Discover our top picks for the best Canadian picture books designed to build reading readiness in kids under five. Share them with your child and create a love of reading that lasts a lifetime.

Bright Lights and Summer Nights by Shauntay Grant and Zach Manbeck

Children and animals come together at a magical late night carnival.

Go, Sloth, Go! by Gabrielle Prendergast and Sophie Benmouyal

In this cute rhyming picture book, a sloth tumbles from a tree onto a road and hurts its toe. A truck driver steps in to bring the sloth to a wildlife vet, and soon enough the sloth is returning to its wilderness home.

I Need Pants by Susan Sweet and Cailin Doherty

Fish has a wish for pants, but Octopus points out that fish don’t wear pants because they don’t have legs! So begins this imaginative and goofy tale of friendship and being true to yourself.

Ins and Outs by Elizabeth Withey and Salini Perera

This playful picture book, consisting of only the words “In” and “Out,” starts with simple examples, such as a cat moving from inside to outside, and moves on to more creative interpretations, including a child’s bare hand on a winter day (“out”) being enveloped in their caregiver’s mitt (“in”).

The Last Last by Wendy J. Whittingham and Brianna McCarthy

A young girl emigrating from Jamaica to Canada savors her cherished ‘last’ moments at home and discovers her first new memory, showing how new beginnings can coexist with the memories of one’s first home.

Lights at Night by Tasha Hilderman and Maggie Zeng

In this bedtime picture book, two special families embark on an illuminating journey through the seasons as they explore all the different lights we see at night.

The Monarch by Kirsten Hall and Isabelle Arsenault

With sweetly fluttering verse and lush, gorgeous illustrations, this brightly beautiful picture book celebrates the wonders of monarch butterflies—a treasured species in need of care and preservation!

Nevin Knows by Mireille Messier and Elena Comte

Nevin enjoys a spring day at the park with his grandpa, confidently leading the way—from choosing the right running shoes to picking the flowers for Nana—proving that even though he is little, he knows exactly what he is doing.

pêyak little duck by Sandra Lamouche and Mando Littlechild

In a celebration of the connection between language learning and the land, a young child enjoys a walk in nature to spot different birds while practicing counting from one to ten in Plains Cree.

Sand Cakes by Kallie George and Devon Holzwarth

A fun day at the beach leads to all kinds of “delicious” baked creations—cakes, pies, buns, rolls, tarts and cream puffs—but nobody wants to eat our intrepid little “baker’s” sandy sweets!

We're dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections! October is a month to celebrate the shift into the cooler seasons and the warmth of family and friends. Here are some picture books that will be hitting shelves soon. 

 

I Will Read to You by Gideon Sterer and Charles Santoso (ages 4-8)

Everyone loves to be read a good story, right? But what if you're a ghoulish goblin? Or a spooky witch? They deserve stories too! Enjoy this spooky and sweet rhyming tale with your favourite little monster.

 

Joy Takes Root by Gwendolyn Wallace and Ashleigh Corrin (ages 4-8)  

"In her grandmother's garden, a young Black girl learns about mindfulness and herbal medicine in this soothing intergenerational story about our connection to nature."

 

One More Jar of Jam by Michelle Sumovich and Gracey Zhang (ages 4-8)

"If you ever have a mulberry tree, you'll learn/ there's nowhere sweeter to sit/ than on branches heavy with warm berries." Celebrate the changing seasons and the comfort of family against the backdrop of this melodic story. Canadian illustrator.

 

Theme in Yellow by Carl Sandburg and Tatyana Feeney (ages 3-5)

In Tatyana Feeney's beautifully colour-illustrated adaptation of Carl Sandburg's beloved poem, children delight in the sensory arrival of autumn. 

 

Witch & Wombat by Ashley Belote (ages 3-7)

When Wilma winds up with a wombat instead of a cat as a pet, she's intent on making him as cat-like as possible. But maybe a wombat is exactly what she needs! Filled with laugh-out-loud wombat antics and facts, this is a delightful story of unexpected friendship and embracing our differences. 

 

Posted on behalf of Soheli, Children's Selection Team.

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We're dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections. Here are some picture books we are really excited about that will be hitting shelves soon.

 

Mr. Fiorello's Head by Cecilia Ruiz (ages 5-8)

Mr. Fiorello loved his luscious curly locks. Mr. Fiorello loved his hair so much that he never wanted it to go away. But sometimes, the things we love the most leave us. Will Mr. Fiorello accept the things he cannot change about himself?

 

Dear Stray by Kirsten Hubbard and Susan Gal (ages 3-7)

A little girl adopts a stray kitten from an animal shelter, identifying with the kitten's tiger heart, scratchy claws and prickly temper. They both learn to give each other a little space and time to trust one another.

 

Drake the Super-Excited, Overeager, in-Your-Face Snake: A Book about Consent by Michaele Razi (ages 4-8)

Drake the snake loves giving big hugs; however, some of his friends want him to ask permission first. Should Drake try and do something different? A beginner friendly book for children about the importance of consent.

 

Flat Cat by Tara Lazar and Pete Oswald (ages 3-7)

Flat Cat was born flat. Flat Cat could slither, drift, roam and take a catnap in any nook and cranny. Until one day, Flat Cat ended up in the washer and dryer. Flat Cat was not flat anymore, he was fluffy, puffy and furry!

 

I, Sea by Suzanne Sutherland and Ashley Barron (ages 3-6)

Follow along on a sea adventure with a tabby cat and crab. Repetition of the same two sounds, "I" and "sea," is a simple and fun way to introduce readers to the world of homonyms.

 

Jeffrey Loves Blue by Loretta Garbutt and Lily Snowden-Fine (ages 4-7)

Jeffrey has difficulty leaving his comfort zone to try something new. Blue is Jeffrey's favourite colour. It's the only paint colour he uses and the only colour he wears. But when a classmate wants to use the blue paint, Jeffrey will have to try to paint in a different colour. This gentle picture book navigates emotions, empathy and compromise.

Posted on behalf of Jesse, Children's Selection Team.

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We're dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections! Here are some picture books that will be hitting shelves soon. Read them with your child and track them using the free app Beanstack. Earn badges, try fun challenges for all ages and explore our Summer Wonder and TD Summer Reading Club programs.

 

Are We There Yet? by Sven Völker

A butterfly announces that she is going on a great journey and invites a bear to come along. It turns out to be a very long journey. Anxious to know how they are getting on, the bear is nevertheless coaxed to push on by the intrepid butterfly.

 

Hidden Gem by Linda Liu

A smooth grey rock tumbles and stumbles upon a rock museum. It's not only a museum about rocks. It's also for rocks. Inside visiting rocks are looking at rocks on display and the grey rock starts to feel a little plain compared to some of the iridescent marvels on display. 

 

If You Get Lost by Nikki Loftin and Deborah Marcero

A stuffed toy bunny falls out of the car during a family road trip. It's a little frightening being on one's own in the wild, but the local wildlife are friendly and hospitable.

 

Penny & Pip by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann

A dinosaur egg hatches before Penny's eyes at a museum, and the hatchling follows her around. So she names it Pip and forms a plan. There aren't a lot of stories about children attempting museum heists. 

 

Roll Roll Little Pea by Cécile Bergame and Magali Attiogbé

This book is part On Top of Spaghetti, part Gingerbread Man. A pea escapes from a girl's fingers and rolls past various animals who want to consume it in different ways. Each animal uses a distinctive verb to describe just how. Will the pea be tasted, crunched or devoured? Who will be the lucky recipient to savour victory? And will they like it?  

 

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Back-to-school jitters may be creeping up on kids. The beginning of a new school year is challenging, especially when it comes to learning. Over the summer, many children lose the knowledge they acquired during the previous school year. Educational experts call this trend the summer slide. According to research, kids in grades 3 to 5 lose about 20% of their school year gains in reading. The best way to combat this loss is by reading!

