Last week, the world of children’s literature lost another great creator: E.L. Konigsburg. Known mainly for her thoughtfully written middle grade and young adult fiction, Konigsburg was also an accomplished illustrator of picture books. She was one of only five authors who have won’two Newbery Medal awards. In an interview on Scholastic’s Teachers website, […]
Before any major holiday, library customers raid each branch’s seasonal picture book shelves, clearing them almost entirely for weeks. With St. Patrick’s Day arriving early next week, it might be difficult to find books on this holiday. Luckily, St. Patrick’s Day celebrates all things Irish and is a perfect opportunity to introduce readers to folk […]
I love discovering lost or hidden gems in my branch’s huge picture book collection. I’ve since started building piles of books for thematic displays, books for storytime I haven’t used before and books that haven’t circulated but deserve another kick at the can’to get them in the hands of an enthusiastic reader. I happened to […]
Every January, Toronto Public Library celebrates Family Literacy Day. This year’s theme, '15 Minutes of Fun', promotes the concept that taking 15 minutes each day to read or try out an activity can greatly improve a child’s literacy skills. This year, Family Literacy Day takes place on January 27th, but many library branches across the […]
As librarians, we see first-hand what materials kids are actually reading and getting excited about. Over the past few years, there’s been a lot of anticipation in children’s books with new trends bubbling up to the surface each year. But what does the future hold for children's literature? Scholastic Book Clubs Editorial Director, David Allender, […]
When December arrives our city is decorated in lights marking the beginning of the Christmas season. As one of the most diverse cities in the world, Toronto is home to people with various ethnic backgrounds including those who celebrate holidays other than Christmas and specific to their cultural heritage. One of those holidays is Kwanzaa, […]
“Do you have any Diary of a Wimpy Kid books?” I’m asked this question at least once a day, if not more, when working the children’s reference desk. My answer to them is the same every time: “These books are so popular, they’re never on the shelf. I’ll have to put a hold on a […]
Librarians love when kids’ books, especially books in a series, are adapted into movies. We all hope that a good adaptation will spark an interest in reading, whether it’s the original material, other books in a series, other books by the author or even featured nonfiction subject matter. But there’s also the anxiety: will the […]
The North York Central Library will host an annual youth event that focuses on the artistic and creative talents of youth within the city of Toronto. The Young Voices Conference is organized by the Toronto Public Library with a focus on creating space for youth to get a chance to develop their creative skills and interests in a setting […]
For children, the back-to-school season can be a time of real stress and anxiety. Picture books and beginning readers tend to ease the anxiety that many children face and focus on the positive elements of school including meeting new friends, learning new things, friendly teachers and lots of play. For older readers, the back-to-school routine […]