Toronto Reference Library Exhibits

Newbery Medal

Coretta Scott King Award

Exhibits

Events

Unpublished watercolour illustration for Jeremy Fisher by Beatrix Potter.

The Life and Times of Beatrix Potter

Taylor is considered one of the foremost authorities on Potter, and is the author of Beatrix Potter: artist, author and countrywoman; That Naughty Rabbit; the Letters of Beatrix Potter among many other books. Sponsored by the Beatrix Potter Society and the Friends of the Osborne and Lillian H. Smith Collections. 

Thursday November 5, 8 p.m.

Past Exhibits & Events

Gaze into the magic mirror, climb the beanstalk, make a wish at "the well of the world's end": this 60th anniversary exhibit celebrates the marvellous world of "Once upon a time," from a 15th-century Venetian wonder tale, to today’s spin-offs, spoofs and fractured versions. Warning: may contain traces of ogres, giants, trolls and bloodthirsty wolves.

September 12 - December 12, 2009

For more information, please see the virtual exhibit

The Perils of Storytelling

Author of acclaimed novels for young readers, including Jeremy's War 1812, The Night Hazel Came to Town, and The Landing, winner of the 2008 Governor General's Award for fiction – children, will speak about his life and work. A reception follows the lecture, and a sale of Friends Merchandise will be held in the Atrium starting at 7 p.m.

Thursday October 29, 8 p.m.

Sunflower blazing: mist, mirror and transparency in word and picture

Is Cinderella a Dark Princess as her name denotes or an icon of bejewelled, candle-lit fantasy? Join award- winning book designer Michael Solomon for a fascinating look at light and dark through a wide array of pictures and texts. A reception follows the lecture, and a sale of Friends Merchandise will be held in the Atrium starting at 7 p.m.

Thursday September 24, 8 p.m.

A salute to Guides and Scouts. Gather 'round the campfire to celebrate tales of the woods and their creatures.

Jun. 13, 2009 - Sept. 4, 2009

"The Curse of St. Clements; or, A Tale of Peril and Redemption." The distinguished Toronto antiquarian bookseller and book collector shares his experiences of a life in the book trade. A reception follows the lecture, and a sale of Friends Merchandise will be held in the Atrium starting at 7 p.m.

Thursday, Apr. 30, 8-9 pm

Japanese art and storytelling traditions have influenced children's publishing worldwide, but Canada and Japan enjoy a special bond of shared art and stories. Join us for an exhibition of early and modern books for children, with beautiful book art, celebrating our Japanese-Canadian literary and artistic heritage - and meet the celebrated literary dolls "Miss Happiness" and "Miss Flower" with their protegé, " Little Peach"!

Illustration by Naoko Matsubara from The Tale of the Shining Princess by Hisako Matsubara, 1966. ©Naoko Matsubara.

Mar. 14, 2009 - Jun. 5, 2009

A puppet show based on a Japanese folk tale, suitable for ages 4 and up. Limited attendance. Registration required.
Please call 416-393-7753 to register.

Wednesday, Mar. 18, 2:00 p.m.

Dec. 13, 2008-Mar. 6, 2009

"Trade and Enterprise in Children's Books." Explore the wonders of the toy store, the candy story and the bookstore, among others, at this exhibition featuring skills, shops and sales from children's books of the last three centuries.

The Osborne Collection is open 10-6 weekdays, 9-5 Saturdays, closed Sundays and holidays.

Groups welcome; please call ahead: 416-393-7753

Admission is free.

(Photo credit: Laurie Jacobson, courtesy of Groundwood Books)

Professor Deirdre Baker
"L.M. Montgomery at her Finest and Funniest: how Montgomery has kept us laughing for a hundred years"

Deirdre Baker is one of Canada's foremost experts in children's literature. Her writings range from authoritative critical texts (she co-authored A Guide to Canadian Children's Books in English) to outstanding fiction (Becca at Sea). In this lecture, Professor Baker will take a look at Montgomery's humour, then show how its influence lives on and enlivens contemporary Canadian children's books.

Thursday Oct. 23, 2008, 8 p.m.

Dr. Mary Rubio, acknowledged expert, will deliver a lecture "In Search of my Subject: Writing the Biography of L.M. Montgomery," in celebration of the centenary of the publication of Anne of Green Gables.

Thursday Sept. 25, 2008  at 8 p.m.
Community Room, Lillian H. Smith branch
Admission is free

The author of a fascinating, definitive biography of Montgomery, to be released this autumn, Dr. Rubio is University Professor Emeritus of the University of Guelph, co-editor of The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery.

Canada's best-known novel for children, Anne is a favourite at home and abroad. The retellings continue to proliferate, as succeeding generations of children find fresh appeal in the red-haired heroine. The exhibit will range from formative books enjoyed by Montgomery in her lonely childhood through her own writings, and will include contemporary books that show the enduring influence of Anne.

