”). They are miniature not-quite-books for preschoolers. In the book’s introduction, presented as a dialogue between “A” and “B”, Munari writes:

“A: So even for a three-year-old child it would be a good thing to begin to familiarize itself with the book as an object, to recognize it as a cultural instrument or as a poetic medium, to assimilate that knowledge which facilitates existence.

“B: Knowledge is always a surprise; if one sees what one already knows, there is no surprise. Little books should be available, all different from one another, but all books, each with a different surprise in it, suitable for children who can’t yet read.”

“Surprises” in the twelve Prelibri in our collection include die-cuts, transparen't overlays, yarn, paper of different colours and textures, pictures of ants and one sewn-in button.

I Prelibri by Bruno Munari. 1980.

Munari was always trying to give his readers more control. The “book” shown below is an assortment of unbound pages of different colours and textures, some with illustrations and some without. Munari encourages children to take the book apart, draw in it, paste photographs into it and reorganize it according to their own ideas. The more fantastical the narrative they create, he suggests, the more fun.

La Favola delle Favole by Bruno Munari. 1994.

You can see these Munari books and more at our exhibit Bravo, Pinocchio! 600 Years of Italian Tales (January 30 to April 15, 2023).

Further reading (available to borrow)

For kids

Bruno Munari’s ABC
Bruno Munari’s Zoo

For adults

Munari’s Books by Giorgio Maffei
Bruno Munari: Square, Circle, Triangle

International Holocaust Remembrance Day, also known as Holocaust Memorial Day, occurs annually on January 27. Many people around the world commemorate this significant date by attending events and programs. The United Nations General Assembly adopted the observance in November 2005. This date was chosen as it marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau by Soviet troops in 1945.

The Holocaust was the systematic, deliberate, state-sponsored mass murder of six million European Jews by the Nazi German regime, its racist allies, and collaborators. It took place throughout Europe between 1933 and 1945. The Holocaust is one of the worst war crimes in history.

The short video below is the first of a 7-part series created by the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem. It provides a brief yet informative overview. More DVDs and documentaries can be found at many of our library branches.

The purpose of recognizing Holocaust Remembrance Day is not only to remember that the Holocaust occurred but also to educate and inform ourselves about the gross destruction of this genocide. The theme for 2023 is "Home and Belonging." It looks at what these concepts meant to those persecuted during the Holocaust as well as after liberation and its aftermath.

On January 25, from 12 to 1:30 pm, please join our online program dedicated to International Holocaust Remembrance Day featuring Renate Krakauer, an author, speaker, and Holocaust survivor. Renate will be sharing her testimony with us and will be joined by Daniella Lurion from the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center. If you can't attend, a recording of the event will be available on Crowdcast.

Renate Krakauer

Recommended books

Learning about The Holocaust should not be limited to the month of January. We have a vast selection of books and videos for all ages throughout our library system that you can borrow. Many of these books can be identified by a blue Jewish Mosaic label in our branches.

Night by Elie Wiesel

In this personal narrative, Wiesel describes his horrific experiences in Nazi concentration camps along with his father. Originally written in French in 1958, Night was first published in English in 1960. The Commemorative edition includes speeches, essays and a tribute from former American President, Barack Obama.

999: the extraordinary young women of the first official transport to Auschwitz by Heather Dune Macadam

"The tragic tale of the first 999 women in Auschwitz concentration camp. On March 25, 1942, nearly a thousand young, unmarried Jewish women, many of them teenagers, boarded a train in Poprad, Slovakia. Believing they were going to work in a factory for a few months, they were eager to report for government service and left their paren'ts’ homes wearing their best clothes and confidently waving good-bye. Instead, the young women were sent to Auschwitz. Only a few would survive." – Publisher's description

Kiss the Red Stairs: the Holocaust, Once Removed by Marsha Lederman

"A compelling memoir by award-winning journalist Marsha Lederman delves into her paren'ts’ Holocaust stories in the wake of her own divorce, investigating how trauma migrates through generations with empathy, humour, and resilience. Marsha was five when a simple question led to a horrifying answer. Sitting in her kitchen, she asked her mother why she didn’t have any grandparen'ts. Her mother told her the truth: the Holocaust." – Publisher's description

Alias Anna: a True Story of Outwitting the Nazis by Susan Hood

"An inspirational nonfiction novel-in-verse about Zhanna Arshanskaya, a young Ukrainian Jewish girl using the alias Anna, whose phenomenal piano-playing skills saved her life and the life of her sister Frina during the Holocaust—from award-winning author Susan Hood with Zhanna’s son Greg Dawson." – Publisher's description

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr

"This semi-autobiographical classic, tells the story of a Jewish family escaping Germany in the days before the Second World War. Nine-year-old Anna is too busy with her schoolwork and tobogganing to listen to the talk of Hitler. But one day she and her brother Max are rushed out of Germany in alarming secrecy, away from everything they know." Publisher's description

Boy From Buchenwald by Robert Waisman

"It was 1945 and Romek Wajsman had just been liberated from Buchenwald, a brutal concentration camp where more than 60,000 people were killed. He was starving, tortured, and had no idea where his family was-let alone if they were alive. Along with 472 other boys, including Elie Wiesel, these teens were dubbed “The Buchenwald Boys.” They were angry at the world for their abuse, and turned to violence: stealing, fighting, and struggling for power. Everything changed for Romek and the other boys when Albert Einstein and Rabbi Herschel Schacter brought them to a home for rehabilitation. Romek Wajsman, now Robbie Waisman, is a humanitarian and Canadian governor general award recipient" – Publisher's description

Many of these titles and more are featured in our Jewish Mosaic Collection, available at the Barbara Frum and Armour Heights branches. This collection highlights English-language materials about Judaism and Jewish culture, for adults, teens and children. 

Further reading

International Holocaust Remembrance Day (2019)

Welcome to the scariest time of the year, when the veil between the dead and the living grows thin and spirits roam the night. No, not Halloween. I’m talking about Christmas! This festival of feasting and good cheer has some surprisingly ghoulish traditions.

So if you’re sick of being jolly, let's gather around the fire and revive the cozy Christmas tradition of telling ghost stories. Here's a look at some stories dating back hundreds of years from TPL's Special Collections — including some old and new tales you can access from the library.

"The air was filled with phantoms." Portion of Arthur Rackham illustration from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, 1915 edition. From the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books.

A recent series of Christmas ghost stories

A series of beautiful little books that proclaimed themselves “A Ghost Story for Christmas” piqued my interest in this topic. They feature stunning covers and illustrations by the Canadian cartoonist Seth. Some of them are available in ebook format and you can read others at the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation & Fantasy.

They made me wonder: why ghost stories? Is this a thing? So I dove in to find out more.

Some of the books in the “A Ghost Story for Christmas” series, with covers by Seth.

A Christmas Carol and other Victorian stories

The Christmas ghost story became a Victorian phenomenon because of Charles Dickens. His beloved novella A Christmas Carol was published in 1843. For those who don’t know the tale, it’s about the greedy and selfish Ebenezer Scrooge, who hates Christmas. On Christmas Eve he is first visited by the ghost of his old business partner, who was also a miser and is suffering in the afterlife. Afterwards, three spirits appear and show him his past, present and future. Alarmed at these visions, Scrooge changes his ways. Dickens combined ghosts and Christmas within an appealing, moral tale. The book was such a hit that it has never gone out of print.

Title page from the first edition of A Christmas Carol, illustrated by John Leech. Located in the Osborne Collection.

Dickens continued to publish ghost stories on Christmas. In the 1850s, he started publishing and editing the magazine Household Words, followed by All the Year Round. They were a mix of fiction and non-fiction and would release extra Christmas Annual editions during the holiday. These usually contained ghost stories. They helped the tradition become even more popular.

Other prominent authors also took part. Henry James’ 1898 gothic horror novel The Turn of the Screw is framed as a ghost story told on Christmas Eve. It begins with a group of friends huddled by the fire. One of them reads the others an account of his sister's old governess, who worked at a haunted manor in Bly, Essex. Netflix recently adapted James' book into the show The Haunting of Bly Manor. Something to watch over the holidays?

The Haunted House (2002) is a series of tales by different authors published in All the Year Round Christmas Extra from 1859. Access a digitized version via the Texas Tech University Libraries.

The Valancourt Book of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories (2016). This collection features 13 stories from 19th-century periodicals from a diverse group of authors — some famous and some lesser known.

Not just for Victorians

Christmas ghost stories are viewed as a Victorian tradition, but they go back much further. Winter has always been a time for ghosts. The long, cold nights made gathering around a fire one of the only things you could do in pre-industrial society. The darkness pressing against the windows brings our fear of the unknown to the fore. Also, Winter Solstice happens close to Christmas. This is the longest night of the year when the sun goes down and we hope it will come back up. At this time, like Halloween, the world of spirits may be closer to the world of the living.

Ghosts of Christmas Past (2017) features old and new tales of Christmas hauntings.

The British have been telling scary stories for centuries’ worth of winters. It was commonplace enough that Shakespeare mentioned it in his play The Winter’s Tale, written around 1609. In Act II, Hermione, the Queen of Sicily, asks for a tale to entertain her ladies. Her son replies “A sad tale's best for winter: I have one / Of sprites and goblins,” after which she eggs him on to frighten her.

Two hundred years later, in 1820, writer Washington Irving mentioned it in his short story “The Christmas Dinner.” After dinner, guests retire to the fire where the parson regales them with "strange accounts of the popular superstitions and legends of the surrounding country." This includes the tale of a troubled spirit that rises at night to pace the churchyard by its tomb. Of course, these tales were told on — but weren’t usually about — Christmas.

The parson telling tales from "The Christmas Dinner" in Old Christmas by Washington Irving, illustrations by Cecil Aldin, 1908 edition. This edition available in the Osborne Collection. 

The medievalist M. R. James (no relation to Henry James) is best known for his ghost stories. Published in the early 20th century, many of them began as entertainment for friends on Christmas Eve. 

A Pleasing Terror collects all of M. R. James' supernatural stories in one huge omnibus, with eerie illustrations by Paul Lowe. You can read it a our Merril Collection. 

Will you be telling ghost stories this holiday season?

While it was very popular in Victorian England, the tradition of telling ghost stories during Christmas fizzled out in the 20th century.

I don't know anyone who still tells ghost stories on Christmas. (I have attended a yearly reading of A Christmas Carol, though.) But perhaps the practice of ghost stories will come back. I say, let’s while away the dark and cold nights by scaring ourselves silly with some real Christmas spirits.

There are many fearsome Christmas and winter traditions all over the world. Do you have a favourite creepy custom?

December 2 is the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. The General Assembly of the United Nations Convention adopted the observance in 1949. 

When you hear or see the word slavery, what do you think of? Is it the Trans-Atlantic slave trade? For many, the image of shackles and cotton fields come to mind. However, the focus of this day is on eradicating all forms of modern day slavery throughout the world. This includes human trafficking, sexual exploitation, forced marriage, child labour, and children recruited to be child soldiers.

Modern slavery is the second largest and fastest-growing criminal industry in the world, producing $150 billion in annual profits globally. In 2021, it was estimated that 49.6 million people were living in modern slavery, of which 27.6 million were in forced labour and 22 million were in forced marriage.

To mark this day, the International Labour Organization and Human Resources Without Borders held an international cartoon competition. Each contestant created their artistic interpretation of forced labour. Portuguese cartoonist, Gargalo Vasco won 1st place for his entry below. 

1st Place Jury – Gargalo Vasco (Portugal)

The history of slavery is as ancient as scrolls. Eradicating slavery is thorny and has a way of creeping into civilization in many forms. Sexual exploitation, for example, can be many things from human trafficking to prostitution. It is the utilization and abuse of power or trust as well as economic disparity to obtain sexual favours for social, economic, or political advantages.

Forced labour and child labour are often not as obvious. It can'take the form of debt bondage, migrant workers, and domestic servitude. This type of slavery occurs in many industries, including construction, food, garment, and agriculture. 

This December, let's educate ourselves about this grave social issue, read about modern day enslavement, and take action. These resources may also help you on your journey to understanding the insidiousness of slavery of the past and present. 

Modern Slavery: A Reference Handbook by Christina G. Villegas

Learn more about how modern day slavery manifests in contemporary society. This "book examines the growing epidemic and recent contexts of modern slavery in the United States and throughout the world, and describes in detail what caused it, whom it impacts, and what can be (and is being) done about it." –from publisher's description

I Cried to Dream Again: Trafficking, Murder, and Deliverance by Sara Kruzan & Cori Thomas

"There is perhaps no crime more disturbing than the abuse of a child—and no court cases as upsetting as those in which juveniles who have faced abuse are tried for fighting back. In this gripping memoir Sara Kruzan, a survivor of childhood abuse and sex trafficking, tells the honest, disturbing, and ultimately empowering story of her journey from abuse to incarceration without parole for killing her abuser to finally gaining her liberation." –from publisher's description

Harvesting Labour: Tobacco and the Global Making of Canada’s Agricultural Workforce by Edward Dunsworth

"In recent decades an increasing share of Canada’s agricultural workforce has been made up of temporary foreign workers from the Global South. These labourers work difficult and dangerous jobs with limited legal protections and are effectively barred from permanent settlement in Canada. In Harvesting Labour, Edward Dunsworth examines the history of farm work in one of Canada’s under recognized but most important crop sectors–Ontario tobacco." –from publisher's description

Child Soldier: When Boys and Girls Are Used in War by Jessica Humphreys & Michel Chikwanine

"Michel Chikwanine was five years old when he was abducted from his school-yard soccer game in the Democratic Republic of Congo and forced to become a soldier for a brutal rebel militia. Against the odds, Michel managed to escape and find his way back to his family, but he was never the same again. After immigrating to Canada, Michel was encouraged by a teacher to share what happened to him in order to raise awareness about child soldiers around the world, and this book is part of that effort." –from publisher's description

Room Without a View (DVD)

"The documentary offers an intimate insight into the private lives of employers, agents, and maids. Laws create a legal structure of inequality and power imbalance that encourages corruption and abuse. Sexism and the patriarchal system discriminate against Lebanese women, in turn, perpetuating abuse against foreign domestic workers. Exposing a modern form of slavery, the film reflects on the role of women and domestic workers in capitalist societies." –from EPF Media description

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 of Early Children's Books (located on the 4th floor of Lillian H. Smith Branch). This companion post gives a sneak peek — or a quick recap if you missed it — of some of the books displayed in the exhibit.

Illustration from Fairy Tales (1932) by Hans Andersen, illustrated by Arthur Rackham.

A Midsummer-Night's Dream

A Midsummer-Night's Dream (1908 edition) written by William Shakespeare and illustrated by Arthur Rackham.

Shakespeare's A Midsummer-Night's Dream features a full fairy court, consisting of Queen Mab, King Oberon and their many courtiers. The mischievous Puck might be the play's most famous fairy. Puck, sometimes called Robin Goodfellow, was a popular figure in English folklore. Many stories of Puck's hijinks and pranks circulated in 16th- and 17th-century England. 

Illustration of Puck (left) speaking to a fairy in A Midsummer-Night's Dream (1908 edition).

The Fairy Family: A Series of Ballads & Metrical Tales Illustrating the Fairy Mythology of Europe 

The Fairy Family: A Series of Ballads & Metrical Tales Illustrating the Fairy Mythology of Europe (1857) written by Archibald Maclaren and illustrated by Edward Burne-Jones.

In Victorian England, there was a lot of interest in fairy lore. In The Fairy Family, fencing instructor and fairy enthusiast Archibald Maclaren relays stories from across Europe, telling of trolls, dwarves, pixies, elves and more. It was the first published work by illustrator Edward Burne-Jones. Burne-Jones would go on to become a famous painter in the Pre-Raphaelite movement. 

A Wonder Web of Stories

A Wonder Web of Stories (1892) written by Margaret Ridley Charlton and Caroline Augusta Frazer.

A Wonder Web of Stories was the first anthology of fairy stories published in Canada. In the story “Captain Pepper, The Valiant Knight of the Laurentians,” a wee folk adventure serves as a lesson in Canadian history and geography. Young Fred is whisked away by garden elves and fairies who take him on a tour across Canada. When the adventure ends, social studies lessons seem a bit more magical than before. 

Fred encounters wee folk in A Wonder Web of Stories (1892).

Sir Thomas Thumb, or, The Wonderful Adventures of a Fairy Knight

Sir Thomas Thumb, or, The Wonderful Adventures of a Fairy Knight (1908) illustrated by H. Granville Fell.

Stories of a child no bigger than a thumb appear in many cultures. The name “Tom Thumb” in English describes characters from at least three different folk tales, with many minor variations. Sir Thomas Thumb draws on the British version of the Tom Thumb folktale. A peasant couple helps Merlin the Magician, who offers to help them in return. Their request: a child, “even if it is no larger than my thumb.” Merlin consults with Queen Mab, ruler of the Fairy Kingdom. They decide to grant the cottagers’ request in the most literal way possible. 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1938) translated and illustrated by Wanda Gág.

Following the release of Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), influential New York Public Library children’s librarian Anne Carroll Moore called for more accurate adaptations of the classic fairy tale. Illustrator and translator Wanda Gág answered that call. Born in a German community in Minnesota and fluent in German, Gág created a new translation of Snow White accompanied by her own inventive illustrations. As part of the Wee Folk exhibit, original art from Gág's Snow White is on display.

Gnomes

Gnomes (1977) written Wil Huygen and illustrated by Rien Poortvliet.

Wil Huygen and Rien Poortvliet's Gnomes is a mock-scientific study of gnomes in their natural habitat. Beyond cute faux-anthropological details, Gnomes has an environmental message. We learn that gnomes try to live in harmony with their surroundings and fellow forest creatures. Gnomes offer aid to any animal in distress and use the natural energy from the wind to power their tools. Originally published in Dutch, Gnomes was a massive commercial and critical success when released in English. 

The Gift of the Little People

The Gift of the Little People (2022) written by William Dumas (Rocky Cree) and illustrated by Rhian Brynjolson

Storyteller William Dumas tells an Asiniskaw Īthiniwak (Rocky Cree people) story first told to him by his father. It involves Little People “no taller than your knee.” Following trade with Europeans, many members of medicine person Kākakiw’s band become deathly sick. Kākakiw begins to despair until a visit to the Little People’s world introduces him to a new medicine.

Giju's Gift

Giju's Gift (2022) written by Brandon Mitchell (Mi'kmaq) and illustrated by Veronika Barinova

In Mi'kmaq stories, pugulatmu’j (Little People) help maintain balance with the land, but they are also known for their mischievous tricks. In Giju's Gift, Mi'kmaw girl Mali’s treasured hair clip is stolen by a pugulatmu’j, Puug. But, when Mali confronts Puug she discovers the pugulatmu’j is on an important mission.

Related blog posts

• A Short History on the Dark Side of the Fae

Post adapted from Wee Folk: Fairies, Elves, Trolls and More (2022), curated by Wendy Banks, Roberta Duarte, Maya Fang and Myrna Scully-Ashton.

"Spring Forward, Fall Back."

It's that time of year again! On November 6, we all had to set our clocks back an hour as we mark the end of daylight saving time. Every year, there are debates about whether we should cancel the practice. Admittedly, I've never really had a strong opinion, other than maybe some mild annoyance. But it does always feel a little like time travel to me. With that in mind, I've decided to acknowledge the day with a list of library materials about traveling through time!

But first, a book about the history of daylight saving time.

Seize the daylight : the curious and contentious story of daylight saving time by David Prerau

Daylight saving time is practiced by dozens of countries around the world. It's also a rather controversial practice and has been since it's origin. In Seize the Daylight, David Prerau documents the history of daylight savings, as well as the prominent historical figures who had strong opinions on the matter, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Winston Churchill and Kaiser Wilhelm. This is an older book, published in 2005, so it won't have details on the more recent debates about daylight saving time but you will learn of the origins of the practice and its role in 20th century politics.

Documentaries

Genius by Stephen Hawking. Episode 1, Can We Time Travel?

In his show Genius, Stephen Hawking puts ordinary people to the test in a series of goofy physical and mental challenges. In this episode, contestants try to determine if time travel is possible. Hawking walks the contestants and viewers through the history and science of time travel in a way that's accessible to non-scientists. The entire Genius series is also available in both DVD and eVideo formats.

Sci-Phi: Science Fiction as Philosophy. Episode 8, Doctor Who and Time Travel Paradoxes

As part of the Great Courses lecture series, philosophy professor David Kyle Johnson explores the philosophy of science fiction. In Episode 8, Professor Johnson uses Doctor Who and Futurama to tackle the issue of time travel paradoxes. You can watch the entire Sci-Phi series on either DVD or eVideo.

Non-Fiction Books

Time travel : ten short lessons by Brain Clegg

Science writer Brian Clegg translates the complex science of time travel into easy-to-understand mini lessons. Broken down into ten lessons, Clegg discusses quantum physics, paradoxes and the practicalities of time travel. 

Time travel by James Gleick

From H.G. Wells' The Time Machine to Doctor Who and from Einstein to Hawking, time travel has fascinated scientists and non-scientists alike for over a century. In this book, science historian James Gleick tracks the history of time travel in both popular culture and scientific thought. 

Fiction

Tales from the café by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

There's a hidden café in Tokyo that is known for more than just it's coffee. Locals know that the café also offers customers the chance to travel back in time. Follow along with four people as they confront their past in order to move forward with their futures. 

One last stop By Casey McQuiston

August is a cynical twenty-something living in New York City. She feels stuck in her life and is having a hard time finding anything the smile about. Enter Jane. August sees Jane everyday on the train and suddenly things are a little brighter. But when she realizes that Jane is actually from the 1970s, she must figure out how to save her subway crush who is lost in time.

And this is how to stay alive by Shingai Njeri Kagunda

After her brother dies by suicide, Nyokabi's aunt shows her how to travel back in time to before his death. As Nyokabi becomes obsessed with keeping her brother alive, she learns that messing with time has consequences.

The Night Shift by Natalka Burian

New York City is hiding a secret: a network of hidden passageways that allow people to travel across time and space to other parts of the city. Jean initially starts using the passages just to shorten her nightly commute but soon finds herself investigating their strange origins after her friend Iggy goes missing. 

The Paradox Hotel by Rob Hart

The Fairbanks is affectionately known as the Paradox Hotel because of its location next to a timeport, which is like an airport but for time travelers. It's a weird place at the best of times but these are not the best times. Several world leaders are in town for an important meeting, the timeline is behaving strange and the hotel is snowed in. No one is going anywhere. Oh, and there's a killer on the loose.

Do you have a favourite book or movie about time travel? Would you travel through time if you could? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

We have all heard the phrase “I hope this email finds you well,” and no one likes it. Why you may ask? Perhaps it was a less-than-happy expression, an extra task, or perhaps it is just wishful thinking.  

You see, no matter how small an event may be, all events must consider as many outcomes as possible or risk failure as you are making a request of people for their time. The following are a few simple tips to get started. 

Is there a need: What is the point of the gathering? We all know why we attend weddings, or assemblies. When telling someone about a club though it is important to be very specific. Book clubs are self-explanatory. With many tasks to complete and many expectations to fill, the question of utmost importance is whether will people attend.     

Pick a day and time: Look to see what competing organizations are doing on the same day or ask around to see if anyone else on your team or in your family has already planned something. Not being mindful of other events can lead to low turnout. Organizations tend to use a public calendar or an events page.  As an individual, a card with a ‘save the date’ or a direct invitation is used. While email invitations are a quick and easy way to get people to attend a lecture, a gala is expected to have a more formal cardstock invitation.

Pick a space: After the when has been settled, the where is secondary. It does not make sense to have a tough mudder competition in a mall. It does make sense to have an outdoor wedding in the warm months of the year. There are many places willing to host your event for a fee, but I like that the library offers a safe and clean space with filtered air conditioning.  

Have a checklist: Projectors, microphones, check. Check that everything is working before the day of the event and not on the day of the event itself. Make a list of the furniture, materials and audiovisual equipment you have and then build from those assets to host your group.  

Let people know: You can have the biggest author visit your space and if no one knows about it, your event could still fail. In this unlikely occurrence, there are typically people you can wrangle into your meeting space, but a successful event draws people from the day your post first hits the internet. One caveat is if you advertise too early, people will be keen on signing up and then forget all about it. Two to three weeks out though is usually a good time to hit the networks or make reminder calls.   

Be understanding: There will always be occurrences that do not fit in with the day. There will be presenters with attitudes or correspondents that disappear from your email thread. The sound may cut out on the audio system or the technology that was working the day before suddenly needs an update. It happens and people who are keen eventgoers know that most of the time things go better and definitely better with experienced planners.

Follow-up: Asking for feedback is tough. No one wants to know if their event was a disaster even if they know from attendance numbers it could have been better. Not all circumstances are within a planner’s control. Weather happens and climates change. The best feedback is when a curious person approaches and asks for something specific like ‘can you show this movie’ or ‘can you do another excel class?’ Planners want to hear from their audience about what they DO want because it answers the first question, will anyone come?

In Any Event by Simon Maier 

The Community Planning Event Manual by Nick Wates        

Event Marketing by C.A. Preston  

The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker 

Once you have a few events to compare against then you can reasonably anticipate what works best for the future without merely wishing for a good turnout. 

For specific types of events see below:

Arty Parties: an entertaining cookbook by Julia Sherman

How to Run Seminars and Workshops: presentation skills for consultants, trainers, teachers and salespeople by Robert L. Jolles

50 Ways to Kickstart your Meetings by Sivasailam Thiagarajan 

We call them The Good Neighbours. The Fair Folk. The Kind Ones. The Wee Folk. The Others. Themselves. We call them by every nickname we can'think of that won't offend, won't draw their attention. Because their attention can be a dangerous, deadly thing.

The Fae.

The Fair Folk anthology, edited by Marvin Kaye. The Kind Folk by Ramsey Campbell. The Good Neighbors: Kin by Holly Black. Just some examples of the nicknames we give them, and stories about how they are not fair, or kind, or good.

Not the tiny, winged creatures that live at the bottom of the garden and befriend lonely children. Oh no. These are the ones with laughter that sounds like the screeching of a hawk. The ones with faces and features so keen, it's blinding. The ones who steal children, trap mortals in their realm, and offer bargains for a cost so steep that only the desperate would pay.

These are the fae featured in Not Your Fairy Godmother, the latest exhibit at the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation & Fantasy. The exhibit explores the dark side of The Good Neighbours. There are tricksters, evil queens, bad bargains and duplicitous lovers. It runs until Saturday, December 31, 2022 and is open during regular Merril Collection hours.

If you're too wary to come in person, here are a few highlights of the exhibit to discover.

About the Fae

From A Field Guide to the Little People by Nancy Arrowsmith. The Little People, or the Wee Folk, was a way to refer to the lesser fae.

The word "fae", like the word "fairy", has three different theories of origin. One theory suggests that it is based on the word fata, Latin for fate, which referred to the kinder, almost godlike beings that would oversee children's births. Another is that the word comes from the French verb faer, meaning "to enchant". A third theory suggests that it is an abbreviation of "fair folk", one of the most common nicknames of the fae. It referred to both their appearance, for they were usually described as pale, as well as their obsession with truth and lies, bargains and payments.

Knowledge of, and belief in, the fae can be traced back thousands of years. Writing about the fae became particularly popular in the 1200's. After fading from literature for a time, a resurgence of writings started in the Victorian era of the early 1900's and has continued to the present day.

Regardless of the name used, the fae are generally understood to be more than mere mortals, but less than gods. They are associated with nature, have magical powers and an inclination to interfere with humans. Throughout history they were associated with ghosts, spirits, demigods, demons and devils. In Irish and Scottish folklore, they are known as síth, sídh, or sidhe – which are all pronounced "shee". They once lived in our world but were driven out to a realm of their own by humans wielding iron weapons. Some can still be found in dark forests, talls mountains and deep waters. And not just in the British Isles. Fae can be found all over the world, although they go by many different names.

The Yuki-onna is native to Japan. A beautiful snow spirit, she can be found in blizzards, misleading wary travellers. Her face is the last thing they see. From The Mythic Bestiary.

The Jishen Taifeng lives in the central mountains in China. He grants sunshine or rain to those he favours, but can use the elements to mislead travellers and cause floods. From Fantastic Creatures of the Mountains and Seas: A Chinese Classic.

Fae are notorious for taking a special interest in children. The kind ones are known as the tooth fairy or a fairy godmother. The cruel ones steal children for their own, often leaving a changeling fae child in their place.

A depiction of the fae stealing a child in The Leprechaun's Kingdom.

In many legends, changelings are sickly in appearance. They may have notable physical characteristics such as a beard or long teeth. Paren'ts could recover the original child by confronting the fae thief, making the changeling laugh or torturing it. This latter belief was responsible for numerous cases of child abuse. Medical experts now believe some changeling tales developed in an attempt to explain disabilities and neurodivergence in children.

Fae will steal adults as well. They are particularly fond of musicians and poets and will take them away to their realm for their entertainment. They also take humans who offend them and transform them into strange creatures or keep them as servants.

In some versions of the story of Tam Lin the bard, he went willingly. In others he was kept against his will.

These are just a few examples of what they may do. Beyond what we have in Not Your Fairy Godmother, there are many more ways to learn about the bad neighbours.

Recommended reading

Fairies: A Dangerous History by Richard Sugg

A scholar of folklore, Richard Sugg offers a very thorough look at the belief in, understanding of, and history of fairies in the Western world. Similar works have been written by many other notable fae folklorists and enthusiasts such as Katherine Mary Briggs, Diane Purkiss and Brian Froud.

Finding Fairies by Alexandra Rowland

If you choose to ignore common sense, this is a contemporary guide to finding the wee folk in our modern environment. Should you regret your choice, it also includes assistance for what to do when a fairy gets hold of your email address and won't let you unsubscribe, or if they have cursed your devices.

Faeries of the Faultlines by Iris Compiet

Iris documents and illustrates her experiences with the fae, and the space they inhabit where our world blends into theirs.

The October Daye series by Seanan McGuire

McGuire recounts the life of half-fae October Daye. In her job as a Private Investigator she has many unfortunate encounters will full-blooded fae. In the first book of the series, Rosemary and Rue, October has just returned to the human realm after spending fourteen years as a fish for getting in the way of a fae lord.

Shadow of the Fox series by Julie Kagawa

Yumeko is half kitsune. In possession of a magical scroll, Yumeko must hide her supernatural nature to save herself and find allies to save her kingdom. Kitsune are a type of yōkai: mischievous or even evil creatures in Japanese folklore. Kitsune are humanoid with fox ears and tails that they can hide with illusion magic. They often seduce unwitting humans and play tricks.

The Devourers by Indra Das

Alok, a college professor in Kolkata, India, encounters a mysterious stranger. The stranger possesses several extraordinary scrolls that relate a fantastical story of demi-human forest dwellers. These people preyed on humans, eating their flesh and consuming their souls. But as Alok dives deeper into the story, it may not be as mythological as he thought.

More to Do

The Thing in the Woods (1924) by Harper Williams. Access a free PDF copy of this book. Print copy available for reading in the Merril Collection.

They aren't the only creatures of the night to be wary of. Join us on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at 7pm for a talk on Things That Go Bump in the Night. Discover ghouls and ghosts, vampires and werewolves, beasts and monsters lurking in the Merril Collection. Get up close with our books and artwork while you enjoy a talk from our costumed staff.

After your visit, consider carrying a small piece of iron, a four leaf clover or salt in your pocket. Turn your shirt or jacket inside out. Just for a little protection, in case they are watching.

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 not always assured. 

