Friends of the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books
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Friends of the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books

agm & 22nd annual albert and clara lahmer memorial lecture

16/3/2026

 
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Join us on April 30 for the Annual General Meeting of the Friends of the Osborne Collection and the 22nd Annual Albert and Clara Lahmer Memorial Lecture featuring award-winning illustrator and author Barbara Reid.



*Note that the schedule is changed from previous years, with the book signing taking place before the AGM:
5:00 – 6:00 p.m.      Barbara Reid will be signing books, Osborne Collection, 4th floor
6:00 – 6:25 p.m.      Annual General Meeting, Lillian H. Smith branch, Lower Level
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.      22nd Annual Albert and Clara Lahmer Memorial Lecture, Lower Level  

Barbara Reid: “Picturing Stories”
Barbara has been telling stories with pictures for as long as she can remember. She will be sharing her experiences from her prolific career and her recent book, The Story Hunter. The Story Hunter follows a prehistoric child’s first experience of seeingand creating cave art.
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Please join us after the lecture for a reception on the 4th floor.

Photo credit: Ian Crysler

My Little Bookroom: An Osborne Collection Exhibition

2/9/2025

 
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​Ongoing event running from: Sun. Sep. 14, 2025 - Sun. Nov. 30, 2025
Lillian H. Smith
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Celebrate the legacy of Jane Dobell, a devoted children's book collector and champion of the Osborne Collection for more than 40 years. My Little Bookroom showcases a vibrant selection of her donations, from fantasy and adventure stories to historical children's books, Puffin paperbacks, Big Little Books, Disney tales, poetry and illustrations from The Swiss Family Robinson.

Explore these rare and historic treasures at the Osborne Collection until November 30. 

Located on the 4th floor of the Lillian H. Smith Branch. Free. All are welcome.

August 27th, 2025

27/8/2025

 

18th Annual Sybille Memorial LEcture

27/8/2025

 
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Lauren Soloy
​Drawing from My Pocket: 
Making Connections and Making Books
Thursday September 18
​6:30 - 7:30pm

Lillian H. Smith


Acclaimed picture book author and illustrator Lauren Soloy welcomes you to "The Pocket," her fictional world. 
Drawing from her own experiences, as well as inspiration from the greater world, Lauren looks for beauty and creates with joy as she writes and illustrates her unique picture books. 

21st Annual albert and clara lahmer memorial lecture

17/3/2025

 
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DRAWING STORIES- 15 YEARS IN ILLUSTRATION
QIN LENG


Thursday, April 3, 2025
6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Lillian Smith Branch


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​Qin Leng is an illustrator and author of children books. For 15 years, she has published over 70 titles including picture books, chapter books, and has recently explored the world of graphic novels. This lecture will look at her journey as an author and illustrator, starting from her early childhood, the artists who have inspired her along the way, and the evolution of her visual approach.


We will dive into the unique challenges each project can bring, from the classic picture book, wordless picture book, and french bande dessinée. What happens in between that first doodle on a piece of paper to the final published book.

Her illustrations in Trèfle (written by Nadine Robert) won the Governor General Literary Award for best picture book. Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin (by Chieri Uegaki) was a finalist for the Governor General's Literary Award, and received the APALA Award for best picture book.

Photo credit: Lian Leng

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  • HOME
  • About
  • News/Events/Lectures
  • Donate/Membership
  • Contact
  • Collections
    • The Osborne Collection
    • Lillian H. Smith Collection
    • Canadiana Collection
    • Jean Thomson Collection of Original Art