Growing a Reader: Kids Books, Tips and More

Reading tips for hockey parents

"The only way a kid is going to practice is if it's total fun for him ... and it was for me. " 

Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky's statement about practising hockey applies equally to reading.

 

Parents register their children for sports, drive them to try-outs, games, and tournaments and support them from the stands. Parental support for reading may involve borrowing books to read at home, supporting struggling readers, letting children choose books they like, and making reading fun by choosing appropriate, interesting and varied reading materials.

Here are a few books with a hockey theme for children:

The Mighty Tim Horton is one of several excellent hockey books by Mike Leonetti.

    

  Le Hockey is a new book from a publisher in Montreal.

 

Many children's fiction and non-fiction titles with a connection to hockey are available.

 

 

Selling the Dream, subtitled "How hockey parents and their kids are paying the price for our national obsession," is an interesting read for parents.

 

 

 The library has instructional books on hockey for coaches and trainers.  

 

 

Whatever sport or hobby your child pursues, there's time to fit in some reading on the journey. Hockey players dangle, snipe, celebrate and read books!! 

 

 

Black History Month

Many of the folktales and stories we treasure started out as stories we told, only being put into books as the tradition of oral storytelling became more formalized and less routine. A perfect example of this are the Anansi stories, that started as oral traditions told in West Africa and were brought to North America by the slaves. These stories are largely about how a character (Anansi) is able to turn the tide against his oppressors through cunning and sly calculations. Often depicted as a spider, many Anansi tales have Anansi as the trickster overcoming adversity, while others have Anansi as a perpetrator of tricks that eventually backfire on him.

This month, for Black History Month, Dial-a-Story is featuring a story told by Rita Cox, "Anansi's Riding Horse". To access this story call 416-395-5400 and listen for the prompts. Select 1 for English and then 3 for the Black History story.

As well, the library has many Anansi books available for loan. The books range from the more serious renditions of the tales to those that are humourous and end up with Anansi being the unsuspecting victim of his own tricks.

In Anansi does the Impossible, by Verna Aardema, Anansi and his wife have to not only outwit the Sky God, but also outwit a python, a fairy and 47 stinging hornets in order to buy back the stories of the Ashanti people. The story is conveyed both with brilliant writing as well as vivid illustrations. This is a wonderful book for reading aloud with your child, and is more in the tradition of the cunning Anansi.

Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock retold by Eric A. Kimmel is more in the tradition of Anansi being foiled by his own trickery. In this tale, Anansi happens to trip over a strange moss-covered rock. When he says the words ,"Isn't this a strange moss-covered rock", he is knocked sensless. Anansi launches a plot to use this unusual situation to his advantage, and much hilarity ensues. Children of all ages will rejoice in this tale and join in with the repetitive language of the story.

There are many more books about Anansi to choose from, but listening to the story being told by Rita Cox would be a great place to begin your journey with Anansi and his trickster ways.

Whose child is a bully? Whose child is a victim?

 

 

 

"The bullies made my whole school year a nightmare"

        -Andrew in Bullying and Me: Schoolyard Stories

 

 

Parents and guardians are more likely to admit their child is a victim of bullying than to admit their child is a perpetrator of bullying.  Confessions of a Former Bully is a excellent book for parents and teachers to read and discuss with a child they may suspect of bullying.  This memoir is written in a friendly, fun style aimed at children.

A study of 15,000 American children in grades six to ten grade found that 19% said they were perpetrators of bullying and 17% were victims and 6% stated they were involved in both bullying and having been bullied. 

 

 

 

Many fiction books on the topic of bullying are available at the library.  Bully is a new book by the beloved children's author Patricia Polacco.  This book addresses cyberbullying among middle school students who according to many studies are the age group most likely to be involved in bullying.

In this book, girls use Facebook and text messaging to harass the new girl in school.

This book portrays a situation many children are in today. Parents are aware of physical aggression and verbal taunts as bullying but may not be as familiar with cyberbullying where children use new technologies and new methods of online socializing to bully.

 

 

 Fight for Justice by Lori Saigeon is a Canadian children's novel that addresses racial and other types of bullying.  Justice and his sister, Charity are native Canadians who are caught up in a bullying situation that gets out of control.

Justice reaches out to his kokum and mushum (grandparents), for support and advice.  This book address the important issue of working with parents, the school, and other adults in the community to solve the problem of bullying.

 

 

 

 

 

Bullying: A Handbook for Educators and Parents is a fabulous treasure trove of resources for adults to use.  This book addresses homophobic, gender, special needs, cyber, direct physical and direct verbal bullying. It discusses effects of bullying and methods parents, educators and the community may use to reduce bullying. 

In the back of the book are information sheets on telltale signs of bullying for parents and educators.  A  sliding scale of bullying behaviour from actions that need to be challenged like making fun of a student's clothes to those actions that fall into criminal behaviour like extorting money through threats of violence is included. 