Our Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books has a number of items, which trace Peter Rabbit’s journey from troublesome bunny to worldwide phenomena.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit was originally self-published in 1901 (left) before Potter found a publisher in 1902 (right).

The Picture Letter

The Tale of Peter Rabbit started life as a "picture letter" sent in 1893 to a little boy named Noel Moore. Noel was the son of Potter’s friend and former governess, Annie Moore. Potter's letter introduced the mischievous Peter Rabbit and his encounter with the cruel Mr. McGregor. Throughout the 1890s, Potter sent many picture letters to Annie Moore and her eight children. Later in life Potter speculated that this contributed to the story’s success. She wrote “[i]t is much more satisfactory to address a real life child; I often think that that was the secret success of Peter Rabbit, it was written to a child – not made to order.”

The Victoria & Albert Museum in London holds the original picture letter. A full reproduction of the picture letter can be enjoyed in The History of The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Leslie Linder.

Potter had many young correspondents. TPL's Osborne Collection holds 57 letters sent by Potter [PDF] to Ontario mother and daughter Ivy and June Steel. Her letters to the Steel family are filled with charming illustrations and include a cameo by Peter Rabbit himself!

Beatrix Potter's "picture letter" to Noel Moore (1893). Courtesy of The Victoria and Albert Museum.

Potter wrote letters to Ivy and June Steel from 1924 until her death in 1943. This letter features illustrations of her characters Peter Rabbit and Tuppenny the guinea pig blowing kisses. Part of Osborne Collection's Beatrix Potter Letters collection.

Rejection and Self-Publishing Success

Potter began to revise the story and illustrations, and initially titled the manuscript The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Mr. McGregor’s Garden. In 1900, she submitted the manuscript to six publishers, but none agreed to publish the book. Some publishers never responded at all, and others disagreed with Potter about the book’s proposed price and size. Potter wanted Peter Rabbit to be cheaply priced. She explained, “little rabbits cannot afford to spend six shillings on one book.” Potter's preferences went beyond whimsy. She had observed "a vogue for small books," and believed a small cheap book would sell better. 

Undeterred by rejection, Potter dug into her personal savings to self-publish Peter Rabbit. In December 1901, the first privately printed edition of 250 copies was produced by Strangeway & Sons, a London printing house. This print run sold out rapidly, and a second private printing of 200 copies was completed in February 1902. These editions were done in black and white and included some illustrations which were later cut from the commercial publication. 

The first self-published edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit was released in December 1901.

In the self-published edition of Peter Rabbit, Mrs. McGregor is portrayed as an older woman, but commercial first edition's colour illustrations depict a younger woman. In later commercial editions, the illustration of Mrs. McGregor serving Peter Rabbit's father as a pie is removed entirely. 

Commercial Publication at Last

Days before Potter released the self-published edition in December 1901, she received a letter from a publishing house. Fredrick Warne & Co. had previously passed on Peter Rabbit but now showed renewed interest. The publisher wished to release the book in full colour. This was a significant change from the mainly black and white self-published edition. 

Throughout 1902, Potter discussed the terms of her contract, edits to Peter Rabbit, and the creation of colour engraving plates with Warne. Some of the letters from Warne are signed NDW (Norman Dalziel Warne). Potter and Norman Warne would eventually become engaged in 1905. But, tragically Norman died of leukemia before the couple could marry. The pair's business letters reveal their evolving relationship. Potter begins mentioning more personal details and Norman's greeting changes from “Dear Madame" to “Dear Miss Potter."

Upon publication in October 1902, the Warne edition of Peter Rabbit proved to be a massive success. By the end of 1902, 28,000 copies of Peter Rabbit were in print,  and within one year that number doubled to more than 56,000 copies. 

The first commercial edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit was released in October 1902.

The Rogue American Editions 

Readers around the world quickly fell in love with Peter Rabbit, but Fredrick Warne & Co. made one error when exporting Peter Rabbit. Warne's New York City office did not register Peter Rabbit with the United States Copyright Office. Under US law, this meant Peter Rabbit was in the public domain. Unauthorized versions of Peter Rabbit were soon released. Some versions featured different illustrations, others imagined additional adventures for Peter Rabbit. New stories like Peter Rabbit and the Fairies (1921) and How Peter Rabbit Went to Sea (1917) further capitalized on the character's popularity. 

The unauthorized The Tale of Peter Rabbit with Puzzle Pictures (1907) uses Potter's original text but features new illustrations by an uncredited artist.

Peter Rabbit's public domain status meant publishers were free to create unauthorized sequels like Peter Rabbit and the Fairies (1921) by Alma Hudson.

A Merchandising Innovator

Control of Peter Rabbit in the United States might have alluded to Potter, but she took careful steps to control merchandise related to her characters. Today, tie-in merchandise for popular children's book characters is very common. But, in the early 1900s character merchandise was a relatively new concept. Potter was closely involved with the design and manufacturing of Peter Rabbit merchandise. In 1903, she designed and patented a Peter Rabbit doll. The production of Peter Rabbit board games, tea sets and wallpaper soon followed. Up until her death in 1943, Potter continued to be closely involved with the growing merchandise empire. 

A Jig-saw Puzzle of Peter Rabbit (approximately 1930) 

Board games liked Peter Rabbit's Race Game (approximately 1930) were among the merchandise created.

Learn More

Books

• Beatrix Potter: A Bibliographical Check List by Jane Quiny (only available in person at the Osborne Collection)
• Beatrix Potter, A Life in Nature by Linda Lear
• Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature edited by Annemarie Bilclough 
• The History of The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Leslie Linder and Anne Emerson

Online Resources

• How Beatrix Potter Invented Character Merchandising from Smithsonian Magazine
• Introducing Beatrix Potter from The Victoria & Albert 
• Passion for Fantasy Animals in Late Victorian Children's Books & Beyond from Connecticut College

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire. 

I'm a Quaker (The Religious Society of Friends) and central to our faith is the The Peace Testimony.  I was fortunate as a member of the Toronto Monthly Meeting to know many "weighty Friends" who were in the peace movement, including Prof Peter Brock, Prof Ursula Franklin and Nancy Pocock. 

So to acknowledge this important concept of peace, I thought I would bring together a list of titles on pacifism, peace making, conscientious objectors and anti war books. 

Worth Fighting for: Canada's Tradition of War Resistance from 1812 to the War on Terror 

"Canada also has a long, rich, and important historical tradition of resistance to both war and militarization. This collection brings together the work of sixteen scholars on the history of war resistance."

See also:

• Witness Against War: Pacifism in Canada, 1900-1945
• History of the Canadian Peace Movement Until 1969
• The Common Sky: Canadian Writers Against the War

To End All Wars: A Story of Loyalty and Rebellion, 1914-1918 by Adam Hochschild

"World War I stands as one of history's most senseless spasms of carnage, defying rational explanation. In his riveting narrative, Hochschild brings it to life as never before while focusing on the long-ignored moral drama of the war's critics, alongside its generals and heroes."

See also: 

• Medicine in First World War Europe: Soldiers, Medics, Pacifists

Crisis of Conscience: Conscientious Objection in Canada During the First World War by Amy Shaw 

"The first and only book about the Canadian pacifists who refused to fight in the Great War. The experience of these conscientious objectors offers insight into evolving attitudes about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship during a key period of Canadian nation building."

See also:

• Polarity, Patriotism, and Dissent in Great War Canada, 1914-1919
• War Against War: The American Fight for Peace, 1914-1918
• Antiwar Dissent and Peace Activism in World War I America: A Documentary Reader

Battles of Conscience: British Pacifists and the Second World War by Tobias Kelly

"However, the war looks very different when seen through the eyes of the 60,000 conscientious objectors who refused to take up arms and whose stories, unlike those of the First World War, have been almost entirely forgotten."

Hell No: The Forgotten Power of the Vietnam Peace Movement by Tom Hayden

"Hell no' was the battle cry of the largest peace movement in American history–the effort to end the Vietnam War, which included thousands of veterans. The movement was divided among radicals, revolutionaries, sectarians, moderates, and militants, which legions of paid FBI informants and government provocateurs tried to destroy. Despite these obstacles millions marched, resisted the draft on campuses, and forced two sitting presidents from office."

See also:

• Hardhats, Hippies, and Hawks: The Vietnam Antiwar Movement as Myth and Memory

Hit and Stay : A History of Faith and Resistance: e-video

"A documentary about priests and nuns who protested the Vietnam War by breaking into draft boards, destroying draft records, and then waiting around to be arrested. Their actions inspired a movement, which shaped the anti-war movement and helped bring an end to the draft."

Sting Like a Bee : Muhammad Ali vs. the United States of America, 1966-1971 by Leigh Montville

"Muhammad Ali, in the late 1960s, was young, successful, brash, and hugely admired–but with some reservations. He was bombastic and cocky in a way that captured the imagination of America, but also drew its detractors. He was a bold young African American in an era when few people were as outspoken. He renounced his name–Cassius Clay–as being his 'slave name, ' and joined the Nation of Islam, renaming himself Muhammad Ali. And finally in 1966, after being drafted, he refused to join the military for religious and conscientious reasons, triggering a fight that was larger than any of his bouts in the ring"

Manual for Draft-Age Immigrants to Canada by Mark Satin

"Originally published in 1968 by House of Anansi Press, the Manual for Draft-Age Immigrants to Canada was a handbook for young Americans who were thinking about immigrating to Canada as an alternative to serving as draftees in the Vietnam War. In celebration of Anansi's 50th anniversary, the Manual is now available in print for the first time since 1971, and features a new introduction by Mark Satin himself."

Building Sanctuary: The Movement to Support Vietnam War Resisters in Canada, 1965-73 by Jessica Squires 

"Between 1965 and 1973, a small but active cadre of Canadian antiwar groups and peace activists launched campaigns to open the border. Jessica Squires tells their story, often in their own words, bringing to light how these men and women shaped Canadian immigration policy, Canadian identity"

See also:

• Northern Passage : American Vietnam War Resisters in Canada
• All American Boys: Draft Dodgers in Canada from the Vietnam War

Let them stay : U.S. war resisters in Canada, 2004-2016 edited by Sarah Hipworth and Luke Stewart

"Presents the history of U.S. soldiers, who came to Canada, seeking sanctuary after saying "no" to the war on Iraq."

The Ursula Franklin Reader Pacifism as a Map

"Feminist, educator, Quaker, and physicist, Ursula Franklin has long been considered one of Canada's foremost advocates and practitioners of pacifism."

See also:

• War and Religion: A Very Short Introduction
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Called by God

Scarce Heard Amid the Guns: An Inside Look at Canadian Peacekeeping

"The Canadian contribution to peacekeeping is enormous but unsnared in a lethal mythology that has seen it abandoned to popular folklore. Scarce Heard Amid the Guns tears the curtain of myth away, providing a rare, visceral inner perspective of the various Canadian missions."

see also:

• Canada and the United Nations: Legacies, Limits, Prospects
• Peacekeeping and the International System

"Lance Simpson, 18, holds a plea for world peace at a ceremony marking the United Nations International Day of Peace yesterday at Nathan Phillips Square." Photo from Sept 19, 1989. View on the Digital Archive of Ontario.

Arr me hearties! September 19th is one of my favourite days on the calendar: International Talk Like A Pirate Day! 

The day was originally started in 1995, by friends John Baur and Mark Summers, otherwise known as Ol' Chumbucket and Cap'n Slappy. It was mostly a joke amongst friends until 2002, when Dave Barry, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and columnist, wrote about it in his nationally syndicated newspaper column. Twenty years later, the day continues to be celebrated by pirate enthusiasts around the world. 

In honour of this momentous day, I've put together a list of pirate-related materials. There are shanties, a documentary, some non-fiction books and, of course, a rather diverse selection of pirate fiction. But first, the most important item on the list:

Mango Languages

It's Talk Like a Pirate Day so we really have to start this list with learning to talk like a pirate! Mango Languages is a great online resource for learning a new language. From Arabic and Bengali to Vietnamese and Yiddish, Mango offers lessons in a wide variety of languages. My favourite part though, is that it actually has a pirate module! That's right, you can log on to Mango and learn to talk like a pirate.

Music

Sea songs & shanties

Montreal-based group La Nef perform sea shanties from across the UK and Ireland, the Americas and the Caribbean. This particular lineup of the group originally came together to record the soundtracks for several of the Assassin's Creed videogames. With classics like Randy Dandy, O and Leave Her Johnny, their album is sure to put you in a sea-faring mood.

Sea shanties : melody, lyrics & chords

Designed for both signers and instrumentalists, this sheet music book from Hal Leonard includes melody, lyrics and chords for guitar, ukulele and keyboard. You'll find 30 classic sea shanties, such as Bound for South Australia, The Sailor and Wellerman. 

Non-Fiction

The real history of pirates by Manushag N. Powell

From the popular Great Course series comes an in-depth look into the history of piracy. You'll learn about pirates from the Americas, Europe, Northwestern Africa and China, as well as the role of women, life aboard a pirate ship, the impact of pirate lore on modern popular culture and much more. 

Born to be hanged : the epic story of the gentlemen pirates who raided the south seas, rescued a princess, and stole a fortune by Keith Thompson

If you enjoyed the comedic adventures of Stede Bonnet, the gentleman pirate from the TV series Our Flag Means Death, now is your chance to learn more about the exploits of the gentlemen pirates who paved the way for the real Stede. Thomson's book is an extensively researched and yet still highly readable account of a group of pirates and gentlemen buccaneers who carried out a two year campaign that terrorized the Spanish fleet and settlements along the western coastline of South America. 

Why we love pirates : the hunt for Captain Kidd and how he changed piracy forever by Rebecca Simon

Captain Kidd was one of the Western world's most notorious pirates. The British spent two years hunting him before he was finally captured and hanged in 1701. Unfortunately for the British, the harder they tried to capture pirates, the more popular the pirates became with everyday citizens. Rebecca Simon explores how the depiction of pirates as folk heroes heavily impacted our modern day ideas of piracy. 

Fiction

Hook's tale : being the account of an unjustly villainized pirate written by himself by John Leonard Pielmeier

When J.M. Barrie wrote about the feud between Peter Pan and Captain Hook, he only told one side of the story. Now screenwriter and playwright John Leonard Pielmeier brings us the other side. Told by the pirate captain himself, we learn of Hook's childhood in London, his quest for buried treasure, how he came to Neverland and, of course, his relationship with Peter.

Lady pirate by Lynsay Sands

When Valoree learns that she is the heir to Ainsley Castle, her world turns upside down. In order to claim the inheritance, she must be married and pregnant. Not only is she neither of these things, but she's also been living a life of piracy under the name Captain Red. With the help of her crew, Valoree sets out to turn herself into a high society lady and find a much-needed husband.

A clash of steel : a Treasure Island remix by C.B. Lee

In this Chinese, gender swapped retelling of the classic Treasure Island, Xiang has spent her life dreaming of sailing the seas. She longs to find her a father, a crew member of the notorious Dragon Fleet. When she discovers a small map hidden in the golden pendant her father left behind, Xiang joins forces with a girl named Anh to search for treasure. But will the realities–and dangers–of life at sea be more than Xiang bargained for?

Winds of marque by Bennett R. Coles

What could be better than a book about pirates? How about pirates in space?! In this first book in a series from sci-fi author Bennett R. Coles, we meet the misfit crew of the HMSS Daring. The ship is sailing the starry skies on a mission to track and capture dangerous pirate raiders but the threats to the crew aren't just from the pirates. With morale at an all time low and the captain making some strange decisions, the crew must find out what's really going on before they become the hunted instead of the hunter.

The 2022 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) takes place from September 8 to 18 once again with a combination of in-person and selected digital screenings. Browse the film schedule for titles from around the world from series including Contemporary World Cinema, TIFF Docs, and Gala Presentations. Scan'the streets of Toronto for a glimpse of Oprah, Steven Spielberg, Taylor Swift, and Harry Styles. 

There is solid Canadian representation at this year's TIFF including films from Clement Virgo, Sarah Polley, Carly Stone, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Tanya Tagaq, and Charlotte Le Bon.   

The Toronto Public Library once again offers up its annual TIFF reading list of films that have been adapted from books. 

Place your holds now and let us know how you thought your favourite book fared on the big screen.  And if you are one of the lucky cineastes who scored tickets to the Festival, please share your recommendations in the comments below!

Brother. Canada. Directed by Clement Virgo. Starring Lamar Johnson, Aaron Pierre, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Kiana Madeira, Lovell Adams-Gray.

David Chariandy's novel Brother won'the 2017 Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize, the 2018 Toronto Book Award, and the 2018 Ethel Wilson Prize.  Brother is about Michael and his older brother Francis who grow up in Chariandy's own Scarborough – combatting precarious work, housing, police violence and systemic racism.  Toronto's Clement Virgo is one of Canada's leading directors and Brother is his return to the big screen after working in television for many years. 

Women Talking. USA.  Directed by Sarah Polley. Starring Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Judith Ivey, Ben Whishaw, Frances McDormand, Sheila McCarthy, Michelle McLeod. 

Based on Canadian author Miriam Toews' novel, Woman Talking is about a group of Mennonite women who strategize a response to the male community members who have repeatedly drugged and raped them. This novel is a fictional account of a true story. Toronto's venerated actor Sheila McCarthy appears in the film along with the always-powerful Frances McDormand and the Crown's Claire Foy. 

The Wonder. United Kingdom, Ireland.  Directed by Sebastián Lelio. Starring Florence Pugh, Tom Burke, Niamh Algar, Kíla Lord Cassidy, Elaine Cassidy.

Canadian author Emma Donoghue's The Wonder made the 2016 Giller Prize longlist.  It tells the story of Lib Wright, a British nurse who comes to Ireland to assess 11-year old Anna O'Donnell who claims to have not eaten for months.  Is the child a fraud? or a medical mystery? This psychological thriller directed by the Oscar-winning Chilean director Sebastián Lelio comes to the screen with Florence Pugh in the lead role of Nurse Wright. 

My Policeman. United Kingdom, USA. Directed by Michael Grandage. Starring Harry Styles, Emma Corrin, David Dawson, Rupert Everett, Gina McKee, Linus Roache.

This film is based on Bethan Roberts's 2012 novel My Policeman. Set in Brighton during the fifties, the novel explores the complicated relationship between Tom, a policeman, who is in love with Patrick, a museum curator.  Because of homophobic societal constraints, Tom marries Marion, a schoolteacher.  Viewers will be familiar with both singer Harry Styles in the role of Tom and actor Emma Corrin (she played Diana in the Crown) in the role of Marion. The film has also generated some discussion on 2SLGBTQ+ representation in film. 

High School. United States, Canada. Directed by Clea DuVall. Starring Railey Gilliland, Seazynn Gilliland, Cobie Smulders, Kyle Bornheimer.

This television series is based on the memoir High School by Tegan and Sara Quin, twins from Alberta who form the indie rock group, Tegan and Sara.  Winner of the 2020 Alex Award, this critically-acclaimed memoir recounts the challenges and triumphs of these young artists growing up queer in Calgary.  Backed by Brad Pitt's company Plan B Entertainment, the two actors in the lead roles were discovered via Tik Tok – and Canada's own Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother) plays their mom.

North of Normal. Canada. Directed by Carly Stone. Starring Sarah Gadon, Robert Carlyle, James D'Arcy, Amanda Fix, River Price-Maenpaa, Benedict Samuel. 

The memoir North of Normal: A Memoir of My Wilderness Childhood, My Unusual Family, and How I Survived Both by Cea Sunrise Person recounts the author's extremely unorthodox Canadian childhood growing up in the wilderness with her hippie mother.  Toronto director Carly Stone did most of her filming in Northern Ontario. Canadian Screen Award-winning actor Sarah Gadon plays the author's complicated mother. 

The King's Horseman. Nigeria. Directed by Biyi Bandele. Starring Odunlade Adekola, Shaffy Bello, Deyemi Okanlawon, Mark Elderkin, Jenny Stead, Omowunmi Dada, Olawale 'Brymo' Ashmi, Jide Kosoko, Kevin Ushi, Langley Kirkwood, Fares Boulous 'Oyibo Rebel'.

This film is based on the 1975 play Death and the King's Horseman by Wole Soyinka about a Yoruba king's horseman who is prevented by colonial rulers from committing ritualistic suicide after the king's death.  This play, currently performing at Stratford explores issues of colonial rule, tradition, and family and is based on a real incident.  Sadly, director Bandele, who previously directed the adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Half of a Yellow Sun, died in August. 

All Quiet on the Western Front. USA, Germany. Directed by Edward Berger. Starring Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch, Aaron Hilmer, Moritz Klaus, Edin Hasanovic, Thibault De Montalembert, Daniel Brühl, Devid Striesow. 

This film is the latest adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque's anti-war classic novel All Quiet on the Western Front. Published in 1929, Remarque's novel holds up as a testament to the horrors of war.  You might also check out the 1930 Oscar-winning adaptation directed by Lewis Milestone which was startlingly graphic for its time.   

Catherine Called Birdy. United Kingdom. Directed by Lena Dunham. Starring Billie Piper, Andrew Scott, Paul Kaye, Joe Alwyn, Bella Ramsey, Isis Hainsworth, Lesley Sharp, Sophie Okonedo, Dean-Charles Chapman, Archie Renaux, Michael Woolfitt. 

This film is based on Karen Cushman's children's novel Catherine Called Birdy.  Published in 1994, it won a Newbery Honor and a Golden Kite award.  The story takes place in England during the Middle Ages. The novel is narrated in diary form through the eyes of a young girl who must navigate significant social challenges and barriers imposed on women.  In the film adaptation, Bella Ramsey takes on the title role; viewers may remember her as the small but fierce Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones. 

The Greatest Beer Run Ever. USA. Directed by Peter Farrelly. Starring Zac Efron, Russell Crowe, Bill Murray.

This film is based on the memoir, The Greatest Beer Run Ever: A Memoir of Friendship, Loyalty, and War by John "Chick" Donohue and J. T. Molloy.  After a New York bar challenge in 1967, Donohue came up with the risky plan of delivering beer to his friends serving in Vietnam with the hope of boosting morale.  Director Peter Farrelly has previously won'the TIFF Audience Award in 2018 for the Oscar-winning Green Book.  

Reference available copies only

Unfortunately, the two following plays are currently out-of-print.  The Toronto Public Library has both available as reference copies only at the Toronto Reference Library.

The Whale. USA. Directed by Darren Aronofsky. Starring Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins, Samantha Morton. 

Aronofsky's film is based on the 2012 play, The Whale by Samuel D. Hunter who also wrote the screenplay.  The play centers on a 600 lb gay man who is trying to reconcile with his estranged teenage daughter.  The film is being touted as the triumphant return of actor Brendan Fraser with standing ovations shared widely across social media; Fraser had sunk into semi-obscurity over recent years. It has also divided some viewers on the issue of fatphobia.  Director Aronofsky is no stranger to controversy; his previous film, Mother! polarized critics. Viewers will likely recognize Sadie Sink, who plays the daughter, from her recent role as Max in Stranger Things. 

Allelujah by Alan Bennett. United Kingdom. Directed by Richard Eyre. Starring Jennifer Saunders, Bally Gill, David Bradley, Russell Tovey, Derek Jacobi, Judi Dench.

Based on the play Allelujah by Alan Bennett that premiered in England in 2018.  The plot involves the elderly residents of a Yorkshire retirement home who are faced with its closure.  Determined to fight back, they stage a rebellion.  Award-winning director Richard Eyre also won'the Order of the British Empire. 

Related Reading

• TIFF 2021: A Reading List 
• TIFF 2020: A Reading List
• TIFF 2019: A Reading List

Every September UNESCO celebrates International Literacy Day. This worldwide celebration and recognition of literacy is on Thursday September 8, 2022. It’s an important day each year to recognize the significance of literacy skills in our lives. 

We recently updated our Adult Literacy website, particularly to highlight our services to adult learners and the Adult Literacy community. We support other literacy organizations by offering branch tours for their classes, small groups and staff. We also conduct outreach visits to our literacy partners. Our visits focus on general library information and recommended services and resources to support adult learners. These presentations can be tailored for either adult learners or for volunteers/staff. For more information about the program and to arrange a visit, please check out the Adult Literacy website.

In addition, the Adult Literacy program accepts volunteers and learners all year round! Visit the Adult Literacy Volunteers website for more information.

Below are some of our favourite literacy resources and book series that our Adult Literacy learners use to support their learning journey.

OverDrive eBooks & eAudiobooks (or Libby if using as an app)

OverDrive (also known as Libby) is one of TPL’s most popular online resources and this is true for our Adult Literacy Learners. Some of the reasons for the popularity of this resource are:

• Variety of compatible devices
• Diversity of content, including magazines, fiction, and non-fiction
• Diversity of format; our learners especially like the Read-alongs
• Curated Adult Literacy Collection

Soft Skills at Work

The Soft Skills at Work series contains 10 titles, all of them photostories. Photostories are books with large pictures and very little text and are meant for emerging readers with low levels of literacy. The series has books on such topics as getting to work on time, thinking on your feet, and working as a team. These ‘soft skills' are very important for people entering the workforce and can be areas where many people struggle.

Likeskills in Action

The Lifeskills in Action series are also very unique and geared to support adult learners. Each book in this series is a flipbook, which contains two books in one, and can be considered both nonfiction and fiction. This allows the learner to both learn about an important life skill, such as finding and keeping a job, and will then read a story where that life skill is put into a real-world context. These books are written for learners reading at an introductory level.

We hope you are able to find something great to read to celebrate International Literacy Day 2022!

"Should art be unique or infinitely reproducible?" wondered German philosopher Walter Benjamin pictured here in 1928. Image used on a creative commons license from Wikipedia.

New technologies are sometimes met with resistance. This is because they change the culture around us. In the early 20th century, the German cultural critic Walter Benjamin argued that mechanical reproduction takes away the essence of art. He called this essence an artwork's “aura”, which comes from its unique identity and physical location. 

Later in the 20th century, the philosopher Arthur Danto gave a completely new definition of art. For Danto, art has no intrinsic meaning and can be anything we want it to be. Tongue and cheek, Danto proclaimed the End of Art. He meant that the old view of art was no longer viable.

This raises the question, where are we today? The age of computers and digital production has and continues to expand the meaning of art. Below we delve into the evolution of digital art, including current developments in artificial intelligence arts and non-fungible tokens.

Computer Art

Early experimentation with digital art began with the increasing application of mainframe computers in the 1950s for engineering and science. The earliest attempts at computer art were by mathematicians, computer scientists and engineers. The photograph below was created by American mathematician and early digital art pioneer Ben Laposky. He manipulated oscilloscope electric signals and recorded them on long exposure film: 

Oscillon No. 40 (1952) by Ben Laposky. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Image used with permission as per VAM museum terms of use. Image source. 

In similar vein, John Whitney's Catalog (1961) employed kaleidoscopic mirroring through frame-by-frame analog computer manipulation to construct the first computer-generated animation. Both Laposky's still and Whitney's moving images harness the affordances of the new media for novel aesthetic effects.

Take a look at the clip below of John Whitney's Catalog. 

Catalog (1961) prefigures future developments in algorithmic art. 

Since these early forays into computer art, improved digital hardware and software have been harnessed to produce startling art. The wide adoption of graphical user interfaces (GUI) in the 1980s and graphic software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator ushered in a new chapter of digital art and design. The commercial availability of high-processing power and the ubiquity of graphics software spawned many art movements. Some of these include algorithmic art, fractal art, generative art, and systems art. Here are some examples: 

Algorithmic Art 

Algorithmic art refers to the application of algorithms or well-defined procedures to generate art. Most algorithmic art is created by manipulating computer code.  

Grids: An Object Oriented Approach by Kimri. Used on a creative commons license from kimri.org

Fractal Art

Fractal art is a subset of algorithmic art. It involves generating digital images or animations through the manipulation of mathematical objects called fractals. Fractals are geometrical objects where all parts display the same pattern as the whole. 

Synthetic World by Batjorge. Used on a Creative Commons License from fractal.batjorge.com.

Creative Coding

Creative coding refers to the use of computer code to generate expressive rather than functional effects. 

Check out this awesome visual animation of points and circles scripted by a content generator named Gaby. She used HTML Canvas and JavaScript:  

Circle-Circle Intersection by Gabi (@enxaneta) on CodePen.

If you'd like to foray into this fascinating world, here are some coding libraries that you could use: 

• Papers.js (Javascript-based library)
• Processing (Python or Javascript-based library)
• P5.js (Javascript-based library)

Artificial Neural Networks

Recently, the immunity of art from automation has come under threat from artificial intelligence. Take a look at the piece below: 

Landscape painting generated by an generative adversarial network (GAN) and style transfer. Image used on a creative commons license from wikipedia.

On the one hand, the image is highly imitative. On the other hand, the image was generated from scratch by an artificial neural network architecture called a generative adversarial network (GAN).

A recent innovation in AI architecture, GANs have been used to generate photorealistic images of humans called deep fakes as well as art. GANs simulate a zero-sum game between a discriminative network and a generative network to increase the learning efficiency of the network. 

Learn more about artificial intelligence and creativity

The Artist in the Machine: The World of AI Powered Creativity by Arthur Miller

Generative Deep Learning: Teaching Machines to Paint, Write, Compose and Play by David Foster

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)

While AI has made strides in emulating aspects of human creativity, what it can do is still very limited because present AI does not yet have general intelligence or agency. The increased social dependence on digital participation has created demand for a protocol of digital uniqueness. The development of the blockchain architecture behind cryptocurrencies enabled the development of such a protocol. Its units (any digital file/s like an image, a gif etc) are dubbed non-fungible tokens (NFTs). 

What are NFTs?

To understand what non-fungibles tokens are, it bears explaining the difference between a coin and a token. You can'think of coins as money and tokens as vouchers. Both are exchangeable but vouchers are only exchangeable for specific things like food. In cryptocurrency, tokens are used in a similar way as vouchers to purchase things or simply store assets. The word fungible means exchangeable. So non-fungible tokens are tokens that are precisely non-interchangeable with others, or unique.  And like crypto, they are stored in a distributed ledger (note that only the metadata is stored, not the digital object itself). This does not mean that they cannot be purchased with other fungible tokens or coins. It simply means that the token represents a unique digital asset. For this reason, NFTs are well disposed to represent digital art objects. 

What does this mean for art and the art world?

It is difficult to tell yet. In some respects, NFTs hearken back to Benjamin's notion of the unique art object. On the other, NFTs are equally poised to become instruments of commercial art, instead of boosting the livelihood of the average artist scraping by. Concerns have also been raised about the environmental impact of NFTs, and the carbon footprint of NFT art. Finally, the relationship between NFT copyright and creative commons licenses remains to be seen. While nothing prevents NFTs from having creative commons licenses, market incentives may tip the scales toward copyright. What do you think?  

Learn more about NFTs

NFTs for Dummies by Tiana Laurence

Introduction to NFTs': Non-Fungible Tokens by Jonathan Reichental

The NFT Handbook: How to Create, Sell and Buy Non-Fungible Tokens by Matt Fortnow

Feel free to leave a comment if you have any thoughts about digital art, AI art, and NFTs. Or the whole shifting meaning of art in our evolving information culture. 

Detail from The Cat Scouts, by Jessie Pope, illustrated by Louis Wain. Approximately 1916.

Tricksters. Familiars. Helpers. Criminals. Suburban dads. Fluffy little babies. Hiss-torically, cats have played every pawsible role in children’s books.

Our new exhibit, Adventures in Catland, runs from August 2 to October 14, 2022 at the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books (located on the 4th floor of Lillian H. Smith Branch). Here's a sneak peek at some of the books on display.

