By Vicky Peters

Urban Planner is Torontoist’s daily guide to what’s on in Toronto, published every morning. If you have an event you’d like considered, email all of its details—as well as images, if you’ve got any—to events@torontoist.com.

Illustration by Bill Slavin, from the Forest of Reading–nominated Stanley at Sea by Linda Bailey. Courtesy of Authors at Harbourfront.

KIDS: Eight thousand kids swamp Harbourfront today for the Third Annual Forest of Reading Festival of Trees Awards. The young ones are up first to pick the Blue Spruce Award recipient, followed by the junior-high-aged for the Red Maples awards in late morning (now SOLD OUT), and the high-school-aged for the White Pine Award in the afternoon. Authors of the nominated books will be present to take part in some of the incredible workshop activities throughout the day. These include a ninety-foot bug exhibit (don’t worry—we mean ninety feet of bugs, not a ninety-foot monster), and writing tips for future Pulitzer Prize winners. Harbourfront York Quay Centre (235 Queens Quay West), 10 a.m. (Blue Spruce Awards) and 1 p.m. (White Pine Awards), $13.
HISTORY: ROMwalks—guided walking tours hosted by our illustrious and knowledgeable museum—have begun for the summer season and offer glimpses of local history between now and September. This evening’s tour is called “Historic Toronto” and wanders through the city’s original beer-loving heart, where the Family Compact dug in its heels and hanged the cohorts of William Lyon Mackenzie and where Bishop Strachan held court over a burnt cathedral whose grounds still contain unmarked Irish graves. Meet under the blue umbrella at Toronto’s First Post Office (260 Adelaide Street East), 6 p.m., FREE. (rain or shine).
WORKSHOP: Now that TV re-runs have begun and spring storms are rolling in, it’s time to get those craft skills up to speed. Nathalie-Roze and Company is offering a one-night Creative Kickstart Seminar intended to break down any lingering winter creative blocks. At the end of the night, work-shoppers will be blossoming with inspiration, and will also have a collection of Artist Trading Cards under their belt to, you know, trade. Nathalie-Roze and Company (1015 Queen Street East), 6–9 p.m., $60 (includes materials, tea and scones, plus a kick in the pants).
WORDS: Terry Gould’s book Murder Without Borders: Dying for the Story in the World’s Most Dangerous Places explores the reasons why seven murdered journalists may have felt compelled to risk their lives for the sake of the stories each was covering despite the dangers they were facing. Gould discusses the subjects of his latest book (and his own search for answers) with Toronto journalist Christie Blatchford at tonight’s This Is Not A Reading Series presentation. TINARS executive director Marc Glassman will host the evening. Gladstone Hotel, second floor gallery (1214 Queen Street West), 7:30 p.m., $5 (free with book purchase).
MUSIC: Lula Lounge’s world music festival Lulaworld 2009 continues with the exciting sounds of David Buchbinder’s Odessa Havana. Winner of two best jazz awards in 2007, the mix of Russian-Jewish sounds with Afro-Cuban rhythms has struck a winning chord. We always give the thumbs-up to good Afro-Cuban jazz, and Carl Wilson’s Zoilus gig guide is giving this act the double-star treatment. That’s four thumbs up for those who are counting. Lula Lounge (1585 Dundas Street West), 8:30 p.m., $20.