Growing a Reader: Kids Books, Tips and More

Shakespeare for Kids Spring Session - Register Now!

Welcome, Spring! And welcome to a new season of the Shakespeare for Kids Library Club!

Shakespeare for Kids is a great opportunity for children aged 7 to 12 to explore the world of magic, wizards, potions, ghosts, swords and witches in some of the greatest stories ever told. Actors and educators from the Shakespeare in Action Theatre Company coach and instruct kids in learning and playing theatre games, developing play-reading skills, creating and acting in scenes and more. Children read and explore some of Shakespeare’s plays, including Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Tempest. This free two-hour program is offered on six consecutive Saturdays this spring from April 6 to May 11.

The program is free, thanks to the generous support of TD Bank Group.

Take a look at this wonderful photo essay celebrating World Theatre Day on the Shakespeare in Action blog, featuring pictures from the winter session at the Brentwood Branch. After this spring session, we won't see Shakespeare and his band of bards again until the fall, so be sure to register your child right away.

To register, please visit or call participating branches.

Morning Programs (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)

Morningside Branch - 416-396-8881
Oakwood Village Library and Arts Centre Branch - 416-394-1040
Pape/Danforth Branch - 416-393-7727
Riverdale Branch - 416-393-7720
Runnymede Branch - 416-393-7697

Afternoon Programs (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.)

Barbara Frum Branch - 416-395-5440
Bendale Branch - 416-396-8910
Centennial Branch - 416-395-5490
Malvern Branch - 416-396-8969
Parliament Street Branch - 416-393-7663

Next Shakespeare for Kids Sessions Starting Soon

Are your kids feeling a little dramatic? Are they looking to chase away their wintertime blahs? Don't miss this chance to act out! Shakespeare for Kids is a great opportunity for children aged 7 to 12 to explore the world of magic, wizards, potions, ghosts, swords and witches in some of the greatest stories ever told. Actors and educators from the Shakespeare in Action Theatre Company coach and instruct kids in learning and playing theatre games, developing play-reading skills, creating and acting in scenes and more. Children read and explore some of Shakespeare’s plays, including Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Tempest. This free two-hour program is offered on six consecutive Saturdays this winter from February 2 to March 9, 2013. This program is free, thanks to the generous support of TD Bank Financial Group.

To register, please visit or call participating branches.

Winter 2013 Session:
Saturdays, February 2 to March 9

Morning Programs (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)

Brentwood Branch - 416-394-5240

Kennedy/Eglinton Branch - 416-396-8924

Long Branch Branch - 416-394-5320

S. Walter Stewart Branch - 416-396-3975

Woodside Square Branch - 416-396-8979

Afternoon Programs (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.)

Cedarbrae Branch - 416-396-8850

Dufferin/St. Clair Branch - 416-393-7712

Goldhawk Park Branch - 416-396-8964

Leaside Branch - 416-396-3835

Locke Branch - 416-393-7730

 The Spring  session will run Saturdays, from April 6^th  to May 11^th, 2013

Forest of Reading lists available

If you or your child are looking for the next great read then the Ontario Library Association has the lists for you! The Forest of Reading has been inviting children from across the province to read and select their favourite author for 17 years. Each year over 250,000 students from Kindergarten to grade 12 participate in this exciting program. There are ten lists for school aged children. Each list has 10 titles, and children can become a voter by reading at least 5 titles on a single list. For those who have participated in the past the benefits are obvious; enthusiasm for reading, excitement over choosing who they think are worthy of being a winner and the thrill of meeting your favourite author if you are able to score a ticket to the celebration in May.

The lists are available online at the Forest of Reading site.

This post will highlight the Blue Spruce Award list. It is a selection of 10 picture books for children from Kindergarten to Grade 2. It is meant as a read aloud program and the books are selected with that in mind.Two of the ten books are annotated below.

 

 

Kate and Pippin an Unlikely Love Story by Martin Springett is a real life story of an abandoned fawn (Pippin) and the family that rescues her, including their Great Dane, Kate. Told in pictures, this book chronicles the initial confusion of Pippin and the growing understanding and love between the dog and the fawn. Children will relate to both the pictures and the text in this unusual tale of abandonment and rescue.