Fairy Tales and Folklore

Dame Wiggins of Lee and her Seven Wonderful Cats (PDF). Ascribed to Richard Scrafton Sharpe and Mrs. Pearson. Approximately 1867.

First published in 1823, Dame Wiggins of Lee was a nursery favourite in the 19^th century. The Dame’s clever cats attend school, learn to paint and rescue a farmer’s herd of sheep. You can compare this story with the similar tale of Dame Trot and her Wonderful Cat(s) – we have more than a dozen versions in our Digital Archive. 

Dick Whittington (PDF). Author unknown. 1907.

Dick Whittington's cat is a talented mouser who helps Dick become a wealthy merchant and politician. Richard Whittington (circa 1354–1423) was an actual historical figure, who served as Lord Mayor of London. The story of “Dick” Whittington’s life became folklore, with popular ballads and chapbooks featuring fairy tale retellings. This is a later, "shaped" picture book of the tale. You can also see an earlier chapbook edition in the exhibit, as well as several more in our Digital Archive.

The Cat and the Devil (print book). By James Joyce. 1965.

Did you know that James Joyce, celebrated author of Ulysses and Finnegans Wake, wrote a children's book? Originally written as a letter to Joyce’s grandson, The Cat and the Devil was published posthumously. In Joyce’s fable, a mayor cleverly escapes a deal with the devil with the help of a cat.

Picture Books

Angus and the Cat (print and ebook) by Marjorie Flack. 1931.

Angus, the lovable Scottish terrier from the classic picture book series of the same name, spots a cat while exploring outdoors – but his leash won’t let him get close. When the same cat returns indoors, Angus must share his food and his favourite cozy spots. Will this visitor stay? Could this be the start of a new friendship? Marjorie Flack based Angus on her own dog.

My Cat Looks Like My Dad (print book) by Thao Lam. 2019.

Family, and family resemblances, are what you make them in this funny and charmingly illustrated picture book by Toronto author Thao Lam. 

Famous Cats

Puss in Boots

Puss in Boots (PDF). By Charles Perrault, published by J & J Colman. 1890.

In Puss in Boots, a clever cat helps a commoner become a noble and marry a princess. Charles Perrault’s popular telling of the story was published in 1697. It was entitled Le Maître chat ou le Chat botté (The Master Cat, or the Booted Cat). However, the first recorded version was Giovanni Francesco Straparola's Costantino Fortunato (Lucky Costantino) in Le piacevoli notti (1550). While we don't have this version on display, we do have another Italian edition that dates back to 1604. You can also browse 48 different versions of the tale in our Digital Archive. (This one doubled as an advertisement for Colman's mustard!)

Cheshire Cat

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (print and ebooks) by Lewis Carroll. Originally published 1865.

In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the Cheshire Cat speaks with Alice on two occasions, then disappears, leaving only his grin. According to Carroll, the character was inspired by a stone carving of a cat he saw on a building when he was young. Since the publication of Alice, literally hundreds of artists have illustrated editions of the book. We have several on display, including versions by Mervyn Peake, Tove Jansson, Yayoi Kusama and Salvador Dalí.

Famous Cat-lovers

Beatrix Potter

The Tale of Tom Kitten (print and ebooks) by Beatrix Potter. 1919.

This tale follows Tom Kitten and his two sisters as they play in the garden. But they end up in trouble when their mother finds out that their clothes have gone missing! Despite complaining to her publisher that she did "not draw cats well," Potter’s troublesome kittens have appeared in many of her stories. We have several of them on display, along with porcelain figurines, an original sketch by Potter (in a letter to a Canadian friend) and much more.

T. S. Eliot

Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats (print and ebooks) by T. S. Eliot. 1939.

Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats is a collection of whimsical poems by celebrated Modernist poet T. S. Eliot (1888-1965). These poems were written in the 1930s and included in letters to his friends’ children. They were later compiled and published into one volume by Faber & Faber, where Eliot was a director. We have several versions of the book on display, including a 1939 edition illustrated by Eliot himself (shown here), and of course the iconic 1982 edition illustrated by Edward Gorey.

Edward Gorey

Beanbag dolls, by Edward Gorey (print books). 1978. 

Beloved illustrator Edward Gorey, known for his quirky Gothic sensibility, was extremely fond of cats. He designed these two beanbag toys himself in the 1970s. Although these are mass-produced, Gorey sometimes made stuffed animals by hand as gifts for friends. In addition to toys, we have several of Gorey's cat-themed books on display.  

R. M. Ballantyne

Illustration from The Robber Kitten, included in Funny Animals (PDF), by R. M. Ballantyne. 1867.

R. M. Ballantyne was known for his Victorian adventure stories. (He wrote over 100 of them, one of which, The Coral Island, is still in print.) But he also wrote books about kittens for young children. Ballantyne's kittens, like many other fictional cats of their time, ranged in behaviour from mischievous to criminal. This attitude towards cats changed suddenly in the late 1800s, when Louis Wain appeared on the scene.

Louis Wain

Father Tuck's Fidgety Phil and Other Tales (PDF), by Louis Wain. 1901.

In Louis Wain's imaginary Catland, cats dressed in human clothes, played golf and hosted tea parties. And they were a publishing sensation. In the early 20th century, in spite of a tragic personal life, Wain sold hundreds of his Catland paintings, postcards and picture books every year. Some people even credit him with popularizing the keeping of cats as pampered house pets in the English-speaking world. We have several Louis Wain items on display, including this all-cat adaptation of Heinrich Hoffman's terrifying German classic, Struwwelpeter. 

Post adapted from Adventures in Catland (2022), curated by Wendy Banks, Roberta Duarte, Maya Fang and Myrna Scully-Ashton. Adventures in Catland features content from Puss in Books (1997), curated by Elizabeth Derbecker.

They say never to judge a book by its cover, but who are we kidding? Cover art and illustration are gateways into story, beckoning to us from across the crowded shelves.

The Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation & Fantasy is celebrating artists in a new exhibit, Drawn from the Imagination: Artists and Illustrators of Speculative Fiction. We singled out nine outstanding artists who are well represented in our collection. Some achieved fame in their field and some did not. Their lives and careers are as varied as their styles, but all are dedicated to the art of the fantastic.

This exhibit runs from July 18 to October 1, 2022 at the Merril Collection and can be viewed during our open hours. We’re on the 3rd floor of the Lillian H. Smith Branch.

But for now, come closer and take a peek at some of the artists in our exhibit.

Cropped picture of Hannes Bok's cover for Who Goes There by John W. Campbell, Jr., published by Shasta Publishers, 1948.

Hannes Bok

Hannes Bok is considered one of the greatest science fiction artists of the 1940s. Born in 1914 as Wayne Woodard, Hannes Bok used his chosen pseudonym for most of his life. The name was based on his favourite composer, Johann Sebastian Bach.

This delicate sketch shows Bok’s use of line and movement. Undated and unpublished.

Bok got his start illustrating for fanzines in the 1930s. Fanzines are amateur magazines published by fans, for fans. This included the fanzine of his friend Ray Bradbury, a little-known writer at the time. Bradbury loved Bok's art and took samples to the First World Science Fiction Convention in 1939. He showed them to various editors and Farnsworth Wright, the editor of Weird Tales magazine, decided to hire Bok. Bok’s first professional piece was on the cover of Weird Tales, December 1939.

Bok's first cover for Weird Tales.

Weird Tales was one of the early science fiction and fantasy pulp magazines. They're called “pulps,” because they were printed on inexpensive paper made from wood pulp. Like Bok, many artists started their professional careers in these magazines. To see more of these wondrous publications, check out the Internet Archive's Pulp Magazine Archive or drop by the Merril Collection. The Merril has hundreds of pulp magazines, some of which date back to the 1920s, including the first science fiction pulp magazine, Amazing Stories, published by Hugo Gernsback in 1926.

Jack Gauhan

One of the Merril Collection’s interesting holdings is a nearly complete set of original art for Fritz Leiber’s novel A Specter is Haunting Texas, illustrated by Jack Gaughan.

Front of the Jack Gaughan case with the 1969 hardcover of A Specter is Haunting Texas on the top shelf. On the bottom is an introductory page for the Merril Collection's portfolio of the original art.

Jack Gaughan (pronounced "gone") was one of the most important and influential science fiction illustrators during the 1960s and 1970s. He dominated the 1960s with his vigorous, abstract interior drawings and stylized cover paintings.

Gaughan was very involved in the science fiction fan community as a teenager and young man. He was published in fanzines and continued to illustrate for them even after he gained professional success. He is the only artist to win Best Artist and Best Fan Artist in the same year at the Hugo Awards.

A Specter is Haunting Texas was first published as a three-part serial in Galaxy Science Fiction in 1968. It was collected in a hardcover novel in 1969, which includes none of the original illustrations except for the cover art.

Here are two illustrations of Scully, the main character of A Specter is Haunting Texas. One is a colour image for the magazine cover. The other is done on scratchboard and was used as interior art.

A Specter is Haunting Texas is available in book form from the library. While the Merril Collection's copies of the serialization are on display, you can read the stories in Galaxy Science Fiction at the Internet Archive: part 1, part 2, part 3.

Martin Springett

Martin Springett was born in England in 1947 and moved to Canada in his teens. In the 1960s, he began working as a children’s and fantasy book illustrator.

Springett returned to the UK in 1973 to pursue a music career. While there, he was hired to illustrate and design covers for Columbia records. Five years later, Springett moved back to Canada and settled in Toronto in 1978. He started a band, the Gardening Club, which released their first album in 1983. The band is still active and you can find their music online. Springett describes their music as “cosmic giggle” and creates the art for all of their albums.

Close-up of the Martin Springett case. At the bottom left is a signed promotional print for the song “Ravensgate” from the album Boy on a Bike, released by The Gardening Club in 2020. Above is an original drawing for an unknown project.

In 1984, Springett received a commission to illustrate the cover of The Summer Tree by Guy Gavriel Kay, book one of the Fionavar Tapestry trilogy. He created the covers for the whole series, and they skyrocketed his career in fantasy novel illustration.

The Summer Tree by Guy Gavriel Kay. First edition.

Learn more about these artists and explore their work at Drawn from the Imagination: Artists and Illustrators of Speculative Fiction. There's much more to see, including original art by Canadians George A. Walker and Ron Lightburn.
To let you get up close and personal with the Merril’s art collection, we will be holding an after hours event on Wednesday August 10, 2022, from 7 to 8 pm. Drop in for an exclusive look at more original art that could not be featured in this exhibit.

For even more amazing artists, check out these books!

Masters of science fiction and fantasy art : a collection of the most inspiring science fiction, fantasy, and gaming illustrators in the world

The Chesley Awards for science fiction and fantasy art : a retrospective

Spectrum 27 : the best in contemporary fantastic art
The Spectrum series showcases all kinds of art, from book illustrations to movies to video games. They produce a new art book each year.

Post adapted from Drawn from the Imagination: Artists and Illustrators of Speculative Fiction (2022), curated by Brian De Wolfe, Maya Fang, Isabel Fine, Ames Geddes and Kim Hull.

You cannot go wrong with a good toy. Toys are simple pleasures. They inspire learning even if they are as simple as a block or as complex as a Rubik's cube. They are information in a format other than a book. Their messages are of texture, construction, kinetic energy, relationships, and silliness. Toy access is a measurement of learning outcomes for children. Toys are surely wonderful, but they can be expensive.  

That is, unless you happen to be a toy maker. With the right materials and know how you can avoid this inflated cost provided you do your research. Time spent on creation will speed up with skill, and there is always the added benefit of having something to sell should an opportunity present itself. 

Whether you make a toy for yourself or something that can be scaled up to a business, toy making is a worthwhile activity for learning. Many of our programs support the idea of toys as a tool for brain development and experiential learning. With offerings across age groups, there is something available for all. Learn a new skill and meet new friends by attending one of our programs at the library.

In addition to our programs, we have many ebooks and books on Toy Making too. Here are a few of my favourites, organized by the different types of materials you can use to make toys!

Paper toys

Paper is perhaps the most versatile toy on the planet. Ranging from fine decorative elements to sturdy boxes adopted by most children. All you need sometimes is a good box to transform your world from boring to exploring. A favourite paper weight though is regular 8.5×11 computer paper. In addition to having the capacity to be a colouring page it is the most forgiving for learning origami and making paper planes. To start check out our many ebooks on paper toys, in addition, we have many print books too.

Beginner Level Paper Airplanes by Jennifer Sanderson  

The Paper Boomerang Book by Mark Latno 

Crayola Boredom Busting Crafts by Rebecca Felix 

Fabric toys

If you know how to sew or are handy with a felting needle and have appropriate safety gloves, why not try these crafty and cute creations? The patterns and techniques are typically explained in these manual-style books. To start check out our many ebooks on fabric toys, in addition, we have many print books too.

Fat Quarter Toys by Susie Johns 

Making Felted Friends by Sue Pearl 

Felt Toys for Little Ones by Jessica Peck 

Crochet toys

These toys are wonderful because there is the fun of making them and then there is the fun of playing with them. Ideal for welcoming new family and friends while keeping the associated costs of growing connections reasonable. To start check out our ebooks on yarn toys, in addition, we have many print books too. 

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My Pretty Brown Doll: crochet patterns for a doll that looks like you by Yolanda Jordan 

Pokemon Crochet by Sabrina Somers

Making Soft Dolls by Steffi Stern 

Crochet Cute Dolls with Mix-and-Match Outfits: 66 easy to follow amigurumi patterns by Miya 

Wooden toys

Wooden toys are a great STEAM choice for kids and some of the more sophisticated designs will include elastics for wind up propellers. To start check out our many ebooks on wooden toys, in addition, we have many print books too.

Classic Wooden Toys by Jim Harrold 

Wooden Dinky Toys by Les Neufeld 

Classic Whittling: basic techniques and old time projects by Rick Wiebe 

BONUS: more great ebooks to check out!

Itty-Bitty Toys by Susan B. Anderson 

Natural Wooden Toys by Erin Freuchtel-Dearing 

Make Your Own Amazing Mechanical Toys by Michael Screen 

Socks Appeal: 16 fun & funky friends sewn from socks by Brenna Maloney 

Posted on behalf of Kendra C.

(Content Warning: this blog mentions suicide, death, and systemic violence)

August 10th is internationally recognized as Prisoners’ Justice Day (PJD). PJD is a day to remember people who have died preventable deaths in prison. It is also a day to show solidarity with those who organize against inhumane conditions in prison.

PJD is a day when prisoners and community supporters take part in strikes and other protests. The history of these actions trace back to the 1970s in Ontario. On Aug 10, 1974, Eddie Nalon died by suicide at the Millhaven Maximum Security Prison in Bath, ON. Eddie was told that if he signed a form refusing to work he would be transferred to a non-work unit. However, instead of being transferred, Eddie was punished and sent to solitary confinement. After 30 days, even though Eddie’s request to return to general population was approved, he was sent to segregation. On Aug 10, while still in segregation, Eddie died by suicide.

One year later, on Aug 10, 1975, prisoners at Millhaven held a memorial service, hunger strike and work stoppage to draw attention to the conditions that led to Eddie’s death. Many engaged in the protest knowing that they too would be punished with solitary confinement.

Original artwork created by a prisoner (name unknown) at Matsqui Medium Security Prison, British Columbia  in 1975

Despite these protests, not much changed. In June of 1976, prisoners at Millhaven invited others to join them in a hunger strike to honour those who had died while in prison and to raise awareness about the violence of solitary confinement. Thousands of people across the country joined in their hunger strike.

By the mid 1990s, PJD had gone global. While the strategies used to mark PJD have shifted over time, it continues to be an important day of remembrance and action for many.

In Toronto, there are multiple opportunities to take part in PJD. An awareness-raising event will take place outside of the office of the Solicitor General on Aug 10 from 2 -4 pm. The office of the Solicitor General oversees the public administration of public safety measures, policing, and correctional services. A memorial will also occur at Allan Gardens from 4:30- 7:30 pm. On Aug 11, you can join the Prisoners’ HIV/AIDS Support Action Network from 11:30 – 2:30 pm at Regent Park Community Heath Centre to “break fast for Prisoner Justice Day”. If you cannot attend in person, listen to CFRC Prison Radio 101.9 FM’s annual Prisoners’ Justice Day broadcast live on-air (in Kingston, ON) or on the CFRC website on Aug 10, from 4 – 10 pm. 

Below are some TPL resources that will help you learn more about the structural issues prisoners face and how communities are organizing to change them.

To learn more about the history of PJD, check out A History of Prisoner’s Justice Day, the Criminalization and Punishment Education Project mini series “What Happened to Prisoners’ Justice Day” , The Journal of Prisoners on Prisons PJD special issue, and the PJD issues of Cell Count, a quarterly bulletin comprising content by/for/about prisoners and ex-prisoners.

Available in multiple formats

We Do This ‘Til We Free Us by Mariame Kaba

This collection emphasizes how everyday people can challenge the conditions that lead to imprisonment. Start here if you are interested in learning more about activist movements for prisoner justice.

Prisons Make Us Safer: And 20 Other Myths about Mass Incarceration by Victoria Law

Ever wonder what you actually know about prisons? This resource is for you if you are new to the study of prisons.

Are Prisons Obsolete? by Angela Davis

This is one of the most influential studies of prisons ever written. If you are looking to learn more about the relationship between African American liberation and getting rid of prisons, read this book.

Taking the Rap: Women Doing Time for Society’s Crimes by Ann Hansen

Gender is often left out of discussions about prison. If you are interested in a firsthand account of the connections between gender, class, and race in Ontario women’s prisons, read this book.

Available in Print

Prison Industrial Complex Explodes by Mercedes Eng

Eng’s poetry mixes personal reflection on her time spent visiting her father in prison as a child, government documents, and her father’s correspondence with prison officials to examine how prisons impact individuals, families, and communities. If you want an emotional and creative reflection on how prisons affect families, start here.

Prison Writings: My Life is My Sundance by Leonard Peltier

Leonard Peltier is one of the most well known political prisoners in the US. In this collection of writings, Peltier shares his life story and his own analysis of the prison system. If you are interested in how prisons are used to repress Indigenous civil rights, start here.

Available on DVD

Since I Been Down by Gilda Sheppard

This documentary tells the story of Kimonti Carter and his efforts to bring prisoner-led education programs to prisons in the US. The film draws on interviews with prisoners, former prisoners, and their families. These interviews provide insight into how gang violence and poverty are created by structures of racism. Carter’s story shows the importance of organizing collectively, especially around issues of education.

*the term prisoner is used in line with the prisoner justice movement to recognize the political realities of imprisonment. To learn more about the language used to talk about incarceration visit the Marshal Project’s Language Project. 

Thank you to PASAN for your support in writing this blog post.

It's summertime and, for many Torontonians, that means spending more time outside! And what better way to enjoy the company of friends and family outdoors than around a roaring campfire? Whether you're off to a cottage, a campsite or staying at home this summer, get your marshmallows ready because it's time to make s'mores and memories!

Before you get going, make sure to check the fire safety regulations in your area first. Hot, dry weather can lead to a burn ban. And some areas, including the City of Toronto, prohibit open air burning, which includes campfires. If you're staying in the city, you can book fire pits through the City's Parks and Recreation Department or at Ontario Place.

Now that the safety stuff is taken care of, we've got a list of spooky and not-so-spooky short stories, as well as some musical suggestions, to get you ready for your next campfire. 

Campfire Stories

Ghost stories : classic tales of horror and suspense edited by Lisa Morton and Leslie S. Klinger

Let's kick off our list with an anthology of ghostly stories from several classic Western writers. You'll find lesser-known titles from some of the greats, like Charles Dickens and Edith Wharton, as well as masters of horror, such as Edgar Allen Poe and M.R. James.

Spirits abroad : stories by Zen Cho

Drawing on Chinese and Indonesian folklore, Spirits Abroad is an expanded version of Zen Cho's debut collection. It features 19 stories that bridge the worlds of the living and the dead, including the Hugo Award winner "If at First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again." The original, shorter version of the collection is available as an ebook.

Haunted Canada 11 : frightening true tales by Joel A. Sutherland

Haunted Canada is a multi-award winning series. And more importantly, it is kid-tested and approved! The latest in the series, Haunted Canada 11, features true ghost stories and local legends from all across the country. For more kid-friendly, creepy Canadian tales, check out the rest of the Haunted Canada series.

Queer folk tales : a book of LGBTQ + stories by Kevin Walker

Campfire stories don't have to be scary; they can also be fantastical and fun. In this magical collection of short stories, many of which are suitable for all ages, Kevin Walker puts a queer spin on classic fairy tales, like Cinderella and the Three Little Pigs.

The Dark-Thirty : Southern tales of the supernatural by Patricia C. McKissack

Patricia McKissack's collection of stories has won some of the most prestigious awards in children's literature. And for good reason. Not only are they captivating tales of both hope and horror, they are also an important record of the experiences of African Americans in the American South. While this is a children's book, please be aware that some of these historical stories include racial slurs and depictions of racist violence.

Strange tales from Japan : 99 chilling stories of yokai, ghosts, demons and the supernatural collected and retold by Keisuke Nishimoto

If you're looking to give yourself nightmares, this collection of classic Japanese tales will likely do the trick. These centuries-old stories feature ghosts, yokai, shapeshifters and trickster animals. In addition to Nishimoto's masterful retellings, you'll also find 32 pages of full colour illustrations, as well as information about the cultural contexts of these stories and the regions from which they originate.

Bedtime stories for stressed out adults : tales to soothe tired souls

After you've gotten yourself suitably scared, try something a little more soothing before heading off to bed. Bedtime Stories for Stressed Out Adults is calming mix of fairy tales, poems and short stories from classic writers like L.M. Montgomery, Oscar Wilde and Lewis Carroll. 

Campfire Music

Having been very active in the Girl Guides as a kid, singing was a central part of the campfire experience for me. I was excited to see that we have some historical songbooks from both the Boy Scouts and the Girl Guides in our collection. But don't worry, we've got suggestions for the other type of campfire sing-a-long too: the kind with someone strumming some basic chords on an acoustic guitar. 

Guitar for dummies by Mark Phillips and Jon Chappell

If no one in your group knows how to play guitar, why not grab a Guitar for Dummies and learn the basics? With easy to follow instructions and access to online video and audio clips, you'll be strumming away in no time!

Fingerpicking campfire : 15 Songs Arranged for Solo Guitar in Standard Notation & Tablature

Once you've learned the basics, you'll be ready for this ebook collection of campfire classics. It includes the standard notation and tablature for 15 songs from musicians such as Bob Dylan, John Denver, The Beatles, and The Eagles.

Sun Life Musical Instrument Lending Library

You're all excited for your campfire sing-a-long but you've realized you have a problem: you don't have a guitar! Don't worry, we've got you covered. Our Parkdale and Downsview branches have the Sun Life Musical Instrument Lending Libraries. With a valid library card, you can borrow a range of instruments, including acoustic and electric guitars, banjos and ukuleles, a variety of percussion instruments and even a violin or keyboard. Please just be mindful of the dirt and smoke damage if you do take our instruments to your campfire!

After a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic, North America's largest Caribbean Carnival is back! Formally known as Caribana, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival has many festivities from mid-July culminating in a 4-day of celebration from July 28-31. If you are as much of an enthusiast as I am, you probably can't wait to hear some soca and calypso music or see the breathtaking costumes as the masqueraders jump-up (dance & jump) or chip (walk & sway) along the parade route. 

While the Grand Parade is the biggest draw of the festival, you can enjoy many activities prior to the event, such as the Ontario Steel Pan Association's Pan Alive, a musical steel pan orchestra event, that will have you humming and dancing long after the notes have faded. 

The Kiddies for Mas: Junior Caribbean Carnival also returned on July 16 to the delight of the pint-sized masqueraders. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mayor John Tory were present to kick-off the festivities!

Mayor John Tory at Junior Caribbean Carnival. Image by Dionne Taylor-Allum. Used with permission.

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the Grande Parade, which was first established by the Caribbean community during Canada’s centennial celebrations in 1967. Toronto Caribbean Carnival occurs annually, around August 1st, as it coincides with Emancipation Day in Canada. More than just a time to move yuh body line, Toronto Caribbean Carnival signifies freedom and emancipation from enslavement. 

Did you know that Carnival throughout the Caribbean is referred to by a variety of names and that they occur at different times of the year? So much so that you could probably celebrate carnival all year-round! Barbados celebrates Crop Over in early August while the Bahamas celebrates Junkanoo between Boxing Day, 26th December and New Year’s Day 1st January. Other names for carnival celebrations in the Caribbean include Batabano in the Cayman Islands, Culturama in Saint Kitts & Nevis and Carnival or Spicemas in Grenada.

A little masquerader. Image by Renéa Christie. Used with permission.

To mark the return of Toronto Caribbean Carnival, we have put together a reading list, which features a wide variety of great African-Caribbean reads. We have also selected several books for children to enjoy this carnival season.

C is for Carnival by Yolanda T. Marshall
"D is for dance! E is for emancipation! From A to Z, this is a rhyming alphabet book that celebrates Canada’s Caribbean Carnival. This engaging and educational book features a diverse cast of children in vibrant costumes as they ‘play mas’ while dancing to Soca and Calypso music. A glossary at the end makes it easy for readers, including paren'ts and teachers, to review what they have learned." – from publisher's description

The Carnival Prince by Daniel J. O'Brien
"It's Carnival season in Trinidad and Tobago! Come join the stubby antlered boy as he explores, frolics and befriends animals and mythical creatures alike…A story of adventure told through vibrant and detailed illustrations. Children will relate to the awkward and curious main character in this page-turning tale full of fantastical characters."  Written in authentic island dialect, readers will learn about Trinidadian culture in this modern folk tale. A glossary is also included. – from publisher's description

For the Love of Junkanoo by Natalie Carey
"Junkanoo is a celebration of Bahamian culture and one of the most wildly entertaining parades in the world. Using bright illustrations and visual storytelling, this book introduces children to a one-of-a-kind tradition that has been passed down and performed for over 500 years." – from back cover

Malaika's Costume by Nadia L. Hohn
A beautiful story about a young girl whose mother has moved to Canada to look for employment. As Carnival approaches, Malaika struggles with disappointment when she has to use her grandmother’s hand-me-down costume for the parade. With tears in her eyes, Malaika runs out of the house, to visit neighbours and friends. When she returns, her grandma has a surprise… 

To Carnival! : A Celebration in Saint Lucia by Baptiste Paul
A delightful story about a young girl who unwittingly creates her own parade as she makes her way to carnival! Join Melba as she meets a steel pan drummer, a mannikou, two jacquot and many more characters along the road. Children will learn about the beautiful Saint Lucian culture in this colourful read. Glossary included.

More celebrations at the library

Come celebrate carnival with us at the library where we will feature, Malaika's Carnival Playground, an in-person program with Nadia L. Hohn. Program includes a book reading of Malaika's Costume or Malaika's Carnival, soca music, dancing, singing, and finger rhymes and is available at different locations.

Still want more? Why not learn how to play the steelpan? The steel pan, also known as the steel drum or pan, can be borrowed from the Sun Life Musical Instrument Lending Library, located at Parkdale and Downsview branches. Don't worry if you beat the drum off-key, learning is half the fun!  

After the last lap, learn more about Emancipation Day in Canada on Tuesday, August 9th @ 7 pm with guest speaker, Natasha Henry-Dixon, as she presents, The History of Emancipation Day in Canada.

Related links

July 2022 – African-Caribbean Reads

Black History 2022 – Adult Reading List

Black History Series

The Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection

Many people may be familiar with or at least have heard of Juneteenth, but how many Canadians know about Emancipation Day in Canada? On March 24, 2021, Canada’s House of Commons voted unanimously to officially designate August 1, Emancipation Day, the anniversary of when Britain’s Parliament abolished slavery in the British Empire in 1834. 

The history of slavery in Canada is often forgotten or overshadowed by the enslavement of people of African descent in the Americas, where over 90% of enslaved people were sent to the Caribbean and South America. Many Canadians often focus on the Underground Railroad and Canada’s role in harbouring freedom seekers from our southern neighbours. However, did you know that slavery in the United States ended in 1865 States, just 31 years after it was abolished in Canada? Therefore, while Canada played a role in helping over 30,000 freedom seekers escape slavery in the United States, we cannot forget that Canada also benefited greatly from free slave labour.

A quick search through our Digital Archive provides links to many interesting documents like The Negro’s Petition and the “Underground” Routes to Canada, a map showing the routes that many enslaved people used to escape to Canada. Below, is another rare find, the autobiography of Reverend Josiah Henson, a true hero. Noted as being the inspiration behind Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1852 anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Henson provides a first hand account of what life was like to be an enslaved person in North America. 

Father Henson’s story of his own life. With an introduction by Mrs. H. B. Stowe, PDF, Baldwin Collection of Canadiana

We also have a selection of Emancipation Day in Canada themed books that you can peruse on our reading list. I asked my colleague, Sagal, for some suggestions and here are our top picks.

Blacks in Canada: A History by Robin W. Winks
Using primary and secondary sources, Blacks in Canada chronicles the detailed histories of African-Canadians, from the introduction of slavery in 1628 to the first wave of Caribbean immigration in the 1950s and 1960s. Learn about the varied experiences of Black Canadians, including those brought to Nova Scotia by Loyalists, Jamaican Maroons, and fugitive slaves who fled to British North America. Read about the Black West Coast businessmen who helped found British Columbia as well as Black settlements in the prairie provinces.

Canada’s Forgotten Slaves : Two Centuries of Bondage by Marcel Trudel
“A ground-breaking work by one of French Canada’s leading historians, available for the first time in English. This book reveals that slavery was not just something that happened in the United States. Quite the contrary! Slavery was very much a part of everyday life in colonial Canada under the French regime starting in 1629, and then under the British regime right up to its official abolition throughout the British empire in 1834.” – from publisher’s description

Emancipation Day: Celebrating Freedom in Canada by Natasha L. Henry
“When the passage of the Abolition of Slavery Act, effective August 1, 1834, ushered in the end of slavery throughout the British Empire, people of the African descent celebrated their newfound freedom. Now African-American fugitive slaves, free black immigrants, and the few remaining enslaved Africans could live unfettered live in Canada – a reality worthy of celebration.” – from publisher’s description

Enslaved People in Canada by Julie Kentner
A gentle introduction to the history of slavery in North America, the lives of enslaved people, changing attitudes toward slavery in Canada, and finally the law that made it illegal to enslave people.

The Hanging Of Angélique: The Untold Story Of Canadian Slavery And The Burning Of Old Montréal by Afua Cooper
In this powerful story, learn about Marie-Joseph Angélique, an enslaved woman, convicted of starting a fire that destroyed a large part of Montréal in April 1734. Angelique was subsequently condemned to die a brutal death. With archival illustrations, Cooper uses her many years of research to crush the myth of Canada being a slave-free country and reveal the truth – Canada legally and culturally endorsed slavery for over 200 years.

It was dark there all the time : Sophia Burthen and the legacy of slavery in Canada by Andrew Hunter
“Sophia Burthen’s account of her arrival as an enslaved person into what is now Canada sometime in the late 18th century, was recorded by Benjamin Drew in 1855. In It Was Dark There All the Time, writer and curator Andrew Hunter builds on the testimony of Drew’s interview to piece together Burthen’s life, while reckoning with the legacy of whiteness and colonialism in the recording of her story. In so doing, Hunter demonstrates the role that the slave trade played in pre-Confederation Canada and its continuing impact on contemporary Canadian society.” from publisher’s description

Join our program on the history of Emancipation Day

This Emancipation Day, Canadians are invited to reflect, educate and engage in the ongoing fight against anti-Black racism and discrimination. It is a time to also celebrate the strength and perseverance of Black communities in Canada. To learn more, tune into our event on Tuesday, August 9th @ 7 pm with Natasha Henry-Dixon as she presents, The History of Emancipation Day in Canada and answers your questions.

