Dear Reader,
Happy Sunday! Just like January, September is a time of new beginnings for me. I make resolutions perhaps because it happens so closely to my August 24th birthday or coincides with the first day of school. This year I will be entering my third year as a school librarian. I will also be teaching music and dance.
September 2026 will also the last year of my forties. I am going through my own decisions and transitions— physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
And in the midst of that, so much has happened over the past few weeks— thousands of lives lost and impacted by the flooding in Nepal, damages from severe weather and flooding in Toronto, the passing of global figures like Dolly Parton and Cassandra Wilson.
Regardless of all of these things, I am focussing on changes, ways to help, on the things I can shift. As I write this, it is September 6th— the day before what would have been the 107th birthday of Louise Bennett Coverley, known as Miss Lou. One thing I’ve learned from both Bennett and Dolly Parton is ways to transform grief into action, beauty, and art and transforming the use of the stage and page.
Whether you are heading back to school, releasing a new book (like I am, Stop AntiBlack Racism: 8 Ways to Act Now), or taking part in the literary and film festivals happening over the next few weeks, I pray that your September is full of whimsy, joy, and inspiration.
Walk good!
Nadia
In this issue:
In my School Library RECAP
Recap of Wheel and Turn at Hamilton Fringe Festival
Teaching Picture Books at UofT Summer School
IBBY World Congress 2026
In my School Library RECAP, 2026-2027
Among the titles I wear, I’m proud of being a school librarian, a role that I began in September 2024. Librarianship is part of my teaching assignment and a busy role at that.
During the months of June (and few times in July), I’ve been spending time purchasing, processing, and shelving new books 📚. These books are a result of fundraising through @scholasticbookfairs.canada and my purchasing budget.
This is an activity I normally enjoy, but I anticipate that it’s a workload that will increase with the closing of the Central Library in my school board . This centre provided administrative support and assistance to librarians and educators and provided access to thousands of books and resources.
As I anticipate the arrival of hundreds of new books for my school library, I also expect that it will take much more time to process these materials on my own without the central library’s support.
And so, as the Jamaican proverb says, Every mickle make a mukkle and One, one coco fill basket. Summer months are sometimes used to prep for the upcoming school year.
Volunteers can assist, and it helps, but in the meantime…
In the meantime, I’d like to show off a few of the amazing books I’m adding by fellow authors (my other role) and illustrators, who I admire, respect, and call my colleagues .
And if you have some time in your hands, please volunteer at your local public school.
Recap of Wheel and Turn at Hamilton Fringe Festival 2026
It’s now been almost TWO MONTHS since WHEEL AND TURN’S opening night at the Hamilton Fringe Festival 2026. Our seven-show run was a success.
I’ve learned so much and still reflecting and celebrating and number crunching and planning and grantwriting and dreaming about the future of this little play.
Thanks so much to Olivia Carter, who played Miss Lou, for documenting our process and testimonials in these gorgeous videos… especially on our last day which you can see here. My feelings: Raw, honest, vulnerable, funny, nostalgic,… it sums up the whole play.
Teaching Picture Books at UofT Summer School
A week between teaching and librarian-ing at an elementary school in Toronto and producing/writing/codirecting and acting in a play in Hamilton, I taught a creative writing course. Yes, I’m THAT woman.
I taught a Picture Books course as part of the University of Toronto’s School for Continuing Studies Summer Writing School. This was the first time I taught a creative writing course since 2023, my second time teaching a creative writing course in person (but first at U OF T), and my eighth time teaching creative writing in total. It all equals to an amazing experience.
What I loved most was the opportunity to teach something that I am absolutely passionate about to people who love this topic so much that they are willing to invest a whole week in it, with me. My class was small which meant that there were many opportunities to read and get to know each other’s stories. Each day, I delivered mini-lectures about various topics. I even planned a fieldtrip for my students to see the HARRY TURNS 70! CELEBRATING CANADIAN ILLUSTRATORS exhibit at the Osborne Collection at the Lillian H Smith library, just steps from campus. I loved the instructors showcase in which professors got to read from a work in progress or a book. I did a reading of A LIKKLE MISS LOU.
I also loved seeing each story take shape. I had my students vote for one student to represent our class and read at the student showcase.
My experience reminded me how much joy I get from teaching, whether its adults or children. I also had lots of moments if déjà vu and reflection since my classes were held in the social work building where I took a class and across the parking lot from @oiseuoft where I completed 2 degrees 20+ years ago. I also loved the schedule and autonomy I had.
I think what I loved most is getting to be the professor that I always wanted to see.
I was on faculty with @o.janika , an award-winning author whose book #TheHistoryofBurning I absolutely loved.
Thank you @uoftscs for this wonderful opportunity and welcoming me back. I look forward to more teaching opportunities.
IBBY World Congress
One month ago, I was packing my bags and heading back from the 2026 IBBY WORLD CONGRESS from Ottawa.
Just like Bad Bunny’s song said “Debí Tierra Más Fotos”, the title of the first song, but I’m so glad I took so many and that folks like Sadé, Luiza, Octopus Books, and Shamaila’s shared their photos with me.
I’m still remembering the wonderful opportunities to share, laugh, vent, and dream with authors and delegates from across Canada and the world.
I feel so honoured that my proposal KEEPING IT REAL, which focused on @sankofaspen the experiences of Black Canadian Kidlit and yalit creators, was selected from hundreds and that the panel that resulted was a success. Thank you again to all of the authors— Khodi, Sadé, Kevin, and our chair, Wanda. I was told by some Māori delegates that it was one of their favourite sessions and that they were still discussing it.
Thank you Mary Beth of IBBY CANADA and Ottawa Public Library for inviting me to share my stories A LIKKLE MISS LOU and PATTY DREAMS at the Picnic and Parade.
Thank you 🙏🏾 Indigo Rideau Centre for opening your store for our SANKOFA’S PEN Booksigning and Octopus Books for selling my books during the conference.
I am so excited about the possibilities and I can’t wait for 2028 IBBY WORLD CONGRESS in Barcelona, Spain.
I can’t wait for the next author gathering. One love!
In Next issue:
Ten Years of Malaika Tour
Word on the Street Highlights
Picture Book Rising Stars
