There are so many secrets and stories of the Forbidden City. For over 500 years, Chinese Emperors and their families lived within the walls of opulence and away from public eye. Behind the gates of the world's largest imperial palace is an incredible collection of extraordinary treasures. The … [Read more...]
After the War
There are many, many excellent books written about the war experience, about the Holocaust, and even about the children of the Kindertransport - but what about the aftermath of the war? Two new novels for teens introduce something we don't always hear about - what happened after the treaties were … [Read more...]
Safe Away From Here
This year is the 75th anniversary of the Kindertransport, one of the stories of the Second World War that is as sweet as it is bitter. Two new books commemorate the evacuation of young children and introduce this lesser-known piece of history to a new generation of children and teens. Rescuing … [Read more...]
Museum Spotlight: Mesopotamia
The latest exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum features an incredible collection of artifacts that date back to over 3,000 years ago. Mesopotamia makes it's North American debut in Toronto, the only Canadian stop, during it's international tour. Mesopotamia: Inventing Our World highlights … [Read more...]
Celebrating 110 at the King Edward Hotel
There are a few iconic buildings in Toronto but when you walk through the doors of the 110 year old King Edward Hotel, you can just feel the opulence and imagine all the incredible stories of grandeur (and gasp!...scandal) that have occurred throughout the years. Kind Eddy (as affectionately known … [Read more...]
Mass Hysteria, 1882
Teen books can take on some heavy topics - but rarely have I found one as disturbing as this historical fiction about the last "blood libel" trail in Europe. A good read, and important case study in hate and hysteria, it is nonetheless a hard one to look at straight on. Puppetby Eva WisemanTundra … [Read more...]
Non-Fiction For Fun
Non-fiction can be serious and informative, perfect for school projects and teaching materials. Non-fiction can also be fun, readable, and informative, perfect for leisure reading and exploring topics of interest and yes, also teaching. These two are in fun picture formats, and have a narrative feel … [Read more...]
The Winning Spirit
The Olympics are a wonderful thing to watch with kids, full of great stories, amazing feats of athleticism, and reflecting the goals of striving to be your best that we try to teach. There are lots of great non-fiction books about the Olympics, and no doubt there will be a new spate of them this … [Read more...]
Did You Hear About Black History Month?
As Black History Month comes to a close, it leaves me wondering if it makes an impact. Are the messages heard? Do young people get it? I love old time radio (OTR), and my all time favourite is Jack Benny. When Eddie Anderson was hired to play Rochester in 1937, he became the … [Read more...]
Geek Like Me
I have this thing, where my brain retains all manner of seemingly useless information (at the unfortunate expense of forgetting time-sensitive things like, say, deadlines or appointments) seemingly indefinitely. I can remember stuff I read in OWL magazine as a ten year-old, or visualize pictures … [Read more...]