Related links

Black History Series

Black History 2022 – Adult Reading List

Black Lives Matter: A Booklist

The Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection

I read that after the Netflix series The Queen's Gambit there was a run on chess sets … and I hope that's true! This blog celebrates International Chess Day, on July 20th.  But it's also a nod to librarian John P., who not only blogged for many years at the Library, but is also a great chess lover (and who helped me with this blog – thanks John). 

If you're interested in learning about chess then let Library can be your trusted friend. 

Famous Players

There have been many great players in the history of chess. Here are some books that introduce you to some greatest chess players ever and some of their best chess games. It's not easy to decide who is the best chess player of all time, so I'll leave that to you to decide.

The Queen's Gambit 

"Eight-year-old orphan Beth Harmon is quiet, sullen, and by all appearances unremarkable. That is, until she plays her first game of chess. Her senses grow sharper, her thinking clearer, and for the first time in her life she feels herself fully in control. By the age of sixteen, she's competing for the US Open championship. But as Beth hones her skills on the professional circuit, the stakes get higher, her isolation grows more frightening, and the thought of escape becomes all the more tempting."

Endgame: Bobby Fischer's Remarkable Rise and Fall – from America's Brightest Prodigy to the Edge of Madness by Frank Brady

"A biography that captures the complete, remarkable arc of the life of the chess master, Bobby Fischer."

See also: 

• Pawn Sacrifice (DVD)
• Bobby Fischer Against the World (DVD)
• Searching for Bobby Fischer
• Bobby Fischer Rediscovered
• Bobby Fischer: My 60 Memorable Games

Mortal Games: The Turbulent Genius of Garry Kasparov by Fred Waitzkin

"Over the course of his unprecedented career, Garry Kasparov dominated the chess world with astonishing creativity and explosive passion. In this unforgettable work of reportage, author Fred Waitzkin "captures better than anyone–including Kasparov himself in his own memoir–the various sides of this elusive genius" (The Observer)."

See also "Deep Thinking: Where Machine Intelligence Ends and Human Creativity Begins".

Chess Queens: The True Story of a Chess Champion and the Greatest Female Players of All Time by Jennifer Shahade

"Jennifer Shahade, a two-time US Women's Chess Champion, spent her teens and twenties travelling the world playing chess. Tournaments have taken her from Istanbul to Moscow, and introduced her to players from Zambia to China. In this ultra male-dominated sport, Jennifer found shocking sexism, but she also found friendships, feminism and hope. Through her own story as well as interviews with international players, Jennifer invites us into the extremely competitive world of chess."

The Queen of Katwe: A Story of Life, Chess, and One Extraordinary Girl's Dream of Becoming a Grandmaster by Tim Crothers

"Phiona Mutesi, is a 15-year-old girl born and raised in a miserable slum … in Uganda. She sleeps in a decrepit mud hut with her mother and four siblings and struggles to find a single meal each day. Phiona has been in and out of school her whole life because her mother cannot afford to send her, so she is only now learning to read and write. Phiona Mutesi is also one of the top chess players in the world."

Practical Chess

Whether you are new to chess, or an experienced amateur looking for some help to improve, this section is for you. These recommendations focus on fundamentals and instructions based on expert advice and the greatest strategies seen to date. Oh, and I found a couple of good book just for kids too!

Chess: 5334 Problems, Combinations and Games by László Polgár

"Chess takes you through more than 5,000 unique instructional situations, many taken from actual matches, including 306 problems for checkmate in one move, 3,412 mates in two moves, 744 mates in three moves, 144 simple endgames, and 128 tournament game combinations. Organized by problem type."

See also Lasker's Manual of Chess and also Study Chess with Tal.

Mammoth Book of the World's Greatest Chess Games by Graham Burgess

"The 125 greatest chess games of all time, selected, analysed, re-evaluated and explained by a team of British experts and illustrated with over 1,000 chess diagrams."

The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played: 62 Masterpieces of Chess Strategy by Irving Chernev

"Here are 62 masterly demonstrations of the basic strategies of winning at chess, compiled and annotated by one of the game's most admired and respected writers. Each game offers a classic example of a fundamental problem and its best resolution, described and diagrammed in the clearest possible manner for players of every level of skill."

See also Winning Chess: How to Perfect your Attacking Play.

How to Play Chess: Lessons from an International Master Great Courses DVD by Jeremy Silman

"Learn chess from an international master and renowned teacher in these intensively illustrated, easy-to-understand lessons for players at all levels."

Chess for Kids: How to Play and Win by Richard James

"This is the perfect introduction to chess for children from the age of seven upwards. The book contains 30 short lessons, starting with learning about the board and the pieces, then the moves of each piece in turn, then the vital concepts of check, checkmate and stalemate, and finally basic strategy and thinking skills. Quizzes and puzzles reinforce what the children learn."  See also Chess for Kids and also Chess be the King.

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 a short history of the tale, featuring items from our Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books (located on 4th floor of Lillian H. Smith Branch).

Illustration by Mabel Lucie Attwell from Hans Andersen's Fairy Stories (1901).

Hans Christian Andersen's original story 

First published in 1837, The Little Mermaid was written in Danish and titled Den lille havfrue. The Little Mermaid is a literary fairy tale. The plot is drawn from Hans Christian Andersen's imagination rather than a specific folktale. However, Andersen's writing was influenced by traditional folklore about merfolk and water nymphs. 

Hans Christian Andersen's original Little Mermaid story might surprise readers familiar with Disney's 1989 film adaptation. In Andersen’s story, the mermaid is motivated by her desire for an immortal soul, not a desire for love and life on land.

When the mermaid saves a drowning human prince, she learns that the love of a human might allow her an immortal soul. The mermaid decides to venture onto land, but her legs come at a price. Transformed by a sea witch, she must marry the prince or risk death. When the prince marries another, the mermaid sacrifices herself instead of harming the prince. As a reward for her good deed, the mermaid is given an immortal soul.

Postcard featuring Hans Christian Andersen, approximately 1865.

The first English translation

The first English translation of The Little Mermaid appeared in A Danish Story-book (1846), which was published in February 1846. Translator Charles Boner did not use Andersen's original Danish text as the basis for his English translation, instead he relied on the German translation. In 1846, the popularity of Hans Christian Andersen's tales among English readers exploded. Over a two year period beginning in 1846, six different translators published English versions of Andersen's fairy tales. 

A Danish Story-book (1846) featured illustrations by Count Franz Graf von Pocci, a German writer, illustrator, puppeteer and courtier.

Oscar Wilde's mermaid tale

By the late 19th century, The Little Mermaid and Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales were well-known by English readers. Writer Oscar Wilde was an avid, but not uncritical reader of  Hans Christian Andersen. Wilde wrote The Fisherman and his Soul — from A House of Pomegranates (1891) — as a response to The Little Mermaid. The literary fairy tale takes a different approach to Andersen's mermaid narrative.

In a reversal of Andersen's story, The Fisherman and his Soul features a human fisherman who gives up his soul to marry a mermaid. Without his soul, the fisherman spends happy years living beneath the sea with his mermaid love. But his soul is not so easily discarded. The soul returns but cannot re-enter the fisherman's heart because it is too full of love for the mermaid. Only upon the mermaid and fisherman's death can'the soul re-enter the fisherman's now broken heart. 

Illustration by Theodore Nadejen from The Fisherman and his Soul (1929) .

Disney's The Little Mermaid and a corporate renaissance

In Disney’s animated adaptation of The Little Mermaid (1989), the film ends with the mermaid Ariel and her prince defeating the sea witch. Instead of sacrificing herself and gaining an immortal soul, Ariel marries her prince and lives happily ever after on land. This romantic "happily ever after" proved popular. Disney’s The Little Mermaid was a huge success, grossing $235 million worldwide. The movie heralded the beginning of the “Disney Renaissance,” a period between 1989 and 1999 where Disney animated movies experienced massive commercial and critical success.

A young The Little Mermaid fan in 1992. Disney films experienced a wave of popularity following The Little Mermaid release in 1989. From Toronto Star Photograph Archive.

A friendlier Little Mermaid

Most versions of The Little Mermaid tell a tale of (often doomed) romantic love. Illustrator Jerry Pinkney's retelling of The Little Mermaid (2020) focuses instead on friendship and self-growth. Pinkney says he found The Little Mermaid "an intriguing yet a daunting story" to adapt because he "found the plot to be out of step with the times; today’s readers are seeking their own true paths, blazing new trails." 

Pinkney's adaptation tells the story of young mermaid Melody. Melody is curious about life on land and her explorations result in her befriending a human girl. The sea witch is still a threat, but Melody manages to defeat the witch by herself. The importance of Melody's regaining her voice is emphasized. The story ends with Melody resolving to "never give it up again for anyone or anything." 

Mermaid Melody befriends a human girl in The Little Mermaid (2020).

Further reading

Books and websites

• The Annotated Hans Christian Andersen edited by Maria Tatar
• Jerry Pinkney on The Little Mermaid from Little Brown School and Library

Fairy tale blogs from TPL

• 5 Digitized Fairy Tales from Our Collection of Early Children’s Books
• The Adventures of Red Riding Hood: An Exhibit at the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books
• All at Sea: Pirates, Merfolk and Sea Creatures at the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books
• Immerse Yourself in Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tale World
• The Three Bears Before Goldilocks: The History of a Fairy Tale

In case you haven't noticed the sudden appearance of a lot of rainbows, June is Pride month. Despite the celebratory atmosphere, Pride can be a difficult time for many members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Sometimes it's because a person is still struggling with their identity or because their situation makes it unsafe to live openly. But sometimes it's because the 2SLGBTQ+ community is not as welcoming and inclusive as it claims to be. This has certainly been the experience of many disabled queer people.  

Ableism is a major problem in the community all year long, but it becomes especially noticeable during Pride month. Event venues often don't have accessible entrances and washrooms. Promotional material is not screen reader friendly. Access to seating at events is limited. ASL interpretation is not available. There are few options for folks who are sober or require sensory friendly environments. The list goes on. And this doesn't even address the ways that disabled people's bodies and personalities are treated as undesirable.

All of this tells disabled people that these events are not for us. That our needs are not a priority. That we are not welcome at Pride, or in the community as a whole. But, to paraphrase the popular slogan, "We're here! We're Queer…And We're Disabled!"

In celebration of everyone who is part of BOTH the disabled community and the 2SLGBTQ+ community, I've compiled a list of fiction with queer disability representation. Happy Pride to my fellow disabled queer folks. Remember, our lives and our stories matter. We belong!

So Lucky by Nicola Griffith

Mara Tagarelli's life revolves around practicing martial arts and her role as the head of a major AIDS foundation. Then everything changes. In the span of a single week, her wife leaves and she is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Already frustrated with the challenges of adapting to a disability, Mara must also cope with the way that everyone around her is suddenly treating her differently. Based on the author's own experiences with MS, this book is an examination of what it's like to be queer, disabled and chronically ill in America.

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun

Dev Deshpande believes in fairytale happy endings. It's why he works on a reality dating show. Charlie Winshaw is this season's Prince Charming but he doesn't want to be there. He only wants to demonstrate to the world that he is not as socially inept as his former business partner claims. Dev finds himself tasked with helping Charlie look good on camera and connect with the women vying for his attention. But it's the two men that have a real connection. As a queer disabled person on the asexual spectrum, I was really excited to read this one. Admittedly, the reality show premise is a bit ridiculous. If you can get past that, it's a cute romance between an Indian-American man with depression and a neurodivergent white man with OCD who is beginning to realize he might be asexual.

Borderline by Mishell Baker

Millie is not feeling particularly optimistic about the future. A year ago, she attempted suicide. Now, she is a double leg amputee and has lost her filmmaking career. But her life changes drastically when she is offered a job with the Arcadia Project, a secret organization that oversees relations between Hollywood and a parallel realm filled with mythical and fantastical creatures. For her first assignment, our bisexual hero, who also has borderline personality disorder, finds herself unravelling the mystery of a missing movie star who also happens to be a nobleman in the Seelie Court.

An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon

Aster lives aboard the HSS Matilda, a space vessel with a social structure modelled after the antebellum American South. The ship is supposedly taking the last of humanity to the Promised Land. For dark-skinned inhabitants like Aster, who lives in the lower deck slums, this ship ride is no pleasure cruise. Discontentment is growing and rumors of civil war are spreading. Aster finally has a chance at a brighter future, but is she brave enough to join the fight? An emotionally tough but important read, this book is filled with neurodivergent and gender fluid characters.

An Unsuitable Heir by K.J. Charles

Victorian London is a tough place to be if you don't fit it. Mark Braglewicz and Pen Starling both know what it's like to live outside the norm. Mark is a private detective born with one arm and Pen is a gender fluid circus performer. Their paths cross when Mark is tasked with informing Pen that he is the recipient of a significant inheritance. Pen is uncomfortable enough being seen as a man so he certainly doesn't want to be a nobleman. But there's a killer on the loose and Pen is on their kill list. Can Pen trust Mark enough to keep him safe?

Ascension by Jacqueline Koyanagi

To put it simply, Ascension is a space opera about an impoverished Black, queer woman with a chronic illness. What more could you want from a book? How about a polyamorous captain, a pilot who fades in and out of existence and a sister in need of saving. Strap on your space helmets for this epic tale.

Panpocalypse by Carley Moore

Carley Moore's pandemic-era novel was originally published online in weekly installments. Set in New York City during the summer of 2020, Moore tells the story of a queer, disabled woman struggling with feeling isolated from her community. She cycles through the lonely streets in search of the first woman she ever loved. Along the way, she hears rumors of an underground bar modelled after a 1930s Parisian lesbian bar.

Did you see the new Spiderman? Black Widow was really well done for an action movie! The Scarlet Witch started out very 1950s but then got better as the film style became part of the storyline. How much Marvel are you familiar with? While stanning ‘who is your favourite character’ please be sure to note things happen in the movie Endgame, with fan favourites such as Groot getting snapped out of existence. Do not get too caught up in various ships and trips, having peaked ahead in some of the comics I can'tell you that one of the Avengers known as  Vision — wait, no spoilers! Comics are supposed to be fun. Currently, there are characters known as the Eternals and my Thanos memes are somewhat dated. Everyone agrees that the recent Moon Knight addition to the universe was really cinematic for a television adaptation.   

But who is who if you are new to Marvel? How can you become a fan or at least hold a conversation? Here's a brief introduction to some of my favourite characters, and I encourage you to check out some of the materials we carry at the library devoted to each character to learn more! We hold a ton of materials on these characters so please use the filters on the left margin of our website to find the right materials for you; whether it's a book, ebook, movie, or something else.

Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Shang Chi is a new favourite character of mine focused on responsibility, the tradition of Martial Arts and saving the world from forces beyond the known world. Keeping family and community safe from those who would use power for their own gain. Also a hometown stan because the lead actor who plays Shang Chi is Simu Liu of Toronto. Watch the movie online or borrow the DVD from the library.

Venom

Venom is funny. He's this big and scary amoeba type symbiotic puppy paired up with his human to fight other big and scary amoeba type creatures developed in a lab somewhere. The character also really pairs down societal issues about getting along. For example, Venom is constantly arguing and plotting against his host while fully knowing he needs him to survive. Check out all the different types of material we have at the library on Vemon.

Spiderman

If you want to have a really good conversation concerning the Marvel Universe, why not debate the Miles Morales vs Peter Parker stans? Where Peter is very nerdy and gets by being clever just as much as with his spider skills, Miles Morales has different powers such as fading into the walls or stunning his opponents with spider venom. Who is the best Spiderman? It depends on the multiverse you happen to be in at the time. Check out all the different types of material we have at the library on Spiderman.    

Black Widow

Black Widow began as a fringe character in the Avengers but has really been fleshed out to have a family, sister and back story. She did have a tragic end in Endgame which is the key to understanding subsequent plotlines concerning 'the blip' (when Thanos snapped half of all creation away), so if you are not familiar with Black Widow, her catalogue is the perfect place to jump into the Marvel Universe and where it is going. Check out all the different types of material we have at the library on Black Widow.      

Doctor Strange and the Scarlet Witch

If you want to know about Doctor Strange and Wanda Maximoff(Also known as the Scarlet Witch), you are going to want to dive into their books because with the multiverse being the new story arch that spans many characters, what you thought you knew about the Avengers, will take a different path. 

Hawkeye

Hawkeye is a series set after Endgame that focuses on the next generation of archery prowess and legacy. What does it mean to be a hero and in what situations does our past make for being a role model versus being cancelled? The character of Kate is very likeable and compliments Hawkeye's gruffest attributes.  

Morbius and the Eternals 

There are many more exciting plotlines ahead for Marvel characters, including the addition of a Morbius introduction film. Played by Jared Leto, Michael Morbius accidentally infects himself with vampirism while trying to cure a rare disease. In Eternals the storytelling centres around an ancient civilization that guards the Earth from destructive forces, but their existence is all very secretive. Marvel and secret keeping could be a whole course of study.  

Anytime is a perfect time to get acquainted with these graphic novels and enjoy the artistry of reputable illustrators such as Daniel Acuna, Chris Sprouse and Jordie Bellaire. Toronto's own Jeff Lemire has also illustrated for Marvel. Imagination is truly the limit of what is possible with pen, ink and editing software. If you find one of your favourite characters has taken an unexpected plot detour, the thing about the Marvel Universe to know is that it eventually weaves back around to canon and Groot and most other characters live, or live on in future stories.  

As he lay dying in hospital, my father's arm moved back and forth and he quietly moaned. His eyes were closed and he was unconscious with a brain bleed. I leaned down and whispered in his ear how much I loved and respected him and I would protect him. And I did until he died. When we dressed him for the burial I shined the black leather shoes I had given him years earlier, and my tears softened the shoe polish, which had hardened. 

I thought it would be timely at Father's Day to look at memoirs of fathers.

Swing Low: A Life by Miriam Toews

"After her father took his own life in 1998, Miriam Toews decided to face her confusion and pain straight on. In writing her father’s memoir, she was motivated by two primary goals: For her own sake, she needed to understand, or at least accept, her father’s final decision. For her father’s sake, she needed to honour him, to elucidate his life and to demonstrate its worth."

For Joshua : An Ojibway Father Teaches His Son by Richard Wagamese

"Celebrated Ojibway author Richard Wagamese shares the traditions and teachings of his people, entwining them with an account of his own life-long struggle for self-knowledge and self-respect."  See also The Pale-Faced Lie : A True Story.

The Theft of Memory: Losing My Father, One Day at a Time by Jonathan Kozol

"House author Jonathan Kozol's deeply personal biography of his father, a brilliant neurologist who suffered from Alzheimer's."

Patrimony by Philip Roth

"Roth watches as his eighty-six-year-old father–famous for his vigor, charm, and his repertoire of Newark recollections–battles with the brain tumor that will kill him."

I Am My Father's Son: A Memoir of Love and Forgiveness by Dan Hill

"In this deeply moving memoir, one of Canada's most respected singer-songwriters traces his difficult, often tumultuous relationship with his father."  See also Barack Obama's Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance.

The Beautiful Struggle: A Father, Two Sons and an Unlikely Road to Manhood by Ta-Nehisi Coates

"Tells the story of their divergent paths through a turbulent decade and their father's steadfast–if sometimes eccentric–schemes to keep them from failing. Ta-Nehisi Coates combines a beautifully rendered evocation of the terrors and wonders of growing up in Baltimore in the 1980s–the age of crack, when murder rates hit historic highs, but also an era when the black community improvised the resources with which to save itself–with a humorous and affectionate portrayal of a family led by a maverick patriarch."

See also My Seven Black Fathers: A Young Activist's Memoir of Race, Family, and the Mentors Who Made Him Whole

Not My Father's Son by Alan Cumming

"In his unique and engaging voice, the acclaimed actor of stage and screen shares the emotional story of his complicated relationship with his father and the deeply buried family secrets that shaped his life and career."

See also The Death of My Father the Pope: A Memoir

All Out: A Father and Son Confront the Hard Truths That Made Them Better Men by Kevin Newman and Alex Newman

"Anchorman Kevin Newman and his grown son, Alex. Confessional and provocative, their memoir is also a touching meditation on ambition, absence and family that will resonate with every paren't and child who've ever struggled to connect and understand each other. LGBT themes are handled sensitively and considerately."

Hiding Out: A Memoir of Drugs, Deception, and Double Lives by Tina Alexis Allen

"When Tina was eighteen her father discovered the truth about her sexuality. Instead of dragging her to the family priest and lecturing her with tearful sermons about sin and damnation, her father shocked her with his honest response. He, too, was gay."

Lost & Found by Kathryn Schulz

"Tells the story of losing her father and finding the love of her life in this profound meditation on grief and joy."

The Apology by Eve Ensler

"The Apology, written by Eve from her father's point of view in the words she longed to hear attempts to transform the abuse she suffered, with unflinching truthfulness, compassion, and an expansive vision for the future. Through The Apology Eve has set out to provide a new way for herself and a possible road for others, so that survivors of abuse may finally imagine how to be free."

Hollywood Park: A Memoir by Mikel Jollett

"HOLLYWOOD PARK is a remarkable memoir of a tumultuous life. Mikel Jollett was born into one of the country's most infamous cults, and subjected to a childhood filled with poverty, addiction, and emotional abuse. Yet, ultimately, his is a story of fierce love and family loyalty told in a raw, poetic voice that signals the emergence of a uniquely gifted writer."

Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love by Dani Shapiro

"In the spring of 2016, through a genealogy website to which she had whimsically submitted her DNA, Dani Shapiro received the astonishing news that her beloved deceased father was not her biological father."

Rest in peace Dad (Bog da go prosti).

Bill V. and his Dad. Photo by author.

Whether it's a non-fiction memoir or a classic superhero adventure, comics and graphic novels are a fun and engaging way to experience a story. They are very visual, which can be great for people with certain disabilities and anyone who enjoys an illustrated story. But this also means that comics and graphic novels often aren't accessible to people with other types of disabilities. This is particularly true for those who are blind or have low vision. It's also true for people with some types of learning disabilities, such as certain forms of dyslexia that can make it difficult to decipher the small, handwritten-style text. This is where audio comics come in! 

Just like regular audiobooks, audio comics are a narrated version of the original comic. They are a little more complicated to translate into an audio format because they combine images and text but they are well worth the effort.  Many audio comics are produced with a full cast of voice actors, sound effects and background music so they provide an immersive listening experience. They help make comics more accessible for disabled fans and provide a new experience for longtime comic book readers! And the good news is that TPL has a growing collection of audio comics for you to check out! Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

The Sandman by Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman's critically acclaimed graphic novel about the journeys of Lord Morpheus, the Sandman, is now available as a full-cast, radio drama-style audio production. Gaiman himself serves as the story's narrator, and the characters are voiced by a long list of celebrated actors, including James McAvoy, Riz Ahmed, Michael Sheen, and Taron Egerton.

The Adventures of Barry & Joe: Obama and Biden's Bromantic Battle for the Soul of America by Adam Reid

If you weren't already sold on this book by its title, let me add a few more descriptors: time travel, the world's greatest scientists, social justice and an augmented reality version of Samuel L. Jackson. After leaving office, Obama and Biden are sent back in time on an epic quest to right wrongs and make the world a better place. Written and narrated by Adam Reid, this is the cheesy science fiction adventure we didn't know we needed.

Archie, volume 1 by Mark Waid and Fiona Staples

Rebooted by Waid and Staples, the longest-running comic book series is back with a new, modern spin on the characters you know and love. The audio version provides an immersive experience so you'll feel like you're right there in Riverdale. 

Ms. Marvel Volume 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson and Shanta and Adrian Alphona

Being a teenager is hard enough without all the challenges that come from suddenly acquiring superpowers. But that's Kamala Khan's life now. One day she is a fairly ordinary Muslim teen from New Jersey, and the next she's got abilities she didn't ask for. And the daunting legacy that comes along with them.

In-between days : a graphic memoir about living with cancer by Teva Harrison

Teva Harrison's life changed drastically when she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Not only did she face an uphill battle with her health but she was also forced to re-evaluate her beliefs and goals. A finalist for the 2016 Governor General's Literary Award, Harrison's graphic memoir is a touching insight into the sadness, hope and helplessness that come with a cancer diagnosis.

For more audio comics, check out our OverDrive lists for Kids and Teens and Adults.

Please refer to TPL's webpages for more information on Accessible Collections.

On May 11, 2001, beloved author Douglas Adams died suddenly from a heart attack. Two weeks later, his fans around the world marked his passing by carrying towels, a key symbol from Adams's most famous book The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. With that, an annual tradition was born. In honour of Towel Day, now celebrated every year on May 25th, we have compiled some of our best Hitchhiker's items.

The hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy by Douglas Adams 

Of course, we have to begin with the book that started it all. It's an ordinary Thursday lunchtime for Arthur Dent until his house gets demolished. The Earth follows shortly afterwards to make way for a new hyperspace bypass and his best friend has just announced that he's an alien. At this moment, they're hurtling through space with nothing but their towels and an innocuous-looking book inscribed with the big, friendly words: DON'T PANIC. 

The hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy : the original radio scripts

The radio production of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy first aired on BBC Radio 4 in 1978. It was later broadcast on NPR in the United States and CBC Radio in Canada. Our circulating copies of the radio show's scripts were published in 2003 in honour of the 25th anniversary. They included an updated introduction by Geoffrey Perkins, the former head of comedy at the BBC. You can also access reference copies of the original 1985 publication of the scripts at the Merril Collection and the Toronto Reference Library.

The Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy: The BBC TV adaptation

The BBC didn't stop at just a radio production of Hitchhiker's. In early 1981, BBC Two broadcast a television adaptation of the Guide starring Simon Jones and David Dixon. This special edition includes behind the scenes footage, bloopers, deleted scenes and interviews with Adams and the cast.

The salmon of doubt : hitchhiking the galaxy one last time 

When Adams died suddenly, he left behind an unfinished novel, The Salmon of Doubt. That partial novel, along with writings from the 3000 files found on his hard drive, provide one last hilarious and poignant message from the author.

And another thing– : Douglas Adams's hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy : part six of three by Eoin Colfer

Dedicated fans will know that Adam's Hitchhiker series is a trilogy of five books. Yes, a trilogy normally has three books but that's just how Adams' rolls. And now there's a sixth in the trilogy. Author of the best-selling Artemis Fowl series, Eoin Colfer picks up where Adams left off–and he left things on a pretty big cliffhanger!  

The hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy movie

Before he was Bilbo Baggins or John Watson, beloved British actor Martin Freeman was Arthur Dent. Though it drew mixed responses from fans, this big screen adaptation introduced Adams's creation to a wider audience. And, of course, Marvin the Paranoid Android is voiced by the late great Alan Rickman!

The illustrated hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy

This version of Adam's masterpiece was published in 1994 and contains beautiful, full colour illustrations. This is a reference only item and can be viewed at the Merril Collection.

Don't panic : Douglas Adams & the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy by Neil Gaiman

This official companion book was originally published by Neil Gaiman in 1986, and has been updated several times since. The most recent edition, published in 2009, includes insight into the movie adaptation, Eoin Colfer's sixth book and much more. You can also access the 2002 edition as an ebook. A reference copy of the 2003 version is available at the Merril Collection.

Toronto Public Library has its very own can of everything! Photo property of Toronto Public Library.

Can of Everything!

In 2021, the Merril Collection bought a first edition of Life, the Universe, and Everything. It came with this promotional "Everything" can!"

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has left it's mark well beyond just the world of science fiction writing. The series does provide the answer to the meaning of life after all!

I think I can speak for sci fi nerds everywhere when I say to Douglas Adams, "So long and thanks for all the fish."

Whatever you do, do not look up soil degradation statistics. Let’s not get into why rats are frolicking in the suburban wild of backyards and dumpsters, or why the city seems to be getting hotter and windier. These are big questions that require group efforts. What all of the above means is that being able to grow your own food and sustain a few local crops will become more and more important in years to come. The newest trend in gardens is to do away with grass and to do species counts of the flora and fauna. 

Container gardens and other popular styles are very useful to fight food inflation and keep our impact on the environment low by cutting out transportation and fossil fuels. Fresh vegetables also taste better when they ripen on a vine, but ecological gardens can be any style if they focus on one key goal – increasing biodiversity. You can do it with a vegetable garden, flower bed, or natural garden. So how do we improve our counts? It can be achieved with a few key considerations below and using our collections to learn more!

Soil

If you have poor soil what you will find, even with grass, your vegetation will start to die off.

The Green Smoothie Garden edited by Tracy Russell

You can'tell if your soil is terrible by what kind of weeds are growing as certain species will thrive in bad soil.

Planting Noah’s Garden by Sarah Stein

Traditional landscaping tends to destroy the suburban environment, it is okay to let plants grow a bit in select areas.

Circle Gardening by Kenneth E. Spaeth Jr.

Elements like sand or gravel and water movement will have an impact on your soil, which will vary by year. To achieve healthy soil, backfill with homogeneous soil. Healthier soil will attract more bugs and worms.  

Plant Grow Harvest Repeat and Soil are great eBooks on the subject of soil care for those of us on the go or taking it slow this spring. 

Maintenance

Think low cost and low impact. 

Eco Yards: Simple Steps to Earth-Friendly Landscapes by Lauren Rama

An ecological garden requires less maintenance, is trying to co-create with nature and uses minimal electric machinery. Reducing other types of pollution that involve carbon and noise.

A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future by Benjamin Vogt

Understand that exotic annuals may seem delightful, but they do not necessarily help pollinators. An eco-garden will consider how plants and species interact with each other.

No Waste Kitchen by Katie Elzer-Peters

Consider composting, you can do so easily with a 5-gallon bucket and layering shredded paper after every use.

Upcycling

The Dirt Cheap Green Thumb by Rhonda Massingham Hart

You can successfully use a 2L pop bottle to achieve frost protection instead of spending on greenhouses.

The Green Witch’s Garden by Arin Murphy-Hiscock

Useful hacks for growing food from kitchen waste, and how joining a community supported agriculture subscriptions pays off as some will allow you to pay for food with labour, and guerilla gardening. You can literally just choose to plant a seed anywhere like the squirrels do!

The Fruitful City by Helena Moncrieff

This is a great book, and Toronto specific. Did you know there are heirloom trees all over the city that bear fruit? Some are fig trees! This is recommended reading for when you are out for a stroll so you can recognize what people have been doing for a century or longer.

Seeds

Ecological Gardening by Marjorie Harri

This book points out that we should check for symbols that indicate that bulbs were not harvested in the wild. You can avoid this ecological faux pas by joining a seed exchange. Another earth-friendly tip is to look for green pest control ideas.

Garden Revolution: How our landscapes can be a source of environmental change by Larry Weaner

Natural gardens change over time with established species giving way to new species, growing and receding with the years. Consider companion plants that can help with pollination or pest issues.

Plantiful by Kristin Green

Maybe you have encountered plants known as volunteers, they are great because they will re-sow themselves. Milkweed and Hardy Begonias are examples of this.

So now that you have a few resources to know it doesn’t take much to make a difference, the challenge is this: go back to your species count, now add one. The rest about the soil and the wind might then need updating if we all do some small effort together. Keep checking in with the Toronto Public Library's Our Fragile Planet series for the most current discussions and reading lists.    