Let's do an exercise

Take a breath. Picture yourself as a child again. Revisit the libraries or bookstores of your youth. Walk the aisles. The sun streams down, illuminating the books. Choose a book – whichever book speaks to you – and crack it open. Maybe the book is dense with text, or perhaps it dances with colourful illustrations. You may find yourself borne between the wings of a dragon, flying high over mountaintops. Or you may find yourself on a great ship, sailing in search of treasure as salty water splashes against your skin. Maybe you're taking in interesting facts and learning the stages of a volcano eruption. The pages may be long or they may be short, but it doesn't matter because, in this moment, you are happy reading.

This feeling of contentment is exactly we want our children to feel when they read or listen to a book. If kids feel the pressure of expectations, such as choosing a certain type of book or being tested on what they read, it can often riddle them with anxiety, discouraging them from reading for pure enjoyment.

The gorilla in the room

A 1999 study on observation asked participants to focus on one aspect of a basketball video, like how often the ball bounced. At the end of the video, they asked participants if they noticed anything unusual. Only 50% saw a person dressed as a gorilla walking across the basketball court. The other 50% were so focused on the task that they missed the gorilla. The phenomenon of missing what’s right in front of us is attributed to "inattentional blindness."

How does this relate to reading? I often hear adults telling kids how to read:

• Don't get books with too many pictures.
• Don't choose books that are too silly.
• Comics don’t count as books.
• You have to read the entire book.

Sound familiar? Although adults are trying to be helpful, the pressure to follow a task can cause kids to miss out on experiencing the joy of reading. Reading becomes something that limits rather than expands their mind. Using the basketball video experiment as an analogy, we don’t want young readers to miss the gorilla.

Summer provides kids with a unique opportunity to read for fun. It’s the perfect time to help them discover the joy of reading. Even 15 minutes a day will do the trick! The best way to get your child to read is by encouraging them to read what, where and how they like.

To keep kids motivated, we recommend joining the TD Summer Reading Club, the country’s biggest, bilingual summer program for kids of all ages, interests and abilities. To September 2, kids can join the Club in person at their local library or online and then track what they read to earn badges and stickers, complete online activities and access free ebooks.

Not sure where to start? We can help.

What type of reader is your child? 

Help your kids pick books based on how they read.

• Is your child an efferent reader? Do they read to gather information and gain a deeper understanding of a topic? If yes, they may enjoy almanacs, encyclopedias, history and science books.
• Is your child an aesthetic reader? Do they read for emotional enjoyment? If yes, they may enjoy adventure, science fiction and fantasy books.

Regardless of reader type, HarperCollins highlights 10 genres to help kids choose books they like. In addition to this list, kids can find their next great read by using our read-alike resource NoveList, visiting TPL Kids or asking our friendly library staff!

Below are some recommendations for each HarperCollins genre to get you started.

Fiction

For contemporary fiction, try:

For historical fiction, try:

The War that Saved my Life 

For mystery, try:

A to Z Animal Mysteries

For fairytales, folktales and fables, try:

Treasury of Magical Tales from Around the World

For fantasy, try:

Wings of Fire

For science fiction, try:

For horror, try:

Nonfiction

For biography, try:

The Who Was? History of the World

For history, biology and science, try: 

For self-help, try:

---

Do you have suggestions for getting kids to discover the joys of reading? Let us know in the comments below.

The TD Summer Reading Club is the country’s biggest, bilingual summer program for kids of all ages, interests and abilities. To September 2, kids can join the Club in person at their local library or online and then track what they read to earn badges and stickers. It’s as easy as that.

The best part? Kids are encouraged to read what, where and how they like. Yes, that’s right! The possibilities are endless. For example, kids can read:

• Forwards, backwards or upside down
• From a pillow fort they’ve constructed
• To their pet or stuffies
• With a Shakespearean accent
• In a boat, with a goat, in the rain, on a train, in a tree…

Well, you get the idea. They can even listen to audiobooks!

Pre-readers are welcome to join the Club, too. Caregivers keep a log of the titles they are reading together. They’re also the secret ingredient for success. By adding silly voices, asking questions and looking closely at images, caregivers bring books to life. And here’s a pro tip: books don’t have to be read from start to finish. It’s a-okay to linger on a page in which your child shows interest.

There’s no judgement when you participate in the TD Summer Reading Club. Anything goes! The most important thing is to read often.

No matter what, where or how kids choose to read this summer, there are plenty of titles to try.

Will you read aloud in a silly voice?

Reading aloud can strengthen your child’s fluency. It can also bring out their silly or performative side, especially when classroom pressures are not at play.

Flowers are Pretty…Weird! by Rosemary Mosco and Jacob Souva is a hilarious, fact-filled choice to narrate.

It Fell From the Sky by Terry Fan and Eric Fan is ripe for vocal stylings.

Super Detectives! by Cale Atkinson is fun to read aloud with a friend or family member.

Will you read outside?

Switch up the environment by making reading an outdoor activity instead of a strictly inside pastime.

The Astronomer Who Questioned Everything: The Story of Maria Mitchell is a great choice to read under the canopy of stars, but we’re not sure you can read it by starlight alone!

The Bug Girl by Sophia Spencer, Margaret McNamara and Kerascoë is based on a true story, which celebrates women in STEM — and creepy critters.

The Secret Signs of Nature: How to Uncover Hidden Clues in the Sky, Water, Plants, Animals and Weather by Craig Caudill and Carrie Shryock will have you discovering a plethora of natural phenomenon in no time.

Want more of the great outdoors? Join a StoryWalk this summer, featuring Treasure by Mireille Messier. Each story panel is available in both English and French and links to an accessible audio version via QR code. StoryWalks are quite possibly one of our favourite ways to read in the great outdoors.

Will you listen to audiobooks?

Audiobooks are a perfect format for reading together as a family. Kids as well as their caregivers will enjoy the titles below. Audiobooks build listening skills and focus, and they're often the preferred choice of kids who dislike reading or have a learning disability. Finally, audiobooks are great for long summer road trips!

Forever Birchwood by Danielle Daniel will transport you to a treehouse hideaway.

Sneaks by Catherine Egan will have you imagining interdimensional mischief makers.

The Body Under the Piano by Marthe Jocelyn and Isabelle Follath imagines the life of a young Agatha Christie who solves mysteries alongside her cunning friend Hector.

How else can you read this summer?

• Check out this year’s TD Summer Reading Club recommended reads
• Participate in the Battle of the Books by voting for your favourite titles 
• Laugh at jokes submitted by other Club participants and post your own
• Read a web comic about a squad of squirrels and add a comment
• Try formats like Read-Alongs (books that talk)

Have a great summer, and remember to read your own way.

We're dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections! Here are some picture books that will be hitting shelves soon. 

Cake vs. Pie by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen

(ages 4-8)

Get ready for the ultimate food fight! Who is better, Cake or Pie? Will these two sweet treats overcome their rivalry and jealousy and become friends? This laugh out loud book is perfect for fans of the Jory John’s The Bad Seed.

The Boy Who Cried Poop! by Alessandra Requena

(ages 4-7)

Accidents will happen in this hilarious spin on The Boy Who Cried Wolf. A trip to the pool is interrupted several times by the call of nature, and all the wild and wacky characters you meet on the way to the bathroom.

Ice Cream Vanishes by Julia Sarcone-Roache

(ages 3-6)

When Squirrel leaves his ice cream on a rock on a hot sunny day, it mysteriously disappears! There’s only one explanation: Squirrel is a magician. Can all the other forest animals make ice cream disappear too? A sweet, summery treat that will have you waiting for the ice cream truck to come around.

The Brilliant Ms. Bangle by Cara Devins

(ages 4-7)

Beloved librarian Ms. Stack has moved away, and the kids at Belford elementary are protesting by not reading ANY books until she returns. Enter Ms. Bangle, the cool new librarian, who is delighted when she hears this as it gives her more free time. During reading time, she puts all the kids to work doing boring chores like taking empty boxes to the scary basement. Is Ms. Bangle really that mean, or is she hatching a smart plan to get the kids to read again?

