Growing a Reader: Kids' Books, Tips and More

Best Friends Day

Celebrated unofficially and annually on June 8th, Best Friends Day is a day when we recognize our friends. It's the day we celebrate our undeniably reliable companions. Perhaps you met your best friend in kindergarten, or perhaps you met him or her much later in life. Something clicked between you and your best friend. Maybe there was a similar interest or perhaps you met each other at a sporting event. After a while, the friendship grew and you now call this person your best friend. 

Celebrate Best Friends Day @ your library

For parents and caregivers with younger children, consider taking your child to the local library. This provides your child with an opportunity to meet and interact with other children. Better yet, join us for one of our many Ready for Reading programs for children under five. These programs help build early literacy skills, provide parents with an opportunity to meet other parents, and are an opportunity for your child to make new friends. On this Best Friends Day, consider a trip to one of our welcoming spaces to spend some quality time together. 

Read these to your child on Best Friends Day!

Here are some great children's picture books about friendship. These recent titles are some of my favourites -- heartwarming stories that are beautifully illustrated. 

1. Make a Wish Bear by Greg Foley (Ages: 3-5)
2. Together by Jane Simmons (Ages: 3-5)

For those of you looking for some classics, here are some well known titles. You may remember these books from your childhood. 

1. Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel (Ages: 5-7)
2. George and Martha: The Complete Stories of Two Best Friends by James Marshall (Ages: 3-5)

Share your childhood memories with your child

Use this unofficial day as an opportunity to share memories of your childhood with your child. Let your child ask questions and let the stories flow.