From the Epic of Gilgamesh to The Little Mermaid, storytellers have always found adventure and enchantment in the ocean. In the Osborne Collection's spring exhibit, All at Sea: Pirates, Merfolk and Sea Creatures in Children's Books, you can set sail for Treasure Island, encounter terrifying (and friendly) sea serpents, and explore the seashore with Victorian scientists, all without leaving the library.

The exhibit runs from May 2 to July 16, 2022 at the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books (located on the 4th floor of Lillian H. Smith Branch). This companion post gives a sneak peek — or a quick recap if you missed it — of some of the books displayed in the exhibit.

Imagination by N. C. Wyeth, 1922

Pirates

Freedom, danger, adventure: what's not to love about pirate stories? Here's your chance to explore some of the Osborne Collection's own pirate treasure:

Treasure Island

Cast your eye on the first-ever published chapter of Treasure Island! Serialized in Young Folks magazine in 1881 under the pseudonym Captain George North, Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story was a flop at first. (It took second billing to a story about an alligator.) It wasn't until the publication of the first edition of Treasure Island in book form, also included in the exhibit, that Stevenson started to see commercial success. It has since become one of the most-adapted works of fiction in English. Treasure Island is responsible for many of our ideas about pirates – including peg legs, parrots and maps where X marks the spot.

Penny Dreadfuls

Penny Dreadfuls were sensationalistic stories, published serially. They were designed to appeal to working-class readers of nineteenth-century England. The dangerous yet romantic pirate, seeking fortune and adventure at sea, was a popular penny dreadful anti-hero. The Osborne Collection has a large selection of these publications, including over 40 pirate-themed penny dreadfuls. (And fans of Taika Waititi's latest TV series, Our Flag Means Death, may be interested to discover an earlier take on the character of Blackbeard.)

Pirate tales

Come Away from the Water, Shirley by John Burningham

Pirate stories are often as much about kids' fantasies of freedom and adventure as they are about the pirates themselves. In this charming picture book, author and illustrator John Burningham presents a family’s day at the English seaside from two perspectives. Pages on the left tell one story through words of instruction to Shirley from her paren'ts on the shore. On the right, images show Shirley’s imaginative adventures with pirates at sea. You can borrow a print version of this book. 

Merfolk

Sometimes dangerous, sometimes helpful, always mysterious: merfolk reflect the preoccupations of the times and places where their stories are told. 

The Little Mermaid

Originally published in 1837, Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid is a classic merfolk tale. Andersen drew on traditional folktales about merfolk and nymphs when writing it. In Andersen’s story, the little mermaid is motivated by her desire for an immortal soul, but some modern adaptations focus on her desire for love and life on land. 

Detail from Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales, by Hans Christian Andersen, edited by Edric Vredenburg.

This 1902 collection of Andersen's fairy tales includes the striking image of the Sea Witch shown above. The little mermaid transforms her fishtail into legs with help from the Sea Witch, but the spell comes at a heavy cost: the mermaid loses her beautiful voice and risks turning into sea foam if she does not marry the prince. Portrayals of the Sea Witch vary between adaptations; she is alternately monstrous, beautiful, old and young.

You can read this book online in our Digital Archive.

Inuit sea spirits

In Inuit oral tradition, sea spirits have many forms and names. They differ between Inuit communities across the Arctic. Some spirits are foes, like the qalupaliit who drag children under the ice. Others are respected figures, like the sea goddess Sedna who controls hunters’ access to seal, walrus, fish and whale.

Packing Sedna doll designed by Peeteekootee Ugyuk and created by Joanne Mannilaq

The legend of how Sedna became a sea goddess is told throughout the Arctic. There are regional variations but in all versions, a young woman becomes the mother of all sea creatures. This packing Sedna was designed by Peeteekootee Ugyuk of Taloyoak. The doll is individually handcrafted of 100% duffel at Taluq Designs and is signed in Inuit script by the artisan, Joanne Mannilaq.

Metamorphic mermaid manuscript

This hand-made book is from the early 19th century. The pages are cut and folded so that each image transforms as the flaps unfold. The transformations include a man to a mermaid (shown above), a lion to a griffin, and a soldier to a skeleton. A handwritten verse at the top of the mermaid page reads:

Eve in her Virgin blush arrayed
Her face More fair her smile’s are freer but
Would you see a stranger maid
Turn down the Leaf and you shall see her.

Sea creatures

Victorian science books

The Sea and its Wonders by Mary & Elizabeth Kirby

For many kids, exploring the seashore is a gateway to a lifetime of fascination with science. Children's authors from the Victorian era to the present have written books encouraging this interest. We're exhibiting 200 years' worth of science books on everything from seashells to diving bells.

Sea monsters

Detail from Convalescence by Juliana H. Ewing, illustrated by Walter Crane

No exhibit about the sea would be complete without sea serpents! Here's one of many on display. Published in 1885, Convalescence is a religious tract/picture book about the courage to tolerate weakness. A child recovering from a lengthy illness meets a retired sea captain and asks about his past adventures. (On the following page, the captain admits that he has never seen a sea serpent.) You can read this book online in our Digital Archive. 

Learn more

The Annotated Hans Christian Andersen edited by Maria Tatar

Inuit Myths and Legends: website created by the Qikiqtani Inuit Association

Under the Black Flag: The Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates by David Cordingly

Post adapted from All at Sea: Pirates, Merfolk and Sea Creatures (2022), curated by Wendy Banks, Roberta Duarte and Myrna Scully-Ashton. All at Sea features content from Pirate Adventures and Mermaid Tales (2007), curated by Martha Scott.

Posted on behalf of Taylor M.

May is Jewish Heritage Month in Canada! Here at Toronto Public Library, we are celebrating this month by featuring new books by Jewish authors. These books focus on Jewish history and highlight different aspects of Jewish culture.

The term Jewish can refer to a culture, a religion, a people and a language, depending on how it’s used in a sentence. According to the Canadian Jewish Heritage Month Act, the Jewish population in Canada is about 400,000 people. This is the 4th largest Jewish population in the world! As such, by celebrating Jewish Heritage in Canada, we are celebrating a culture shared by many Canadians. This diversity is part of what makes Canada such a wonderful place to live.

Our Jewish Heritage Month booklist features stories from different Jewish cultures, moments in time, experiences and intersectional voices. Jewish heritage and history is much more than the all too familiar trope of historical fiction which takes place during World War II, featuring an individual or a family fleeing Nazi occupied territory. There are so many more diverse stories available for adults, youth, and children to read. 

The Last Kings of Shanghai by Jonathan Kaufman

Did you know that there were many Jews in China, who helped turn it into the Modern China that we know today? The Last Kings of Shanghai tells the story of two family dynasties who "stood astride Chinese business and politics for more than one hundred seventy-five years, profiting from the Opium Wars; surviving Japanese occupation; courting Chiang Kai-shek; and nearly losing everything as the Communists swept into power." – From the publisher's description.

Who By Fire by Matti Friedman

Many of us have heard of the talented Canadian singer-songwriter, Leonard Cohen, but did you know that he once serenaded Israeli troops during the Yom Kippur War? In October 1973, soldiers heard Leonard Cohen and a team of local pick-up musicians play. These moments would have a lasting effect on the soldiers and inspire some of his greatest music. Experience never-before-seen interviews, photographs, and written material from this point in Cohen's life. 

What Would You do if You Weren’t Afraid by Michal Oshman

Would you like to incorporate Jewish teachings into your daily life? Using principles from Jewish wisdom, Oshman has created a unique technique for personal growth. She draws upon her heritage and Jewish teachings to help solve common life struggles. Like not getting the job you applied for or healing from a break-up.   

Letters From Cuba by Ruth Behar

Did you know that many Jews fled to Cuba prior to World War II? In Letters From Cuba "Esther's father has fled to Cuba, and she is the first one to join him. It's heartbreaking to be separated from her beloved sister, so Esther promises to write down everything that happens until they're reunited. And she does, recording both the good–the kindness of the Cuban people and her discovery of a valuable hidden talent–and the bad: the fact that Nazism has found a foothold even in Cuba." – From publisher's description

Turtle Boy by M. Evan Wolkenstein

For his Bar Mitzvah community service project, Will is forced to visit a sick boy, RJ, in the hospital. Initially, the boys don’t get along, but when RJ, who has an incurable disease, shares his bucket list with Will, the boys start to bond. As RJ's disease worsens, Will realizes that he needs to tackle his friend's bucket list before it's too late.

Beep Beep Bubbie by Bonnie Sherr Klein

When Bubbie gets a scooter to help her stay active, her grandchildren, Kate and Nate, don't know what to think. When they see how much fun the scooter can be, they realize that Bubbie is still Bubbie – with or without the scooter! Klein is a documentary filmmaker, author and disability rights activist. 

The People's Painter : How Ben Shahn Fought for Justice with Art by Cynthia Levinson 

In this award winning book, learn about Ben Shahn, an amazing artist. "As an observant child growing up in Lithuania, Ben Shahn yearns to draw everything he sees—and, after seeing his father banished by the Czar for demanding workers’ rights, he develops a keen sense of justice, too. So when Ben and the rest of his family make their way to America, Ben brings both his sharp artistic eye and his desire to fight for what’s right. As he grows, he speaks for justice through his art—by disarming classmates who bully him because he’s Jewish, by defying his teachers’ insistence that he paint beautiful landscapes rather than true stories, by urging the US government to pass Depression-era laws to help people find food and jobs. " – From publisher's description

Jewish Mosaic Collection at TPL

Some books from the Jewish Mosaic Collection at Barbara Frum Branch. Photo taken by author (Taylor).

In addition to our Jewish Heritage Month booklist, we have many great titles featured in our Jewish Mosaic Collection. Available at the Barbara Frum and Armour Heights branches, this collection contains books from all genres! This collection highlights English-language materials about Judaism and Jewish culture, for adults, teens and children. Many of these titles are located system-wide and may be identified with a blue Jewish Mosaic label. We also have a small collection of Hebrew-language material at Barbara Frum branch. The Jewish Mosaic Collection is one of many special collections available at the library that highlight local communities in Toronto.

Born in 1922, Stan Lee would have turned 100 this year. He died in 2018, just one month shy of his 96th birthday. Lee presided over a period of intense creativity at Marvel Comics. With a talented team of artists, Stan Lee produced some of the most beloved comics characters in the world. Staff at the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy have a selected a few such characters to highlight in honour of Stan Lee's 100th birthday.

Visit A Marvel-ous Century of Stan Lee on the third floor of the Lillian H. Smith Branch. The exhibit is open from 10am to 6pm, Mondays through Fridays, and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. The exhibit runs from now until July 2, 2022.

If you are unable to come to the exhibit you can still learn more about Stan Lee’s career and some Marvel-ous characters below!

Early Career

Stan Lee was born Stanley Lieber, the son of blue-collar, Romanian-Jewish immigrants in New York. He always wanted to be a writer. At age 16, he got a job as an office boy at Timely Comics through his cousin, who was married to the owner. At first, Lee spent his time sweeping floors and running errands for the staff. Three years later, in 1941, he started writing short prose stories for Timely and was promoted to interim editor. Lee progressed to scripting comic books and kept writing even through a stint in the army during World War 2. Timely Comics became Atlas Comics after the war and then Marvel Comics in 1961. Stan Lee worked his way up from editor to publisher at Marvel and became the public face of the company.

The Silver Age of Comics at Marvel

Marvel Greatest Comics: 100 Comics that Built a Universe by Melanie Scott

During the 1960s, Stan Lee was writing for most of Marvel's series. This fertile period is when he created his most beloved characters, though his claims of authorship are sometimes controversial. Lee worked collaboratively with the artists at Marvel, usually giving them loose plots and then inserting dialogue into finished pages. Artist Jack Kirby claimed that Lee actually wrote very little and that Kirby himself and other creators wrote the bulk of what Lee took credit for.

To learn more, here's some recent biographies on Stan Lee that offer more background and insight into this controversy:

True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee by Abraham Riesman

A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee by Danny Fingeroth

No one can deny, though, that Lee was the driving force in popularising these characters and fostering the careers of many legendary artists and writers. Without his showmanship and marketing skills, Marvel Comics would not be the powerhouse it is today.

Marvel Teams

In 1961, spurred by the success of rival DC Comics’ Justice League of America (JLA) series, Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby created the Fantastic Four. It was to be a team of superheroes with very human natures, who squabbled and sulked but still saved the world. This was a deliberate contrast to the JLA, which included virtuous and all-powerful heroes such as Superman and Wonder Woman. The Fantastic Four are the genius Reed Richards, Susan Storm, her younger brother Johnny, and Richards’ college friend Ben Grimm. While journeying through space in an experimental rocket-ship, they are subjected to radiation which gives each of them superpowers.

Check out these comics featuring the Fantastic Four.

A page from Jack Kirby's Fantastic Four: The World's Greatest Artist's Edition. On display at the Merril Collection.

Other teams highlighted in our exhibit are the Avengers and X-Men (created in 1963), and the lesser-known team the Inhumans (created in 1965). Check out their stories at the library:

• Comics featuring the Avengers
• Comics featuring the X-Men
• Comics featuring the Inhumans

Heroes

Iron Man

While working on these teams, Stan Lee and the artists he collaborated with dreamed up a host of individual heroes. The hero Iron Man was first introduced in Tales of Suspense #39 (March 1963). He was created by four people: Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, story-artist Don Heck and cover-artist and character-designer Jack Kirby. Iron Man was developed as a likeable pro-war character at a time when American society was becoming increasingly anti-war due to the Vietnam War.

Check out these comics featuring Iron Man.

Iron Man is the alter-ego of industrialist Tony Stark. When he is kidnapped to build a weapon of mass destruction, he instead constructs a suit of armour to protect himself and escapes. During this time he suffers a chest injury that leaves him with a weak heart. Like most of Lee's characters, Tony Stark has several flaws, including heart problems as well as alcoholism. Iron man was most recently played by Robert Downey Jr. in several Iron Man and Avengers movies.

Close-up of The Invincible Iron Man Omnibus, Vol. 1, showing the hero in his original grey metal suit. On display at the Merril Collection.

Black Panther

Black Panther first appeared in issue #52 of Fantastic Four (July 1966). Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Black Panther was a groundbreaking character – the first Black superhero, debuting in the middle of the American Civil Rights movement. Both Lee and Kirby claim they came up with the character on their own out of a desire for diversity.

Check out these comics featuring Black Panther.

Black Panther is the alter ego of T’Challa, king of the fictional East African country of Wakanda. He can draw on the knowledge of past Black Panthers and has superhuman strength and speed derived from a special herb native to Wakanda. Black Panther appeared as a guest in several comics, then joined the Avengers in 1968. He got his own series in the 1970s. Marvel released a hugely successful Black Panther movie in 2018 starring the late Chadwick Boseman.

Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet, Book One by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Illustrated by Brian Stelfreeze and others.

Black author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates writes the current Black Panther series, which started in 2016. See also the Black Panther series by Ta-Nehisi Coates 

Silver Surfer

Silver Surfer is one of Merril department head Sephora's favourite comics characters. Funnily enough, he was also Stan Lee’s favourite character in the Marvel universe. Artist Jack Kirby created the image of the silver alien and his surfboard. Stan Lee was intrigued by the character and went on to write every one of the Surfer’s original stories himself.

Check out these comics featuring the Silver Surfer.

First appearing in March 1966, in Fantastic Four #48, the Silver Surfer was born as Norrin Radd on the planet Zenn-La. When Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds, comes to consume his home planet's energy, Radd agrees to be his herald if he will spare Zenn-La. His mission is to cruise the galaxy and seek out planets to satiate Galactus' infinite hunger for energy. Though he tries to find uninhabited planets, he is not always so lucky.

Stan Lee’s own ideas and thoughts shaped the pensive dialogue that became a trademark for the Surfer. A lonely being throughout many of his stories, the Surfer is honourable and altruistic, yet often conflicted – an alien with very human tendencies.

Essential the Silver Surfer by Stan Lee. Illustrated by John Buscema and Jack Kirby.
This book contains the first 18 issues of Silver Surfer.

More Heroes

The heroes Spider-Man and Thor are also featured in our exhibit. 

Villains

Of course, a superhero is nothing without a supervillain to fight. Stan Lee created some of the most memorable villains of popular culture: villains like Dr. Doom, Loki, Doctor Octopus… and Magneto.

Magneto

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Magneto has filled the role of supervillain, anti-hero and superhero. He first appeared in The X-Men #1 in September 1963 as one of the team’s great antagonists. Born in 1920, Magneto is a Jewish survivor of the Holocaust. His mutant abilities allow him to manipulate magnetic fields. Magneto is also the father of Pietro (a.k.a. Quicksilver) and Wanda Maximoff (a.k.a. the Scarlet Witch), recently seen in the TV show Wandavision.

Although not yet as famous as their father, there are still several comics that feature Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch.

Magneto views mutants as the next stage of evolution and calls them Homo superior. He believes that mutants will – and should – replace humans as the dominant species. This view is based on his history of persecution and a desire to protect mutants from those that seek to control or eradicate them.

IGN ranks Magneto as the #1 most iconic comic book villain of all time.

Ultimate X Men. Vol. 13, Magnetic North by Brian K. Vaughan. Illustrated by Stuart Immonen and others
Magneto devises an intricate plan to escape from prison.

More on the Legend

To learn more about Stan Lee and his work at Marvel, check out these great reads.

Amazing Fantastic Incredible: A Marvelous Memoir by Stan Lee and Peter David. Illustrated by Colleen Doran

Stan Lee: How Marvel Changed The World by Adrian Mackinder

Marvel Comics: The Untold Story by Sean Howe

And be sure to check out A Marvel-ous Century of Stan Lee at the Merril Collection!

With thanks to Kim Hull, Ames Geddes, Sephora Henderson and Brian De Wolfe.

May 1st is known world wide as May Day, and celebrated as International Labor Day. 

To help celebrate May Day, I thought it would be interesting to look at some Canadian labour history.  

Working Lives: Essays in Canadian Working-Class History:

Craig Heron is one of Canada's leading labour historians…Working Lives covers a wide range of issues within working-class life, including politics, culture, gender, wage-earning and union organization.

See also: Working People: An Illustrated History of the Canadian Labour Movement

Labouring Canada: Class, Gender, and Race in Canadian Working-Class History

"This text is a collection of classic and contemporary articles exploring the nature of work in Canadian history from the late eighteenth century to the current day."

Drawn to Change: Graphic Histories of Working-Class Struggle

"Canadian labour history and working-class struggles are brought to life in this anthology of nine short comics, each one accompanied by an informative preface."

The Canadian Labour Movement (4th edition 2020) 

"Tells the story of Canada's workers and their unions from the mid-nineteenth century through to today … such as the birth of draft unionism, the breakthroughs of the fifties and sixties, the setbacks of the twenty-first century and the factors leading to the emergence of today's mega-unions like Unifor."

See also: Building a Better World: An Introduction to the Labour Movement in Canada

Direct Action Gets the Goods: A Graphic History of the Strike in Canada

The Graphic History Collective has created an illustrated chronicle of the strike, the organized withdrawal of labour power, in Canada.

Magnificent Fight: The 1919 Winnipeg General Strike

"In May 1919, 30,000 Winnipeg workers walked away from their jobs, shutting down large factories, forcing businesses to close and bringing major industries to a halt. Mounted police and hired security, at the behest of the ruling class, violently ended the protest after six weeks. Two men were killed. What started as trade union revolt, the Winnipeg General Strike became a mass protest and was branded as a revolution."

See also:

• The Red Scare of 1918-1919, Canada's First War on Terror.
• Spying on Canadians: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Security Service and the Origins of the Long Cold War
• Secret Service: Political Policing in Canada From the Fenians to Fortress America

Cracked: How Telephone Operators Took on Canada’s Largest Corporation … And Won

"The campaign to unionize Bell Canada's huge workforce of operators, most of them overworked and underpaid women, was a central event in Canada's labour history. Joan Roberts tells the story of how determined campaigners won a major victory for working women, and established new standards for so-called "pink collar" jobs of the day."

Laying It On The Line: Driving a Hard Bargain in Challenging Times

"Buzz Hargrove, the former head of the Canadian Autoworkers (CAW), retired right before the (auto sector) collapse, but not before witnessing the decades of bad decision-making –by federal governments and CEOs–that set the stage for the sudden crisis."

See also:

• The Canadian Auto Workers: The Birth and Transformation of a Union
• A New Kind of Union: Unifor and the Birth of the Modern Canadian Union
• Our Union: UAW/CAW Local 27 from 1950-1990
• A Grander Vision: My Life in the Labour Movement (Syd Ryan)

A Good Day's Work: In Pursuit of a Disappearing Canada

"The iconic Canada–the country of close-knit small towns, of common geography and history, of meaningful work and communal values and institutions–is being transformed. John DeMont has gone in search of people who make their living the old way, in an attempt to distill the essence of our shared past"

Indigenous Women, Work, and History: 1940-1980

"Based on a range of sources including the records of the Departments of Indian Affairs and National Health and Welfare, interviews. print, and media, McCallum shows how state-run education and placement programs were part of Canada's larger vision of assimilation and extinguishment of treaty obligations. Conversely, she also shows how Indigenous women link these same programs to their social and cultural responsibilities of community building and state resistance."

Filipinos in Canada: Disturbing Invisibility

"The Philippines became Canada's largest source of short- and long-term migrants in 2010, surpassing China and India, both of which are more than ten times larger. The fourth-largest racialized minority group in the country, the Filipino community is frequently understood by such figures as the victimized nanny, the selfless nurse, and the gangster youth. On one hand, these narratives concentrate attention, in narrow and stereotypical ways, on critical issues. On the other, they render other problems facing Filipino communities invisible."

See also: Moving Beyond Borders: A History of Black Canadian and Caribbean Women in the Diaspora.

Related posts

If you like reading about labour history, you may also be interested in the following blog posts:

• 10 Vintage Photos of Toronto's Working Women: Celebrating International Women's Day, March 8, 2019
• In Memoriam: Bromley Armstrong, Black Civil Rights and Trade Union Activist
• Remembering the First Labour Day in Toronto: September 3: Snapshots in History
• Toronto's Labour Day Parade and Labour History

April is Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation, and Prevention Month in Canada. It seems like now, more than ever, we need to take the time to recognize the pain and suffering caused by genocide. We must look at the root of such hate and seek to prevent these atrocities from ever happening again. Encyclopedia Britannica defines genocide as the deliberate and systematic destruction of a group of people because of their ethnicity, nationality, religion, or race.

Generation after generation has witnessed the horror of genocide. Some that come to mind are the Holocaust, Holodomor, Rwanda and Armenian genocides. Unfortunately, this is not an exhaustive list. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada also describes the establishment and operation of residential schools as “cultural genocide.”

Sadly, even today, many people throughout the world are not treated equitably because of their racial, ethnic or religious background. In multicultural cities like Toronto, discrimination, systemic racism and inequity is still rampant. Racialized community groups are still fighting for equity and inclusion here in Canada.

Awareness and education are the first steps toward prevention, and intentional action is needed to help crush the roots of genocide. This post includes a few titles to support you in bringing unconscious biases to light, challenging assumptions and becoming an ally to marginalized groups. If you would like to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion, you can use your library card to sign up for free LinkedIn Learning courses.

Allies: Real Talk About Showing Up, Screwing Up, and Trying Again by Shakirah Bourne & Dana Levy Alison (editors)
"This book is for everyone. Because we can all be allies. As an ally, you use your power–no matter how big or small–to support others. You learn, and try, and mess up, and try harder. In this collection of true stories, 17 critically acclaimed and bestselling YA authors get real about being an ally, needing an ally, and showing up for friends and strangers." – From publisher's description

Antiracism Handbook: Practical Tools to Shift Your Mindset and Uproot Racism in Your Life and Community by Thema Bryant & Edith G. Arrington
Written by two psychologists and experts in race, identity, equity, and inclusion, learn practical skills and equip yourself with the necessary tools to help make your community and society antiracist. Through shifting your thought process, you will learn how to cultivate an antiracism mindset and find practical, evidence-based tools grounded in psychology to help you recognize and resist racial stereotypes in day-to-day interactions. – From publisher's description

How to be an Ally: Actions You Can Take for a Stronger, Happier Workplace by Melinda Briana Epler
Allyship is about understanding the imbalance in opportunity and working to correct it. All of us can be better allies for each other, creating stronger and happier workplaces together. Learn how to implement big and small changes to build a diverse team and the key to true inclusion, equity, and diversity. You will also learn how to facilitate greater empathy and understanding between people of all backgrounds. – From publisher's description

Nishga by Jordan Abel
An exploration of "how the colonial violence originating at the Coqualeetza Indian Residential School impacted Jordan Abel's grandparen'ts' generation, then his father's generation, and ultimately his own. The project is rooted in a desire to illuminate the realities of intergenerational survivors of residential school, but sheds light on Indigenous experiences that may not seem to be immediately (or inherently) Indigenous." – From publisher's description.

All About Diversity by Felicity Brooks
A beautifully illustrated celebration of diversity which helps young children to understand, value and respect differences of every kind. "This dynamic and joyous exploration of difference helps young children learn to respond in a kind and equal way to everyone regardless of shape, size, age, physical and mental ability, gender, race, beliefs, language, culture, national identity, background, and so on." – From publisher's description

Circle Round by Anne Sibley O'Brien
"From the author of I’m New Here and Someone New comes an inspiring new story of inclusion. One child in a park waves over a second child. Two children then wave over a third. Counting from one to ten, a growing circle of children see new faces outside the group and invite them over. Children of different abilities, ages, genders, and races demonstrate how easy it can be to expand your group, extend yourself, and welcome new friends." – From publisher's description

Right now!: Real Kids Speaking up for Change by Miranda Paul
"A joyful, inspiring picture book that introduces readers to eleven young people from around the world who didn’t wait until they were grown to speak up about things that matter to them and change the world for the better." – From publisher's description

This April, let's reflect on not only why genocide occurred but also how to prevent it. There is no place for hate, racism and discrimination in society. This call to action is for all of us, no matter where we are on this journey.

As a step towards learning why it is more powerful to celebrate diversity and multiculturalism, join our upcoming program – Nomadic Comfort Food: Food Access Beyond Borders on April 13 with Chef Bashir Munye. Learn about food sovereignty, why it is important for people to access food that is culturally appropriate, and how food is also a tool for identity, self-determination and resilience.

Related Links

• Black History Series
• Black Lives Matter: A Booklist
• Our Unequivocal Support for Asian Communities and Recommended Reading
• Reading for Reconciliation

The 94th Academy Awards will air live on March 27, 2022. After years without a host, the Oscars return with three: Regina Hall, Wanda Sykes and Amy Schumer. Canadian nominees this year include Luis Sequeira for costume design for Nightmare Alley. As well, director Ben Proudfoot for his short documentary, The Queen of Basketball. Surprisingly, Canadian Denis Villeneuve did not receive the nod for Best Director for Dune, despite its Best Picture nomination. Other notable snubs: Lady Gaga for House of Gucci and Caitriona Balfe for Belfast. 2022 includes many remakes (CODA, Dune, Nightmare Alley) and material sourced from the theatre (West Side Story, The Tragedy of Macbeth, Cyrano, Tick, Tick . . . Boom!).

Other highlights: 

• Jane Campion is the first woman to be nominated twice for Best Director.*
• Troy Kotsur is the first Deaf actor to be nominated for Best Supporting Actor.  
• Drive My Car is the first Japanese film nominated for Best Picture. 
• iris menas, a non-binary actor, appears in West Side Story in a trans role.
• two sets of nominated actors are partners in real life: Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst, as well as Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz. 

*Campion is also in the news for remarks she made at the SAG awards. 

On March 27, curl up, secure snacks, and use this handy ballot to track the nominees and winners (PDF). Don't forget to place holds on these great reads that inspired many of the 2022 Oscar nominations.

Our Annual Oscar Reading List:

Drive My Car. Japan. Directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi. Starring Hidetoshi Nishijima, Tōko Miura, Masaki Okada and Reika Kirishima. 

An aging actor and director faces his relationship with Oto, his enigmatic and complicated wife. While trying to stage Chekhov's Uncle Vanya, he develops a trauma-informed connection with his young driver. I'm personally rooting for Drive My Car, a nuanced, empathetic exploration of art, loss and love. 

Hamaguchi's film is based on the short story by Haruki Murakami in his 2017 collection, Men Without Women.  

Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best International Feature

The Power of the Dog. New Zealand. Directed by Jane Campion. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee.

This film is based on Thomas Savage's 1967 novel, The Power of the Dog.   Campion's study of toxic masculinity, repression and violence also features the most intense banjo playing scene since John Boorman's Deliverance.  

Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Benedict Cumberbatch), Best Supporting Actor (Kodi Smit-McPhee, Jesse Plemons), Best Supporting Actress (Kirsten Dunst), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Sound, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing

Dune. USA. Directed by Denis Villeneuve. Starring Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, Chang Chen, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Jason Momoa and Javier Bardem. 

Canadian director Villeneuve's film is based on the 1965 novel Dune, the first in the classic series by Frank Herbert.  Check out TPL's blog post, Dive Into Dune, which traces Dune's dubious cinematic history. 

Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Sound, Best Visual Effects, Best Score

West Side Story. USA. Directed by Steven Spielberg. Starring Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Rita Moreno, Brian d'Arcy James, Corey Stoll, Josh Andrés Rivera and iris menas. 

Spielberg's film is based on William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. It is also a loving, remake of the 1961 West Side Story directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins which won multiple Oscars including Best Picture.  In keeping with the film's focus on diversity, the character of Anybodys is thoughtfully reimagined as trans, and is portrayed by iris menas, a non-binary performer. 

Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress (Ariana DeBose), Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Cinematography, Best Sound

The Tragedy of Macbeth. USA. Directed by Joel Coen. Starring Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Alex Hassell, Bertie Carvel, Corey Hawkins, Kathryn Hunter, Brendan Gleeson, Moses Ingram and Ethan Hutchinson.

Coen's film is based on Shakespeare's Macbeth.  One half of the Coen brother's team delivers this powerful version featuring a diverse cast and the wickedest witch ever, played by theatre veteran Kathryn Hunter. Denzel's Macbeth is the weary, yet murderous monarch.   

Oscar nominations: Best Actor (Denzel Washington), Best Production Design, Best Cinematography

House of Gucci. USA. Directed by Ridley Scott. Starring Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Jared Leto, Jack Huston and Salma Hayek.

Scott's film is based on House of Gucci: A True Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed by Sara Gay Forden.  Scott's film about the deadly intrigues in the Gucci fashion house raised many eyebrows with its single Oscar nod (and ironically not for Best Costume Design).

Oscar nomination: Best Makeup and Hairstyling 

The Lost Daughter. USA. Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal. Starring Olivia Colman, Dakota Johnson, Jessie Buckley, Ed Harris, Peter Sarsgaard, Dagmara Domińczyk and Paul Mescal.

Gyllenhaal's film is based on the 2008 novel Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante.  This film, a psychological exploration of motherhood in all its complexities, is Gyllenhaal's directorial debut. 

Oscar nominations: Best Actress (Olivia Colman), Best Supporting Actress (Jessie Buckley), Best Adapted Screenplay

Nightmare Alley. USA. Directed by Guillermo del Toro. Starring Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, Richard Jenkins, Rooney Mara, Ron Perlman, Mary Steenburgen and David Strathairn. 

This film was based on the 1946 novel Nightmare Alley by William Lindsay Gresham.  This noir film about carnival grifters and drifters is also a remake of the 1947 Nightmare Alley starring Tyrone Power and Joan Blondell. 

Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Cinematography

Cyrano. USA. Directed by Joe Wright. Starring Peter Dinklage, Haley Bennett, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Ben Mendelsohn and Bashir Salahuddin.

