The Inspire! Toronto International Book Fair took place from November 13th to 16th, with a Thursday night reception and three full days of programming. We had the pleasure of highlighting seven Pajama Press authors: Deborah Ellis, Sylvia McNicoll, Marsha Skrypuch, Stephanie McLellan, Rob Laidlaw, Karen Bass, and Margriet Ruurs. Our booth in the Ontario Book Publishers Organization’s Discovery Pavilion was a short way from the main stage and we enjoyed a steady stream of authors, illustrators, teachers, librarians, readers, and industry colleagues. Thank you to everyone who worked hard to pull off the book fair’s debut year.
The opening reception on Thursday night
Publisher Gail Winskill with CCBC executive director Charlotte Teeple
The Pajama Press booth in the Discovery Pavilion
Deborah Ellis at the Read to Remember panel
Sylvia McNicoll with her novel Revenge on the Fly
Hugh Brewster, Gillian O’Reilly, Ken Setterington, and Deborah Ellis: the Read to Remember panel
We enjoyed visits from countless authors over the course of the weekend
An illustration from A Good Trade by Karen Patkau hung in the CANSCAIP illustrator art exhibit
Authors Margriet Ruurs, Marsha Skrypuch, Stephanie McLellan, and Karen Bass
Authors Margriet Ruurs and Stephanie McLellan with publicist Erin Woods
Marsha Skrypuch talks about the importance of reading programs and her childhood fear of the Cat in the Hat
We had so many visitors that we began calling ourselves The Party Booth.
Sylvia McNicoll was one of seven authors to sign at the Pajama Press booth over the weekend.
Margriet Ruurs prepares to sign A Brush Full of Colour: The World of Ted Harrison
A Peach Girl illustration by Rebecca Bender displayed in the CANSCAIP exhibit
Rob Laidlaw regaled these students with stories about dogs he’s met around the world.
Margriet Ruurs with Stephanie McLellan and Hoogie in the Middle
Pajama Press administrator Patricia Jones with author Karen Bass
Sylvia McNicoll signs Revenge on the Fly
Authors Karen Bass and Marsha Skrypuch got a little silly with social media.