The book includes sample slides that could be made into a powerpoint presentation.  One slide from the book is shown below.

 

 

In Ontario, Bullying Awareness Week runs from November 18 to 24, 2012.  Click here for a website of bullying resources from the provincial government. KidsSpace also includes links to quality sites on topics such as parenting, health, nutrition and bullying.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We would love your feedback

As in any large organization, we reflect on our services and programs on a regular basis to make sure we are reaching our goals, namely to serve the learning, information and reading needs of the people of Toronto. And every few years we make this reflection public and seek out the ideas, comments and input of the customers we serve.

As readers of this blog, you represent the needs of the families, children and caregivers and can offer this unique perspective as we create the strategic plan that will frame Toronto Public Library's goals and objectives over the next four years. What are the services that are most important to you that we currently offer, and even more important, what are some services that we should consider offering in the future? As well, how can we improve our services?

You can find out more about our vision and goals on our Strategic Plan website, and you can fill in our survey online. Your point of view is important to us, so please take the time to send us your comments and ideas.

Thank you!

 

Meet the Parenting Collection

I'd like to introduce you to one of our collections that is little-known, but very valuable for the parent and child who need it. Let's start with just what the collection is:

• The Parents’ Collection is a collection intended to meet the needs of parents and their children, professional caregivers and teachers, and is to be used by adult and child together.

• It contains a wide range of materials on subjects pertaining to the experience of children, including fiction and nonfiction material of a sensitive or specialized nature, e.g.: coping with death, loss, illness, etc.

• Titles which speak solely to the child, at his/her emotional and intellectual level will generally go in the regular children’s collection.

 So what might you find there?

There is a non-fiction section that includes books about children's literature, ideas for storytimes and playing together, supports for helping your child learn, and books on topics such as safety and bullying. These are great resources for parents, and can supplement what you will find in the areas of parenting or literacy, for example, in the regular non-fiction collections.

There is also a selection of picture books for children and parents to read together that are excellent aids to teaching and discussion on a variety of topics that can be difficult to approach. Here is the place to find stories that address a range of different family situations, loss of loved ones, inappropriate touch, various health issues and conditions, and some firsts, such as the oft-requested potty training material. The wonderful thing about using a story as a springboard is that the child feels less alone with their circumstance, and is also able to discuss at a bit of an arm's-length, which can feel safer.

This is certainly not the only place to find materials that talk about issues in a child's life, as there are many other very good picture books, non-fiction materials, and even novels for older children that may speak to parent or child, and your librarian will be happy to help you look further afield for those things. This is a good place to look, though, if you are hoping to find something that will start a conversation or help you help your child understand a situation, or alternately, if you would like some materials to help you support your child's learning and literacy.

Next time you are in your library, ask about the collection - you just might find a gem!

School Jitters

It's that time of year again, and for most young children, there is a certain sense of trepidation about starting a new school year. As a former teacher, I can attest that even teachers have the first day jitters. Talking with your children about their feelings is helpful, and acknowledging their fears as a normal occurrence goes a long way towards alleviating them. Remember to stay positive, listen attentively and make suggestions as to how they can prepare for the day. If they have friends starting in the same school, organizing to go together on the first day provides built-in support for those first steps into the school yard.

Here are a few picture books that can help you start the discussion with your child. I am only highlighting a few of the books and resources available, a quick search of the online catalogue at Toronto Public Library will indicate many more.

Splat the Cat by Rob Scotten highlights the anxieties that many children feel about school. The illustrations are magic, almost touchable, and the antics caused by Splat bringing his pet mouse to school will delight the very young, who already know that cats are supposed to chase mice, not befriend them (a revelation to Splat on his first day). This is a lighthearted story that children can relate to on many levels. The details in the illustrations alone can keep children entertained for long periods of time.

For non-English speaking students, the fear and anxiety surrounding attending school for the first time are even more pronounced. Reading this book with your child will illustrate the issues that these students face, and perhaps put their fears into perspective. My Name is Yoon by Helen Recorvits introduces the reader to Yoon, a young girl who decides her name is much happier looking in Korean than English, as she struggles with the challenges that learning another language brings. Children will identify with her fears of fitting in, learning a new language, understanding the way school works and finding friends.

This last book title celebrates the way children can (and often do) ask the same question over and over. The Bus for Us  by Suzanne Bloom find brother and sister Gus and Tess waiting for the school bus on the first day of school. With clever illustrations and a repetitive text, Tess asks, "Is that the bus for us, Gus?" as she notices various forms of transport coming around the corner. Her brother patiently answers the question each time. The illustrations in this book are alive with humour, adding to the reading experience. Other children join Gus and Tess at the bus stop and the author has added the complexity of having children from all cultural backgrounds illustrated in the story. This is a wonderful opportunity to discuss how children from all over the world and many backgrounds will be at school with your child.

