News and Events

DOUBLE BOOK LAUNCH

Running the Goat Books & Broadsides, Signature Editions, and A Different Booklist are thrilled to invite you to the launch of two new books by Dan Yashinsky

Dan Yashinsky is a storyteller and writer from Toronto. He is the author of I Am Full, The Golden Apples, Swimming With Chaucer, Suddenly They Heard Footsteps (winner of the Ann Izard Storytellers’ Choice Award), and Tales for an Unknown City, and the editor of four acclaimed collections of Canadian storytelling: Ghostwise, At the Edge, Next Teller, and Tales for an Unknown City. Dan co-founded both the Toronto Storytelling Festival and the Storytellers School of Toronto, and began the 1001 Friday Nights of Storytelling in 1978, a weekly evening of oral stories that continues to this day. He has been a storyteller-in-residence at Queen’s University, Toronto Public Library, the Stop Community Food Centre, Storytelling Toronto, UNICEF Canada, and Baycrest Health Services, working in psychiatry, palliative care, and in the dementia program. Dan has performed at festivals in Israel, Sweden, Norway, Holland, England, Wales, England, Germany, Brazil, Austria, France, the U.S., Singapore, and Ireland, as well as all across Canada.

The Golden Apples is a remixed folktale, with Cape Breton roots. Featuring Jack (yes, that Jack) and a magical red fox, the story shows us that a true hero isn’t necessarily someone who’s good at following rules. Illustrator Ekaterina Khlebnikova has given the story brilliant visuals, including a princess who’s into grunge rock and some ne’er-do-well princes who would rather listen to pod-casts about going on a quest than actually go on one. The book has received a starred review in Kirkus Reviews, which writes: “Despite being better at following recipes than advice, a savvy third son prospers in this retold folktale.” Please visit www.runningthegoat.com for more information.

I Am Full – Stories for Jacob is a unique mix of storytelling, memoir, poetry, and creative fiction commemorating the life of Jacob Evan Yashinsky-Zavitz. Told in an imagined first person voice, the book brings to life the sayings and doings of an extraordinarily brave, funny, courageous young man. Jacob lived with a condition known as Prader-Willi Syndrome, and created a rich and meaningful life for himself – with much support from family, friends, and support staff – despite contending with the hyperphagia (constant hunger) that marks this disability. Please visit www. signature-editions.com for more information.

A Different Booklist

779 Bathurst Street

2 – 5 pm, Saturday, November 4, 2023 

Reading from The Golden Apples at 2:30 pm

Reading from I Am Full – Stories for Jacob at 3:15 pm

Just south of the Bathurst St. subway station – wheelchair accessible . Refreshments appropriate for people living with Prader-Willi Syndrome provided.

The publishers and author thank Itah Sadu, Miguel San Vicente, and the amazing staff and volunteers at Blackhurst Cultural Centre for their ongoing support of books and storytelling, and for hosting this launch.