Her Majesty, the Empress Michiko of Japan, visited the Osborne Collection at Lillian H. Smith on Thursday, July 9.

The Empress has had a life-long interest in children's literature and has authored a children's book and translated poems for children from Japanese to English. She has been interested in the Osborne Collection at Toronto Public Library ever since she read an article written by Momoko Ishii, an author of children's books, who visited the library soon after World War II.

His Majesty, the Emperor Akihito of Japan, and the Empress are on a 12-day tour of Canada.

Top photo: City Librarian Jane Pyper (left) watches on as Her Majesty, the Empress Michiko of Japan, is given a tour of the Osborne Collection by librarian Leslie McGrath.
Bottom photo: Her Majesty, the Empress Michiko of Japan, with Toronto Public Library Board Chair Matthew Church and Leslie McGrath.