A Delicious Story by Barney Saltzberg

(ages 3-7)

Little mouse is looking for a story since they are in a book. Big mouse was hungry and ate the story and the pictures too. Together big mouse and little mouse work together to create a new story. It’s harder than it looks and might have a surprise ending!

Posted on Behalf of Margaret, Children's Selection Team

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We're dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections. Just in time for Pride Month, these new picture books celebrate families and people across the rainbow spectrum. 

We have lots more books and programs for children to celebrate and learn about Pride! Discover resources for all ages that amplify 2SLGBTQ+ voices, reflect diversity, and promote inclusivity. Find out more at tpl.ca/pride!

Grandad's Pride by Harry Woodgate. 2023. Ages 4-8. + ebook

When Milly discovers an old Pride flag in her grandad's attic, she is inspired to organize the very first Pride celebration in his village. This book gently highlights the meaning of Pride and shows how a diverse community can contribute to creating a wonderful celebration.

 

Pride and Joy: A Story About Becoming an LGBTQIA+ Ally by Frank J. Sileo, illustrated by Emmi Smid, 2023. Ages 3-7.

After her brother and his boyfriend are bullied by a neighbour, Joy learns from her mother about what it means to be an ally for 2SLGBTQ+ people and decides to hold a bake sale to raise money. But when the bully neighbour returns, Joy pushes past her fear and summons the courage to stand up to him.

 

ABC Pride by Elly Barnes & Louie Stowell, illustrated by Amy Phelps. 2023. Ages 3-5.

Using the classic ABC picture book format coupled with bold, colourful illustrations, this book introduces the youngest readers to the celebration of Pride and the concepts and words associated with the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Includes discussion questions to give paren'ts the appropriate tools to spark further discussion.

 

The Rainbow Parade by Emily Neilson. 2022. Ages 4-8.

Excited to attend her first Pride parade with her moms, Emily is amazed by all the loud, proud and colourful people packing the street. When Emily's moms suggest they join the parade route and walk as a family, she is worried that she’s not fabulous enough but then realizes it’s best to celebrate Pride as yourself.

 

The Night Before Pride by Jessica Wexler, illustrated by Jeric Tan. 2021. Ages 4-8. 

Inspired by the classic 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, a paren't is awoken in the middle of the night to discover that someone magical has visited – the Pride Fairy brings wishes of hope, love and equality. This book can inspire a festive new tradition where paren'ts and kids write letters to the Pride Fairy the evening before their city's Pride celebrations.

Posted on behalf of Scott, Children's Selection Team and Juvenile Pride Collection selector.

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Books are a wonderful way to introduce big ideas and important topics to children. They are essential items in the toolkits of paren'ts, caregivers and educators and can be used as discussion starters to gently ease into conversations with young readers. When you create a supportive environment to talk about differences and similarities, you can help kids make sense of the world. 

Celebrating equity and diversity is important for the development of healthy attitudes. We can all learn from different perspectives in positive ways. Reading widely can help children understand and challenge biases and racism, shaping them to become well-informed, engaged and empowered individuals.

A simple way to help children learn about diversity is by explaining to them that there are differences between all sorts of things. Here are some examples of things that fit within one category but are different from each other:

Flowers: rose, tulip, poppy

Dogs: German Shepherd, Siberian Husky, French Bulldog

Shapes: triangle, square, hexagon, circle

Like these examples, there are differences between people, including our race, ethnicity, skin tone, religion and gender. Our differences make us unique and special, and they add to the beauty and diversity of the world.

Stories have the power to show us how to accept ourselves and others. Topics like justice, race, inclusivity, tolerance, and empathy are not beyond children. Here are some excellent titles to begin the conversation. 

Please note: All book descriptions are directly from the TPL catalogue. 

A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara

This engaging little book carries huge messages as it inspires hope for the future, and calls children to action while teaching them a love for books.

We Are All Equal by Shannon Weber

Activists assemble! We Are All Equal explains what it is to be a citizen, how important it is to treat and be treated, as equal within society, and how you can use your voice to champion equality.

ABC Pride by Elly Barnes

Introduces little readers to the alphabet through the colourful world of Pride. Children can discover letters and words while learning more about the LGBTQIA+ community and how to be inclusive.

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman

Illustrations and simple, rhyming text introduce readers to a school where diversity is celebrated and songs, stories and talents are shared.

I am Enough by Grace Byers and Keturah A. Bobo

Shares a story of loving who you are, respecting others and being kind to one another.

Can Bears Ski by Raymond Antrobus

Dad Bear takes Little Bear to see an “aud-i-olo-gist,” and Little Bear learns that he has been experiencing deafness and will start wearing hearing aids.

All About Diversity by Felicity Brooks

This joyous exploration of difference helps young children learn to respond in a kind and equal way to everyone regardless of shape, size, age, physical and mental ability, gender, race, beliefs, language, culture, national identity and background. 

That’s Not My Name by Anoosha Syed

Mirha questions her name after her classmates continually pronounce it wrong on the first day of school so her mother helps her to learn the significance of her name and to be proud of it.

Skin Like Mine by Latashia Perry and Bea Jackson

An entertaining yet creative way to address and celebrate diversity among young children. Guaranteed to make you smile and a bit hungry.

Kid Activists: True Tales of Childhood from Champions of Change by Robin Stevenson

Throughout history, activists have worked, marched, and stood up for equality and justice—and many had moving relatable childhood stories. Kid activists share these stories and more through engaging biographies.

Hair Twins by Raakhee Mirchandani

Every morning Papa combs through his daughter's waves but her favourite style is when he combs her hair in a tight bun on the top of her head, just like the joora he wears every day under his turban. They call this their hair-twin look!

We Are Together by Britta Teckentrup

Celebrate the power of love and friendship in this beautiful book featuring vibrant artwork and peek-through pages.

We’re Different, We’re the Same by Bobbi Jane Kates

Illustrations and simple rhyming text show that while the body parts of various human and Muppet characters may look different, they have similar uses.

Whoever You Are by Mem Fox and Leslie Staub

Despite the differences between people around the world, there are similarities that join us together, such as pain, joy and love.

A Sky-Blue Bench by Bahram Rahman

Young Aria returns to school after recovering from an accident and being fitted with a prosthetic leg, but the school has no furniture and sitting on the floor is too painful. A sensitive author’s note addresses the author’s experience growing up in Afghanistan during the civil war and the legacy of landmines.

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

After Unhei moves from Korea to the United States, her new classmates help her decide her name.

111 Trees: How One Village Celebrates the Birth of Every Girl by Rina Singh

A boy grows up to bring positive change to his village in India. Sundar manages to convince the people of his village to welcome every girl born by planting 111 trees.

 

Looking for more diverse children's books? Check out these reading lists:

Asian Heritage Month

Black History Month | Mois de l'histoire des Noirs

Black Lives Matter

Disability: Read Up On It

Read Indigenous

Reading with Pride | Families 2SLGBTQ+

Written by Ashley and Amanda

We're dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections! Here are some picture books that will be hitting shelves soon. This month's books focus on perspective and seeing things differently. As they say, it's all about how you look at things!

Five Hiding Ostriches by Barbara Barbieri McGrath

Hide and seek becomes more than a game when a hungry lion is around.

 

Hedge Lion by Robyn Wilson-Owen

Although Lion is good at pretending to be a hedge, young Ida sees through his disguise.

 

I Did See a Mammoth by Alex Willmore

A child is SURE they saw a mammoth, but no one else seems to see it.

 

Just a Worm by Marie Boyd

Worm travels all around the garden and shows just how special small creatures can be.

 

Upside Down by Katarína Macurová

Although Bear waters, feeds and cares for his plant, but it just won’t bloom.

Posted on behalf of Laurel, Children's Selection Team

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We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections! Here are some picture books we are really excited about that will be hitting shelves soon.