 

You are Stardust by Elin Kelsey explores the intimate relationship between humans and nature. Beginning with the explosions of stars that released the building blocks of our universe, this book examines the connections in the natural world and the way that we learn, grow and change. Written in clear language, the concepts are easy to grasp and understand at the level of the readers between 5 and 7. This book encourages critical thinking and creative wondering, and is perfectly pitched at the curiosity with which children engage in the world around them.

 

 

Toronto Public Library will have all of the Forest of Reading books available for all of the lists. Those that are not at your neighbourhood branch can be put on hold and brought to your branch for you to pick up. Many of the schools in Toronto run the program through their school libraries, but your child can also join individually. Call the Ontario Library Association for details.

 

Shakespeare for Kids Sessions Starting Soon

Looking for some dramatic fun for your child this fall? This is a great opportunity for children aged 7 to 12 to explore the world of magic, wizards, potions, ghosts, swords and witches in some of the greatest stories ever told. Actors and educators from the Shakespeare in Action Theatre Company coach and instruct kids in learning and playing theatre games, developing play-reading skills, creating and acting in scenes and more. Children read and explore some of Shakespeare’s plays, including Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Tempest. This free two-hour program is offered on six consecutive Saturdays from November 3 to December 8. This program is free, thanks to the generous support of TD Bank Group.

To register, please visit or call participating branches.

Morning Programs (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)

• McGregor Park Branch - 416-396-8935
• Gerrard/Ashdale Branch - 416-393-7717
• Maria A. Shchuka Branch - 416-394-1000
• Amesbury Park Branch - 416-395-5420
• Victoria Village Branch - 416-395-5950

Afternoon Programs (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.)

• Brookbanks Branch - 416-395-5480
• Pleasant View Branch - 416-395-5940
• Highland Creek Branch - 416-396-8876
• Mimico Centennial Branch - 416-394-5330
• Albert Campbell District Branch - 416-396-8890

Winter session dates are February 2 to March 9, 2013 and spring sessions will run from April 6 to May 11, 2013

Make the most of March Break in town!

No matter what part of town you live in, there are programs galore to keep your child(ren) entertained and engaged during the March Break. Whether you prefer magicians, storytelling, movies, songs or games, there are programs all over the city to meet your needs and preferences. Many of the programs are by registration only, so be sure to call ahead so as not to be disappointed. There is a full listing of the events on the website under March Break Programs and I guarantee that there will be something for everyone. Have a wonderful week with your child(ren)!  And don't forget, if you also have teens in your family, there are many programs for them as well!

Shakespeare for Kids program starts this Saturday

Looking for some dramatic fun for your child this fall? This is a great opportunity for children aged 7 to 12 to explore the world of magic, wizards, potions, ghosts, swords and witches in some of the greatest stories ever told.

Actors and teachers from the Shakespeare in Action Theatre Company coach and instruct kids in learning and playing theatre games, developing play-reading skills, creating and acting in scenes and more.

Children read a selection of the following Shakespeare plays, abridged by Artistic Director Michael Kelly: The Comedy of Errors, Julius Caeser, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Tempest.

This free program is offered on six consecutive Saturdays this fall from November 5 to December 10  and is two hours in length.

To register, please visit or call the branch.

Morning Programs (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)

• Jane/Sheppard Branch - 416-395-5966
• Kennedy/Eglinton Branch - 416-396-8924
• Maria A. Shchuka Branch - 416-394-1000
• Parkdale Branch - 416-393-7686
• Pleasant View Branch - 416-395-5940

Afternoon Programs (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.)

• Brookbanks Branch - 416-395-5480
• Forest Hill Branch - 416-393-7706
• Highland Creek Branch - 416-396-8876
• Mimico Centennial Branch - 416-394-5330
• Weston Branch - 416-394-1016

Winter session dates are February 4 to March 10 and spring sessions will run from March 31 to May 5.

 

A remarkable reading opportunity!

