The Toronto Public Library has an extensive March Break kids program running this week. Storytellers, magicians, puppet shows, music and animals... oh my! Be sure to check out the schedule for details.

Tuesday, March 11th:

Tightrope Books' Myna Wallin (A Thousand Profane Pieces) will be interviewing Stacey May Fowles (Be Good) this afternoon on CKLN's "In Other Words". This weekly show explores all things literary, from small press to large print, and gives you a sense of the people and the passion behind the words you read and hear.
88.1FM on your tuner's dial, or listen live online at www.ckln.fm. 2pm.

Actress Valerie Bertinelli talks about and signs copies of Losing It, her frank memoir that touches on everything from her complicated family life to her acting career, and her lifelong battle with weight.
Indigo Manulife. 7pm. Free.

Tonight is Open Stage Night at the Art Bar Poetry Reading Series. Sign-up starts at 7:30pm, and each person is allowed to perform one poem (but bring more if you like, in case there's extra time!) Hosted by Stephen Humphrey.
Clinton's. 7:30pm. Free.

While those of us who reside in wealthy nations generally eat whatever we want, people just a continent away suffer from malnutrition--seemingly due to a scarcity of food. At the Canadian launch of his widely anticipated book Stuffed and Starved, noted activist, academic and author Raj Patel will deliver an incisive multimedia presentation about the politics of the global food chain, followed by a Q&A session with the audience moderated by Wayne Roberts of the Toronto Food Policy Council. A This Is Not A Reading Series event.
Innis Town Hall. 7:30pm. Free.

Coffeehouse Cabaret Open Stage featuring music, spoken word, and comedy. Hosted by Shawn Sage.
Renaissance Cafe. 9pm (sign up is at 8:30pm). Free.

Wednesday, March 12th:

What is the nature of time? How much of our lives do we spend having sex? Or waiting in line? Bestselling author Christopher Dewdney will engage in a contemplative conversation about such mysteries with noted editor, critic and writer Darren Wershler-Henry at the launch of Dewdney's book, Soul of the World: Unlocking the Secrets of Time. A This Is Not A Reading Series event.
Gladstone Hotel Ballroom. 7:30pm. Free.

International Readings at Harbourfront welcomes authors Alan Drew (Gardens of Water), Ondjaki (Good Morning Comrades), and Antonio Skarmeta (The Dancer and the Thief) to the stage to present their newest works of fiction. Jay MillAr hosts.
Harbourfront Centre Brigantine Room. 7:30pm. $8.

The Toronto Renaissance Conspiracy presents an Open Stage/Open Stage-Workshop. If you participate in the open-stage workshop, please bring at least ten copies of your poem(s).
Renaissance Cafe. 7:30pm. Free.

Thursday, March 13th:

a.rawlings will be featured at this week's installment of Canadian Writers in Person.
York University, Accolade West Building, room 206. 4pm. Free.

Stan Rogal reads from his latest novel, As Good As Dead, a cautionary tale about an unknown writer "living in the bowels of anonymity" who suddenly hits it big with a novel-turned-movie deal. A WordStage event.
Cervejaria. 7:30pm. Free.

Saturday, March 15th:

Marjorie Harris appears at this year's Canada Blooms Show, divulging her secrets on How to Make a Garden... Even Better!
Metro Toronto Convention Centre South - Room 718. 12pm. $18.

Celebrate the launch of Shameless Magazine's latest issue with Mariko Tamaki, who will be signing copies of her latest book, Skim. Also featuring Emma McKenna, Lisa Bozikovic, DJ Winnie and others. Raffle prizes available from Good for Her, Grapefruit Moon, Groundwood Books, Briar Patch Magazine, and more! Also, in the spirit of DIY, a silkscreen booth will be set up so you can make your own Shameless T-shirt (or sweatshirt, or bag, or handkerchief). Bring something to silkscreen and the Shameless Team will set you up.
Gladstone Hotel Ballroom. 1-4pm. Free, $5 gets you the new issue.

Sunday, March 16th:

The Globe and Mail/Ben McNally Brunch Series welcomes Ariana Franklin, author of The Serpent's Tale, Jacqueline Winspear, author of An Incomplete Revenge, Susan Pinker, author of The Sexual Paradox and Neil Shubin, author of Your Inner Fish.
King Edward Hotel. 10am. $40.

Celebrate the book launch for Once Upon a Time in Bollywood: The Global Swing in Hindi Cinema, by Gurbir Jolly, Zenia Wadhwani, and Deborah Barretto, and Gods in the Bazaar: The Economies of Indian Calendar Art by Kajri Jain, presented by Duke University Press and TSAR Publications.
David Mirvish Books. 2pm. Free.

Opposites attract - from the Arctic to New Orleans in a single afternoon. Celebrate the launch of In The CafĂŠ du Monde by Donna Langevin, Thule Explorer: Kayaking North of 77 Degrees by Rosemary Clewes, and String of Mysteries by Kate Marshall Flaherty.
Gladstone Hotel Ballroom. 3-5pm. Free.