Wishing everyone a calm, happy and exciting beginning of a new school year. And if you have a sure fire way of helping your child through their first day of school anxiety, please share them here!

"Again, again!"

There's a new book obsession in my household and I bet you'll be able to relate. My husband and I kicked off the summer by signing the kids up for the TD Summer Reading Club (which now has a preschool component!) and heading north to a cottage for a week with a whack of books. One of the books we took with us was Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans. My husband thought our 2 1/2-year-old daughter might like it and he was right—she fell in love, asking to read it over and over again. She and her 5-year-old brother, who is currently addicted to Roald Dahl, quickly learned all of the words and began completing our sentences as we read and then reading the entire book to us, and each other, repeatedly.

What is it about this book first published in 1939 that has a little girl in 2012 and her brother so intrigued? Is it the child-like drawings? The repetition and rhyme? The order and routine? The breaking of bread? Madeline's spunk and bravery when she frightens Miss Clavel and says "pooh-pooh" to the tiger in the zoo? Her trip to the hospital in the middle of the night and the scar she wears like a badge of honour on her belly? It's hard to say, but it's simply amazing that nearly 75 years after its publication, this book, featured in TPL's 100 Books for 100 Years of Children's Services (see part 3), continues to dazzle and delight.
This isn't the first book obsession my family has experienced, and it won't be the last. Other books on heavy rotation have included the Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, Night Cars by Teddy Jam, Mysterious Thelonius by Chris Raschka and Knuffle Bunny by Moe Willems. Sometimes the books the kids obsess over take me by surprise and I'm not always wild about them, but I'm always happy to indulge them while continuing to introduce them to something new. The gleam in their eyes is irresistible, and I remember that feeling of hanging on my mother's every word as she read to me and the reassurance I felt when I could predict those words. Interestingly, when I revisited one of my own childhood obsessions, the Pokey Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey, with my son when he was a toddler, I found it lacking in magic. But I know I adored it as a child. I identified with that rascally dog and I couldn't get enough.

Repetition is reassuring to children. Being able to anticipate what comes next helps build confidence in their abilities and a sense of security. Reading the same books over and over again to children is thought to be one of the best ways to develop their vocabulary and help them improve their reading skills. Research conducted at Sussex University shows that it's not the number of books read but the repetition of each book that leads to greater learning.

What books do you remember loving as a child and what books do your kids return to over and over again? What makes these books so appealing? Please share your favourites in the comments below.

Freedom to Read

Each year the Book and Periodical Council organizes and promotes Freedom to Read week, dedicated to raising  awareness of the issues surrounding access to a diverse range of reading materials. As noted in their position statement, "Freedom of expression is a fundamental right of all Canadians, and freedom to read is part of that precious heritage...The freedom to choose what we read does not, however, include the freedom to choose for others." And that is the crux of the matter, that having the freedom to select your own reading materials goes hand in hand with accepting that others have the same freedom, even if their choice in reading materials is not to your taste, or even offensive to you.

While there are many challenges to adult resources, the ones that cause the greatest commotion in the media are those challenges to books for children and teens. The reasons for the challenges are many, but the underlying theme is one of protecting our children from situations that may be inappropriate or uncomfortable, though just who exactly feels uncomfortable or thinks it is inappropriate is up for discussion.

As an educator and a librarian, I fully support each individual parent's decision on what is appropriate for their child(ren) to read, while also accepting that their decision is for their child(ren) only. In doing so, I also urge each parent to have that difficult discussion with their child(ren) as to why a certain book, film or magazine does not reflect the values or beliefs of the family. Or, better yet, read or view the material with your child and discuss the values and beliefs espoused by that author. Talk about bias, point of view, stereotypes and values. Engage in the often difficult discussions that these types of materials bring to the forefront. Let your child(ren) ask questions that the material generates for them, you might be surprised at what stands out for your child, as opposed to what stands out for you. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore often complex issues in a safe and supported environment. Children will engage in these conversations with their peers, having discussed it previously with a parent or caregiver will help them to sort out their feelings and responses in advance.

Each year lists of banned or censored books are published by the Freedom to Read committee. This year is no exception. Some of books on the lists are classics, some extremely popular and others tackle difficult subjects, including  The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the entire Harry Potter series and And Tango Makes Three. Take the time to consider if you should explore one or more of the titles on the banned books list. It might make interesting reading with your child, along with the conversations that will support your child's understanding of the content and context of the issues.