The Forest of Reading®   is a children’s choice award program run by the Ontario Library Association (OLA). It is the largest recreational reading program in Canada with more than 250,000 students registered in the program annually. Celebrating Canadian authors, illustrators and publishers, The Forest of Reading® is the program where reading and participating makes you a rock star. The program usually runs in the schools from January to May, when the winners are announced at the Festival of Trees in a two day celebration.  There are 5 school aged programs: Blue Spruce (Kindergarten to Grade 2), Silver Birch (Grades 3 to 6), Red Maple (Grades 7 & 8), White Pine (Grades 9 – 12) and Le Prix Tamarac (a French language program). Check out the video of children talking about The Forest of Reading® to get their perspective.

The books for 2012 have just recently been announced, and they constitute a blockbuster line up of Canadian talent.  All of these books are available from Toronto Public Library, but will be very popular once the programs get underway in January. You can help your child get a head start on reading them, placing holds on the books now ensures you will be able to read them in time. Be part of your child’s reading experience, children can read these books on their own, or have the books read aloud to them. It is an exciting and powerful program as the children know that their opinion of the best book on each list really counts.

Check with your school’s teacher-librarian to see if your school is participating in The Forest of Reading®. There is also the opportunity for individuals to register for the program should your school not be participating (or if you are homeschooling your children). There are 90 books on the lists, 10 books for every category, far too many to discuss here. A few of the titles are highlighted below.

A Flock of Shoes is nomintated on the Blue Spruce list. It is a whimsical look at how young children view the changes of the seasons along with the need to put away clothing that is no longer appropriate for the weather conditions. Abby loves her pink, brown and lime green sandals and fights taking them off in the fall. One day they take flight and she worries if she will ever see them again. Written with rich, evocative language and delicate pictures, this is will resonate with children.

Silver Birch includes both fiction and non-fiction and Don't Touch That Toad is a non-fiction book that attempts to dispell the myths of youth. Can cracking your knuckles really lead to arthritis? Does eating fried food give you acne? Will your eyes freeze if you cross them? This delightful book examines all of these questions and many more.

 

Nominated for the Silver Birch Fiction list (aimed at grades 5 and 6), Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze is both a poignant and humourous look at loss and recovery. Milo, a 12 year old, is dealing with the death of his mother as well as all of the other angsts that being in grade 7 brings. This is truly one of those transformative books that will stay with you long after the last page is read.

 

Nominated for the Red Maple program (Grades 7 & 8), Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom introduces Violet who is dealing with the divorce of her parents and the resulting chaos of her mother's attempt to find love again. Deciding to take matters into her own hands, Violet and her friend Phoebe decide that the perfect mate for Violet's mother is George Clooney.

Why read in the summer?

There is a reason that teachers in the elementary schools spend a considerable amount of time at the beginning of each school year reviewing material covered in the spring of the previous grade. Over the course of a much needed summer break from school, students can lose some of the educational gains they have made in both reading and math. Numerous studies have been conducted on ways to ameliorate the impact of two months away from formal learning situations, the most notable that of Stephen Krashen in The Power of Reading. The research conducted for this book indicates that for every five books that children read of their own choosing (Krashen refers to this as free voluntary reading) reading scores improve by one level. Reading can and does include fiction, non-fiction, audiobooks, magazines, eBooks, wordless books and picture books, reading by yourself and being read to.

  
Summer reading should be enjoyable, relaxed and free of the  stresses found in reading for assignments and projects or even reading for instructional purposes. Think of how you feel when indulging in your favourite author at the beach versus reading for a report at work, the same holds true for children.

For younger children, make time to read with them and to them. Books of any type, magazines, even instructional booklets are great, as long as the child is engaged and had a say in selecting the material. For older children making sure that they have reading material that is interesting to them is key. Also, do not overlook the fact that older children still enjoy having books read aloud to them. Equally important is the modelling of reading by the adults in the child's life. If you show that you value reading by taking the time to read, children will see it as a valuable way to spend time.

For everyone, Toronto Public Library has a summer reading program that will engage and delight readers of all levels, ages and interests. For the younger readers there is the TD Summer Reading Club with both online games as well as activities scheduled throughout the city at your local branch. For teens, Word Out is available online with blogs, prizes and opportunities to create videoblogs. For those with library cards already, joining is easy, for those still needing to get a library card, it only takes a short while at any branch to get your own personal library card.