Bravo, Avocado! by Chana Stiefel and Anna Süßbauer (ages 4-8)
Avocado wishes she were the daily special at the Farmer's Market, but nothing about her quite seems special enough. With the help of her friends, she might just discover what makes her shine! A brightly illustrated pun-filled story of self-discovery and friendship. 

Like the Moon Loves the Sky by Hena Khan and Saffa Khan (ages 2-4)

A dreamy bedtime book filled with a paren't's gentle wishes for her child. With the repetition of the Arabic phrase "Inshallah" (God willing), a family goes through their day, sharing simple joys like reading together and biking with friends. Universal experiences and vibrant images make this a great intro to families of diverse backgrounds.

Masato’s Garden by Jerry Ruff and Maya Onodera (ages 6-12)
 
When Johnny shares his worries about his sick grandfather, his friend Masato shares his rock garden. Little by little, Johnny finds some calm. Beautiful illustrations accompany this gentle story about connecting with nature, finding peace, and how worries about family impact young children. This is an advanced picture book.

 

Sonny Says Sorry by Caryl Hart and Zachariah OHora (ages 3-6)

Uh oh! Curious Sonny opens a gift not meant for him. Will he be able to make things right at the end? A simple look at apologizing with action, paired with charming artwork.

Storyteller Skye by Lindsay Christina King and Carolyn Frank (ages 5-9)

Skye shares five funny Indigenous stories, passed down from her Ojibway grandfather. Lovely watercolours illustrating Skye's animal tales remind us of the power of stories and storytellers.

 

Posted on Behalf of Soheli, Children's Selection Team

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We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections! Here are some picture books we are really excited about that will be hitting shelves soon. Looking to stock up for March Break? It's a great time to explore the library, and picture books are just one of the reasons to visit.

Remembering Stone by Carey Sookocheff (ages 3-6)

Alice keeps a special skipping stone to remember her grandfather who passed away last winter. She brings the stone to show her classmates during Show and Share, and soon after the stone goes missing. Will Alice ever find the stone? How will she remember her grandfather? A gentle story about grief, loss, and friendship.

Naming Ceremony by Seina Wedlick, illustrated by Jenin Mohammed (ages 4-8)

It is Baby Sister's naming ceremony! Friends and family gather to help give Baby the perfect name – will big sister Amira choose the perfect name? A story rich with tradition.

Silver Linings by Fiona Woodcock (ages 4-8)

Pip and Parker live next door to each other and are such good friends that sometimes they don't even need words to communicate. What happens when someone makes a mistake or when one friend is feeling blue? An adorable friendship story that celebrates the importance of empathy and staying positive.

Umbrella by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld (ages 4-8)

Despite the dreary weather, a little girl and her dog take a risk to go outside to endure the rain, only to discover something magical that cheers everyone up. All it takes is one good idea to spread a little kindness!

Manolo and the Unicorn by Jackie Azúa Kramer and Jonah Kramer, illustrated by Zach Manbeck (ages 5-7)

Manolo believes in unicorns. When the Wild Animal Parade is announced at school, Manolo tells his classmates he is dressing up as his favourite animal. The classmates insist that unicorns aren't real, crushing Manolo's confidence. A story about self-esteem, perseverance and believing in oneself. 

Posted on behalf of Jesse, Children's Selection Team.

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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.

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Whether you visit us in-person or online, we hope to see you and your family at TPL this March Break!

Winter isn't just a time for cozy reads. After all, it is Mother Nature's season of great extremes. Cold, darkness, isolation: winter is a call for adventure and for taking ourselves to the limit. If not with expeditions to the arctic, then why not with stories?

There is no shortage of high-tales, epic quests and great mysteries that take place in this unforgiving season. Winter's harsh climates and eclipsing nights call on us to survive. In Jack London's The Call of the Wild, a man kidnaps Buck the dog and sells him into service as a sled dog. The Yukon's bitter cold and long nights bring out Buck's wilder side. Now, he must survive the elements and navigate pack life. Winter soon transforms Buck from a dog to a wolf.

As much as Winter pushes us to survive, its snow also covers our tracks. In Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass, secrets hide under the snow. Kidnappers, known as Gobblers, snatch kids and take them to the Arctic. The remote wilderness is the perfect place for Gobblers to conduct secret and deadly experiments. The Arctic also demands ingenuity and fortitude from the protagonist Lyra and her friends. They scale mountains, follow sled tracks and lead a battalion of bears to fight evil powers. Indeed, the season of survival and secrets leaves the door open for many great stories.

Deep in the dark of winter, when we have put away our sleds, and our fingertips ache with the cold of building snowmen, let's grab our blankets, a warm cup of hot chocolate, and go on unforgettable adventures with these thrilling and chilling reads.

Blizzard by John Rocco 

Brave Irene by William Steig

Bird & Squirrel on Ice by James Burks 

Dragonbreath: The Frozen Menace by Ursula Vernon

I Survived: The Wellington Avalanche, 1910 by Lauren Tarshis

The Abominable Snowman by R.A. Montgomery

Greenglass House by Kate Milford 

The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson

Related links

• Celebrating Outdoor Winter Play - picture books that celebrate the joys of playing outdoors in winter 
• Storytime at Home: The Snowy Day video – check out the rest of our YouTube playlist for stories, rhymes and songs
• Winter Books for Kids – our children's librarians recommend stories to celebrate winter and the magic of snowfall

Pig Day is recognized every year on March 1, so we're taking this opportunity to celebrate one of our favourite literary pigs – Piggie!

Happy Pig Day by Mo Willems

Piggie is one of the stars of author Mo Willems' popular Elephant & Piggie series for beginning readers. Along with her best friend Gerald the elephant, this spunky pink pal is always up for a fun adventure. She is carefree, funny, and a fabulous dancer!

Of course, the best introduction to this character (along with some downloadable activities) can be found on Mo Willems' official website. But to really get to know her, we recommend reading the books!

Here are a few of my favourites:

I Am Invited to a Party by Mo Willems

We Are in a Book by Mo Willems

The Thank You Book by Mo Willems

These sensational silly stories have a simple comic book style with a large font and only a few words per page. This makes them a great choice for kids who are just starting to read on their own. And the playful plots and funny jokes will keep them coming back, so it's a good thing that there are so many books in this series! And if you want to find out more about Mo Willems, check out our previous blog post.

Pig Day party ideas

Elephant and Piggie are always up for a good celebration and so is their author, Mo Willems. In fact, he has created an entire event kit to help everyone to celebrate Pig Day which you can download from his website (PDF 8.8 MB). It includes great activities for kids and ideas for caregivers and teachers related to the book Happy Pig Day.

If you want to have your own Pig Day party, don't forget to dress up, play lots of games, and dance, dance, dance!

Piggie loves a good costume but if you want to look more like her, try making a simple snout to wear:

• Take one section of an egg carton or cut down a paper towel roll – kids with an adult's help as needed.
• Use paint or markers to colour it pink (Piggie's favourite colour!).
• Carefully punch a hole on either side of your paper snout.
• Add a piece of string or yarn to each side, making sure that they are long enough to fit around your head and tie together at the back.
• Put your snout on top of your nose and practice snorting and smiling just like Piggie!

You can also play a Piggie Party game. Make your own version of "Pin the Snout on Piggie" by following these five steps:

1. Draw a picture of Piggie's face on a large piece of paper –either trace the Piggie mask in Mo Willems' Pig Day event kit or use it as a guide to draw your own. Don't forget to draw Piggie's snout very lightly or leave the middle of her face blank. This will be where you and your guests will try to place Piggie's snout when you play the game!
2. Draw several snouts on a separate piece of paper and colour each of them in a different colour. Make sure you have one for each player. Cut them out and put some tape on the back. Now you're ready to play.
3. Attach the picture of Piggie's face to a wall. Then blindfold the first player, hand them a paper snout and spin them around. Help them to stop in front of Piggie's picture and let them try to place their snout in the middle of her face.
4. Keep playing until everyone has had a turn. You can see who gets their colourful snout closest to the right spot by leaving all of the snouts on the picture.
5. Add an extra bit of silliness (and a little bit of Gerald) to the game by handing one of the players a paper elephant's trunk instead of a pig snout.