 

 

Exploring our difficult past: slavery

There are some elements of our history in North America that are difficult to tackle with our children. Our current multicultural reality is so far from the experience of slavery and the fight for freedom that children have difficulty understanding and making sense of the history. During Black History month, we attempt, through programs, songs, plays and discussion to make both the history and current situation understandable at many levels. Throughout the month many programs have been held in schools and the library, but nothing supports a child's understanding as powerfully as the discussions that you as a parent or caregiver can have with them over time. There are many picture books and novels, as well as websites that you can explore with your child(ren) to help you enter into these difficult conversations.

Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson is a powerful introduction to slavery as it was leading up to the civil war in the United States. In it Clara is a slave in the Big House, and works as a seamstress, but dreams of freedom. Being in the Big House means that she overhears talk of the surrounding countryside and the escape routes to Canada, enough to create a quilt map of the landscape. Once the quilt is finished, she leaves it behind for others to follow as she makes her way to freedom. This book is based on real events and presents the reality in a way that children can accept and build their questions from. I would recommend this book for children from the ages of 8 to 12.

 

Another book based on true events is Night Boat to Freedom by Margot Raven. This story is drawn from accounts in the Slavery Narrative Collection compiled in the 1930s. In it, a young slave boy on a Kentucky plantation, Christmas John, helps runaway slaves cross the Ohio river under the guidance of Granny Judith, an older slave on the plantation. Christmas John continues to help until it becomes too dangerous for him to stay. Reluctant to leave behind Granny Judith, he needs to be convinced to flee for his own safety. The book is beautifully illustrated and captures the situation, emotions and strength needed for Christmas John to continue his journey without his mentor, Granny Judith, who is too old to flee. Recommended for children 7 years old and up.

 A book to read with older children would be the novel, The Slave Dancer, by Paula Fox. Set in the pre-war Southern United States and Africa, this book chronicles the experience of Jessie, who is pressed into service in New Orleans with the job of playing his fife for the captured slaves so that the slaves will "dance" for exercise, keeping their muscles strong and their profitability high. Jessie is sickened by the horrible practices of the slave catchers and questions the institution of slavery because of his experience.  This is a powerful book that will lead to many questions for the reader. It would be advisable to read along side of your child so that you can discuss both the book and the history of slavery with them as the questions arise. Recommended for ages 9 - 12.

Canada did play a large role in the Underground Railroad, being the end of the long journey for many of the slaves as they sought freedom. The government of Canada has an extensive site available with details, unfortunately written at a very high level. It can be, however, a valuable site to explore for answers and insights to the situation in Canada at the time that many slaves were escaping to our country.

The National Geographic site hosts an interactive exploration of the Underground Railroad that was created with students from grades 3 to 6 in mind. On this site, students are asked to make decisions along the route to freedom. For each decision they make, there are consequences that show what would have actually happened to a runaway slave.

Celebrating Martin Luther King

February is Black History Month, and with that comes many opportunities to discuss with your children the often difficult subjects of slavery, the civil rights movement, the black experience in North America and racism that still exists today, despite our best efforts to eradicate it. Over the course of the month, I will be posting on many of these topics, but today I want to explore and celebrate the words of Martin Luther King Junior.

Martin Luther King Jr. was both a man of his time and a man who shaped his time. He was a pastor, an eloquent speaker, a leader and a passionate believer in equality for all people. Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, at the age of 35,  he dedicated his prize to furthering the civil rights movement in the United States.

As parents, we are often searching for ways of introducing complex subjects and ideas to our children in ways that they can appreciate them and understand the issues at their level. Picture books and archival information are a perfect way to explore the life and times of Martin Luther King Jr. with your child(ren).

Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport is a wonderful introduction to Martin Luther King Jr. for the very young. A simple picture book with an immense impact, the book uses collage and the speeches and writings of Martin Luther King Jr. to paint the picture of the times and experiences of his life. It both sets the context of the time and demonstrates Martin Luther King's non-violent response to those times.

Perhaps the most famous speech ever delivered by Martin Luther King Jr. was delivered on August 28th, 1963. I Have a Dream was delivered to thousands as the culmination of the march on Washington. The book celebrating this speech is a glorious rendition of the words spoken that day. It evokes both the hope and despair that was the reality of the times. The 15 pictures are rendered by many of the leading African-American illustrators of the times and exquisitely depict the context and meaning of his words. Corretta Scott King has written the forward of this fantastic book. And once you have had time to read the book and talk with your child(ren), take advantage of the wealth of resources on the internet and watch the actual speech as it was delivered. 

There are many other books to enjoy with your child(ren) that celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. including two books written by his sister, Christine King Farris. My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers and March On!: The Day My Brother Changed the World are worthy of a look.

                           

Isaac Newton wrote, "If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Martin Luther King Jr. is one of those giants. His teachings and example have shaped the world we live in and it is worth taking the time to reflect on all that he has contributed to our lives today. It seems to me that Black History Month is the perfect time for such a reflection.