Friends of the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books

In this adult workshop for aspiring writers, Writer-in-Residence Sarah Ellis takes a once-over-lightly approach to the pleasures and pitfalls of writing for and about children and young adults.

Friday, May 25, 2012
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Lillian H. Smith Branch

Bring your questions and come prepared to play.

To register for this workshop, please call the Osborne Collection of Early Children’s Books at (416) 393-7753.

Click on any of the images below to see some books by Sarah Ellis.

Join Writer-in-Residence Sarah Ellis and members of Toronto’s storytelling community for an interactive discussion of stories “in the air” and stories on the page/screen.

For more information and to register, please call the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books at (416) 393-7753.

Albert Lahmer was a long-time Friend and supporter of the Osborne Collection who loved books, particularly children’s books. His memory is honoured through a series of lectures devoted to children’s book history. The Friends of the Osborne and Lillian H. Smith Collections proudly present the 9th Annual Albert Lahmer Memorial Lecture – Sowing Seeds in Danny, Dorothy, Dennis, Dillon and Destiny:  A Century of Library Service to Children.

Thursday April 26, 2012 from 8:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.  at Lillian H. Smith Branch.

As we celebrate the centenary of children’s librarians at the Toronto Public Library and look back to the early decades of library service to children let’s examine some of the specific books and stories that lay behind that mission.  What were those seeds that Lillian H. Smith and her disciples were sowing with such energy, idealism and creativity?  And how did they get away with it?

Sarah Ellis, winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award, the TD Children’s Literature Award, and the Vicki Metcalf Award for her body of work, delivers the lecture. This event will be preceded by the Friends of the Osborne and Lillian H. Smith Collections Annual General Meeting (10 minutes) and a sale of Friends merchandise.

Admission is free. Registration is not required.

The launch of the Writer-in-Residence Program will take place on Saturday February 11, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Lillian H. Smith Library.  This is an opportunity to meet Sarah Ellis, winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award (for Pick up sticks), the TD Children’s Literature Award, and the Vicki Metcalf Award for her body of work.

All are welcome for a short reading and talk.
Groups, please be sure to call ahead to make a booking at (416) 393-7753.

Sarah Ellis will be the Writer-in-Residence at The Osborne Collection of Early Children’s Books between February 1, 2012 and May 31, 2012.

Aspiring writers age 18+ are invited to submit a manuscript (fiction, poetry or non-fiction, or picture books intended for children or young adults) of no more than 15 pages. The library reserves the right to limit the number of manuscripts accepted.

Manuscripts will be accepted until January 13, 2012 and must be:

• double-spaced with a minimum 1″ margin
• on opaque white paper
• submitted by mail to The Osborne Collection of Early Children’s Books – no faxed or emailed manuscripts will be accepted
• accompanied with a self-addressed envelope

Ms. Ellis will meet (by appointment only) with each author for a free hour-long, one-on-one session. Send in your manuscript early and avoid disappointments!

Check back often here and find out about a series of writer-in-residence scheduled events including: a meeting with Sarah Ellis; a workshop for young writers ages 9-13; a picture book appreciation with the author and Barbara Reid; an interactive discussion of stories; and a workshop for aspiring adult writers. For a list of books by Ms. Ellis, search our catalogue.

Our thanks to the Canada Council for their assistance and support of the writer-in-residence program.

 
For more information, please contact The Osborne Collection
at (416) 393-7753.