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If you’re in Toronto, chances are good that we met you on Sunday at The Word On The Street Festival! After all, you couldn’t really get past us without stopping in.

Hundreds of folks learned more about how they can help spread the magic of reading, thanks to the energetic Pi Beta Phi volunteers who helped us staff the booth. We were overwhelmed from set up until pulling the last banner with interest about our programs across Canada.

Thanks to the visitors who stopped by and the help of police officers from 23 Division, hundreds of books will be distributed to children in the Jane Finch corridor – Toronto’s highest at risk neighbourhood.

With more than 200,000 at the Festival this year, we know we’ve made some friends.  Here are some highlights we’re beaming with Canadian pride about: the Toronto Blue Jays commented this was the best event ever and the busiest all summer, Canadian children’s author Susan Hughes signed copies of her first book Earth to Audrey and when we ran out, continued to sign posters. When we were just about out of steam, Wayne and I ran to Tim Horton’s for a coffee. A woman noticed our First Book t-shirts and screamed “First Book – I LOVE First Book!” Turns out she’s from Calgary which is where we’re headed later this week for a distribution and she’ll now be right alongside us sorting and handing out books.

It was a lovely weekend over in Vancouver. We couldn’t have asked for better weather. It was a much appreciated contrast to the rainy readings that were done the weekend before during the official opening of the new North Van library.
Meg Tilly shared the stage with new author Susan Juby and Kari-Lynn Winters, author of Jeffrey and Sloth, entertained the crowds during her performance with the Tickle Trunk Players.

 
Left: Kari-Lynn Winters entertains the crowds, Right: Melanie chats about our books, Below: Melanie and Andrew manning the Orca Booth