Cyrano is based on the 1897 French play, Cyrano de Bergerac, by Edmond Rostand in this reimaging of the classic tale of attraction and romantic love. 

Place your hold today

These Oscar-nominated films are not based on books but are in the Toronto Public Library's collection. 

• Belfast
• King Richard
• The Eyes of Tammy Faye
• Spencer
• No Time to Die
• Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
• Encanto 
• Luca
• The Mitchells vs. the Machines
• Raya and the Last Dragon
• Cruella
• Writing With Fire 

Related Links

• The 2021 Oscars: A Reading List
• The 2020 Oscars: A Reading List
• The 2019 Oscars: A Reading List
• And the Oscar Goes To . . . (2018)

Have you read any of the books in this list? Or watched any of the movies? Which ones are you most excited to see win? Share below in the comments.

Math phobia is nothing new. For centuries paren'ts and educators have been seeking ways to make math fun. Our Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books has a unique collection of math and counting books available to view in person. From silly counting rhymes to demystifying factorials, these books have found creative ways to teach math to young readers. 

Nathaniel Numeral's Novel Notions of Acquiring a Knowledge of Numeration (1817)

Nathaniel Numeral's Novel Notions of Acquiring a Knowledge of Numeration uses a popular counting out rhyme to teach the numbers 1 to 32. Counting out rhymes like "Eeny, meeny, miney, moe" and "Tinker, Tailor" have been used for centuries by children when selecting who is "it" in games like tag.

Nathaniel Numeral's features a modified version of counting out rhyme "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe." The first recorded use of "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe" was by children in 18th century Massachusetts. By the 19th century, "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe" became commonly used in nursery rhyme and counting books on both sides of the Atlantic. 

In Nathaniel Numeral's (1817), silly rhymes help young readers count from 1 to 32.

Number Castle (1859)

Number Castle transforms math basics into a fairy tale narrative. King Arithmetic is served by four giants named Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division. When thieves steal from the King's orchard, each giant uses their unique mathematical approach to solve the problem.  

Number Castle's publisher Ward and Lock created several books which taught education basics through story. Mr. Noun and Mrs. Verb, or, Grammar in fun (1859) was another book in their Aunt Affable's Pretty Play-books series. Mr. Noun and Mrs. Verb get married, but only after Mr. Noun's friends "I, Thou, He, We, You, and They" persuade the widowed Mrs. Verb. 

The King's four giants, Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division, use math to solve a theft in Number Castle (1859).

Anno's Mysterious Multiplying Jar (1983)

Anno's Mysterious Multiplying Jar by Mitsumasa and Masaichiro Anno introduces the concept of factorials through a simple narrative about one island and two countries. A factorial is when you multiple a number by all the preceding numbers down to one. The story introduces us to one island, with two countries, each with three mountains continuing on to nine boxes each with ten mysterious jars. A factorial of ten would be 1 x 2 x 3 x 4 x 5 x 6 x 7 x 8 x 9 x 10, or 3,628,800 mysterious jars. 

Mitsumasa Anno was a prolific Japanese author-illustrator. In addition to Anno's Mysterious Multiplying Jar, he created the Anno's Math Games series and other educational picture books. Anno was popular enough that real porcelain jars, just like the book's Mysterious Multiplying Jars, were produced for the book's Japanese release. 

Anno's Mysterious Multiplying Jar explains factorials and shows us how multiplication can quickly go from 1 to 3,628,800.

The porcelain Anno's Mysterious Multiplying Jar has 3,628,800 written on the bottom. 3,628,800 is the factorial of 10 and the number of jars in the book.

Cookie Count: A Tasty Pop-up (1997)

Created by pop-up master Robert Sabuda, Cookie Count is mouth watering counting book. Celebrated for his complex paper engineering feats, Sabuda's book counts from 1 to 10 with cookie-themed pop-up creations. The book counts from "1 chocolate chip cookie" to "10 gingerbread windows," showing several mice bakers hard at work on sugary creations. 

Inuksiutiit / Inuit Tools (2014)

Inuksiutiit is a dual language Inuktitut-English board book, which teaches counting alongside Inuktitut language. The board book has each word written in Inuktitut syllabics, romanized Inuktitut, and English if the word is translatable. It begins with 1 ulu (or ᐅᓗ in Inuktitut syllabics), a type of curved knife used to cut animal skins and prepare food. The counting continues with 4 qamutiik (ᖃᒧᑏᒃ or sled), 8 umiaq (ᐅᒥᐊᖅ or boat) and ending with 10 iggaak (ᐃᒡᒑᒃ or snow goggles). 

Inuksiutiit (2014) teaches counting and Inuktitut language.

Further reading

Find more historical math and counting books on our Digital Archive. 

Books

• Marmaduke Multiply's Merry Method of Making Minor Mathematicians: Facsimile of the 1841 Children's Classic (only available in person at the Osborne Collection)
• The Oxford Companion to Children's Literature
• The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes

Blog posts from TPL

• Amazing Abecedariums: Eight Alphabet Books from 1672 to 2010
• Hand-Held Alphabets, a "Grammatico-Allegorical Ballad" and Other Early Educational Books for Children
• Vintage Homeschooling Advice by Ellenor Fenn, aka "Mrs. LovechilSaved"

Explore all blog posts featuring the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books.

It's March again, and that means it's time for Toronto Comicon. It's the first time the convention will be held since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The shift from virtual events back to in-person events is exciting for many people, but there's a group of comic book nerds that are being left behind. For some people with disabilities, chronic illnesses or other health concerns, it is still not safe to be among crowds of strangers. Without an option to attend the panels and presentations virtually, disabled people are excluded from the fun.

I may not be able to do anything about the pandemic or the changing safety precautions, but I can use my tiny corner of the internet to make sure my fellow disabled nerds know that they are seen. Disabled people read comics. Disabled people are in comics. Disabled people make comics. Here are just a few of TPL's comics and graphic novels that feature disability representation.

Critical Perspectives on Disability Representation

Uncanny bodies : superhero comics and disability edited by José Alaniz and Scott T. Smith

This edited volume is a must-read for any comic book nerd who likes a little analysis alongside their superheroes. The contributors discuss disability representation in comic book characters such as Hawkeye, Moon Knight, Cyborg and Silver Scorpion. You'll also find essays on the "super-crip" trope and the unique creative opportunities that comics open up for disability representation. 

Disfigured : on fairy tales, disability, and making space by Amanda Leduc

Leduc explores the ways that disability is represented in fairy tales. She shows how common tropes influence the ways that society thinks about disability and treats disabled people. Although Leduc focuses on fairy tales, comics follow a lot of the same narrative conventions. They feature grand adventures, heroes and villains, magical elements and often have a moral or message. And they also use the same problematic tropes, especially for villains. Comic books often use significant scarring or limb difference to make a character look monstrous. It's also common for a villain to use an acquired disability as their excuse to commit violence. 

Disabled Superheroes

Let's talk disabled superheroes. There are actually quite a few. Some have been around a long time and are commonly associated with their disability, such as Professor X of the X-Men. Others are well-known characters but aren't typically thought of as disabled, like Bucky Barnes, aka the Winter Soldier, who is a prosthetic user. 

It's important to note that many disabled people have complicated feelings about these characters. While we love seeing strong, powerful disabled characters, they are also some of the most prominent representations of disability in popular culture. This can reinforce some of the extraordinary standards that real-life disabled people are expected to live up to, all in the name of "overcoming" our disabilities. 

With that in mind, here are just a few of the disabled superheroes that TPL has in its collections:

Daredevil: Born Again by Frank Miller 

One of the most famous disabled superheroes, Daredevil first appeared in the 1960s and was popularized by Frank Miller in the 1980s. As a child, Matt Murdock was in an accident that caused blindness but also enhanced his other senses to super-human levels. After growing up and graduating law school, Matt puts on a horned mask and vows to rid his beloved Hell's Kitchen of organized crime.

Hawkeye series by Matt Fraction

Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye, is the World's Greatest Marksman and an Avenger. In some comics, Hawkeye is also Deaf. The cause and level of hearing loss differs among the versions of Hawkeye, but the hero is often depicted wearing hearing aids and using sign language. Disney+ incorporated Barton's hearing loss into the recent Hawkeye TV show, which was based on the comics series written by Matt Fraction. The show also introduced another of Marvel's Deaf characters: Echo, a Deaf Indigenous woman, first appeared in the Daredevil comics. In the show, she is also an amputee who uses a prosthetic leg. 

Barbara Gordon (formerly Batgirl)  in The Oracle Code by Marieke Nijkamp

Barbara Gordon, paralyzed by a gunshot, is struggling to adapt to life as a wheelchair user. She moves into the Arkham Center for Independence but things at the Center are not as they seem. Barbara will go to any lengths to uncover the mystery. As a disabled author, Nijkamp brings realism, compassion, and nuance to this new version of Barbara Gordon.

Memoirs and Non-Fiction

Comics and graphic novels aren't just about superheroes and villains. The format also lends itself well to non-fiction books, especially memoirs. 

A quick & easy guide to sex & disability by A. Andrews

Sexual health programs rarely include information about how to ensure that sexual activity is safe and accessible for disabled people. Disabled cartoonist A. Andrews' illustrated guide does an excellent job of beginning to fill in those gaps. This guide debunks myths about disability and sexuality, and includes practical tips and matter-of-fact information. It is a great resource for disabled people and their able-bodied or differently disabled partners.

Dancing after TEN : a graphic memoir by Vivian Chong and Georgia Webber

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) is a rare skin disease. For Chong, it caused blindness. As her vision loss progressed, she documented her experiences in a series of drawings. These drawings became Dancing after TEN, a very personal account of acquiring a disability. Chong worked with cartoonist Georgia Webber, who chronicled her own disability in Dumb. 

Everything is an emergency : an OCD story in words and pictures by Jason Katzenstein

In this graphic memoir, Katzenstein documents his life with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. He tells of his struggle to balance the demands of everyday life with the rituals and compulsions his brain tells him are necessary. And he shares his experiences seeking treatment and working towards wellness. With humor and honesty, Katzenstein shows that the realities of OCD are so much more than the pop culture stereotypes about order and cleanliness.  

Please refer to TPL's webpages for more information on Accessible Collections and curated book lists with disability representation.

From the famous Sherlock Holmes to elementary school amateurs, children's mystery fiction has a long and varied history. Stories range from lurid thrillers to charming domestic mysteries, but all these books ask and answer a simple question “whodunit?”

Uncover the secrets of children's mystery and detective stories at Meddling Kids: A Children's Mystery Book Exhibit. The exhibit runs from January 31 to April 16, 2022 at the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books (located on the 4th floor of Lillian H. Smith Branch). This companion post gives a sneak peek — or a quick recap if you missed it — of some of the books displayed in the exhibit.

The Mystery of the Stratemeyer Syndicate

One family and an army of ghostwriters dominated 20th-century children’s mystery fiction. In 1905, writer and editor Edward Stratemeyer established the Stratemeyer Syndicate. The company would go on to produce Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, The Bobbsey Twins and many other popular series.

Books from the Stratemeyer Syndicate were formulaic. Children’s literature scholar Deidre Johnson describes the Stratemeyer Syndicate formula as, “a group of personable, young, upper middle class protagonists travel to different locations, finding adventures and sometimes a light mystery.” Edward Stratemeyer would write series and book outlines. Once a publisher was secured, a ghostwriter would complete the story. In the early days of the Stratemeyer Syndicate, ghostwriters were well compensated. But over the decades ghostwriter pay actually decreased, rather than rising with inflation.

Ghostwriter Mildred Wirt Benson ghostwrote 23 of the first 30 Nancy Drew books. Books written by Benson include The Clue of the Tapping Heels (1939) and The Bungalow Mystery (1930). 

The Stratemeyer Syndicate managed to remain successful by re-inventing their already popular series. In the 1950s and 60s, Edward Stratemeyer’s daughter Harriet Adams, oversaw the revision of the company’s most popular books. Ghostwriters modernized clothing and technology, and streamlined the books’ plots. They also removed some (but not all) racist content. The plots of some series were completely re-imagined. The Bobbsey Twins series originally focused on domestic and schoolyard conflicts. In the 1960s that changed, the Bobbsey Twins books were rewritten as mysteries. 

Originally published in 1927, Hardy Boys book The Tower Treasure was rewritten to appeal to a new generation of readers.

When The Bobbsey Twins at School (1913) was rewritten as The Bobbsey Twins' Mystery at School (1962), an art heist plot was added. 

The Mystery of the Big Little Books

Big Little Books were originally devised as a way of using up leftover paper from other children’s books printed at the Whitman Publishing Company. The first Big Little Books were released in 1932 and the format quickly became successful. The Great Depression created a demand for inexpensive forms of entertainment. Topics ranged from celebrity biographies to westerns to cartoon adaptations, but mystery and detective stories were always popular.

Dick Tracy, the Detective (1932) was the first Big Little Book ever produced. The book compiles newspaper comics starring Dick Tracy. Created by Chester Gould, the hard-boiled detective Dick Tracy first appeared in newspaper comics. Dick Tracy was the first Big Little Books star, but Mickey Mouse was the most prolific. Twenty-nine books featuring Mickey Mouse were produced. Mickey Mouse, The Detective (1934) was the first Mickey Mouse Big Little Book. It features Mickey and, in his first-ever appearance, a character named Dippy Dawg who would later be known as Goofy. In this (typically silly) adventure, the pair start a detective agency, tracking down a ring of counterfeiters via some stolen flannel underwear.

Dick Tracy, the Detective (1932) and Mickey Mouse, The Detective (1934) star two of the most popular Big Little Book characters. 

The Mystery of the Animal Detectives

Not all detectives have to be human. Four-legged detectives are a fixture of children's mystery fiction. As any of these furry sleuths will tell you, they’re just as clever as their human counterparts. 

Mickey fits right in with the many mouse detectives who populate children's books. Like Basil of Baker Street (1958), this book stars Basil the “famous sleuth of mousedom.” Basil learns his craft at the literal feet of the great Sherlock Holmes, while living in the cellar of 221B Baker Street. The tiny detective's adventures inspired the Disney film The Great Mouse Detective (1986). 

The most popular children's book detective of the 21st century is also a mouse. Since 2000, mouse sleuth Geronimo Stilton and his many relatives have starred in more than 200 books, which have sold 180 million-plus copies. Geronimo's books are written as autobiographical accounts of his adventures, with Geronimo himself listed as the series author. Originally written in Italian, Geronimo has crisscrossed the world both in translation and in the plots of his stories. 

Some books in the Geronimo Stilton series star Thea Stilton, Geronimo's sister.

Pig detectives are another popular trope in children's mystery fiction. In Richard Scarry's The Great Pie Robbery (1969), Detectives Sam Cat and Dudley Pig investigate the theft of Ma Dog’s cherry pies. A pig butler cracks the case in Piggins (1987), the amateur porcine detective solves a dinner party jewelry heist. 

“Renaissance pig” Freddy featured in 26 books written by Walter R. Brooks between 1927 and 1958. In that time, Freddy played football, ran for president and consorted with Martians. He added detective to his lengthy resume in Freddy the Detective (1946). Inspired by the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Freddy becomes a detective and solves several barnyard mysteries.

Dudley Pig solves mysteries in The Great Pie Robbery (1969).

Recent reads

Alongside historical children's books, the Meddling Kids exhibit features recent favourites with appeal for readers young and old.

The Parker Inheritance (2018) by Varian Johnson

Is it possible to solve a family mystery with an old letter sent to Candice Miller's grandmother? Candice and her new friend Brandon begin to search for clues. Soon they discover Lambert, South Carolina's dark history during the era of Jim Crow and Segregation.

The Case of Windy Lake (2019) by Michael Hutchinson

Nicknamed the Mighty Muskrats, Sam, Otter, Atim and Chickadee are growing up on the Windy Lake First Nation. They are drawn into a mystery when a visiting archaeologist goes missing. This is the first book in the Mighty Muskrats Mystery series by Misipawistik Cree Nation member Michael Hutchinson.

Eye of the Crow (2007) by Shane Peacock

We meet a young and already highly observant Sherlock Holmes in Shane Peacock’s The Boy Sherlock Holmes series. In this installment, 13-year-old Sherlock investigates his first murder. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bunny — Detectives Extraordinaire! (2012) by Polly Horvath

Madeline arrives home to find that her paren'ts are missing, possibly kidnapped. Luckily, she meets Mr. and Mrs. Bunny, who have decided to take up detective work.

Learn more

Books

• The Dick Tracy Big Little Books (only available in person at the Osborne Collection)
• The Big Book of Big Little Books by Bill Borden (only available in person at the Osborne Collection, Merril Collection and Toronto Reference Library)
• The Collector's Guide to Big Little Books and Similar Books by Lawrence F. Lowery (only available in person at the Osborne Collection and Merril Collection)
• Edward Stratemeyer and the Stratemeyer Syndicate by Deidre Johnson (only available in person at the Osborne Collection and Toronto Reference Library)

Web

• Girls' Series Books Rediscovered: Nancy Drew and Friends from The University of Maryland Libraries
• Girls' Books from Tufts University 

Post adapted from Meddling Kids: A Children's Mystery Book Exhibit (2022) curated by Wendy Banks, Amber Burkholder, Roberta Duarte and Myrna Scully-Ashton. Meddling Kids features content from It’s Elementary: Children’s Detective Stories from The Osborne Collection of Early Children’s Books (2001) curated by Leslie McGrath. 

February is Black History Month. It's a time to observe the accomplishments, contributions, and culture of Black Canadians.

Generally, the dialogue around Black history focuses on stories of enslavement, struggle and pain. And although these stories are important in acknowledging the present-day inequities Black Canadians still face, they are not entirely representative of what it means to be Black in Canada.

With the images of Black pain all over textbooks, social media and the news, it's hard to control the singular narrative of what people think of us. But, Black people have always created spaces for ourselves and others to rejoice through cooking with one another, making music we can dance to, or writing stories that we can share.

Mother reads to her son at North York Central Library.

In a way, Black joy is resistant to the idea that our existence is only suffering. Even at a time like this – when it may feel contrary to think of joy – it's those experiences that help keep us afloat and remind us of our humanity.

We've curated a special, intentional list of physical and digital content by Black Canadians that centers around the theme of Black joy. Please remember that this doesn't mean you won't find discussions on subjects like racism and sexism. You will. Still, the focus of these resources is on triumph and how Black Canadians find joy apart from and despite these issues.

Resources on Black joy

My Mother’s Daughter by Perditia Felicien

This story of two-time Olympian and 10-time National Champion, covers the challenging childhood of Perdita Felicien and how the special relationship with her mother helped build the foundation for her incredible career.

I've been meaning to tell you by David Chariandy

In this tender letter to his thirteen-year-old daughter,  Scarborough native David Chariandy shares the harsh realities of being Black in Canada, along with the joy and beauty he's discovered along the way. 

No Crystal Stair by Mairuth Sarsfield

Set against the backdrop of Montreal's jazz scene during the '40s, No Crystal Stair is both a tender, hopeful story of life in Montreal and an exploration of Canada's "soft" racism.

Ties that Tether by Jane Igharo

A Nigerian-Canadian woman falls in love and must challenge the expectations her family has set out for her.

Burning Sugar by Cicely Belle Bain 

Activist and poet Cicely Belle Blain's poems share how the world is "both beautiful and cruel, a truth that inspires overwhelming anger and awe."

Fire and Glory by Kardinal Offishal

Recognized as one of the trailblazers in the Canadian Hip-Hop scene, Kardinal Offishal's music is vibrant, energetic and full of soul, guaranteed to make you dance. You can access his digital CD on Hoopla.

Joy by FeFe Dobson

When I was growing up, Fefe Dobson's music was all over the radio. She's a Canadian pop icon, known for hits like "Stuttering", "Take Me Away" and "Everything". You can access her digital CD on Hoopla.

This is me by Jully Black

Dubbed one of ' The 25 Greatest Canadian Singers Ever' by CBC Music, Jully Black is a Juno award-winning hit-maker. Her music will have you belting soulful tracks you didn't know you could. You can access her digital CD on Hoopla.

Night Train by Oscar Peterson 

In one of his most well-known albums, Canadian jazz legend Oscar Peterson serenades us with his rhythmic blues. You can access his CD on Hoopla.

Dining in Paradise by Raquel Fox

Celebrity Chef Raquel Fox gives us a colourful, tasty look at Bahamian foods we can make in our kitchen.

What Are you Doing Here? by Laina Dawes

I’m a fan of rock music, and when I discovered a book written by a Black Canadian on the very subject, I thought this was too good to be true!

How Black TPL staff find joy

I asked a few TPL staff to share what brought them joy, here's what they had to say:

"To weather this pandemic and just life in general, I go for laughter and comic relief. From classics like BET Comic view to Trevor Noah pieces on Netflix, laughter has always brought me joy." – Rahma, TPL Social Worker

"The experience of exercising or putting your all into something has been joyful for me. Muay Thai has given me the opportunity to meet new people, learn new techniques for self-defense, and of course, have a good punching bag session!"- Meldon, Public Service Assistant

"For the past 2 years, I've been learning how to play Pathfinder online. It's a role-playing game very similar to Dungeons and Dragons. It's so much fun even though I have no idea what I'm doing!"- Ro, Library Assistant

"I can get lost for hours in hair and makeup YouTube videos by Black influencers. This pandemic has been very stressful (and even this has made it into the content of the videos), but these videos have been a little corner of the world where I feel normal and happy." – Hellen, Librarian

Honourary mentions

• Cosmic Underground Northside (Reference copy), various editors | Merril Collection
• I Am Because We Are: An African Mother's Fight for the Soul of a Nation by Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr (February 2022 – available for hold)
• My Ackee Tree: A Chef's Memoir of Finding Home in the Kitchen by Suzanne Barr (April 2022 – available for hold)
• Kola Magazine, e-resource

Related links

• TPL's Black History series is a comprehensive resource of book lists, blog posts, special events, and programs that honour Black heritage and the contemporary contributions of Black activists and artists worldwide.
• Black History Month Booklist
• Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection
• Black Futures Now Toronto worked with Black youth to create Mapping Black Futures, a living community archive of places, events, and memories that are meaningful to them and their communities.

Let us know what brings you joy in the comment section below!

For Black History Month, here are some titles about our province's richly diverse past.

For other reading lists and upcoming programs, see our Black History and Culture page. Also be sure to check out our Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection. 

I've Got a Home in Glory Land: A Lost Tale of the Underground Railroad

Thornton Blackburn escaped slavery in the US in the early 1800s and came to Canada and his legal case established Canada as a safe terminus for the Underground Railway. He settled in Toronto with his wife Lucie where they started Toronto's first cab company and were very successful. They were also anti-slavery activists.

Mary Ann Shadd Cary: The Black Press and Protest in the Nineteenth Century

"Mary Ann Shadd Cary was a courageous and outspoken 19th-century African American Woman who used the press and public speaking to fight slavery and oppression."

See also this blog post: Celebrating Mary Ann Shadd, Canada's First Black Female Newspaper Publisher

The Underground Railroad: Next Stop, Toronto! (new edition 2022)

"Explores Toronto’s role as a destination for thousands of freedom seekers before the American Civil War."

Daddy Hall: A Biography in 80 Linocuts

"John "Daddy" Hall, a man of Mohawk and African-American descent who survived war, capture and slavery to become a pillar of the community in 19th-century Owen Sound …  a freeman, a scout … a husband and a father."

See also:

• Broken Shackles: Old Man Henson From Slavery to Freedom
• Did You Know? Owen Sound & Underground Railroad

The Promised Land: History and Historiography of the Black Experience in Chatham-Kent's Settlements and Beyond

"Eschewing the often romanticized Underground Railroad narrative that portrays southern Ontario as the welcoming destination of Blacks fleeing from slavery, The Promised Land reveals the Chatham-Kent area as a crucial settlement site for an early Black presence in Canada."

Crossing the Border: A Free Black Community in Canada

"In 1849, the Reverend William King and fifteen of his former slaves founded the Canadian settlement of Buxton on a 9,000-acre block of land in Ontario… an agricultural community that supported three schools, four churches, a hotel, and a post office, Buxton was home to almost seven hundred residents at its height." 

Against All Odds: The Story of William Peyton Hubbard: Black Leader and Municipal Reformer

"Popular Toronto politician who began his career as a baker and became alderman in the most affluent, white ward of the city; one of the first elected controllers, and finally acting-mayor of Toronto. Hubbard, a reformer on municipal issues … He was returned to office 15 times … became the most important municipal politician of the period — at a time when most Blacks were still barred from Toronto hotels, restaurants and bars."

Anderson Ruffin Abbott: First Afro-Canadian Doctor

"Anderson Ruffin Abbott, son of a wealthy properties speculator … Graduating from the Toronto School of Medicine in 1861 he became the first Canadian of African descent to train as a physician.  He was one of only eight black surgeons in the Union Army during the American Civil War."  In 1871 he settled in Chatham Ontario and become Kent County's first Black coroner. 

See also: Anderson Ruffin Abbott, the First Black Doctor Born in Canada

Family Secrets: Crossing the Colour Line

"Catherine Slaney grew into womanhood unaware of her celebrated Black ancestors… Her great-grandfather was Dr. Anderson Abbott, the first Canadian-born Black to graduate from medical school in Toronto in 1861 … Slaney narrates her journey along the trail of her family tree."

Ontario's African-Canadian Heritage  Collected Writings by Fred Landon, 1918-1967

"The collected works of Professor Fred Landon, who for more than 60 years wrote about African-Canadian history. The selected articles have, for the most part, never been surpassed by more recent research and offer a wealth of data"

The Journey from Tollgate to Parkway: African Canadians in Hamilton

"Looks at the history of blacks in the Ancaster-Burlington-Hamilton area."

Moving Beyond Borders: A History of Black Canadian and Caribbean Women in the Diaspora

"The first book-length history of Black health care workers in Canada."

See also: Women in the "Promised Land": Essays in African Canadian History

Go to School, You're a Little Black Boy: The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander

"Born in Toronto in 1922, the son of a maid and a railway porter, Alexander embarked on an exemplary life path that has involved military service for his country, a successful political career, a thriving law career, and vocal advocacy."

See also this TPL blog post: Ever Consider a Career in Politics? Learn from the late and great Lincoln Alexander

Bromley, Tireless Champion for Just Causes: Memoirs of Bromley L. Armstrong

"Bromley Armstrong, is a black Canadian civil rights leader born in 1926. He was active in the nascent civil rights era in Canada … and a committed union activist … He was also active in promoting equal rights for African-Canadians … He was awarded the Order of Canada in 1994."

See also: In Memoriam: Bromley Armstrong, Black Civil Rights and Trade Union Activist

Black Berry, Sweet Juice: On Being Black and White in Canada

"Lawrence Hill's remarkable novel, Any Known Blood, a multi-generational story about a Canadian man of mixed race, was met with critical acclaim … Now Hill, himself a child of a black father and white mother, brings us … a provocative and unprecedented look at … the experiences of thirty-six other Canadians of mixed race."

See also: I Am My Father's Son: A Memoir Of Love And Forgiveness by Dan Hill

This January 17 would have been the wonderful Betty White's 100th birthday.  She died, with impeccable timing, on New Year's Eve (great for the news cycle). She was a gifted comedian, well known for her roles on Mary Tyler Moore Show, Golden Girls and more recently Hot in Cleveland. But she actually had her own show as far back as the 1950s called "Life with Elizabeth."

White became kind of a cult figure in her 90s and hosted Saturday Night Life thanks to a grassroots Facebook campaign.  She was the oldest host ever!  She also had that wonderful mix of "grandmotherly" sweetness with a "grandmotherly" raunchy sense of humor. See the "Dusty Muffin" skit on Youtube below from the popular Saturday Night Live segment “Delicious Dish.” This is a perfect example of White's risque yet deadpan innocent comedic delivery. On a more serious note, she was also deeply involved in animal rights and campaigns for the humane treatment of animals. 

Learn more about Betty White

Here are some biographies and autobiographies you can borrow from the library.

If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't)

"Drawing from a lifetime of lessons learned, seven-time Emmy winner Betty White's wit and wisdom take center stage as she tackles topics like friendship, romantic love, aging, television, fans, love for animals, and the brave new world of celebrity."

Betty White: the Illustrated Biography

"Nothing in the world of American show business or celebrity today is more fashionable than to love Betty White. Be it her latest turn on "Saturday Night Live" or her latest hysterical ad or her latest appearance on Craig Ferguson's "Late Late Show" or last week's episode of "Hot in Cleveland," any and everything Betty does has us gathering at the watercooler on Monday morning: "Did you see?" 

Here We Go Again: My Life in Television

"Legendary actress Betty White chronicles her long and storied television career."

Betty White in Black and White

"Several episodes from Betty's first acclaimed hit series, Life With Elizabeth (1953-55), along with Betty's own daytime series The Betty White Show. Included also is a rare episode from November 1954 where Betty sings, dances, and is joined by surprise guest Rin Tin Tin, plus a message from Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

When Women Invented Television: The Untold Story of the Female Powerhouses Who Pioneered the Way We Watch Today

"The best-selling author of Seinfeldia documents the lesser-known story of how four trailblazing women from the radio era, including Irna Phillips, Gertrude Berg, Hazel Scott and Betty White, helped establish the foundation of the modern television industry."

Betty White: Champion for Animals

"This fascinating and heartwarming program, hosted by Betty White, transports you coast to coast and across the continents for unforgettable encounters with the amazing creatures with whom we share our planet and the people behind the scenes charged with their care, protection and maintenance."

See also: Betty & Friends: My Life at the Zoo

Bake a muffin to celebrate her life

In honour of Betty White some folks online are talking about making a small donation to an animal charity in her memory which I think is a grand gesture.  Otherwise, bake a muffin in her name! Here are some of my favourite recipe books.

Mad for Muffins: 70 Amazing Muffin Recipes from Savory to Sweet

"Jean Anderson, the legendary, award-winning food writer, brings her incredible talents to muffins. In seventy recipes, Anderson covers every kind of muffin imaginable, from Corn with Country Sausage to Swirled Mocha to Old Vermont Cheddar-Cranberry. With such a wide range of choices for every season, you can bake these comforting treats year-round."

150 Best Vegan Muffin Recipes

"This undeniably delicious and varied assortment of vegan muffins will reassure anyone who has doubts about vegan baking. These muffins are easy to prepare simply by using readily-available ingredients like non-dairy milk, soy yogurt and ground flax seeds."

Easy Flourless Muffins, Bars & Cookies: Delicious Recipes for Healthy, Portable Gluten-Free Snacks

"Presents flourless recipes from the popular blogger for muffins, brownies, cookies, and bars, including ideas for grab-and-go breakfasts, quick and easy snacks, and healthy desserts, along with oil-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free options."

I used to be a great letter writer and postcard sender, although now I enjoy texting more than putting pen to paper.  Luckily for us, people in earlier times did write letters instead of email and text, and folks valued and kept them. 

There is nothing in my mind more enjoyable than reading other people's letters. It's like morally ok eavesdropping.  So take a moment, dear reader, and sample some of these interesting and varied selections of letters.

Letters from Father Christmas

"A collection of illustrated letters from Father Christmas recapping the activities of the preceding year at the North Pole. The letters were written by J.R.R. Tolkien to his children."

Letters From Family

The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love, and Loss

"A charming, intimate and fascinating collection of correspondence between broadcaster and #1 New York Times bestselling author Anderson Cooper and his mother, the celebrated Gloria Vanderbilt"

Soledad Brother: The Prison Letters of George Jackson

"A collection of Jackson's letters from prison, Soledad Brother is an outspoken condemnation of the racism of white America and a powerful appraisal of the prison system that failed to break his spirit but eventually took his life. Jackson's letters make palpable the intense feelings of anger and rebellion that filled black men in America's prisons in the 1960s."

