Kate S.

And the Series Continues…Upcoming Books of 2014

January 4, 2014 | Kate S. | Comments (1)

I read a lot of stand alone books, but I am a huge fan of trilogies and series. I love how you get to spend a longer time with the characters and in the worlds that the authors create. Here are a few of the upcoming books I am eagerly anticipating to be published in […]

Math can be Fun! Esso Family Math at Barbara Frum Branch

October 29, 2013 | Kate S. | Comments (0)

Does the thought of math and numbers make you cringe? Well, it shouldn't! Math really can be fun, especially with young children. It is amazing to see the excitement and joy my three year old gets from counting and solving very basic math problems.  I brought home the book Bedtime Math, and I was surprised at how much we enjoyed reading and solving […]

Fall Children’s Programs at Barbara Frum Branch

August 15, 2013 | Kate S. | Comments (0)

There are still two more weeks of summer break, and officially summer doesn't end for another month, but with the chilly temperatures lately, it already feels like fall!  We still have some great summer programs coming up over the next couple of weeks for Terrific Tuesdays, and Wacky Wednesdays, but if you want to start […]

Go! TD Summer Reading Club at Barbara Frum

July 3, 2013 | Kate S. | Comments (0)

By Michelle Summer is here!  With schools being closed for a few months you might wonder- what do I do with the kids now?! Well, bring them to the Barbara Frum Library!!  The TD Summer Reading Club is a great way to keep your kids entertained, whilst learning and engaging in educational activities. This year’s […]

Spring Clean the Natural Way

May 8, 2013 | Kate S. | Comments (3)

It’s that time of year again! Spring is finally here, the sun is shining and many of us will take this opportunity to open the windows and do a thorough house cleaning. Cleaning with natural products is better for your health, better for the environment, and just as effective as using the brand name products […]

Kids Have Stress Too!

April 3, 2013 | Kate S. | Comments (0)

Did you know that children can suffer from stress just like adults?  We all complain of having too much stress in our lives, but we often don’t even consider the stress in our children's lives.  School and social situations can sometimes be overwhelming for children, and it is important for them to learn techniques to cope […]

Reading is SNOW Much Fun!

December 31, 2012 | Kate S. | Comments (0)

                                                               Barbara Frum Winter Display with thanks to Anna Rita & Melanie When you’re an adult you sometimes forget about the magic of snow, and how much fun it can be.  We tend to think more about the inconvenience of shoveling, the icy sidewalks, and the slippery slushy roads.  We need to try and look […]

Get up and Move While you Read! Great books for preschoolers who won’t sit still.

November 5, 2012 | Kate S. | Comments (1)

I frequently get asked to recommend children’s books that involve movement.  Toddlers and preschoolers enjoy stories that have an element of participation in them.  These types of books are great when they don’t want to sit still for a story.  They allow the children to move around and engage in the story in a different […]

Thinking of Naming your baby Katniss, Bella or Arya?

September 4, 2012 | Kate S. | Comments (2)

How did you pick your children’s names?  Lots of paren’ts get their inspiration for names from characters in books.   My own daughter is named after the main character in one of my favourite childhood stories.  A story I fell in love with, and begged my mother to read to me repeatedly.  It also happens to […]

Where Does Your Child Stand on the Reading Ladder?

July 20, 2012 | Kate S. | Comments (7)

Written by Patty & Janet   Whether you are reading aloud to your child or your child is reading on their own, the Toronto Public Library’s Reading Ladder Arrangement provides a guideline on which books are suitable for your child’s age and level of reading. J PIC  Picture Books for Younger Children:  ages birth to […]