5 Reasons to Visit TPL During March Break 2023
If you're looking for fun, free activities and programs to enjoy with your child this March Break, then a visit to Toronto Public Library is a must. Here are five reasons why making a visit to the library should be on the top of your family's March Break to-do list!
1. Attend an in-person program
TPL is offering a wide variety of in-person programs for school-age kids this March Break. Take your pick! Attend a magic, music, art, STEM or French language program at one of our branches.
2. Visit a branch, browse the books and meet the staff
If you are visiting the library to attend a March Break program, be sure to take some time to explore our inviting branches. Some locations have KidsStop early literacy centres for children 5 years and under, such as the beaver lodge at Wychwood Branch. KidsStops are fun, hands-on learning and reading spaces specially created for you and your child to enjoy together.
North York Central Library and Albion branch have interactive Discovery Zone spaces, for kids 6 to 12. Kids can create designs on the Everbright Wall, have fun constructing a ball run on the magnetic wall, or build a roller coaster track.
All kids belong at the library! Be sure to check out our Social Story, My Visit to Toronto Public Library. This story can help everyone, including children with disabilities and children who are Deaf, become more familiar with the library before their visit.
During your visit, you can purchase a colourful book bag for $2, then fill it with a library haul!
Whether you are looking for books, audiobooks, movies or comics, we have a huge selection of diverse collections for you to choose from. Here are a few titles that you and your child can enjoy over the March Break:
The Blue-footed Booby by Rob Biddulph (ages 3 and up)
A gloriously silly rhyming story about the perils of jumping to conclusions!
Dear Polar Bears by Gabrielle Prendergast, illustrated by Marcus Cutler (ages 3-6)
The penguins of Antarctica are writing to invite the polar bears of the Arctic to a party at the South Pole in this humourous picture book.
Chicken Karaoke by Heidi E.Y. Stemple, illustrated by Aaron Spurgeon (ages 4-8)
On Chicken karaoke night, Duck wants to shine in the spotlight, but she must overcome her stage fright.
Isla of Adventure: Welcome to the Island by Dela Costa, illustrated by Ana Sebastián (ages 5-9)
Eight-year-old Isla Verde loves living on the ever-adventurous island of Sol with her best friend, a gecko named Fitz. But when a new girl moves next door, Isla has a hard time keeping her big secret — that she can talk to animals! The first in the Isla of Adventure series.
Dinosaurs: Fact and Fable by Seymour Simon (ages 6-10)
Scientists have dug up and uncovered many facts about dinosaurs — and in the process, they have come across many myths. This picture book digs deep into the Age of Dinosaurs, covering topics such as fossilization, plate tectonics, dinosaur diets, paleontology, extinction theories, dinosaur relatives, and more!
A Fairytale for Everyone edited by Boldizsár M. Nagy, illustrated by Lilla Bölecz and translated by Anna Bentley (ages 8-12)
Celebrating a multitude of identities, this sparkling collection of 17 short stories takes new and familiar fairy tales and reimagines them in contemporary and inclusive light.
Trending: How and Why Stuff Gets Popular by Kira Vermond and Clayton Hanmer (ages 8 to 12)
Fads and trends: how do they start? Why do they spread? And how deep can their impact be? Established middle-grade author Kira Vermond and cartoonist Clayton Hanmer team up in this fun and accessible nonfiction look at fads.
Deadman's Castle by Iain Lawrence (ages 9-12)
When Igor was five, his father witnessed a terrible crime. Ever since, his whole family has been hunted by a foreboding figure bent on revenge, known only as the Lizard Man. They've lived in so many places, with so many identities, that Igor can't even remember his real name. But now he's 12 years old and he's starting to wonder — what if the Lizard Man only exists in his father's frightened mind?
Bigfoot Crossing by Gail Anderson-Dargatz (ages 10-13 years)
In this high-interest accessible novel for middle readers, while on a camping trip, a young teen starts to suspect that he and his family are being followed by a Bigfoot.
While visiting the library, if you have any questions about events or what to read, our friendly, expert staff are happy to help!
3. Attend an online program or watch a program replay
Join us live on TPL Kids Crowdcast for virtual March Break programs. Kids and families are welcome to attend:
- BenTastic's Fantastic Magic Show on Tuesday, March 14
- Exploring Dinosaurs with Club Rex on Thursday, March 16
- Un printemps à Paris avec Touralingo on Saturday, March 18
Bookmark our TPL Kids Crowdcast channel for replays of coding tutorials, craft workshops, book clubs and more!
You are also invited to explore our YouTube channel for more online program offerings. Our kids' playlist include fun STEM programs and Storytime at Home videos featuring short Ready for Reading storytimes delivered by our children's staff.
4. Discover new books and activities on TPL Kids and Ready for Reading websites
Looking for more activities for children 6 to 12? Visit our TPL Kids website, which has jokes and riddles, cool trivia, digital puzzles and much more! Kids can share their own jokes and submit a question to the Wonder Wall. New digital puzzles will launch on the site on Saturday, March 11.
Kids can also browse the latest books and check out award winning titles.
Discover books for younger children on our Ready for Reading website. March Break is the perfect time to explore titles from our annual First and Best list, which rounds up the year's top ten Canadian books that promote literacy skills in children 5 years and under. You can also learn about our research-based Ready for Reading program and services, as well as easy activities that help get your child ready for reading.
5. But wait… there's more!
Listen to a story at home
Your child can listen to a story by phone any time of day for free by calling Dial-A-Story at 416-395-5400. There are stories in 16 languages, for children of different ages.
Our Growing A Reader blog features not only great book suggestions and literacy tips but also activity ideas that can be done at home, such as picture puzzles and DIY science experiments.
Read an online book
If you're not able to make it to the library, you can read and listen to digital books together with your child. Reading together is one of the best ways to help your child become a strong reader! OverDrive Kids offers a large collection including:
- Picture books
- Beginner readers
- Audio Read-Along titles
- Books presented in American Sign Language (ASL)
- Books in other languages
A selection of French-language ebooks for kids 5 years and under, 6 to 8 years, 9-11 years and 12 years and up can be found in Cantook Station Jeunesse.
Get inspired with our new bookmarks
Check out the 2023 Design-a-Bookmark Contest winners! Collect one or all of these 16 bookmarks created by kids across the city. This year's winners range from 4 to 13 years old.
Whether you visit us in-person or online, we hope to see you and your family at TPL this March Break!
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