See also:

• The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela
• Che Guevera I Embrace you with All my Revolutionary Fervor: Letters 1947-1967
• Bayard Rustin's Life in Letters
• Lin Zhao Blood Letters: The Untold Story of Lin Zhao, a Martyr in Mao's China

Letters From Friends

The Letters of Noël Coward

"The first and definitive collection of letters (most of them previously unpublished) both from and to the incomparable Noël Coward, a unique and irresistible portrait of a society and age—from the Blitz to the Ritz and beyond"

See also:

• The letters of the Mitford Sisters 
• The letters of Virginia Woolf
• A Queer Love Story: The Letters of Jane Rule and Rick Bébout

Under the Sun: The Letters of Bruce Chatwin

"Bruce Chatwin is one of the most significant British novelists and travel writers of our time … Careful and considered in drafting his published work, the letters are Chatwin's only unedited writing, and a paean to a disappearing mode of communication: tangible proof of a life as it was lived, and possibly one of the last great collections of a writer's letters."

See also:

• Sister Love: The Letters of Audre Lorde and Pat Parker 1974-1989
• Diana Athill  Letters to a friend
• In Tearing Haste: Letters between Deborah Devonshire and Patrick Leigh Fermor
• Love letters of Vita Sackville West and Virginia Woolf  

84 Charing Cross Road 

"The story unfolds through a series of letters between Helene Hanff, a freelance writer living in New York City, and a used-book dealer in London at 84, Charing Cross Road. Through the years, though never meeting and separated both geographically and culturally, they share a winsome, sentimental friendship based on their common love for books."   

See also:

• The Bookshop at 10 Curzon Street: Letters Between Nancy Mitford and Heywood Hill 1952-73.

Letters from Thinkers

Letters from a Stoic

"Along with the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca's Letters from a Stoic is one of the major texts of Roman Stoic philosophy. Themes include the rational order of the universe, how to lead a simple life, the effects and benefits of misfortune, and the necessity of facing mortality"

Dear Friend, You Must Change Your Life': The Letters of Great Thinkers

"We see some of the most fascinating thinkers in history at their most private and profound, reaching out to a friend, sharing, testing, confirming discoveries about the complexity of life, how to rise above its hardships and enjoy its pleasures."

Perfectly Reasonable Deviations from the Beaten Track: The Letters of Richard P. Feynman

"I’m an explorer, OK? I like to find out!” — One of the towering figures of twentieth-century science, Richard Feynman possessed a curiosity that was the stuff of legend. Even before he won'the Nobel Prize in 1965, his unorthodox and spellbinding lectures on physics secured his reputation amongst students … here was an extraordinary intellect devoted to the proposition that the thrill of discovery was matched only by the joy of communicating it to others."

See also:

• Edward O Wilson's Letters to a Young Scientist

The Screwtape Letters and Screwtape Proposes a Toast

"Lewis's satire is a Christian classic. Screwtape is a veteran demon in the service of "Our Father Below" whose letters to his nephew and protagonist, Wormwood, instruct the demon-in-training in the fine points of leading a new Christian astray. Lewis's take on human nature is as on-target as it was when the letters were first published in 1941."  For the author's actual letters to his friends and readers see also The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis.

See also:

• Thomas Merton Letters 
• To Obama: With Love, Joy, Anger, and Hope

Letters From Lovers

The Love Letters of Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning

"The relationship between Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning began in his admiring her poetry. His audacious first letter moves from loving her books to loving her. … the fullness of their love is revealed in these letters."

See also:

• Rainer Maria Rilke's Letters to a Young Poet and The Letter From a Young Worker
• The Letters of Sylvia Plath

Love in the Blitz: The Long-Lost Letters of a Brilliant Young Woman to Her Beloved on the Front

"On July 17th 1939, Eileen Alexander, a bright young woman recently graduated from Girton College, Cambridge, begins a brilliant correspondence with fellow Cambridge student Gershon Ellenbogen that lasts five years and spans many hundreds of letters. "

See also:

• Love, Kurt: The Vonnegut Love Letters, 1941-1945
• The Animals: Love Letters Between Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy

So, if you're inspired by this blog, why not write a letter (or even a postcard) and send it to someone as an unexpected act of friendship in 2022?

I have a wonderfully weird fascination with Santa Claus. Often something you grow out of after the age of 7, I have continued to be intrigued by this marvelously magical character over the years and have sought out a new book about Santa every holiday season. Since coming to work at the Toronto Reference Library, I have discovered this year's Santa treasure: JRR Tolkein's "Letters From Father Christmas." It's a beautifully illustrated collection of letters from Tolkein, who is pretending to be Santa Claus, to his children. 

Letters From Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien

My desire to enjoy books about Santa Claus usually happens around late November, early December coinciding with the lighting pine-scented candles and using Iowa Pine Mrs. Meyers cleaning products around my house. I have also adopted my mother-in-law's tradition of buying a Santa Christmas ornament every place we travel and now our Christmas tree has Santas of every shape, size, and colour. My favourite is a rather fit, snorkeling Santa from Belize that we found on our honeymoon.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say we all have traditions that help get us in the Christmas spirit. I think a popular one is Christmas movies that get rewatched every year. Whether you enjoy them before Christmas or during that strange time between Christmas and New Years when time (and real pants) no longer matter, Christmas movies are wildly comforting. My husband feels the need to watch the extended editions of "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" movies and I like to watch "Scrooged" on Christmas eve. My dad and I delight in acting out the line "The b*tch hit me with a toaster" much to my mother's dismay and an eye roll that could reach outer space.

Scrooged

The Man Who Invented Christmas has been added to our Christmas watch list a few years ago, if you're a fan of biopics this one is for you. It's wonderfully acted by Dan Stevens from Downton Abbey and is based on the true story of Charles Dicken's magical invention of Ebenezer Scrooge (played by Christopher Plummer).

The Man Who Invented Christmas

If you've got enough movies on your plate, "Die Hard," "Home Alone," and "Harry Potter" were all deemed must-watch titles at our annual Friendsmas this past weekend, perhaps I can peek your curiosity in books about Santa Claus instead? Please scroll through and enjoy this curated list of my favourite biographies, philosophical investigations, real-life Santas, and spoofs of the big man himself. The feminist in me would be remiss if I didn't include the unsung hero, Mrs. Claus, so I saved the best for last.

Santa Claus Biographies

Santa Claus: A Biography by Gerry Bowler

"Santa Claus was born in early-nineteenth-century America, but his family tree goes back seven hundred years to Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children. Intervening generations were shaggy and strange — whip-wielding menaces to naughty boys and girls. Yet as the raucous, outdoor, alcohol-fuelled holiday gave way to a more domestic, sentimental model, a new kind of gift-bringer was called for — a loveable elf, still judgmental but far less threatening."

The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guinn

"An enchanting holiday treasure, this book combines solid historical fact with legend to deliver the definitive story of Santa Claus. And who better to lead us through seventeen centuries of Christmas magic than good ol Saint Nick himself?"

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum

"From the author of the Wizard of Oz comes a magical tale about the origins and story of Santa Claus including Santa's childhood among the fairies and animals, how he came to make presents, and why he comes down our chimneys at Christmas."

Philosophy of Santa

Does Santa Exist? A Philosophical Investigation by Eric Kaplan

"Metaphysics isn’t ordinarily much of a laughing matter. But in the hands of acclaimed comedy writer and scholar Eric Kaplan, a search for the truth about old St. Nick becomes a deeply insightful, laugh-out-loud discussion of the way some things exist but may not really be there."

The Truth About Santa by Gregory Mone

"In this fantastically illustrated, affectionate, and hilarious book, Gregory Mone uses science and technology to overturn the assumption that Santa can't be real. Drawing on the work of accomplished scientists and researchers, Mone gives us a whole new portrait of this remarkable man and the miracles he makes happen every year."

The Indisputable Existence of Santa Claus by Dr. Hannah Fry and Dr. Thomas Oleron Evans

"In their quest to provide mathematical proof for the existence of Santa, the authors take readers on a festive journey through a traditional holiday season, wherein every activity, from wrapping presents to playing board games to cooking the perfect turkey, is painstakingly and hilariously analyzed."

Santa Claus "IRL" (In Real Life)

Being Santa Claus by Sal Lizard

"Sal Lizard was in his twenties when his beard and hair turned completely white.  Today he appears everywhere from malls and parades to schools and hospitals. And– from his custom-made red velvet suits to the mistletoe that hangs from the rearview mirror in his Santa-mobile–he is Santa Claus three hundred and sixty-five days a year."

A Mile of Make Believe by Steve Penfold

"This volume focuses on the Eaton's sponsored parades that occurred in Toronto, Montreal, and Winnipeg as well as the shorter-lived parades in Calgary and Edmonton. There is also a discussion of small town alternatives, organized by civic groups, service clubs, and chambers of commerce."

The Santa Claus Man by Alex Palmer

"Before the charismatic John Duval Gluck, Jr. came along, letters from New York City children to Santa Claus were destroyed, unopened, by the U.S. Post Office. Gluck saw an opportunity, and created the Santa Claus Association. The effort delighted the public, and for 15 years money and gifts flowed to the only group authorized to answer Santa's mail." 

Santa Spoofs

I Saw Zombies Eating Santa Claus by S.G. Browne

“Andy Warner has just escaped from a zombie research facility in Portland, Oregon, where he's been subjected to experimental testing for the past year. With Christmas just days away, Andy figures that donning a jolly old St. Nick costume to throw off his would-be captors is just the ticket. For the living and the undead, this unforgettable holiday tale will truly put on display just who is gnawing and who is nice.”

Klaus by Grant Morrison and Dan Mora

“Set in a dark fantastic past of myth and magic, Klaus tells the story of how Santa Claus really came to be. Where did he begin? What was he like when he was young? And what happens when he faces his greatest challenge? Drawing on Santa Claus' wilder roots in Viking lore and Siberian shamanism, taking in the creepier side of Christmas, and characters like the sinister Krampus, Klaus is Santa Claus: Year One.”

Mrs. Claus

How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas by Jeff Guinn

“It's 1620, and Mrs. Claus's dear husband is off in the New World, planting seeds for what will become a glorious Christmas tradition. Meanwhile, Mrs. Claus has chosen to stay in England, where the first signs of a dangerous threat to Yuletide cheer are in evidence."

Comment below and tell me some of your favourite Christmas or holiday traditions!

Learning the alphabet may be "as easy as ABC," but there are many creative ways to teach it. From traditional rhymes to space age adventures, alphabet books are an ever expanding genre of children's literature. 

Our Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books has a unique collection of alphabet books dating from the 17th century to the present. Sometimes called abecedarium, these books present the letters in order. With each alphabet book taking a different approach, the variations on this simple theme are endless.

Orbis Sensualium Pictus (1672)

Orbis Sensualium Pictus was one of the first children's picture books published in Europe. First published in what is now Germany, this Latin textbook is titled The Visible World in Pictures in English. Orbis Sensualium Pictus teaches learners Latin words for nature, commerce, human biology and more. The book's alphabet section teaches letter sounds through animal noises. Those animal noises might sound strange to modern readers, with phases like "Lamb blaiteth" and "Grasshopper chirpeth." 

Osborne Collection's copy of Orbis Sensualium Pictus is an English edition from 1672. Orbis Sensualium Pictus' English translator admitted that the book's German phrases did not always easily translate to English. This explains the confusing phrase "[t]he Crow cryeth" representing A. 

The alphabet portion of Orbis Sensualium Pictus (1672).

The History of Apple Pie (1808)

In the 19th century, the popularity of illustrated alphabet books expanded rapidly. Printing technology advanced making illustrated books easier and cheaper to produce. The market for children’s books also grew. Middle-class paren'ts were eager to supply their children with books. The History of the Apple Pie (see digitized book or record for print copy) was an early example of this new demand for alphabet books.

The book teaches the alphabet through a relatable narrative about craving apple pie. (At the time, the word "history" was also used to mean "story".) A hungry set of siblings approach the apple pie and continue to bite, cry and dance their way through the alphabet. The book's text comes from an old alphabet rhyme, which was first written down in 1671. 

An entire family is hungry for apple pie in The History of Apple Pie (1808). Letters A, B and E of alphabet rhyme are shown here.

An Illustrated Comic Alphabet (1859)

An Illustrated Comic Alphabet (1859) by Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon (1826–1874) is the earliest known Canadian picture book. Originally from England, Howard-Gibbon lived in Sarnia, Ontario when she created the book. Howard-Gibbon's alphabet illustrations were never published during her lifetime. She gifted the original pen-and-ink illustrations to her friend Martha Poussette in 1865. In the 1960s, Howard-Gibbon's illustrations were donated to the Osborne Collection. In 1966, Osborne Collection published a reproduction edition of her An Illustrated Comic Alphabet art.

Howard-Gibbon's book uses the "A was an Archer" alphabet rhyme. The "A was an Archer" rhyme first appeared in print in the early 18th century. The popular rhyme was used for centuries with many illustrators putting their unique spin on the poem. Howard-Gibbon's characters all have child-like faces and proportions, which contrasts with the adult-themed rhymes such as "D was a Drunkard, with a red face" and "G was a Gamester, and he had ill luck." 

An Illustrated Comic Alphabet (1859) uses the traditional "A was an Archer" alphabet rhyme.

“D was a drunkard, and had a red face" was removed in some later versions of the rhyme.

Space Alphabet (1964)

While other alphabet books use traditional rhymes and common words, Space Alphabet (1964) takes readers to another planet. Space Alphabet was published at the height of the space race. Writer Irene Zacks introduces readers to new technology, with sentences like "R is for rockets ready to GO!" and "S is for the satellites that probe outer space." Space Alphabet is optimistic about space travel's future. The letter W stands for "the wonders you may someday see in space," and Y stands for "you in your new space suit." 

Y stands for "you in your new space suit" in Irene Zacks' Space Alphabet (1964).

Alphabet Book (1968)

Kids create their own ABCs in Alphabet Book (1968). This book features illustrations by elementary school students from Kettle Point First Nation. Working with their teacher Anne Wyse, 36 students between the ages of five and eight contributed to Alphabet Book. The book reflects the students' diverse interests. Illustrations range from turtles and ice cream to Lesser Yellowlegs (a type of bird) and Zorro.

Students surround a turtle for letter T in Alphabet Book (1968).

The Eclectic Abecedarium (1983)

Measuring just 3.5 cm long, The Eclectic Abecedarium (1983) is Osborne Collection's smallest alphabet book. The book was created by the irreverent and eccentric Edward Gorey, a 20th-century illustrator dubbed "the granddaddy of Goth." The Eclectic Abecedarium is a parody of 19th-century moral education poetry. Gorey's alphabet couplets give off-beat advice, which loosely feature letters of the alphabet. 

The Eclectic Abecedarium (1983) is Osborne Collection's smallest alphabet book.

Rhyming couplets for letters A, B and L from Gorey's ABC book.

ABC3D (2008)

ABC3D (2008) introduces readers to an alphabet in motion. French illustrator and graphic designer Marion Bataille created this alphabet pop-up book. Letters appear and transform as readers turn ABC3D's pages, C becomes D and a mirrored V becomes W. Beyond the ABCs, designer Bataille has also created counting books 10 (2011) and Numero (2013). 

Lii Yiiboo Nayaapiwak lii Swer: L'alfabet di Michif / Owls See Clearly at Night: A Michif Alphabet (2010)

Lii Yiiboo Nayaapiwak lii Swer: L'alfabet di Michif (2010) by Julie Flett is a dual-language alphabet book featuring text in Michif and English. Michif is the language of the Métis people. Cree, French and other Indigenous languages combined to create a unified Michif language. Michif is an endangered language. Flett's alphabet book is part of efforts to celebrate and preserve Michif.

Like English, Michif uses the Latin alphabet, but with some differences. There are no Q or X sounds in Michif, so Lii Yiiboo Nayaapiwak lii Swer features a 24 letter alphabet. The alphabet book celebrates Métis culture and Michif language. It features words important to Metis culture, like G for "La Galet" (bannock in English) and V for "Li Vyaloñ" (fiddle in English). 

A snowy owl appears through out Lii Yiiboo Nayaapiwak lii Swer: L'alfabet di Michif (2010). 

Learn more

Books

• Illustrated Children's Books by John Barr (only available in person at the Osborne Collection or Toronto Reference Library)
• The Norton Anthology of Children's Literature: The Traditions in English edited by Jack Zipes, Lissa Paul, Lynne Vallone, Peter Hunt and Gillian Avery

Online resources

• Play with Language and the Nonsense of Alphabet Books lecture by Robin Hoffman
• Michif Dictionary from the Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research
• Orbis sensualium pictus from The British Library
• Hand-Held Alphabets, a "Grammatico-Allegorical Ballad" and Other Early Educational Books for Children blog by TPL

On November 22, 2021 the Toronto sign will be lit red to recognize National Housing Day. National Housing Day is observed across Canada and affirms that housing is a human right. 

As the Federation of Canadian Municipalities recognizes, “National Housing Day commemorates the moment in November 1998 when FCM's Big City Mayors' Caucus joined with frontline housing and public health advocates to declare homelessness a national disaster.” This day recognizes that access to affordable and adequate housing is the foundation for communities, and aims to raise awareness of this issue in our city. Though there is great work being done by organizations and people across Canada, this day reaffirms that more needs to be done so everyone can be safely housed. The social media hashtag #nationalhousingday appears every year in November to share information on events and advocacy work.

Toronto Public Library commits to supporting people experiencing homelessness in our city; through our warm, welcoming spaces, supports found within our branches and by working closely with community organizations and the City of Toronto.

To learn more about housing and homelessness here are some recommended titles.

How ten global cities take on homelessness: innovations that work by Linda Gibbs, Jay Bainbridge, Muzzy Rosenblatt, Tamiru Mammo

Homelessness: how to end the national crisis by Jack Layton

House divided: how the missing middle will solve Toronto's affordability crisis by Alex Bozikovic; Cheryll Case, John Lorinc, Annabel Vaughan

And to begin a conversation with children check out this book.

On our street : our first talk about poverty by Dr. Jillian Roberts, Jaime Casap

Did you know that the teddy bear was named after United States president Theodore Roosevelt? It's true! And it all began with a hunting expedition.

In November 1902, while hunting with the Governor of Mississippi, Roosevelt refused to shoot a black bear that was already captured and restrained. To him, this was unsportsmanlike. As news of the event spread, the Washington Post published a political cartoon satirizing the president's actions. This cartoon then caught the attention of Morris Mitchom, a candy store owner and toy maker from Brooklyn. Mitchom began producing a special stuffed bear that he named Teddy, after the president. He even sent one to Roosevelt and received his permission to continue using the name. And with that, the toy industry was changed forever.

Beloved toys are an important part of childhood but they also hold a special place in the hearts of many adults. For some people, that means frequent board game nights or collecting of vintage toys. For others, it simply means displaying your first teddy bear in a place of honour on a bookshelf. But what they all have in common is nostalgia. 

Take a walk down memory lane with these book and documentaries about classic toys, teddy bears and games. And then try your hand at making your own toys with a selection of how-to books.

Books

The story of the Steiff teddy bear : an illustrated history from 1902 by Günther Pfeiffer

Steiff is a German toy company known for producing some of the earliest stuffed animals, including the now infamous teddy bear. This illustrated volume delves into the Steiff archive to document the history of the company, the cultural impact of the stuffed bears and the ways that Teddy's design has changed over 100 years.

Toy time! : from hula hoops to he-man to hungry hungry hippos: a look back at the most- beloved toys of decades past by Christopher Byrne

Christopher Byrne's exploration of the history beloved childhood favourites is pure nostalgia! Reminisce with facts and photos of favourite toys like Easy-Bake Oven, Tonka Trucks, G.I. Joe and Skip-It.

It's all a game : the history of board games from Monopoly to Settlers of Catan by Tristan Donovan

Journalist and games expert Tristan Donovan traces the history of board games, from those that pre-date the written word right up to modern favourites like Monopoly and Operation.

Timeless toys : classic toys and the playmakers who created them by Tim Walsh

Filled with fun facts and beautiful photographs, toy inventor Tim Walsh delves deep into the history of classic toys, such as the Slinky, Radio Flyer Wagons and Frisbees.

Ultimate History of Video Games, Volume 1 : From Pong to Pokemon and Beyond … the Story Behind the Craze That Touched Our Lives and Changed the World by Steven L. Kent

An avid gamer from the days of Pong, Kent documents the early decades of the video game industry, from arcades to television consoles and handheld devices. This book is a must-have for any video game fan. It's filled with fascinating trivia, like how Space Invaders caused a coin shortage, and details on how the early games paved the way for what is now a multibillion dollar industry. If you like this book, check out Volume 2: Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, and the billion-dollar battle to shape modern gaming.

The great Beanie Baby bubble : mass delusion and the dark side of cute by Zac Bissonnette

In the 1990s, Beanie Baby toys exploded in popularity. They became a highly collectible item and skyrocketed in value. And then, almost overnight, they were practically worthless. Bissonnette takes you inside the highs and lows of one of the biggest fads of all time.

Barbie forever : her inspiration, history, and legacy by Robin Gerber

This fully authorized history of one of the world's most famous dolls includes vintage advertisements, original designs and a timeline of key moments in Barbie history.

Documentaries

The toys that made us. Season 1 & 2

Netflix's hit documentary series about iconic toy franchises, including He-Man, Hello Kitty, Transformers and Star Trek.

Toy store near you – season 3

An inside look at independent toy stores around the world.

DIY Toys

How to make heirloom teddy bears by Sue Quinn

What better way to celebrate the anniversary of the naming of the teddy bear than to create your own. This book provides step-by-step instructions to make your own teddy in the style of the original stuffed bears. It also includes lots of great tips on repair, creating original designs and how to personalize your bear.

Outdoor woodworking games : 20 fun projects to make by Alan Goodsell and Randall Maxey

Learn how to make simple woodworking projects, such as giant versions of dominoes, chess and tic tac toe. And don't worry, the projects are designed for beginners and only require basic tools and equipment.

Crochet for play : 80 toys for make-believe by Sarah Pawlowski 

With these cute, easy to make crochet patterns for everything from vegetables to carpentry tools, you'll be playing pretend in no time!

Making classic toys that teach : step-by-step instructions for building Froebel's iconic developmental toys by Doug Stowe

Froebel's Gifts were some of the world's first educational toys and inspired some of the greatest minds of the 20th century. Professional woodworker Doug Stowe provides step-by-step instructions for making each of Froebel's simple but effective toys. He also includes information about the history and educational benefits of each toy.

Fat quarter toys : 25 projects to make from short lengths of fabric by Susie Johns

If you've got fabric scraps and extra sewing notions cluttering up your crafting area, Susie Johns' book will give you lots of great ideas for putting those leftover materials to good use. Her project ideas include a tiger rattle, a fishing set, a memory game and, of course, a teddy bear. She also includes handy tips for sewing beginners.

Amazing rubber band cars : easy-to-build wind-up racers, models, and toys by Mike Rigsby

Mike Rigsby's book provides an entertaining introduction to engineering using everyday household items. Not only does he include instructions and templates for a variety of rubber band cars, but many other mechanized toys as well, such as a laughing clown and a dog with a wagging tail.

Is there a special toy that is still near and dear to your heart? Does a particular toy or game instantly remind you of your childhood? Is there something you still haven't been able to part with?

I don't have too many childhood mementos with me these days but my Playmobil pirate island and Creepy Crawler machine are still  buried in my mom's garage somewhere. The only things that have made it to my tiny downtown apartment are my wooden dinosaur skeleton models–because you are never too old for dinosaurs!

Share your childhood (or adulthood) favourites in the comments below.

Lee Maracle

Yesterday, the Indigenous literary community lost an incredible Stó:lō author, Lee Maracle (1950 – 2021).

In the 1970s, Maracle, a Grandmother of Indigenous literature, was among the first of many Indigenous authors to be published. She helped forge a path for Indigenous literature as we know it.

Her debut book, Bobbi Lee: Indian Rebel was released in 1975, and many other stories she has written have been critically acclaimed. In all, she published over a dozen books in various genres, and had works featured in many other compilations.

She received several prestigious awards and honours, such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2014, the Anne Green Award in 2016, and the Bonham Centre Award in 2017. She was also named an officer of the Order of Canada in 2018.

A member of the Stó:lō nation, she was the daughter of a Métis mother and a Salish father. She was the granddaughter of Chief Dan George. She was also the mother to four children, and grandmother of four. She was an instructor, an author, an actor, a traditional teacher, an Elder, and an advocate.

Maracle grew up in North Vancouver, east of the Second Narrows Bridge. She dropped out of high school, became a part of Vancouver’s hippie sub-culture, and eventually made her way to California, where she was a member of the Red Power Movement.

Lee Maracle passed away on November 11 in Surrey, British Columbia.

Her legacy at Toronto Public Library

Over the years, Toronto Public Library had the honour of hosting Lee Maracle for a number of events, from visits to small neighbourhood branches to large-scale gatherings, such as the Indigenous Writers’ Gathering in 2016.

She was also featured on one of our podcasts, Writers Off the Page.

In 2018, Maracle was also invited as a guest Elder to the Indigenous Advisory Council, to provide support in the development of TPL’s Elders in Residence program.

We also have many of her books in our collection, and we’ve gathered some of her best ones here.

On behalf of the Toronto Public Library, we pass along our sincerest condolences to Lee Maracle’s family, friends, loved ones, community, and all who were connected to her. She will be missed.

Children's book series create a special bond with their readers, a bond that is strengthened over many volumes. Series allow readers to grow up alongside their favourite characters, from Anne of Green Gables to Franklin the Turtle. 

Discover the charm of children's book series, new and old, at Wait! There's More: A Children's Book Series Exhibit. The exhibit runs from October 18, 2021 to January 15, 2022 at the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books (located on the 4th floor of Lillian H. Smith Branch). This companion post gives a sneak peek — or a quick recap if you missed it — of some of the books and artwork displayed in the exhibit. 

Wait! There's More features classic children's book new and old.

Many Faces of Anne

Flame-haired orphan Anne Shirley is the creation of Canadian author L. M. Montgomery. In the Anne of Green Gables series, Anne brings her wild imagination with her when siblings Marilla and Matthew adopt her. Inspiration for the Anne character came partly from a newspaper story about a British couple mistakenly sent a girl instead of a boy to adopt. Continuously in print since its first publication, Anne's story has been translated into more than 20 languages. 

The popular image of Anne is of a young girl with long braids and a straw hat, but her look has changed many times throughout the past 100 plus years.

This illustrated edition of Anne of Green Gables (2000) portrays Anne with her iconic braids and hat. 

The first edition of Anne of Green Gables (1908) (see digitized book or records for our physical copies) portrayed Anne as a classic Edwardian beauty. The cover art by George Gibbs shows an adult woman with her red hair in an updo. Gibbs' illustration was not created specifically for Montgomery's book. The illustration actually first appeared three years earlier on the cover of The Delineator magazine. 

First edition Anne of Green Gables (1908) first edition with a cover illustration by George Gibbs.

Later editions of the Anne series continued to update Anne's appearance to fit current trends. A 1930s edition of Anne of the Island (1938) has Anne looking like a glamorous film star complete with a fashionable waved bob. In Anne of the Island, we see Anne say goodbye to her beloved Green Gables to attend Redmond College.

A glamourous Anne with bobbed hair from Anne of the Island (1938).

Edward Ardizzone's Maritime Adventures

Edward Ardizzone’s Little Tim series follows the maritime adventures of young Tim and his many friends. Tim aspires to be a sailor, but his adventures on the water are never smooth sailing. Edward Ardizzone’s own experiences sailing and travelling by sea inspired the Little Tim series. Ardizzone said the books drew on “half-forgotten memories of past experiences,” including a childhood boat trip from China to England.

Five original illustrations from Ardizzone's Tim and Ginger (1965) are displayed in the exhibit. Ardizzone believed that illustrations were secondary to a good story, and should help the story along but not distract the reader. When illustrating his characters, Ardizzone focused on movement and body language rather than facial expressions. His favourite way to depict protagonists in the story was from behind so that readers could imagine their faces for themselves. 

Edward Ardizzone hand-painted and lettered covers for Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain (1936) and Tim and Ginger (1965). 

Franklin and Friends

An episode of M*A*S*H (the 1970s TV series set during the Korean War) inspired writer Paulette Bourgeois' Franklin series. She heard M*A*S*H character Hawkeye declare, “he was so claustrophobic that if he were a turtle, he’d be afraid of his own shell,” and wrote a story about a little turtle afraid of his own shell. That story became Franklin in the Dark (1986), the first book in the Franklin series. Together with illustrator Brenda Clark and later writer Sharon Jennings, Bourgeois’ idea spawned 54 books and two TV series. 

Franklin in the Dark (1986) and Franklin is Bossy (1993) are two early volumes in the Franklin series.

Six original illustrations by Franklin illustrator Brenda Clark are displayed in the exhibit. Illustrator Brenda Clark says, “[m]y biggest challenge was designing Franklin. Because he is a turtle who acts like a boy, I wanted him to be somewhat realistic, but capable of showing human emotions.” Franklin can do things real-life turtles cannot, like crawl out of his shell and walk on two legs. These character design choices make Franklin a blend of real and imaginary. 

Two original Brenda Clark illustrations from Franklin is Lost (1992).

Recent Reads

Books series featured in the Wait! There's More exhibit span more than 140 years of children's publishing. In addition to established classics, the exhibit also features recent favourites with appeal for readers young and old. 

Seraphina (2012) by Rachel Hartman

The human and dragon kingdoms in Goredd have been at peace for 40 years. But that peace is threatened when a human is murdered and it is believed a dragon is to blame. Seraphina, a half-dragon half-human, is called upon by the prince to solve the crime. She must hide her half-dragon heritage or face unjust persecution. The series continues with Shadow Scale (2015) and Tess of the Road (2018).

I Want My Hat Back (2011) by Jon Klassen

A bear searching for his missing hat encounters a series of deadpan fellow animals. The series continues with picture books This Is Not My Hat (2012) and We Found a Hat (2016).

The Barren Grounds (2020) by David Robertson 

In The Barren Grounds, Indigenous foster children Eli and Morgan have been removed from their families and communities. Both are placed with a white couple, Katie and James. In the attic of their foster home, they stumble upon a portal to another world: Askí. There they meet a local hunter, Ochek, who is desperately trying to save the Misewa community while they are trapped in perpetual winter. The series continues with The Great Bear (2021). 

Neil Flambé and the Marco Polo Murders (2010) by Kevin Sylvester

Fourteen-year-old Neil is a professional chef and amateur detective with a huge ego and a sensitive sense of smell. In this first book, police call upon Neil – known to them as “The Nose” – to sniff around a murder scene for clues. But when rival chefs keep dying and Neil hasn’t caught the culprit, he soon becomes a suspect. The series continues in five volumes including Neil Flambé and the Tokyo Treasure (2012) and Neil Flambé and the Duel in the Desert (2016).

Post adapted from Wait! There's More: A Children's Book Series Exhibit (2021) curated by Roberta Duarte, Ames Geddes and Myrna Scully-Ashton. Wait! There's More features content from And Then What Happened?: Series Books and Popular Fiction in Children’s Literature (2013) curated by Elizabeth Derbecker. 

In honour of Remembrance Day, I am sharing a diverse mix of more visual Canadian material on World War One (WW1).

