Spencer B Miller

Never in a million years… 🤯

By the book: Alberta schools pull at least 160 titles from shelves to meet provincial order | CBC News Alberta school divisions complying with a provincial order have removed dozens of graphic novels from their shelves, from illustrated versions of literary classics to coming-of-age memoirs and dramati...

Big update on Alberta’s book bans. The count is up to 160 titles 😔

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Canadian icon

Laptop and coffee mug rest on a table. On the laptop screen is the cover of humorous children’s book “This Book Stinks”.

Me looking like a totally serious writer in the corner of the cafe while actually trying not to laugh at the fart jokes in This Book Stinks (a hilarious take on book banning).

Update: the book was returned to shelves!

Congrats! “Harrowing” is great word choice by the folks at Kirkus 👀

Backspot | Films | CBC Gem With a competition looming, Riley, an all-star cheerleader, must navigate her crippling anxiety, her relationship with her girlfriend, and her desperate need for approval from her new coach.

New to @cbcgem.bsky.social in March: Backspot (2022), a queer coming-of-age sports drama starring Devery Jacobs. It explores the pressures on young athletes in the competitive world of cheerleading.

Canadians can watch for free: gem.cbc.ca/backspot

Digital graphic announcing the CCBC Virtual Silent Auction is now open (March 7-15).

The CCBC Virtual Silent Auction is now open! The event features items donated from across the country. The auction closes at 9 pm EDT on Sunday, March 15. All funds raised will support the Canadian Children's Book Week 2026.

Bid on items at www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/ccbc-silent-auction--2026

Rewatching a couple episodes of The Porter (2022) on CBC Gem. A shame this show was cancelled.

The Merit Badger | Patreon Newsletter

I write a monthly newsletter called The Merit Badger 🦡 where I award made up merit badges to standout Canadian content 🍁📚🎥📺

You can subscribe for FREE at patreon.com/TheMeritBadger

Kids’ book pulled from Winnipeg school division shelves over map illustration A school library-technician is raising concerns about the swift removal of a new children’s book about a Palestinian family preparing to break their fast during Ramadan.

A school library-technician is raising concerns about the swift removal of a new children’s book about a Palestinian family preparing to break their fast during Ramadan.

www.thespec.com/news/canada/...

Government programs and grants slashed for dozens of community groups and arts organizations in N.S. - Halifax Examiner The cuts range in size from 10% to 100%, with funding to most arts and creative industries down by at least 30%.

Absolutely devastating for book publishers in Nova Scotia. Canadian arts and stories deserve better.

www.halifaxexaminer.ca/dismantling-...

Alberta vetting process limits sexual education materials for students, some experts say | CBC News Some sexual health education experts, advocacy groups and teachers say new provincial approval requirements have left educators with inadequate options to teach Alberta’s health curriculum.

Alberta vetting process limits sexual education materials for students

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Canada Basketball will avenge Hockey Canada in 2028

A devastating week for Canadian hockey fans. Everyone should get Monday off to recover.

Screen shot of topgradebooks.ca shows 4 new video thumbnails featuring the covers of Canadian children's books

Winter Top Grade videos are here!

kids.49thshelf.com/Top-Grade

Canada's Greatest Living Writer YouTube video by Lawrence Debbs's Booklist

I really enjoy Lawrence Debb's videos!

youtu.be/mH6_qtZECDA?...

The Wonders of Paper Collage: How Three Artists are Bringing Stories t By Spencer Miller Pick up a picture book illustrated with paper collage and it’s hard not to be impressed. Through cutting, pasting, and layering paper, illustrators create vibrant, textured, and invi...

I had the chance to interview 3 incredible Canadian paper collage illustrators! ❤️📚

kidsbooknews.ca/blogs/featur...

Kind of a big deal!

February 14th marks #PinkTriangleDay, a day that recognizes and affirms queer existence, solidarity, and love.

BRANDED BY THE PINK TRIANGLE, provides a compelling and detailed account of the history of the pink triangle and of the Nazi regime’s persecution of gay men during the Holocaust.

#booksky

The Merit Badger #2! February 2026 | The Merit Badger Get more from The Merit Badger on Patreon

Issue 2 of The Merit Badger is here! Check your inboxes or read here

www.patreon.com/posts/150457...

L&D: Book Censorship in Alberta Learning & Development Series: Freedom to Read Week EditionIn January 2026, dozens of books were removed from school library shelves across Alberta, prompted by a new provincial order. While some ...

Friends, I'm thrilled to have the chance to speak about Book Censorship in Alberta for #FreedomToReadWeek. The session is free with registration. See you there!

www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticket...

8 Books that Share the Stories of Refugee and Immigrant Children · Blog Post · 49th Kids These new and upcoming books from Canadian book creators share the stories of immigrant and refugee children with love and care.

"Stories are comforting, healing, and empowering. Reading together will indicate to your students that you are aware of what’s going on in the news, that you care, and that you are open to talk"

kids.49thshelf.com/Blog/2026/02...

I made the choice to launch my newsletter (where each month I award made up merit badges to stand out Canadian content) on Patreon.

It's difficult growing a newsletter. But I am happy with where I'm at!

Sign up: www.patreon.com/TheMeritBadger

Big Feelings: Social Emotional Learning · Blog Post · 49th Shelf A recommended reading list by the author of the picture book Ellis on Guard (Second Story Press). 

Looking for some solid social-emotional learning (SEL) books for littles? I put together a round-up of some of my favourites from the last couple of years for the @49thshelf.bsky.social. Check ‘em out:

Seriously. Saw a preview screening last night and can’t remember the last time I laughed in a theatre like that.

Don’t miss out on this beauty piece of CanCon 🍁 in theatres Feb 20th.

NEW Young Adult Books | Fall 2025 Top Grade Picks YouTube video by Bibliovideo

Oh in case you didn't see, I got to recommend it in this video: youtu.be/WYLnZWPuNNM?.... Thanks for this thread. Getting to shine a light on under reviewed books is the best part of Top Grade!

Saskatchewan's pronoun policy is driving teachers out of the profession | Xtra Magazine Teachers in the province are struggling to choose between protecting children and following the law

Important insights in this article from @xtramagazine.com. These same issues are very present in AB (says a teacher who has not taught since moving back to Calgary).

xtramagazine.com/power/politi...

Canadian Publishing Industry Condemns Implementation of Alberta Book Ban - Association of Canadian Publishers

Canadian publishers condemn Alberta's decision to proceed with its discriminatory book ban. The ban restricts access to literature, undermines professional expertise & diverts public resources away from actual learning. @lpgcanada.bsky.social @youralberta.bsky.social publishers.ca/alberta-book...

Genre-Bending Books for Young Readers from Canadian Indie Publishers

journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/genre-bendin...