Welcome to Library Land Loves. Every May, the OLA hosts the largest literary event for young readers in Canada, and it’s called the Forest of Reading Festival.  

 In case you aren’t familiar with it, we host this annual event at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, and we welcome young readers from all over to get involved in author and illustrator workshops. Plus, they get to have nominees sign their favourite Forest books, take part in games and activities, win prizes, and so much more. It’s a blast, always full of high energy, music, and the voices of excited readers. One of my favourite parts is hearing the rollercoaster screams and cheers as readers see these authors take the stage for awards.  

In celebration of the OLA’s 125th Anniversary, Michelle is speaking with one of the Forest of Reading’s most decorated nominees and winners. Eric Walters is a Canadian author of over 150 young adult fiction and picture books, and is, of course, a very familiar face at the Forest of Reading Festival.  

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Visit Eric Walters’ website and discover all of his books - https://ericwalters.net/  

Forest of Reading Festival tickets are on sale to OLA Members starting January 28th, 2026, and sales open to the public on February 4th, 2026  https://forestofreading.com/buy-your-tickets/ 

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📚 You’re not an OLA member yet? Don’t worry about it, it’s fine, you can become one ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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This podcast is hosted by Michelle Arbuckle and produced by Gina Freitag.  

Editing and additional production support is completed by Helen Chevreau. 

Promotions and communications for this podcast are executed by Laurel McLeod.

For programming inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠education@accessola.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  

For promotional and sponsorship inquiries, please email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠communications@accessola.com⁠⁠⁠