Canadian WW1 poster. View on Digital Archive Ontario.

Visual Books

They Fought in Colour / La Guerre en couleur: A New Look at Canada's First World War Effort / Nouveau regard sur le Canada dans la Première Guerre mondiale

"Picture the First World War as if you were there: in living colour and immersive detail. Even for such a richly documented time, the era is usually obscured behind grainy black-and-white photography. They Fought in Colour is a photographic exploration of Canada's First World War experience, presented for the first time in full, vibrant colour, with essays by some of our country's leading public figures. Explore life on the front lines, the huge support network needed to maintain the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and events on the home front in Canada."

While not Canadian, you may also be interested in Peter Jackson's colorized film documentary about WW1,  They Shall Not Grow Old and also a five-volume book series by year The Great War Illustrated. 

An Illustrated History of Canada's Great War (1914-1918)

"In Hell's Corner, one of Canada's master historians tells the story of how Canada became involved in World War I, how it fought the war and how it emerged from that conflict a stronger and more unified nation.   Using a wealth of first-person accounts and thoughtfully chosen illustrations, Hell's Corner depicts the struggles of Canadians on both the home front and the battlefield.  This account of Canada in the Great War is enhanced by much fresh material, in the form of 100 black-and-white and 35 colour photographs, gathered from the collections of the Canadian War Museum, many of which have never been published before."

Canada's Great War Album: Our Memories of the First World War

"Published to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, Canada's Great War Album is an unprecedented and remarkable collection of Canadian photographs, memorabilia, and stories of the war. Two years ago, Canada's History Society invited Canadians to tell their family stories from the First World War. The response was overwhelming and assembled for the first time are their personal stories and photographs that together form a compelling and moving account of the war."

Flanders' Fields: Canadian Voices from WW I (Audiobook on CD)

"Flanders' Fields was originally broadcast as a 17-part radio series on CBC radio in December 1964. First hand accounts of the Canadian experience in World War I battles"

Women

World War Women: Canadian Women and Total War

"Experience the incredible determination, resilience and sacrifice of Canadian women during the First and Second World Wars. War brought enormous changes to Canadian women's lives. They adapted to the conditions of total war in practical terms, working, volunteering and serving in uniform."

See also:

• A Sisterhood of Suffering and Service: Women and Girls of Canada and Newfoundland during the First World War
• Anxious Days and Tearful Nights: Canadian War Wives During the Great War
• It Was Their War Too: Canadian Women in World War
• Firing Lines: Three Canadian Women Write the First World War

Sister Soldiers of the Great War: The Nurses of the Canadian Army Medical Corps

"Canada's first women soldiers–nursing sisters who enlisted as officers with the Canadian Army Medical Corps. The nursing sisters' had a mandate to salvage as many sick and wounded men as possible for return to the frontlines. Nothing prepared them for poor living conditions, the scale of casualties, or the type of wounds they encountered, but their letters and diaries reveal that they were determined to soldier on under all circumstances while still "living as well as possible."  See also, This Small Army of Women: Canadian Volunteer Nurses and the First World War

Indigenous

For King and Kanata: Canadian Indians and the First World War

"The first comprehensive history of the Aboriginal First World War experience on the battlefield and the home front. … more than 4,000 status Indians who voluntarily served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force between 1914 and 1919–a per capita percentage equal to that of Euro-Canadians–and how subsequent administrative policies profoundly affected their experiences at home, on the battlefield, and as returning veterans."   

See also:

• Indigenous Peoples of the British Dominions and the First World War
• Native Soldiers, Foreign Battlefields

Sounding Thunder: The Stories of Francis Pegahmagabow

"Francis Pegahmagabow (1889-1952), an Ojibwe of the Caribou clan, was born in Shawanaga First Nation, Ontario. Enlisting at the onset of the First World War, he served overseas as a scout and sniper and became Canada's most decorated Indigenous soldier. After the war, Pegahmagabow settled in Wasauksing First Nation, Ontario, where he married and raised six children. He served his community as both Chief and Councillor." 

See also:

• Pegahmagabow: Legendary Warrior, Forgotten Hero
• Inuit soldier from the Korean War From the Tundra to the Trenches
• Indigenous Soldiers – Foreign Battlefields (Canada Federal Government site)
• Indigenous Veterans  (Canada Federal Government site) 
• Aboriginal People in the Canadian Military…The World Wars (Canada National Defense site) 

Black Canadians

The Black Battalion 1916-1920: Canada's Best Kept Military Secret

"Black military heritage in Canada is still generally unknown and unwritten. Most Canadians have no idea that Blacks served, fought, and died on European battlefields, all in the name of freedom. The story of the overt racist treatment of Black volunteers is a shameful chapter in Canadian history… In this thirtieth-anniversary edition of Ruck's celebrated history of Nova Scotia's No. 2 Construction Battalion, known as the Black Battalion, the original text and over 60 photos."

See also:

• Black Canadians in Uniform — A Proud Tradition (Canada Federal Government Veterans Affairs site)
  
• Canada's Black Soldiers (blog) 

John McCrae and In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields: 100 Years: Writing on War, Loss and Remembrance

"In early 1915, the death of a young friend on the battlefields of Ypres inspired Canadian soldier, field surgeon and poet John McCrae to write In Flanders Fields.' Within months of the poem's December 1915 publication in the British magazine Punch, it became part of the collective consciousness in North America and Europe…In this anthology, Canada's finest historians, novelists and poets contemplate the evolving meaning of the poem." 

See also:

• In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae
• We shall not sleep. Though poppies grow in Flanders Fields (blog)
• 'They fell with their faces to the foe.' The First Battle of Ypres Commenced (blog)

Children's Books

Learn what we remember on Remembrance Day and why, with these books for kids from preschool through middle school, recommended by our children's librarians.

Desperate Glory: The Story of WWI

"This book presents the story and issues of the First World War in a clear, concise and objective manner, accompanied on every page by photographs, original sketches or maps. Focusing on social as well as political issues with a Canadian perspective, Wilson presents the issues of the war with depth and compassion. This book will be a very useful tool for educators in explaining the hows and whys of this most important period."

The Great War 

"The Great War (1914-1918) inspired courageous heroes and established a proud Canadian nationalism, but it was a devastating, horrific bloodbath that killed or maimed almost half of Canada's brave soldiers in deadly battles such as Ypres, the Somme, Vimy Ridge, and the final 100 days…. (young readers) will learn about life in the trenches, the first tanks, U-boats and convoys, aces and dog fights, machine guns and cavalry charges, gas warfare, as well as the drastic changes in women's roles. Hands on activities include creating a multicultural force, writing a coded message, targeting and observation, and much more."

From Vimy to Victory: Canada's Fight to the Finish in World War I

"From Vimy to Victory is presented in an engaging and accessible scrapbook style, with facts and details accompanied by first-person accounts, letters describing life at the Front, wartime diaries, and numerous images, maps, and diagrams that bring World War I to vivid life… Soldiers faced mud, trench foot, bombardments, barbed wire, snipers, and poison gas…The war cost Canada 60,661 of its finest citizens and thousands more who were wounded in body and mind." See also, Vimy Oaks A Journey to Peace.

Indigenous Peoples in the World Wars

"Discusses the role of Indigenous soldiers during World War I and World War II as well as how they were treated when they arrived back home to Canada."

A Poppy is to Remember

"The text is simple and is combined with stunning paintings by award winning illustrator Ron Lightburn. The familiar poem, "In Flanders Fields," is included, along with information about the symbolism and history of the poppy and Remembrance Day – all geared towards helping paren'ts and teachers explain the significance of past and present wars and Canada's peacekeeping missions."  See also In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae and Remembrance Day and the Poppy. 

Hold the Oxo! A Teenage Soldier Writes Home

"They were the letters of a lad who left a small farming community for the city on July 15, 1915, a boy who volunteered to serve with the 79th Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. Jim's letters home gloss over the horrors of war…(no) mention the mud and rats, the lice and stench of the trenches, or the night duty of cutting barbed wire in no man's land. For 95 years his letters remained in a shoebox decorated by his mother.  Jim was just 18 when he was wounded and died during the Battle of the Somme."

Related Blog Posts

You may also be interested in some other Toronto Public Library posts on WW1.

• A Canadian Love Story in WW1 Silk Embroidered Postcards
• Reading World War 1 Novels for Remembrance Day 
• WW I  postcard 4th Trench Mortar Battery
• WW I Airplane Postcards
• We Honour Remembrance Day with WW1 Canadian Vintage Military Posters 
• The Battle of Vimy Ridge, April 1917–One Hundred Years of Memory and Myth
• We Asked Toronto to Remix Wartime Posters for the Current Moment — See the Amazing Results
• War Posters from 102 Years Ago
• NoVember is for Victory Bonds

WW1 Silk embroidered postcard and insert card: "Dearest B, Love from far away. Bombardment now on which makes a terrible noise. Love Vernon X." Available at Toronto Reference Library's postcard collection.

Treaties Recognition Week is the first week of November every year. 

Most of Canada is under treaty for shared use with Indigenous communities and non-Indigenous communities. Treaties help demonstrate "ongoing rights and obligations" for all who live in Canada. 

Canada has two types of treaties with Indigenous communities, called historic and modern treaties. Historic treaties occurred between 1701 and 1923, and modern treaties began in 1973.

We've gathered together some resources available not just at the library but also outside of the library to learn more about treaties and why they are important.

Please note that if a resource is by an Indigenous person, their nation is in brackets next to their name. Descriptions of these documentaries and books are based on descriptions from the creators.

Books

All Ages

Treaty Words: For As Long As The Rivers Flow written by Aimée Craft (Métis and Anishinaabeg), illustrated by Luke Swinson (Anishinaabeg and Mississauga)

"The first treaty that was made was between the earth and the sky. It was an agreement to work together. We build all of our treaties on that original treaty. On the banks of the river that have been Mishomis’s home his whole life, he teaches his granddaughter to listen—to hear both the sounds and the silences, and so to learn her place in Creation. Most importantly, he teaches her about treaties—the bonds of reciprocity and renewal that endure for as long as the sun shines, the grass grows, and the rivers flow. Accompanied by beautiful illustrations by Luke Swinson and an author’s note at the end, Aimée Craft affirms the importance of understanding an Indigenous perspective on treaties in this evocative book that is essential for readers of all ages."

Children

Treaty Baby by Sara General (Mohawk), illustrated by Alyssa M. General (Mohawk)

"Writing and illustrating books for children, Spirit & Intent expresses a perspective of Mohawk young women. Treaty Baby features simple, one line sentences about a female and male toddler. On the book's cover, readers see the pair holding an important wampum belt representing the Evergrowing Tree of Peace. Each two-page spread tells young readers about treaties and their significance to Indigenous people. This understanding begins at birth and extends throughout life. We learn why treaties are important to our children and they are told why we honour them. Learning begins with stories because babies love stories. Treaty babies enjoy hunting and fishing, they love the sunrise, love the waters and the thunders, they love to pick berries and give thanks. This all leads to knowing our rights. The stylized illustrations capture the essence of Haudenosaunee design and symbols. The Treaty babies resemble cornhusk dolls but are drawn with eyes but no complete facial expressions. The overall feeling of the book acknowledges the way the Haudenosaunee give thanks. These subtle touches bring a unique understanding to young children about the essential nature of treaties to Indigenous people." (Description from GoodMinds.com)

Alex Shares His Wampum Belt written by Kelly Crawford (Anishinaabe), illustrated by Donald Chrétien (Nishnaabeg)

"Kelly Crawford wrote this information book about a First Nation student named Alex and his inspiration to create a wampum belt from his Lego blocks. The boy explains that treaty belts are made from wampum and they represent promises made to last. The wampum belt Alex made symbolizes the Treaty of Niagara agreement. Real wampum beads are made from white and purple shells. The colours also have meaning and the designs are used to tell the history of the belt's creation. The promises mean that First Nations agreed to share the land and they have rights as Nations. The treaty is a living promise that means all people are Treaty People. This is an important information resource for elementary students and has a page of suggested activities for teachers." (description from GoodMinds.com)

Dakota Talks About Treaties by Kelly Crawford (Anishinaabe), illustrated by Donald Chrétien (Nishnaabeg)

"Told from Dakota's perspective the book begins as Dakota gives a speech to her classmates. She recounts her family's trip to a celebration of the Treaty of Niagara in Niagara Falls. This is where Dakota saw wampum belts and heard speeches about the history of this treaty. She also explained to her class that the treaties are living agreements and sacred promises. The final page provides a few suggestions for teachers who explain to students that we are all treaty people. Simple sentences, colour illustrations and large font make this an excellent student resource about treaties and wampum for primary and junior level readers."

Adults

From Treaty Peoples to Treaty Nation: A Road Map for all Canadians by Greg Poelzer and Ken S. Coates

"Canada is a country founded on relationships and treaties between Indigenous people and newcomers. Although recent court cases have strengthened Aboriginal rights, the cooperative spirit of the treaties is being lost as Canadians engage in endless arguments about First Nations "issues." Greg Poelzer and Ken Coates breathe new life into these debates by looking at approaches that have failed and succeeded in the past and offering all Canadians–from policy makers to concerned citizens–realistic steps forward. The road ahead is clear: if all Canadians take up their responsibilities as treaty peoples, Canada will become a leader among treaty nations."

Documentaries

Trick or Treaty? by Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki) and Annette Clarke

You can check out more items in our collection and more. 

Online Programs 

Check out these previously aired online programs that talk about treaties on Crowdcast:

Talking Treaties in Tkaronto

"Reflecting on treatymaking and upkeep in what is now known as Toronto, through the lens of three main agreements: the Dish with One Spoon; the Covenant Chain and 1764 Treaty of Niagara; and the ‘Toronto Purchase’ with the Mississaugas of the Credit. Narratives of Nation-to-Nation gift giving, kin building, resource sharing, and the role of oral memory are supported by excerpts from the 2016 Talking Treaties Audio Gallery and the 2019 film “By These Presents: ‘Purchasing’ Toronto”. Glimpses of the multi-year community engaged process reveal the capacity of arts-based learning in fostering personalised and active approaches to treaty knowledge."

Naagan ge bezhig emkwaan / A Dish with One Spoon Reconsidered

Long before Europeans arrived, the Anishinaabe occupied territory which includes parts of present-day Ontario, Michigan and Ohio. The resources found there are integral to their way of life and identity. The Anishinaabe defended this territory, and its integrity was at the core of the peace they concluded in Montreal in 1701, a key element of which was the Naagan ge bezhig, or Dish with One spoon. Recently, however, the Dish with One Spoon has been popularized as an agreement to protect the environment. Researchers Victor Lytwn and Dean Jacobs provide a history and overview of the Dish with One Spoon from an Anishinaabe perspective while explaining how its incorporation into "land recognition statements" is damaging to First Nations who seek to protect their territories and resources.

Blog Posts 

You can also read other blog posts that talk about treaties.

Remembering the Toronto Purchase and its Settlement: June 8: Snapshots in History

A blog post by a librarian sharing information within our library about the Toronto Purchase.

Treaties Recognition Week 2020: Recommended Watching and Reading

A blog post by a librarian sharing information within our library about treaties.

Wampum: Not Museum Artifacts but Original Treaties!

A blog post by a librarian learning about wampum and its significance with making treaties.

We Are All Treaty People

A blog post by a librarian about how everyone who lives in Canada is a treaty person. This blog post also shares resources available to learn more about treaties at Toronto Public Library.

Outside of the Library

Want to learn more about treaties outside of the library? Here are some things you can do to learn more: 

Register for a virtual event with the Government of Ontario's Treaties Recognition Week! Events include Treaties and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action with Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, and Treaties, Environment and Land: A funny story of sustainability with ONE bowl, ONE spoon and a whole lot of POPCORN! with Rabbit and Bear Paws.

You can also watch some videos gathered by the Government of Ontario featuring Maurice Switzer, Ange Loft, Margaret Froh, Bentley Cheechoo and more!

Check out recordings from this year's Truth and Reconciliation Education Week!

We recommend checking out the following sessions, as well as all of the other sessions that ran on September 28. They are all available to watch on YouTube:

• We Are All Treaty People with Elder Harry Bone and Commissioner Loretta Ross
• WAMPUM TALK: We Are All Treaty People with Teyotsihstokwáthe Dakota Brant

We also recommend checking out Whose Land and Native Land, which are two websites that show traditional territory boundaries and where treaties are not just in Canada, but in some other countries as well.

October is Canadian Library Month, and October 17-23, 2021 is Ontario Public Library Week. The theme this year is "One Card, One Million Possibilities." And it's true. With a Toronto Public Library card you have access to:

• 100 locations
• over 10.5 million items
• eLearning courses
• Digital Innovation Hubs
• live programs and workshops
• and much, much more.

This week is a great time to celebrate your library's role in your life and in your community. And, on the topic of roles…

Our Toronto Public Library branches have had some starring roles and cameos in a wide variety of movies, shows and books. Have you seen a scene with the "New York Public Library" that looks awfully familiar? Read a book by a local author where a character visits their local library? Spotted one of our locations in the background of a street shot?

Not one of our branches, but a character from the show Kim's Convenience proudly shows off their TPL card! This is a screenshot taken from the episode, produced by Thunderbird Films.

Toronto Reference Library may be the most-recognized location used, but it isn't the only branch to make it to the screen. Perhaps you've seen The Weeknd's music video for "Secrets", a recent and well-known example? Majid Jordan used Toronto Reference Library first, though, for the music video for "Forever" (around the 2:54 mark).

Here are some more starring roles and cameos you may have noticed, or are perhaps learning about for the first time!

Movies

Bruce Willis casually hangs out in the Toronto Reference Library while dealing with a hit squad in R.E.D. You can spot our stacks in the trailer at 00:28.

In Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, Scott meets Ramona for the first time in our Wychwood Branch (currently closed for renovation). It's the only branch used in the movie. But in the graphic novel series, there's also an epic battle that takes place in Toronto Reference Library. Ramona and Knives demolish the Toronto Star newspaper sculpture to use as makeshift weapons. Thankfully, the real thing is still intact. You can see it stretching up from the basement past the first floor near the elevators.

Queen/Saulter Branch was transformed into a records office for the horror movie In the Mouth of Madness.

Part of the Odd Squad movie was filmed at New Toronto Branch. Or maybe it should be called the New-New-New-New Toronto Branch. Originally opened in 1928, additions were added in 1951 and 1954. Then, in 1993, the old building was demolished. The current New Toronto Branch opened in 1994.

Shows

The new series Y: The Last Man pretends to be showing you New York Public Library, but we all know it's really Toronto Reference Library. You can spot it in the trailer at 00:37. The series is based on the graphic novels by Brian K. Vaughan. Want to read the series before you watch the show? Get started with book one in print or online through Hoopla.

In The Umbrella Academy, a destroyed version of our Lillian H. Smith Branch makes a great makeshift home in a post-apocalyptic future. You won't spot the iconic gryphons – Judith and Edgar – though! To avoid spoilers, we won't share more than that. The series is based on graphic novels of the same title, but the plot between the two quickly diverges at the end of season one.

The old St. Clair/Silverthorn Branch. Taken in 2001.

An old TVO show, Bookmice, filmed their trailer in the old St. Clair/Silverthorn Branch. The show itself didn't make use of the library, though. The new branch opened in 2019, and it looks pretty different!

The new St. Clair/Silverthorn Branch.

Parkdale Branch and globe sculpture. Taken in 2006.

Get a glimpse of Parkdale Branch in the opening credits of the Baroness von Sketch Show. It's in the first few seconds – blink and you'll miss it!

You can also spot the circular, curved railing in Lillian H. Smith Branch on an episode of Masterminds (around 00:25). The show is doing a reenactment of a rare book theft from Transylvania University's special collections.

Books

Award-winning author and former TPL staff member Nalo Hopkinson includes Parkdale Branch in Brown Girl in the Ring.

Published in 1995, The Terminal Experiment is available electronically. If you prefer a physical copy, you can also read it in our Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy. Although the character doesn't visit a library, they do phone North York Central Library for help finding information in a city directory. Robert J. Sawyer mentions North York Central Library in Rollback as well.

In It's A Good Life, If You Don't Weaken, there are lots of familiar scenes of Toronto streets. And some interior scenes of Toronto Reference Library, too!

Part of a page in It's A Good Life If You Don't Weaken by Seth.

If you've ever wondered what it's really like to work in a public library, this is the book for you. The Incident Report by Martha Baillie isn't about a specific branch, but the stories in this book are based on the author's experience as a TPL staff member.

In another book by Martha Baillie, The Search for Heinrich Schlögel, the main character visits Lillian H. Smith Branch:

"The doors of Lillian H. Smith Library were guarded by two winged and imposing griffins cast in Bronze. One had the head of a lion, the other the head of an eagle. Both sat back on their haunches, claws exposed, necks arched, fierce eyes staring down."

In Brother, the characters spend time in a Scarborough branch. Most likely Cedarbrae Branch, at Lawrence Ave. East and Markham Road.

Shattered Glass is set in Toronto in the 1960's. The main character, Toni, is new to the city. She frequents the Yorkville Branch while finding her feet, and makes friends with the local librarian. Even then, the library was pretty old. The Yorkville Branch opened at its current location in 1907.

In 1940's Toronto, Norah walks north on Yonge Street from Rosedale and visits McNair Branch, with a sign that says "Boys and Girls". It's not clear which branch this was, but it could have been Deer Park Branch. At the time, Deer Park Branch was located at 5-7 St. Clair Avenue East.

Deer Park Branch is mentioned by name in Stranglehold by Robert Rotenberg.

There are a lot of books titled The Devil You Know. But this one by Elisabeth De Mariaffi includes a mention of Leaside Branch.

The Chai Factor includes a visit to Toronto Reference Library and another unnamed branch that's in a plaza with a doughnut shop.

Toronto Reference Library pops up again in Headhunter by Timothy Findley.

And again in The Most Precious Substance on Earth. A high school band visits from Halifax, and describes the building:

"One of our first stops is the Toronto Reference Library, a building with the colour palette from 2001: A Space Odyssey and the architecture of a dystopian government headquarters."

What other movies, shows and books have mentioned or used one of our Toronto Public Library locations? Share below in the comments!

With thanks to the many TPL staff members who made recommendations for this post!

Updates

October 19, 2021: removed "Starring Roles and Cameos" from the title.

You may have seen this mural of Mary Ann Shadd by local artist Adeyemi Adegbesan (also known as Yung Yemi) on Mackenzie House (the home of William Lyon Mackenzie). 

In his distinctive "Afrofuturist" style he's re-imagining a portrait of the American-born Shadd who worked and lived in Canada during the 1850s -60s.  Mary Ann Shadd was a person of many hats, a writer and publisher of the Provincial Freeman newspaper, anti-slavery abolitionist, temperance movement promoter, educator, promoter of Black self-sufficiency and integration advocate and also a lawyer.  It's hard to fathom how many glass ceilings she smashed in her time (and while raising two children!). If you would like to see online copies of The Provincial Freeman from the 1850s please see here at the Ontario Community Newspaper Portal.

Mary Ann Shadd mural on William Lyon Mackenzie House (photo by Bill V.)

It makes sense that Adeyemi Adegbesan's mural is on Mackenzie's house as he too was an important and early local Toronto/Ontario newspaper publisher.  One of the pleasures of this house museum is the 1840s era printing press and staff who know how to use it. And, just in case you're worried about the historical building, the mural itself is on vinyl. 

You can hear Adegbesan talk about the project in this YouTube video:

Mary Ann Shadd came to Canada in the 1850s in response to the American political situation and the unsafe conditions for Blacks in the USA.  She wrote a pamphlet, seen below in an original version, held in the Toronto Reference Library, where she encouraged Black Americans to emigrate to Canada rather than go to Africa, making the case Canada was healthier and better for them.   It's interesting to read her writings and glowing description of life in Upper Canada West in the 1850s and in particular her positive views of Toronto.  She was strongly integrationist and felt separate communities like Elgin or Buxton, while successful, did not serve their community members the best.  This put her at odds with many influential Abolitionists in Canada at the time.  You can read her pamphlet online as a PDF here. 

A Plea for Emigration; Or Notes of Canada West in its Moral Social and Political Aspect (photo by Bill V.)

This is the last page from her pamphlet above that summarizes her positive views of Canada

Notes of Canada West by Mary Ann Shadd 1852 … Recapitulation (photo by Bill V)

Mary Ann Shadd eventually moved to Upper Canada West (essentially Ontario) and was most influential in founding an Abolitionist and Temperance newspaper called the Provincial Freeman (making her North America's first Black female newspaper publisher).   See here for examples of the actual newspaper from an online resource. 

Here's the Prospectus from the cover page of a microfilm copy of the paper from the Toronto Reference Library (note M. A. Shadd Publishing Agent).

Prospectus of the Provincial Freeman (photo by Bill V.)

If you're interested in more information about Mary Ann Shadd then you'll enjoy these items.

Mary Ann Shadd Cary: The Black Press and Protest in the Nineteenth Century

"Mary Ann Shadd Cary was a courageous and outspoken 19th-century African American who used the press and public speaking to fight slavery and oppression in the United States and Canada. Her life provides a window on the free black experience, emergent black nationalisms, African Americans' gender ideologies, and the formation of a black public sphere." There is also a similar title you may be interested in with additional information on Shadd and placing her in context among other writers and newspapers of her era Against a Sharp White Background: Infrastructures of African American Print.

Shadd: The Life and Times of Mary Shadd Cary

From the back cover "Shadd was the first black woman on the North American continent to found and edit a weekly newspaper, publishing The Provincial Freeman in Windsor, Toronto and Chatham … during the 1850s. An early and vigorous advocate of women's rights and abolition, she was one of the very first black women to lecture in public … Mary spent a lifetime as an educator, founding several schools and serving as a teacher and principal in public schools…. She was almost certainly the only woman to be commissioned as a Recruiting Officer during the American Civil War. She was Howard University's first woman law student and one of the very few black women of the 19th century to practice law, beginning her career at the age of 60!"  

Women in the "Promised Land": Essays in African Canadian History

"Places African Canadian women's lived experiences, identities, and histories at the centre of Canada's past. This collection of original research edited by leading scholars in the field encourages readers to interrogate the idea of Canada as a "Promised Land" by examining the rich and varied history of African Canadian women. The nine chapters span the period from slavery and abolition through to late 20th-century activism. This interdisciplinary collection draws on existing research from cultural studies, literary studies, communications, and visual culture to reframe familiar figures in African Canadian women's history, such as feminist Mary Ann Shadd and civil rights activist Viola Desmond, in the wider African diaspora."

A Scattering of Seeds Episode # 5 Breaking the Ice The Mary Ann Shadd Story (DVD)

"A dramatic recreation of the story of Mary Ann Shadd, an abolitionist, suffragete and integrationist. Living in Windsor, Ontario, she fought for integrated education, battled segregationists and started the first integrated school in Canada. She later became the first female newspaper editor and the first black female attorney in North America."

Children's Books

Mary Ann Shadd: Publisher, Editor, Teacher, Lawyer, Suffragette

From the back cover "Mary Ann Shadd encouraged Black people to become self-sufficient through her teaching, speaking and writing.  Her activities to assist Black people made a significant difference during a period of history (1850s-1890s) in both Canada and the United States that cried out for leadership."  You might also be interested in this title, which is not held by the Library, Demanding Justice A Story About Mary Ann Shadd Cary.

Women in Black History: Stories of Courage, Faith, and Resilience

"Within the pages of American history are the stories of remarkable African American women who have defied the odds, taken a stand for justice, and made incredible strides despite opposition from the culture around them. Now young readers can discover their exciting true stories in this eye-opening collection.  From well-known figures like Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and Rosa Parks to women rarely found in any history book (including Mary Ann Shadd!), Women in Black History explores the lives of writers, athletes, singers, activists, and educators who have made an indelible mark on our country and our culture. Perfect for kids, but also for adults who like to read about important figures and unsung heroes, this collection will delight, surprise, and challenge readers."  Although it doesn't include Mary Ann Shadd, readers may also be interested in this similar title for children Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History.

Online Resources

• Overlooked No More: How Mary Ann Shadd Cary Shook Up the Abolitionist Movement (New York Times)
• How North America’s First Black Female Publisher Saw the ‘Road to Independence' (TVO Ontario)
• Mary Ann Shadd (The Canadian Encyclopedia)
• Mary Ann Shadd (The Dictionary of Canadian Biography) 
• Mary Ann Shadd Cary: Lawyer, Educator, Suffragist (US Library of Congress) 
• Mary Ann Shadd Cary (Noire Histoir Black History Short (includes video) 
• Here's Why a Portrait of a Black Woman Just Appeared on the Side of a Toronto Building (blogTO)
• Black History Month (City of Toronto resources)
• Ontario Black History (Multicultural Ontario) 

These are some other Toronto Public Library Blogs that may interest you about Black Canadians and Americans 

• The Herb Carnegie Story: Canada's First Professional Black Hockey Player
• In Memoriam: Bromley Armstrong, Black Civil Rights and Trade Union Activist
• "Black Like Me": Celebrating Black History Month with Photography
• I Have Been to the Mountaintop: The Speeches and Writings of Martin Luther King
• Viola Desmond, Black Canadian Civil-Rights Pioneer
• Viola Desmond, Activist, Entrepreneur and a Face That You Will be Seeing Around
• Bob Marley's Redemption Song – the Canadian connection
• Speaking of the Black Panthers …… Beyoncé Ain't No Angela Davis
• Black History Month 2021: Amazing Inventors and Inventions
• Black History Month 2021: Historic Black Canadians

You may also be interested to know about our Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection. This collection features over 16,000 print and audiovisual materials for adults, children, and teens about the Black and Caribbean historical and cultural experience – with a special emphasis on Canadian content. The material covers history, social science, and the contributions and achievements of Blacks in Canada. The collection also includes a small selection of titles about world figures in Black history and culture.

Recognized as one of the most significant Black and Caribbean heritage collections in Canada, it is an invaluable resource for the Black and Caribbean community as well as students and researchers.

Formats available include:

• Print: fiction and non-fiction, newspapers and periodicals
• CDs
• DVDs
• Audiobooks
• Large Print
• Digitized content

The collection is available at four branches across the city:

• Malvern Branch
• Maria A. Shchuka Branch
• Parkdale Branch
• York Woods Branch

September 23 is International Day of Sign Languages and this week is International Week of Deaf People (September 20-26). These annual awareness dates are an opportunity to recognize the importance of sign language and to celebrate the unique linguistic identity and rich diversity of Deaf people and Deaf culture. 

For this post, I have put together a selected list of books and films that feature sign language, Deaf people, and Deaf culture. It's not a complete list so if you have more recommendations please share them in the comments below.

International Week of Deaf People & International Day of Sign Languages 2021 from World Federation of the Deaf on Vimeo.

Sign Language Facts

According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are about 70 million Deaf people in the world. Sign language is the first language of many people who are Deaf. Sign language is also used by hearing and hard-of-hearing people.

Sign language is a visual and kinetic mode of communication. It uses hand shapes and movements, facial expressions, and body posture to convey meaning. Sign languages are complete and complex languages with their own grammar, syntax, slang, and regional dialects. It is estimated that there are about 200-300 different sign languages around the world.

Sign Languages of Canada include American Sign Language (ASL), Quebec Sign Language (LSQ), Oneida Sign Language (OSL), Plains Indian Sign Language (PISL, also known as Plains Sign Talk), Inuit Sign Language (IUR), and Maritime Sign Language (MSL).

If you'd like to learn the basics of American Sign Language (ASL), check out this great post by Myrna and Melanie: Learn American Sign Language (ASL) at Home.