Author Talk: Dr. Roberta Bondar

TPL Programs

Launch of her new book "Space for Birds: Patterns and Parallels of Beauty and Flight"

Toronto Public Library - Lillian H. Smith Branch

Join us for an illuminating evening with Dr. Roberta Bondar, the world’s first neurologist in space and the first female Canadian astronaut, who will be discussing her latest book, <a href="https://www.figure1publishing.com/book/space-for-birds/" title="https://www.figure1publishing.com/book/space-for-birds/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Space for Birds: Patterns and Parallels of Beauty and Flight</a> (Figure 1 Publishing). In Space for Birds, the lives and habitats of two majestic bird species — the endangered Whooping Crane and the near-threatened Lesser Flamingo — are shared through striking space, aerial, and surface photographs, artfully conveying the fragile elegance of life on Earth.The evening will begin with a short presentation of Dr. Bondar’s personal reflections on the book and its backstory, followed by an armchair conversation with moderator Nicole Mortillaro, senior reporter for the CBC on all things science and amateur astronomer, followed by Q&amp;A with the audience.Light refreshments will be served (provided by an outside caterer unaffiliated with TPL). Books will be available for purchase on site courtesy of Ben McNally Books.Toronto Lit Up is a multi-year initiative, started in 2016 by the Toronto International Festival of Authors and the Toronto Art Council, to spotlight Toronto writers and empower local artists with career-building opportunities. Between April 2016 and March 2024, Toronto Lit Up has presented over 200 events featuring 250 Toronto authors and illustrators. Toronto Lit up book launches take place throughout the year at venues across the city. They are open to the public and free to attend. Click <a href="https://festivalofauthors.ca/toronto-lit-up/" title="https://festivalofauthors.ca/toronto-lit-up/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">here</a> for more information.About the Book:In this book, the lives and habitats of two majestic bird species are shared through striking space, aerial and surface photographs to convey the fragile elegance of Earth’s biodiversity. Dr. Bondar focuses her lens on the Western Hemisphere’s endangered Whooping Crane, which migrates from its boreal nesting grounds in Canada’s Wood Buffalo National Park to the seaside abundance of its winter habitat in Texas; and the Eastern Hemisphere’s near threatened Lesser Flamingo, which is seen in dazzling pink flocks on and above East African Rift Valley soda lakes. Images from the International Space Station convey the continental scale of these birds’ travels, and Bondar’s aerial and surface photos, accompanied by insights both scientific and personal, offer intimate glimpses of their daily lives and unique behaviours. While these birds lead different lives on opposite sides of the globe, they share with each other and with us, an imperative to survive and a reliance on Earth’s fragile ecosystems. “A gorgeous photo essay by Roberta Bondar, first female Canadian astronaut: two migratory birds, Whooping Crane and Lesser Flamingo, and what their necessary habitats look like. In one word, stunning!”—Margaret Atwood, writer, (via X)“Fascinating and beautifully illustrated, a breathtaking photographic journey, integrating the beauty of poetry with lovely precision of science, astounding and arresting.”—Dr. Marian McGee (1931–2024), former Dean of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa About the Author:The world’s first neurologist in space, and the first female Canadian astronaut, Dr. Roberta Bondar is globally recognized for her pioneering contributions to space medicine research, fine art photography and education on the environment. Dr. Bondar reveals Earth's natural world through the creative lenses of medical doctor, scientist, photographer, astronaut, and writer.She is the author of several best-selling books featuring her writing and photographic works, the latter held in private, corporate and institutional collections in Canada, the U.S. and England. This current book is a product of the project she leads at the Roberta Bondar Foundation called Space for Birds, within which she is integrating three views of migratory bird corridors in the Americas and Asia-Europe-Africa—space, surface, and aerial—to gain insight into the habitats needed by and to protect, endangered and threatened birds.She is a Companion of the Order of Canada, appointed to the Order of Ontario, inducted into both the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and the International Women's Forum's Hall of Fame, is the recipient of many honorary doctorates from North American universities, has six schools named after her, is a Specially Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and has her own star on Canada's Walk of Fame.About the Moderator:Nicole Mortillaro is a children’s book editor and an award-winning senior science reporter based in Toronto where she covers all things science for CBC news. She primarily writes about space/astronomy and climate change, researching and writing stories for online/digital, as well as for radio and TV.She has been on CBC News Network, The National, CBC’s flagship science radio program Quirks and Quarks as well as CBC’s World Report, The World This Hour, The World This Weekend, Metro Morning, and BBC Radio 5. She has served as past contributor to SkyNews magazine and is the editor of the Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. She has also written numerous books on topics ranging from weather to space, to that most Canadian thing of all, hockey. But she is most passionate about space.Program Information:Doors will be open to registered attendees at 5:45 p.m.Building has a wheelchair-accessible entranceTTC is the easiest way to access the event. Paid parking is available along Huron St.

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Author Talk: Dr. Roberta Bondar

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Author Talk: Dr. Roberta Bondar

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