JELLYCAT WONDERLAND: OPENS THURSDAY AT 4PM
If you’ve been waiting for the Christmas collection, this is for you! We’re doing something SUPER special this time.
We're launching the new 2026 Holiday Jellycat on Thursday & Friday, November 5th - 6th. Visit our Jellycat Wonderland upstairs in the Hole in the Wall to see what this collection has to offer, and purchase your favourites to take home with you.
We're also giving out prizes to three lucky winners. To be eligible, visit on November 5th or 6th and post a photo or video of your experience to Facebook or Instagram, making sure to tag us.
The Jellycat Wonderland will be open from 4PM-8PM on Thurs. Nov. 5, and 10AM-7PM on Fri. Nov. 6. A limit of 3 characters per person, per day, will apply (for the Christmas Collection only—other Jellycats are unlimited!) After that, any remaining Christmas Jellycats will be available in the bookshop, while supplies last. We hope to see you there!
PEDDIE’S PICK FOR NOVEMBER: OPERATION JUBILEE BY PATRICK BISHOP
"I have walked Juno Beach" … After reading Bishop’s book I have decided that I must now visit Dieppe.
If you live in Essex County, it’s easy to be drawn into stories about the WWII battle at Dieppe France. A Detroit River–side park is named after the battle. The Essex Scottish Regiment lost 121 of their soldiers in the battle. Three of the soldiers were from Amherstburg. Today the names of many who gave their lives are on a plaque in the King's Navy Yard Park.
A few books and many studies of the what, why, how and its end results have been written about Dieppe. While I am clearly not an expert on the matter, I did find Bishop’s book to be a very compelling and thorough analysis of the disastrous battle.
Why did the British, and to some extent Canada, think an attack was important? The Russians were demanding a second front …and an attack on Dieppe would be a helpful rehearsal for D Day. And allegedly the Canadian Corps, who had already been in England for two years, were looking for large-scale action. Bishop’s perspective is that the Russians didn’t want a “raid”—they wanted a full Invasion. That little additional information would have been learned from an attack on Dieppe as there had already been numerous raids testing German defences on the French coast. Canada’s true thoughts? Conclusion: nothing linked Dieppe to the war imperatives of the day.
PEDDIE'S NOVEMBER PICK: CONTINUED
Bishop described Dieppe as “hard to attack and easy to defend.” Germans had backed the beaches and cliffs with heavy gun batteries, machine guns, and snipers—a perfect defence system manned by a battle-ready garrison.
The result—a disaster! 4963 soldiers sailed. 907 were killed and 1948 were taken prisoner. Compare that to 357 German deaths. The author wrote that “little about Dieppe made sense.” No vital objectives were accomplished. It had no strategic and tactical worth. Plus, the Germans were on high alert, and the Canadian and British soldiers paid the price.
We will never know the complete story because of sketchy record-keeping and the egos of the military leaders most responsible. Some would say the lives lost were necessary sacrifice. Bishop would say that was clearly not true.
Remembrance Day on November 11th is held to honour military members who have served and died for Canada. In the spirt of this important day, I invite you to read Peddie’s Pick for November, Operation Jubilee, and draw your own conclusions.
Richard Peddie
—Author, Bookseller, Community Builder
AUTHOR EVENT: SATURDAY AT 2PM
Join us on November 7th for the Amherstburg launch of Dorothy Jane Kavanaugh's novel, Little River Bridge! Featuring special guest Kathryn MacDonald, who will read from her poetry collection The Blue Gate.
The reading will start at 2pm on Saturday, November 7th. You can pick up a signed book and hear the stories of how these books came to be, followed by a Q&A. See you then!
REMEMBRANCE DAY: SUNDAY STORY TIME
Sunday Story Time welcomes back our friend Stephanie Pouget-Papek to the Children's Nook to share stories of Remembrance in honour of November 11th.
Come educate and engage your little ones with history and stories about why we recognize Remembrance Day, this Sunday at 11AM.
RACHEL PHAN: EVENT
Join us and Rachel Phan, bestselling author of Restaurant Kid, in Kingsvillefor an author event and book signing celebrating her new book, That Asian Girl Is a Problem: Confessions of a Recovering Good Girl. When: Tuesday, November 10 at 6 PM.
Where: Kingsville Branch, Essex County Library. Registration required. Books will be available for purchase!
WHAT MAKES AMHERSTBURG GREAT: COFFEE EDITION
I love coffee, but definitely not black coffee—I describe my preference as “coffee in drag”—lots of milk, maybe a shot of caramel, and I admit the occasional topping of whipped cream.
I have read about the many personal benefits of coffee: everything from improving focus and mood to protecting memory. But for me, it’s just one of the first things I enjoy in the morning.
Prior to 2018, downtown Amherstburg was what I would call a “coffee desert.” The only real independent coffee shop was Downtown Espresso. And then Caffeine & Co came along and
started the race for the first morning cup of Joe.
I am going to focus on three independent coffee shops in the town core. Interestingly, but perhaps not coincidentally, all of them are in heritage buildings.
WHAT MAKES AMHERSTBURG GREAT: CONTINUED
Downtown Espresso Cafe - 249 Dalhousie
The building dates back to 1882, and it’s now been a coffee shop for over 30 years. They serve a signature roasted house blend that is very popular with an older clientele. Another big plus is that they serve wonderful gelato.
Caffeine & Co. - 238 Dalhousie
In the beautifully restored Echo Building, it serves a straightforward coffee, and combined with its elevated interior design and wonderful pastries, it delivers a total cafe experience.
Bucket List Coffee Roastery - 79 Murray
The cafe is in a completely restored heritage building which was awarded the best “Adaptive Reuse” in 2025 by the Architectural Conservatory of Ontario. They are a small batch coffee roaster
using global beans. A cozy cafe with a nice outdoor patio and a diverse menu.
WHAT MAKES AMHERSTBURG GREAT: WHAT'S NEXT
Next Wednesday, start Remembrance Day with a cup of coffee and recognize our fallen warriors.
So much to see and do in Amherstburg!
We hope to see you downtown this weekend.
The River Bookshop Team