Friends of the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books

It was so lovely to see so many friends at our 18th annual Pantazzi Lecture lead by author and illustrator extraordinaire Lauren Soloy. Lauren discussed her creative process, drawing inspiration from the beauty found the natural world, and dropped some coveted gnome knowledge! The lecture was followed by a signing (each of which featured a friendly pal from the pocket!) and a reception with some of the best sweet treats. Lauren, thank you so much for sharing the whimsical world of the pocket with us, you left us all with full of heart-pockets 💚 If you missed the lecture, you can still venture into the pocket with Lauren’s book “The Hidden World of Gnomes” and learn about the newest of pocket pals in her upcoming book “The Newest Gnome” out October 7th!

Sometimes the journey of being an artist feels like a tumultuous trek up a mountain or a voyage on a ship doomed to sink. There’s so many reasons to turn back or jump ship but if you do…you might miss the part on your journey that leads to a lush valley of creativity. The journey of artistry doesn’t have to be trekked alone… Join us on our voyage captained by award-winning illustrator, writer, and broadcaster Kevin Sylvester!

On Thursday, November 20th, Kevin Sylvester will deliver the 37th annual Helen E. Stubbs Memorial Lecture and share some tips from his own looooong journey to figuring out what he wanted to say, how to say it, and creating children's books!

This is a free event, no registration is required and everyone is welcome.

📍Auditorium of the Lillian H. Smith Branch, 239 College St, Toronto, ON
🕰️ 6:30pm - 7:30pm (Doors open at 6:00pm)
🗓️ Thursday, November 20th, 2025

Photo credit: Kevin Sylvester

Happy first day of fall friends! 🍂 The leaves aren’t the only thing dropping today…the Fall/Winter 2025 issue of the The Gryphon is out now! Read it by visiting www.osbornecollection.ca or by visiting the link below & stay up to date on our latest news, exhibits, and events!

https://www.osbornecollection.ca/uploads/1/3/7/7/137777466/gryphon_newsletter_fall_2025_web.pdf

Hi Friends! At the Osborne Collection, cozy season isn’t the only thing we’ve been anticipating…Welcome to our newest exhibition My Little Bookroom! This exhibit showcases a vibrant selection of donations from devoted children’s book collector and Jane Dobell. Jane championed the Osborne Collection for over 40 years and this exhibition is a celebration of her legacy and expansive collection. Journey into My Little Bookroom and explore some of the rare and historic treasures Jane collected over her life, from fantasy and adventure stories to historical children’s books, Puffin paperbacks, Disney tales and more!

The exhibition is free & all are welcome.

📍4th floor of the Lillian H. Smith Branch, 239 COLLEGE STREET, TORONTO, ON
🕰️ Weekdays: 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
Sunday: 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m
🗓️ September 14, 2025 until November 30, 2025

Photo Credit: Poster for Children’s Book Week, November 10–15, 1919. Created by Jessie Willcox Smith.

Have you heard of “The Pocket”? No, not the one filled with sunshine…the one filled with curious little creatures, sun-sparkled leaves, butterflies and bees! We’re inviting you to venture into the vibrant and joyful fictional world known as “The Pocket”, created by acclaimed picture book author and illustrator Lauren Soloy. On Thursday, September 18th, Lauren will deliver the 18th annual Sybille Pantazzi Memorial Lecture, where she will speak about looking for beauty and creating with joy as she writes and illustrates her unique picture books.

This is a free event, no registration is required and everyone is welcome.

📍Auditorium of the Lillian H. Smith Branch, 239 COLLEGE STREET, TORONTO, ON
🕰️ 6:30pm - 7:30pm (Doors open at 6:00pm)
🗓️ Thursday, September 18th, 2025

Photo credit: Lauren Soloy

Beat the summer heat! Stay in on Wednesday evening for a virtual lecture by American Antiquarian Society Curator of Children's Literature, Laura Wasowicz. Laura will discuss her career collecting, cataloging, and promoting the AAS collection.

The lecture, presented by Cotsen Children's Library, Princeton University, will be available virtually via Zoom. Register for the livestream here: https://libcal.princeton.edu/event/15010459

This Thursday, April 3, Qin Leng will deliver the 21st annual Albert and Clara Lahmer Memorial Lecture.

In Qin's own words: "I will be covering a number of my most favourite works as well as giving you some sneak peeks of upcoming publications. I have been illustrating picture books, magazines, and comics for over 15 years and am so looking forward to sharing my experience with all of you and talking art!"

Spring into the Spring/Summer 2025 issue of The Gryphon, available now.

https://www.osbornecollection.ca/uploads/1/3/7/7/137777466/gryphon_newsletter_spring_2025_web.pdf

Spring not only brings warmer weather, but also the 21st annual Albert and Clara Lahmer Memorial Lecture: "Drawing Stories: 15 Years in Illustration" by Qin Leng.

This lecture will look at Leng's journey as an author and illustrator, including the artists who have inspired her along the way and the evolution of her visual approach. What happens in between that first doodle on a piece of paper to the final published book?

Thursday, April 3, 2025
6:30-7:30pm
Lillian H. Smith Branch

https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEVT540214&R=EVT540214

Tomorrow — Thursday, February 13 — is your last chance to join staff for a guided tour of the exhibit "These Are a Few of My Favourite Things" celebrating 75 years of the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books.

For more information about the tour, visit: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEVT33283&R=EVT33283

For more information about the exhibit, on until February 23, visit: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEVT527944&R=EVT527944

Have you ever heard of a magic lantern? Before PowerPoint and carousel slides and even electricity, magic lanterns wowed audiences with projected images. Osborne Collection staff will be showing original magic lantern slides from the 19th century on Monday, January 27 from 6-6:30pm — don't miss it!

For more information, visit: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEVT535769&R=EVT535769

As 2024 comes to a close, consider including the Friends of the Osborne Collection in your end-of-year giving. The Toronto Public Library Foundation will issue a tax receipt for any donation — in any amount.

Donate online at tplfoundation.ca/osborne.