I was in Toronto last weekend taking part
in a celebration of fall titles from Groundwood Books. And what an amazing
weekend it was!
The event took place at the Koffler Centre
of the Arts, a venue that had a lovely vintage-style theatre, with plush red
seats and excellent lighting. Children and families, and booklovers from the
Toronto area turned up to hear readings from the authors and watch the talented
illustrators draw.
Following each reading, the children were
invited to move to the centre’s café and common area to create a book-related
craft. I saw wonderful masks to complement Danielle Daniel’s book Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox and charming farm scenes to accompany Grant and Tillie Go Walking by Monica Kulling and Sydney Smith. There were also pirate hats to go
with the story Buddy and Earl by Maureen Fergus and Carey Sookocheff. For my
book, West Coast Wild, the children made glittering jellyfish with long waving tendrils
cut out of ribbon.
There were yummy snacks, mugs of coffee and
tea, and a congenial feeling all around as parents chatted and children played.
Authors, illustrators and booklovers from near and far got to know one another.
It couldn’t have been a better afternoon. :-)
Many thanks to Groundwood Books for hosting
such a successful and enjoyable event!