Since Piggie is such a wonderful dancer, don't forget to shimmy, shake, or salsa at your celebration too!

Learn more about pigs

Of course, you can also celebrate Pig Day by learning more about real pigs. 

All Pigs Are Beautiful by Dick King-Smith and Anita Jeram

Pigs by Gail Gibbons

Pigs by Emily K. Green

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Now that we've given you a few suggestions, how will you celebrate Pig Day this year? Let us know in the comments or tell us your family's favourite Elephant and Piggie book!

We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections. Here are some picture books we are really excited about that will be hitting shelves soon. One title is currently available in eBook format, though more of these titles may be added. These will be automatically linked to this blog post as they are acquired. 

The Coat by Séverine Vidal, illustrated by Louis Thomas (ages 4-8)

Elise has been waiting years for her sister's warm red coat, and when it is finally hers, she decides to pay it forward by giving it to a little girl experiencing homelessness. A must read, this book is perfect for teaching little ones about the importance of giving and showing kindness to those in need.

The Kindest Red by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali, illustrated by Hatem Aly (ages 4-8)

From the team who created The Proudest Blue comes another heartfelt story about family, friendship and the power of kindness. It is picture day at school, and when Faizah and her big sister Asiya don't match like the rest of her classmates and their siblings, Faizah's friends come to the rescue and show kindness in unexpected ways.

Mermaid and Pirate by Tracey Baptiste, illustrated by Leisl Adams (ages 3-6)

When a storm hits and his ship begins to sink, a pirate meets a mermaid who shows him that you do not need to speak the same language in order to be kind and make a new friend.

Spicy Spicy Hot! by Lenny Wen (ages 4-8)

When Nenek visits from Indonesia, everyone is excited to eat her sambal, but for Lintang it is spicy, spicy hot! After experimenting with Nenek, Lintang is able to find the perfect sambal recipe that is just right for her. A beautiful intergenerational story that even includes a recipe at the end.

Woo Hoo! You’re Doing Great! by Sandra Boynton (ages 3-6)

Sandra Boynton is back in this hilarious story about a chicken who is your own personal cheerleader. If you are ever feeling down and blue, or are learning something new, chicken is always there to remind you that "Woo hoo! You're doing great!"

 

Posted on behalf of Teresa, Children's Selection Team.

Previous Posts from this Year

• January

January is Soup Month! And while one could really enjoy a hot (or cold — gazpacho anyone?) bowl of soup any day of the year, there's just something wonderful about having a sip of simmering soup on a chilly winter's day.

To help get your soup celebration started, here are some books and activities to warm up your family's winter.

Making soup

Whether you are using an old family recipe or trying out something new, cooking together is a soup-er family activity. Not only does it create time to be together but it's also a great opportunity to combine learning and having fun.

And it can all start with a trip to the grocery store or farmer's market where you can search for your ingredients. Don't forget your shopping list! And don't forget to let the kids help, too. Writing out your list together and then letting the kids look for those written words on store labels is a great Ready for Reading activity.

Once you have everything you need, you're ready to start your soup. While it might not always be an exact science, cooking involves many scientific principles, as well as an opportunity to practice literacy and math skills. Recipes need to be read. Ingredients need to be measured. The number of carrot slices that you eat before they go into the pot need to be counted. (Ok, maybe that last one doesn't "need" to happen.) There's lots to learn and a way for everyone to help! 

And we can help, too. Check out these books and get cooking:

Kids Cook! 100+ Super-Easy and Delicious Recipes

My Very First Cookbook by Danielle Kartes and Annie Wilkinson

Cooking Step by Step 

Making Soups with Math! by Santana Hunt

Science Experiments You Can Eat by Vikki Cobb and Tad Carpenter

Reading about soup

When it's finally time to sip some soup, get yourself a bowl or a mug and maybe one of these soup-erior stories so you can read what you eat.

Boy Soup by Loris Lesynski; illustrated by Michael Martchenko

Brand New Bubbe by Sarah Aronson; illustrated by Ariel Landy

Every Color Soup by Jorey Hurley

Freedom Soup by Tami Charles; illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara

One Snowy Morning by Kevin Tseng; illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte

Pinch and Dash Make Soup by Michael J. Daley; illustrated by Thomas Yezerski

Is That Wise, Pig? by Jan Thomas

Playing with your "soup"

As delicious as the real thing can be, you don't have to be making or eating it to have a soup-erb day.

• Let soup inspire your child's artwork. They could make a collage with pictures of all the foods they like best. Talk about whether or not all of those things would go together to make one yummy soup.
• Draw a picture of a bowl and then have your kids glue on foam letters or pasta shapes — instant alphabet soup and a fun way to help them to get to know letters.
• Sing a song about soup (like the "Purple Soup" song which is fun to do with a large group) or make up one of your own by using a familiar tune and changing the lyrics. For example, "Row Row Row Your Boat" can become "Stir Stir Stir the Soup". Or "The Farmer in the Dell" can become "The Soup in Boiling Up" and you can sing about adding different vegetables. Add an element of play by using a toy pot and pretend vegetables to act out what you are singing.

And remember, it doesn't take much to make up a story about soup. All you need is one small stone! Just like the traditional folktale about a stranger who inspires a community to share, your family can share a story by each adding your own bit of flavourful fiction.

Not sure where to start? Borrow one of the many versions of Stone Soup available at TPL and read it together. Put on some dress-up clothes and act it out, or use toys or puppets to bring it to life. Use your imagination and create a new variation. Will your soup story start with a stone, a nail, a quill, or something completely different?

Stone Soup by Jon J. Muth

With so many possibilities, which of these "ingredients" will you choose to add to your Soup Month celebrations?

We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections! Here is our annual tradition of featuring wordless books from the previous year that we are really excited about. Some titles are available in eBook formats.

 

A Day for Sandcastles by JonArno Lawson, illustrated by Qin Leng (ages 4-8)

A family rides a bus to the beach. Classic summer seaside moments are depicted: picnicking with seagulls, strong winds, and of course building and rebuilding sandcastles as growing waves and the incoming tide move closer. Scenic pictures mark the passing day. One of our 2022 First and Best picks for getting kids ready for reading!

 

Blanket by Ruth Ohi (ages 3-6)

A kitten rises from bed one morning and takes her blanket with her. Finding a place to cocoon herself within, she is soon joined by a puppy. Enveloped in a visually boundless world, they take turns playing with a flashlight, and then using some furniture to expand the concept. 

 

Field Trip to Volcano Island by John Hare (ages 4-8)

A class of schoolchildren ride a helicopter to an island that is home to an active volcano. All sorts of interesting flowers grow there and the children start collecting them. One child, whose flowers drop into the caldera, descends to get them back.

 

Gold by Jed Alexander (ages 4-8)

A retelling of Goldilocks with a surprise ending. It also has a surprise middle and the beginning is unexpected, with Goldilocks stepping off a school bus on a busy city street.

 

I Wish by Christoph Niemann (ages 4-8)

The anticipation of a gift and the boundless possibilities therein are thoroughly explored, warped, and folded inside out. More questions than answers: Is this a daydream? Is someone playing a trick? Are tesseracts real?

 

Isla to Island by Alexis Castellanos (ages 10+)

In this graphic novel, Marisol is relocated away from her paren'ts to escape escalating violence in 1950s Cuba. She moves in with an elderly couple in Brooklyn, goes to school and adapts to life in 1960s New York City. The story unfolds in varying colours, sepia and black and white tones.

 

Kunoichi Bunny by Sara Cassidy, illustrated by Brayden Sato (ages 4-8)

Kunoichi is a superhero carrying out Lady Saya's benevolent will with more than the usual alacrity one expects of a stuffed rabbit. Saya and Kunoichi repeatedly avert disaster and it's all in a day.

