Alice Opens the Door
About the Exhibit
Discover—or rediscover—the enduring literary classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the book that opened the door to reading for generations of children. Learn about the “real” Alice and her role in bringing this story to the world. This joyful exhibition featuring highlights from the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books invites visitors “down the rabbit hole” to view unforgettable and beloved scenes and characters in books, costume designs, art, games and ephemera.
[Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Game]
New York: Noble & Noble, 1923
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll, 1832-1898
Illustrated by Blanche McManus, 1869-1935
New York: A. Wessells Company, 1900.
Gift of Judith Dawson
Guided Tours
Please join a Special Collections staff docent on a free guided tour. Meet inside the TD Gallery. Drop in. No registration required.
Tuesdays at 2 p.m. (except December 25 and January 1)
Thursday, December 27 and Thursday, January 3 at 2 p.m.
Related Programming
Alice Film Series
Friday, November 16, 2-4 p.m.
Toronto Reference Library, Hinton Learning Centre
One day in advance of the Alice Opens the Door exhibit opening, please enjoy Tim Burton's version of the beloved Alice in Wonderland story featuring Mia Wasikowska as Alice Kingsleigh, Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen.
Wednesday, November 21, 2-4 p.m.
Toronto Reference Library, Hinton Learning Theatre
This early screen version of the beloved Alice in Wonderland story features many famous Hollywood stars of the era: W.C. Fields as Humpty-Dumpty; Gary Cooper as the White Knight; and Cary Grant as the Mock Turtle. Charlotte Henry plays Alice.
Thursday, December 20, 2-4 p.m.
Toronto Reference Library, Hinton Learning Theatre
This animated musical fantasy-adventure film produced by Walt Disney Productions was based on the Alice books by Lewis Carroll. The film was critically panned at first but became a cult animation classic. It is considered one of the best film versions of the Alice story.
Panel Discussion: Alice in Art and Film
Join Alice enthusiasts Dayna Nuhn, the founder and president of the Lewis Carroll Society of Canada, artist and writer George A. Walker, and Andy Malcolm, Sound Editor, foley artist for Tim Burton's 2010 Alice in Wonderland, in conversation about depictions of Alice in art and film.
Thursday, December 6, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Toronto Reference Library, Atrium
The Nursery “Alice” [proof copy]
[Lewis Carroll, 1832-1898]
[Illustrated by John Tenniel, 1820-1914]
[London: Edmund Evans], 1889.
Playing Card
Illustrated by E. Gertrude Thomson (1850-1929) after John Tenniel (1820-1914)
Lindon: Thos. De la Rue & Co. [ca. 1900].
Discover Special Collections: Exhibiting Alice
Gallery Curator Wendy McPhee shows some imaginative Alice costume designs that did not make the final exhibit cut, plus a WWII era Alice poster that received an intensive conservation treatment.
Wednesday, December 12, 2-2:30 p.m.
Toronto Reference Library, Marilyn and Charles Baillie Centre
Alice Adjacent: Lewis Carroll and his Victorian World
In conjunction with Alice Opens the Door, the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books presents a companion exhibit called Alice Adjacent: Lewis Carroll and his Victorian World featuring works by Lewis Carroll and the many children's authors and illustrators of the Victorian Period.
Saturday, December 8, 2018 - Saturday, March 2, 2019.
Lillian H. Smith Branch, Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books
Mad Hatter Tea Party
What better way is there to celebrate our Alice Opens the Door exhibit than by holding our own Mad Hatter Tea Party! Join us for some family fun and make your own Mad Hat.
Thursday, December 27, 2-4 p.m.
Toronto Reference Library, Beeton Hall
Alice Colouring Pages
Print and colour these Alice illustrations by Harry Furniss!
Harry Furniss, 1854-1925
Illustration for Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
(Toronto: Cheshire Cat Press, 2015).
Alice Books
Alice in Wonderland books you can borrow.