Sept. 13 - Dec. 5, 2008

Take a trip to Music-Land! An exhibit of children's books and art celebrating music, from Mother Goose's melodies to Olivia the Pig's operatic debut.

March 7 to May 30, 2008
Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books
Lillian H. Smith Branch
Monday to Friday 10-6, Saturday 9-5. Closed Sundays and holidays.

Picture credit: Arthur J. Gaskin. A Book of Pictured Carols. London: George Allen, [1893]

(Photo credit: Jim Parr)

The Friends of the Osborne and Lillian H. Smith Collections present the fifth annual Albert Lahmer Memorial Lecture

Caught in the Web of Words
Hugh Anson-Cartwright

A distinguished Canadian bookseller, and a life member of the Friends, Hugh has seen the evolution of the book trade and of the Osborne Collection over decades (and has been a staunch supporter of both throughout).

Thursday April 17th, 2008, 8 p.m.
Community Room, Lillian H. Smith branch
239 College Street (at Huron), 416-393-7753

The lecture will be preceded by the 10-minute Annual General Meeting of the Friends of the Osborne Collection, and will be followed by a reception at the Osborne Collection upstairs. Please join us. Admission is free.

The work of Edward Gorey, master of the macabre, in children'sbooks and book art, with highlights from the Edward Gorey Collection donated to Osborne by George Grant.

September 15 to December 7, 2007
Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books
Lillian H. Smith Branch

Picture credit: Illustration by Edward Gorey, for Beatrice Schenk de Regnier's retelling in verse of Red Riding Hood, New York: Atheneum, 1972. Reproduced by permission of The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust.

The animals are having a party, and you're invited! View our exhibit of talking animals in children's books and art. Meet old and new friends like Puss-in-Boots, Peter Rabbit, Winnie-the Pooh, Babar and the Mole Sisters. Come join the fun!

December 15 to February 29, 2008
Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books
Lillian H. Smith Branch

Picture credit: Illustration by L.L.Brooke, Johnny Crow's Garden, London, Warne, 1903.

The inaugural lecture of an annual series in memory of noted librarian and bibliophile Sybille Pantazzi is Edward Gorey, His Antecedents and Affinities by Dr. Andrew Biswell, award-winning author and lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University. The Edward Gorey Collection donated to Osborne by George Grant will be celebrated in the accompanying exhibit, "Gorey Tales."

Thursday October 4, 2007, at 8 p.m.
Community Room, Lillian H. Smith branch
All welcome

This series is endowed by Jane Dobell, in memory of her cousin, Sybille Pantazzi.

Photo: Andrew Biswell, courtesy of Andrew Losowsky.

Celebrated Inuit Storyteller and Writer Michael Kusugak, author of Arctic Stories, Baseball Bats for Christmas, Northern Lights: the Soccer Trails, and most recently, The Curse of the Shaman, on: "The Perfect Story"

Michael Kusugak, who grew up in Repulse Bay, and as a boy, hid to avoid being sent to a residential school, was a storyteller of traditional Inuit tales. One day, his audience included Robert Munsch, who encouraged Michael to publish his stories in print form. Michael is now an award-winning author of tales of the North. He lives and writes in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut.

Thursday, October 18, 2007, at 8 p.m.
Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books
Lillian H. Smith Branch

'Eskimo Song' original illustration by Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver, by permission of Frank Mrazik - please see "Picture Perfect!" exhibition web page.

The Osborne Collection, located in the Lillian H. Smith branch, 239 College Street (at Huron) is a world-famous historical collection of English-language children's books, ranging from a 14th century manuscript of Aesop's fables up to modern notable books, together with toys, art, and archives.

Based on an exhibit held at the Toronto Reference Library,
January 27 - April 1, 2007

Virtual Exhibit

Since the earliest times, human beings have been in awe of dragons, of their gargantuan size and strength, of their "terrible [and] yet exceeding beauty." Dragons have terrified and astonished us, taken us "to the highest skies and … to the deepest seas."

Based on an exhibit held at the Osborne Collection,
July 2 - September 30, 2004

Featuring Bear and Rabbit, Spider and Snake, Coyote, Raven, Turtle and other famous animals in books where animals are heroes or tricksters, friends or foes. From creation stories to fables, animals have been and continue to be part of our literary heritage, their weaknesses and strengths reflecting our human traits, often teaching us about ourselves. Find a story or discover an old-time favourite.

Based on an exhibit held at the Osborne Collection,
January 10 - April 26, 2003

Everyone loves pop-up books and movables, the books with more than just pages and pictures. These ingenious publications have hidden surprise illlustrations or messages. They have twirling centres, pop-up to reveal three-dimensional scenes, or turn from one view to another with the pull of a tab.

Based on an exhibit held at the Toronto Reference Library,
April 13 - June 9, 2002

Virtual Exhibit