 

Laney Dances in the Rain by Ken Willard, illustrated by Matthew Rivera (ages 4-9)

Laney isn’t going to let a little rain stop her from dancing! Dancing is what she does best and some day she's going to make a real splash! In the meantime, a grumpy boy sitting nearby does not appreciate the splash she made in an exuberant puddle leap. 

 

The Line in the Sand by Thao Lam (ages 4-9)

Set in a playground, or perhaps on a beach, there are no clear boundaries until someone drags a stick through the sand and starts walking. What does it mean for a line to appear between us? How should we behave on one side or another of it? Does it even mean anything? 

 

Posted by Pat, Children's Selection Team.

Have you visited Wychwood Branch recently? It reopened in October 2022 to much excitement after a four-year renovation. When you have a chance, go check out the expanded space, beautifully preserved architecture… and the beaver lodge!

Yes, you read that right: there is a beaver lodge in the children's area. The books are safe though, because it's one of our KidsStop early literacy centres! KidsStops are fun, hands-on learning and reading spaces created for you and your child to enjoy together. Some KidsStops also feature Big Books, which are oversized, floor-mounted books designed for children and their paren'ts and caregivers to read together.

Five Busy Beavers by Stella Partheniou Grasso and illustrated by Christine Battuz

Read the story in the branch or scan'the QR code on the book to watch or listen online. The story can be experienced in multiple accessible formats, including Braille, audio, video and American Sign Language versions. The beaver lodge theme was chosen to complement the local ravines surrounding Wychwood Branch and to encourage kids to explore and discover nature, plants and animals.

Enjoy your visit to Wychwood Branch? We'd love to see your photos! Tag us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

More books on wildlife

Looking for more stories starring beavers? We've got those and lots more books for all ages about wildlife:

Animal Hospital: Rescuing Urban Wildlife by Julia Coey

How does the Toronto Wildlife Centre help sick or injured animals? Kids can get tips on how to protect and support urban wildlife, and find out what to do if they encounter an animal that needs help.

Big City Bees by Maggie de Vries and Renné Benoit

Sophie and Matthew are worried about their garden. Would bees be able to find it in the city? They set out with Grandpa to look for bees.

Chasing Bats and Tracking Rats by Cylita Guy and Cornelia Li 

What are ratmobiles and bug vacuums, and how do scientists use them to study urban wildlife? Learn fascinating animal facts and ways to help make cities healthier.

Explore Rivers and Ponds! by Carla Mooney and Bryan Stone

From building their own field kit to designing a watershed model, these 25 hands-on science projects will help kids dive into learning about lakes, streams and wetlands.

Going Wild: Helping Nature Thrive in Cities by Michelle Mulder

How do we balance living in an urban environment with a connection to nature? Kids can get inspired to help plants and animals while contributing to a better city.

Lake by Kate Moss Gamblin and Karen Patkau 

Dragonflies, fish, geese, moose: many different creatures appear throughout the changing seasons of a lake.

The Superpower Field Guide: Beavers by Rachel Poliquin and Nicholas John Frith

Chainsaw teeth! Paws of power! Discover the amazing abilities of Canada's favourite rodent.

It's time for another year-end best-of roundup! Every year, the Toronto Public Library's Children's Materials Selection Committee previews hundreds of new children's picture books. Here are just a few of the favourites we saw in 2022! Most are available in electronic formats.

For more 2022 highlights, check out:

• First & Best, the top 10 Canadian children's books to help kids under five get ready for reading
• What Toronto Read, the most popular children's series and authors of the year

 

Lizzy and the Cloud by the Fan Brothers

In this latest surreal tale from the Fan brothers, Lizzie visits the cloud seller. Instead of buying a spectacular cloud in the form of a bird or an octopus, she goes for an ordinary cloud whom she names Milo. She takes him everywhere and soon he gets bigger.

 

The Forgettery by Rachel Ip, illustrated by Laura Hughes

In this sweet and heartwarming story, Amelia and Granny discover The Forgettery, a place where forgotten memories go. Filled with delightful illustrations, this gentle story introduces readers to the topics of memory loss and dementia.  

 

 I Love You Because I Love You by Mượn Thị Văn, illustrated by Jessica Love

This call-and-response picture book features all kinds of families showing their love in many different ways.

 

The Paper Bird by Lisa Anchin

Annie loves art, but one day, when her classmates laugh at her drawings, everything turns gray. Annie loses her spark until a tiny lopsided paper bird helps reignite her passion by showing her that art does not always have to be perfect.

 

The Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López

Stuck inside with nothing to do, Grandma encourages imaginative play, learning to fly and to be resilient; just like their ancestors before them.

 

‘Twas the Night Before Pride by Joanna McClintick, illustrated by Juana Medina

On the night before Pride, everyone is preparing for the big celebration, including a family of two moms, a boy and his younger brother. Modelled after the classic poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, this book gently highlights the history and importance of Pride, honours the dazzling diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and reaffirms that the best thing about Pride is getting to be yourself. A French language edition is also available.

 

A Spoonful of Frogs by Casey Lyall, illustrated by Vera Brosgol

An influential witch has a syndicated cooking show and shows us how to make frog soup, but the unobliging frogs steal the show.

 

Where do Your Feelings Live? by Catherine Hernandez, illustrated by Myriam Chery

This book explores many different kinds of feelings. The ones that live deep inside and the ones that come out to play. 

 

Runs with the Stars by Darcy Whitecrow, illustrated by Lenny Lishchenko

A man teaches his grandchild about the Ojibwe Horses that used to roam wild in Northern Ontario.

 

How to Party Like a Snail by Naseem Hrab, illustrated by Kelly Collier

Snail likes a good party, especially a quiet one! When things get too loud, Snail goes into his shell to have a quiet party on his own, complete with warm milk and lullaby lip-syncing. Is Snail missing out on all the fun? A new friend comes along and shows that it is not how hard you party, but who you party with, that matters.

Posted on behalf of Margaret, Children's Selection Team.

Previous Posts from this Year

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August 
• September
• October
• November

Toronto Public Library is excited to announce our picks for this year's First and Best list! Every year, a working group of TPL children's staff review submissions from publishers, and select the top ten Canadian books that promote literacy skills and a love of reading in young children from birth to 5 years.

To be eligible, titles must be:

• a first edition,
• authored, illustrated or translated by a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada,
• published between January 1 and December 31 of the current year,
• written in English, or English and other languages,
• appropriate for children between birth and five years.

Encouraging a love of books is a great way to help your child get ready for reading. There is no better way than to start with our First and Best list because the first books you share with your child should also be the best! This year's titles feature a wide range of books that reflect a variety of stories and perspectives. All books on the list are available at library branches across the city.

Happy reading with your little one!

Animals Move by Jane Whittingham

Bright, full-colour photographs and simple, rhyming text show readers how different baby animals move and young children move the same way.

Beautiful You, Beautiful Me by Tasha Spillett-Sumner, illustrated by Salini Perera

A child who looks different from her mother finds beauty and belonging in this new book from the creator of the New York Times bestseller, I Sang You Down from the Stars.

Becoming Blue by Ellen Tarlow, illustrated by Julien Chung

Blue thinks being Red must be exciting since Red gets to fight fires and tell cars to stop, but when Blue tries being Red for the day he realizes the best thing to be is yourself.

A Day for Sandcastles by JonArno Lawson, illustrated by Qin Leng

A dazzling wordless picture book that celebrates creative problem-solving, teamwork, and the sun-splashed wonder of a day at the beach.

Finding Moose by Sue Farrell Holler, illustrated by Jennifer Faria

A little boy and his grandfather go for a walk in the forest, searching for a moose. Along the way, the grandfather teaches the boy to identify the traces left behind by the moose and other animals, as well as the Ojibwemowin names for them.

 

It's My Body! by Elise Gravel

From beloved children's author Elise Gravel comes a book all about the body: how to feel good about it and how to take care of it. 

