Purchase a virtual pass to gain access to our virtual clubhouse — with events, scavenger hunts, prizes and resources designed for students, educators, and families.
Award-winning author Uma Krishnaswami (The Sunshine Project) invites students to think about the ways stories can inspire change in their own communities. Drawing on the popular Book Uncle trilogy, Krishnaswami explores how her characters take action and become activists in response to the world around them and leads students through an interactive activity to create a collaborative […]
Writing prompts can be found anywhere—a photo, a journal entry, a prescription, or even a random list in a notes app. In this workshop, author Léa Taranto (A Drop in the Ocean) helps students discover how to turn everyday primary sources into powerful stories. Participants may use any medium to record their writing, from paper and pencil […]
Author Mitali Banerjee Ruths (The Party Diaries: Lucky Mermaid Sleepover) explores how paying attention to the world can spark ideas for diary writing. In this hands-on event, students will be led through the process of creating a zine—a mini-book that can be used for reflection, sketching, or storytelling. Participants are encouraged to bring a piece of […]
Maps tell stories but the map of Canada doesn’t tell the whole truth. In this interactive session, author Rebecca Thomas shares her picture book Sem’s Map, which contrasts the colonial map of Canada with the decolonial map of Turtle Island. You won’t want to miss this storytime event that wraps up with a fun, hands-on mapmaking activity that […]
What does it take to build and protect a truly diverse library collection? In this powerful panel moderated by Lily Kwok (Ontario Library Association), three librarians, teacher-librarians and educators—Michael Nyby, Karen Devonish-Mazzotta and Anuka Dey—share their experiences curating inclusive shelves while confronting growing challenges from shrinking budgets to increasing book bans. Join us for a candid conversation […]
In this dynamic presentation, author Joyce Grant equips educators with practical strategies to help students recognize and resist misinformation. Drawing on real-world examples, Grant shares a five-step process for teaching what misinformation is, why it matters, and how to avoid it. Educators will explore engaging ways to spark classroom discussions on key topics such as confirmation […]
Our annual illustrator battle is back! Watch as a brand-new lineup of artists battle it out from their own drawing tables in a series of hilarious, interactive challenges. Featuring Canadian illustrators Mei Yu, Azby Whitecalf, and our Illustrator-in-Residence Ken Daley, with host Ardo Omer and special guest Marty Chan, this virtual event is packed with creativity, comedy, and artistic talent. Grades […]
Silver Birch Express winner Mei Yu breaks down the creation process behind her popular graphic memoir, Lost & Found: Based on a True Story, before leading kids through a how-to-draw demonstration. Participants are encouraged to bring a piece of paper and pencil. Grades 4-6.
The Writer’s Life series explores the journeys of writers who balance their craft with other careers, offering insights into the challenges, inspirations, and unique paths that shape a writer’s life. This year, author, illustrator and story artist Ray Xu (Alterations) discusses the process behind creating his first graphic novel, what it’s like creating storyboards for popular films […]
Big feelings can feel overwhelming but learning how to understand and calm them makes a big difference. In this special storytime, author Briana Corr Scott shares her picture book, I Lost a Day, and guides kids through simple breathing exercises to help them self-soothe when emotions run high. An optional handout will be available to support classroom or at-home […]