Celebrate the latest collaboration from two of the biggest names in the world of children’s books with the Now I See Roadshow. 

This spring, Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen publish The Now I See collection, a unique quartet of board books that playfully shows the changing seasons from a child’s point of view. Sparse and rhythmic text invites readers to explore a rural setting, gently introducing everyday words and the different seasons, depicted in minimalist images infused with light. Envisioned as a set that can also be read as standalone books, each of the four volumes in this series — Now I See Spring, Now I See Summer, Now I See Fall, and Now I See Winter — has identical text but different illustrations that reflect the time of year.

With numerous New York Times bestsellers between them and awards that include the Caldecott Medal, two Caldecott Honors, a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor, and many more, Barnett and Klassen (Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?, The Shape Trilogy) are among the most celebrated collaborators in the literary world. Barnett was named the 2025–2026 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress, and Klassen was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2018 for his “transformative contribution to children’s literature.”

Mac and Jon are taking these board books on a North American tour, but these aren’t storytimes or kid-centred events. Instead, Mac and Jon will be looking at picture books in theatre-style conversations — much like their popular Substack — in original, live chats led by different cultural icons in each city. They’ll discuss the importance and value of picture books — and talk about the ways they work. Kids are, of course, welcome, but the primary audience for these events are adults keen to learn more about picture books.

The Toronto event will be hosted by author of games, comics, and books Ryan North (Dinosaur Comics, Fantastic Four).

Doors Open 30 Minutes Before Showtime.