My Lala by Thomas King, illustrated by Charlene Chua

A rambunctious little girl takes ownership of her little universe.

A Person Can Be… by Kerri Kokias, illustrated by Carey Sookocheff

People are complicated, and there are lots of different ways of being. A look — both lighthearted and serious — at some of the contradictory feelings and personality traits that make people so fascinating!

Rainy Days by Deborah Kerbel, illustrated by Miki Sato

A celebration of rainy weather and the fun activities it makes possible, including puddle stomping and rescuing worms and snails!

Still This Love Goes On by Buffy Saint-Marie, illustrated by Julie Flett

A celebration of the Indigenous community, and the enduring love we hold for the people and places we are far away from. Based on Buffy Sainte-Marie's song of the same name, this book combines Julie Flett's breathtaking art with vivid lyrics to craft a stunning portrait of a Cree worldview.

 

First and Best is part of  TPL's Ready for Reading program, developed to help paren'ts and caregivers build early literacy skills in their children through fun activities. For more award-winning titles and easy, everyday early literacy support, please visit the Ready for Reading website. 

Traditionally, November is a time for remembering. On November 11th, Canadians observe Remembrance Day and pause to think about the sacrifices of war and the fight for freedom. And on November 30th, we can stop once again to remember, for on this day, 150 years ago, the man who wrote perhaps the world's most famous words of remembrance was born. 

John McCrae was born in Guelph, Ontario on November 30th, 1872. In his lifetime he was a farm boy, a student, a doctor, a soldier, and a writer. It is the combination of those last two roles that earned him a place in history.

During World War I, John McCrae served with the Canadian army as a medical officer. In May of 1915, as the Second Battle of Ypres was being fought, Lieutenant Colonel McCrae wrote a poem while mourning the death of his friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer. And though there is some debate about the specifics of where the poem was written, it is quite clear where the poem takes place – in Flanders Fields. 

With this poem, with these words of John McCrae, the world was gifted a powerful way to reflect on both the horror and honour of war. And it is his powerful words that are still read, in Canada and around the world, every Remembrance Day. 

Learning More About John McCrae and In Flanders Fields

Help kids understand the importance of remembering with the work of this famous Canadian. John McCrae's name is often mentioned in books about both Remembrance Day and World War I. There are also some wonderful books that focus on his life and words, as well as the poppy, the symbol of remembrance that was, in part, inspired by his poem.

Remembering John McCrae: Soldier, Doctor, Poet by Linda Granfield

 

In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae by Linda Granfield; illustrated by Janet Wilson

 

A Poppy is to Remember by Heather Patterson; illustrated by Ron Lightburn

 

In Flanders Fields and Other Poems by John McCrae

 

Other educational resources

• Canadian World War I posters
• Baldwin Collection of Canadiana
• Local History & Genealogy blog
• Resources for Teachers & Paren'ts

 

In recognizing the 150th anniversary of the birth of John McCrae, we are able to not only learn more about a famous Canadian but are also able to honour and remember the man behind some very well-known words of remembrance.

We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections! Here are some picture books about friendship and feelings that we are really excited about. These stories show how friendship and creativity can help to manage all kinds of feelings and will be hitting shelves soon. Most titles here are available in eBook and/or eAudiobook formats. Browse our Ready for Reading site for more of the latest books about friends and family.

 

Feathers Together by Caron Levis, illustrated by Charles Santoso (ages 4-8)

An inseparable pair of storks, Klepetan and Malena, are spending the summer in Croatia when Malena injures her wing and can no longer make the annual flight to South Africa. A human relocates their nest and commits to looking after her. Klepetan vows not to leave Malena, but she tells him he must.   

 

Forgettery by Rachel Ip, illustrated by Laura Hughes (ages 3-5)  

In this sweet and heartwarming story, Amelia and Granny discover The Forgettery, a place where forgotten memories go. Filled with delightful illustrations, this gentle story introduces readers to the topics of memory loss and dementia.  

 

How Old is Mr. Tortoise? by Dev Petty, illustrated by Ruth Chan (ages 6-8)

Told in graphic novel-style illustrations, this laugh out loud birthday story is about how Mr. Tortoise and his friends figure out how old he is. A story that teaches problem-solving skills, the importance of teamwork, and celebrates friendship.  

 

The Three Billy Goats Gruff  by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen (ages 4-8)

A more or less faithful retelling of the folklore classic, with a few aesthetic flourishes. The goats vary on a wider range of scale, and the Troll in addition to being an accomplished chef and gourmand, is also an aspiring poet.  

 

Zero Zebras: A Counting Book about What's Not There by Bruce Goldstone, illustrated by Julian Chung (ages 6-8)  

Counting is fun, but what's more fun is counting things that aren't there. A simple rhyming story that teaches the concept of zero and provides an entertaining perspective. A reminder that what's not there is equally as important as what is present. Check out more kids' books about math and problem-solving.  

 

Posted on behalf of Edna, Children's Selection Team.

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Thank you for visiting Wychwood Library! Our Big Book, Five Busy Beavers, is available in multiple, accessible formats for kids and families to enjoy. Scroll down to watch or listen to the story.

Audio recording of Five Busy Beavers read by Stella Partheniou Grasso

 

 

Video recording of Five Busy Beavers

Five Busy Beavers with American Sign Language

Five Busy Beavers with Image Descriptions

 

Borrow a copy of the book

Five Busy Beavers by Stella Partheniou Grasso and illustrated by Christine Battuz

 

 

Thank you to our partners, CNIB, Scholastic Canada, SLIAO and author Stella Partheniou Grasso, for their help with this project.

 

Halloween looms around the corner, and so does the promise of frightening tales.

In this blog, we explore TPL's collection of scary (and not-so-scary) stories. We also ask: for all the tossing and turning at night, why are many children still drawn to scary things?

Horror stories have been sprouting and wriggling from the collective imagination for centuries. As societies grow more intricate, imaginations grow wilder. For every shadow in the bedroom, the Bogeyman bides his time. For every creak under the bed, a monster waits for eyes to shut. 

From folklore to more modern hits like R.L. Stine's Goosebumps and Netflix's Stranger Things, scary stories garner legions of young fans — and they may have their benefits. 

Manageable doses of fear can regulate emotion and help children adapt to challenging situations. In the shadows, children confront overwhelming emotions. They face big creatures — and even bigger feelings: pain from a divorce, bullies, the passing of a loved one. Children experience fear in scary stories, but they also experience bravery. They experience loneliness, but they also overcome the villains. In scary stories, kids face the giants within. 

A scary story is an invitation, one that says "Psst, hey you, can you manage this? Can you overcome this and come out alive?" And what a triumph when they do! Then they are not so little and powerless in this world anymore. 

Spooky tales once served as a warning to kids. "Keep steady on that good and trodden path," said the adults, "lest the monsters get you."

Now the paths are fenced, the roads are mapped, and every step is outlined. It's the monsters' turn to tell the tales. "Come off that good and trodden path," they whisper, "it is time to have fun." 

They're ghoulish; they're warty; they're multi-eyed and slimy-skinned — love them or hate them, spooky tales are here to stay.

Readers 0-4

Readers 9-12 

The House with a Clock in its Walls by John Bellairs 

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz, illustrated by Stephen Gammell

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

Coraline by Neil Gaiman 

 

Not-So-Scary Scary Stories 

Emi Isn’t Scared of Monsters by Alina Tysoe 

So not Ghoul by Karen Yin, illustrated by Bonnie Lui

I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll, illustrated by Howard McWilliam

Looking for a Jumbie by Tracey Baptiste, illustrated by Amber Ren

Ghoulia by Barbara Cantini

Scooby-Doo! : 5-Minute Stories by various authors

Grandpa Bert and the Ghost Snatchers by Malorie Blackman, illustrated by Melanie Demmer

 

Related links

• Halloween Books for Kids
• New and Noteworthy Picture Books October 2022

We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections. Here are some of the latest picture books perfect for the spooky and scary season. Most titles are available in an electronic format. Check out our Halloween booklist for more recommended reads!

