FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Toronto (April 24, 2025)—The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) is excited to announce the start of Canadian Children’s Book Week. From April 27-May 3, Canadian children's authors, illustrators and storytellers will embark on a cross-country tour to share stories and captivate the imaginations of children and teens. Throughout the week, thousands of young people at schools, public libraries, bookstores and community centres across Canada, will participate in reading and sharing stories, engaging in hands-on creative story-building and arts activities, and sharing the joy of Canadian children’s literature.
“It is a thrill for kids to meet authors, illustrators, and storytellers—real-life inspirations! Canadian Children’s Book Week was originally conceived to bring authors and illustrators into classrooms. These days the program goes far beyond the original goal, delivering events into libraries and community spaces as well. Yet, Book Week’s vision remains focused on helping young people to understand that stories matter, that their stories matter,” says Stephanie Wells, CCBC Executive Director. “Canadian books and their talented authors and illustrators, and storytellers, open doors for young people to participate in creating art and exploring the many ways our stories can be told and celebrated.”
Once again, we are grateful to First Book Canada for sponsoring 14 readings across the country and we are thrilled to have the support of Accelerate360 to enable us to deliver an additional 22 events. This support provides presentations to schools and libraries in high needs communities and provide the host venues with multiple copies of selected titles by the visiting author or illustrator.
Be sure to check out one of the public events taking place as part of Book Week in the following locations:
LANGLEY, BC: Saturday, April 26 / 2:00 p.m. THE LOFT, SWALLOWFIELD FARM (7296 Telegraph Trail) Join author Sara de Waal to celebrate the launch of her latest book, The Biggest Smallest Thing. Storytime, refreshments, arts activities, books for sale and signing, plus prizes. RSVP: Text Heidi VanWeelden @ 604-302-7819
EDMONTON, ALBERTA: Saturday, May 3, 2025 EDMONTON PUBLIC LIBRARY hosts Animals Behaving Badly with storyteller Bethany Ellis @ 11:00 am -12:00 pm at its LONDONDERRY BRANCH (Suite 166, Londonderry Mall, 1 Londonderry Mall NW) and @ 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. at its MILL WOODS BRANCH (2610 Hewes Way NW). Information: Londonderry Branch 780-496-1814 / Mill Woods Branch 780-496-1818.
HUMBOLDT, SASKATCHEWAN: Thursday, May 1 / 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. REID-THOMPSON LIBRARY (705 Main Street) hosts Victoria Koops, author of Who We Are in Real Life, a novel for teens. For Grades 7 and up. Information: 306-682-2034
ONTARIO
Thursday, May 1 / 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. MILTON PUBLIC LIBRARY – SHERWOOD BRANCH (6355 Main Street West) hosts Turning Journaling Into Story Writing with author Ambreen Butt-Hussain. For ages 9-12. Library membership not required. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. 905-875-2665
Thursday, May 1 / 5:00-6:00 p.m. MILTON PUBLIC LIBRARY – MAIN BRANCH (1010 Main Street East) hosts Drawing from Nature with author-illustrator Sid Sharp. For Grades 2-6. Library membership not required. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. 905-875-2665
Saturday, May 3, 2025 / 11:00 - 12:00 p.m. MISSISSAUGA PUBLIC LIBRARY - HAZEL MCCALLION BRANCH (300 Burnhamthorpe Road West) hosts Allies are Superheroes with author Sylv Chiang. For all ages and families. Library membership not required. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. 905-615-3200
Saturday, May 3, 2025 / 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. MISSISSAUGA PUBLIC LIBRARY - HAZEL MCCALLION BRANCH (300 Burnhamthorpe Road West) hosts Turning Journaling into Story Writing with Ambreen Butt-Hussain. For ages 9-12. Library membership not required. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. 905-615-3200
QUEBEC
Saturday, April 26 / 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. BLUE METROPOLIS LITERARY FESTIVAL. Author-illustrator Briana Corr Scott will read her book, I Lost a Day, and lead a writing-illustrating activity related to mental health and self care. HOTEL 10 (10 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal) in the Saint-Laurent Room. For ages 5-12 and adults. Book signing will follow in hotel’s Espace Godin. Information: Carol-Ann Hoyte, Events and Program Manager, Canadian Children’s Book Centre – email: carol-ann@bookcentre.ca
Saturday, April 26 / 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. LIVRES BABAR BOOKS (46 St. Anne Street, Pointe Claire, QC) Book Week Launch Party with author Catherine Rondina, author Lea Beddia, author Jordyn Taylor, illustrator Carmen Mok, author-illustrator Briana Corr Scott, and author Joanne Levy. Books for sale and signing plus refreshments. Information: Livres Babar Books, 514-694-0380
Sunday, April 27 / 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. JIA FOUNDATION (116 de la Gauchetière, Montreal) hosts Toronto illustrator Carmen Mok, who will speak about her journey, as a Chinese-Canadian, of becoming an illustrator. For teens and adults.
Sunday, April 27 / 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. JEWISH PUBLIC LIBRARY (5151 Cote St. Catherine Road, Montreal) hosts Behind the Books: Author Talk with authors Joanne Levy and Jordyn Taylor. For ages 8 and up. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Register at jlive.app/events/10863
Monday, April 28 / 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. BLACK CAT BOOKS (168E Queen Street, Sherbrooke). Book signing with Jordyn Taylor, author of novels for teens. Information: Black Cat Books, Phone: 819-346-1786.
SAINT JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK: Saturday, April 26 / 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. NEW BRUNSWICK BLACK HISTORY (Brunswick Square (Level 2), 39 King St. Suite R2) Author Lindsay Ruck will give a presentation inspired by her book, Amazing Black Atlantic Canadians. Information: (506)-214-2316
The 2025 Canadian Children’s Book Week Line Up!
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ALBERTA NORTHWEST TERRITORIES |
ONTARIO |
All sessions are in person, unless otherwise indicated.
*Virtual and in-person sessions
For more information about the program, the touring creators or to download the Book Week poster, please visit bookcentre.ca/book-week.
For more information, please contact:
Stephanie Wells
Executive Director
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre
416 975-0010 ext. 1
stephanie@bookcentre.ca