 

If Animals Trick or Treated by Ann Whitford Paul, illustrated by David Walker (ages 3-6)

Join Owlet, Piglet and the rest of their animal friends as they celebrate Halloween in their own special way, closing with a fun night of trick-or-treating – a perfect Halloween story for little ones without any spooks or scares.

 

Beatrice Likes the Dark by Genevieve April Tucholke, illustrated by Khoa Le (ages 4-8)

For the burgeoning goth girl in your family – Beatrice is fond of black clothing and graveyards at night and her sister Roo prefers bright clothing and warm sunny days. A perfect story to demonstrate that likes and dislikes can exist without coming in between two people.

 

Our Day of the Dead Celebration by Ana Aranda (ages 3-7)

In this charming celebration of the Mexican holiday, young girls Mar and Paz prepare food and decorations to honour relatives who have passed. Through stories, the two girls realize they have more in common with their grandfather and great-grandmother and learn the importance of preserving their memory.

 

Leila the Perfect Witch by Flavia Z. Drago (ages 3-7)

Leila, an expert witch, is used to winning every magical competition except for witchy baking. After fumbling a few times, she asks for help from her sisters who show Leila that sometimes not being perfect can release the pressure and bring out the fun.

 

Creepy Crayon! by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown (ages 4-8)

After struggling in school, Jasper's life turns around when he finds a purple crayon that answers every test question correctly. Jasper knows this isn't quite right but cannot seem to rid himself of the crayon – it keeps coming back!

 

Posted on behalf of Scott, Children's Selection Team and Halloween superfan.

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E I E I O!

When you saw that string of letters together did you automatically start humming the tune for "Old MacDonald Had a Farm"? It's a song that has been a childhood staple for over a hundred years. And while many of us have sung about "a chick-chick here" and a "baa-baa there," did you know that Old MacDonald has had a lot more than farm animals over the years?

Old MacDonald Had a Farm by Gris Grimly

This children's classic has been retold and reimagined by countless authors, illustrators, and performers. At Toronto Public Library, we have many different versions of it in our children's collections including ebooks, music (both digital and on CD), and picture books. Here's a couple:

Old MacDonald Had a Farm by Jane Cabrera

Old MacDonald Had a Farm by James Dean

 

But did you know that in some stories, Old MacDonald has a lot more than just cows and horses…

Old MacDonald Had a Baby by Emily Snape; illustrated by K-Fai Steele

Old MacDonald Had a Dragon by Ken Baker; illustrated by Christopher Santoro

Old MacDonald Had a Phone by Jeanne Willis; illustrated by Tony Ross

Old MacDonald Had a Truck by Steve Goetz; illustrated by Eda Kaban

Old MacDonald Had a Boat by Steve Goetz; illustrated by Eda Kaban

Old MacDonald Had a…Zoo? by Iza Trapani

 

As you can see, the possibilities for what Old MacDonald might have are truly endless. And the adaptations to this song doesn't have to stop there!

Why not sing about a farm owned by Old Mohammed or Young Ms. Mak? Or personalize the song by using you or your child's name? Then you could act it out using your own stuffed animals or toys. Or together as a family, create a whole new story using the basic structure of this classic. Then write it down, create artwork to accompany it, or just tell it aloud over and over again.

Sing a Song of "Thank You"

We have celebrated the fictional Old MacDonald in song and story for decades now but when is the last time that you said "Thank you!" to a real farmer?

There are countless farmers working hard every day to ensure that we have food to eat, clothes to wear, and more of the many things that we use in daily life. They truly deserve our gratitude.

So the next time I sing this song or read one of these stories at my next library storytime, I think that I will add one more verse…

Old MacDonald had a farm. E I E I O.

And on this day, we say "Thank you!" E I E I O.

For farmers here. And farmers there. Thank you farmers everywhere!

Old MacDonald had a farm. Let's all say "Thank you!"

Thank you farmers! 

And if you want to learn more about real farmers and the work they do, check out some of these books:

Meet the Farmer / Conoce a los granjeros by Joyce Jeffries

I Am Farmer: Growing an Environmental Movement in Cameroon by Baptiste and Miranda Paul

Grow! Raise! Catch! How We Get Our Food by Shelley Rotner

 

Related posts

• Celebrate World Milk Day – June 1
• Read Your Veggies on Eat Your Vegetables Day – June 17
• Jane Cabrera Books – Nursery Rhymes & Songs

Every September, Canadians across the country take part in events called the Terry Fox Run. But who was Terry Fox, and why is he such an important person in Canadian history?

Terry Fox was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on July 28, 1958. He eventually moved to Port Coquitlam, British Columbia with his family. Terry had a very ordinary childhood. He had paren'ts and siblings that he grew up with and loved to play games with. He enjoyed going to school to learn and hang out with his friends. When he got older, he played many sports and dreamed of becoming a high school gym teacher.

Sadly, a medical diagnosis changed the path that Terry’s life was on. In November 1976, a few months after his 18th birthday, Terry started feeling pain in his right knee. He tried to ignore the pain, but it grew and grew until he finally went to the hospital where he had X-rays and a bone scan done. The doctors told him that he had bone cancer and that they were going to have to amputate or remove, his leg.

Terry was so sad and he knew his life was going to change. However, he did not give up. This was a challenge he was going to face. He decided that he was going to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. After his leg was amputated, he learned to walk with a prosthetic leg and started training in order to strengthen his body for the run.

After months of preparing his body for the journey, as well as raising awareness of the run he was about to begin, Terry was ready. He started his run on the morning of April 12, 1980 in St. John's, Newfoundland. He planned to run across Canada and end in Port Renfrew, British Columbia (that's 8530 kilometres!). The run was called the Marathon of Hope.

Terry ran all the way to Thunder Bay, Ontario, 143 days in total, before his health changed. He became very ill and had to go home because he could not run anymore. Although Terry was not able to finish the Marathon of Hope, he raised more than 24 million dollars for cancer research, and he inspired others to raise money as well. Unfortunately, Terry passed away a month before his 23rd birthday, on June 28, 1981.  

Terry Fox has become a symbol of hope for many Canadians. His determination, courage and generosity continues to inspire millions of people around the world to raise money, such as through the Terry Fox Foundation, and to participate in events like the Terry Fox Run. Together we continue to run to fight cancer, to give hope to those living with the disease, and to honour Terry Fox. 

Here are some children's books about Terry Fox, as well as books related to limb loss and cancer:

Terry Fox: A Story of Hope by Maxine Trottier

Meet Terry Fox by Elizabeth MacLeod, illustrated by Mike Deas

Terry Fox and Me by Mary Beth Leatherdale, illustrated by Milan Pavlović

Terry Fox by Terry Barber

What Happened to You? by James Catchpole, illustrated by Karen George

Rescue & Jessica: a Life-Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, illustrated by Scott Magoon

Wearing an Artificial Limb by Harriet Brundle

When a Kid Like Me Fights Cancer by Catherine Stier, illustrated by Angel Chang

Cancer is a C Word by Sunita Pal

 

Accessibility at Toronto Public Library

• For more recommended reads, check out our Disability: Read Up on It! booklist.
• Learn more about visiting the library by reading My Visit to Toronto Public Library: A Social Story for Everyone, available in multiple formats including video, audio and eBraille.
• Find more information about our accessible services, equipment and collections by visiting our Accessibility page.

Do you have any feedback about how we can make the library more accessible? If so, please contact us at accessibleservices@tpl.ca or 416-393-7099.

 

September is National Guide Dog Awareness Month. What a perfect time for celebrating guide dogs, and the amazing work they do!

One of the best known guide dogs in history was named Roselle. During the attacks at the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001, Roselle led her handler, Michael Hingson, down 78 flights of stairs to safety. Michael wrote a book for adults about their story, called Thunder Dog. Michael and Roselle’s story taught a lot of people about how intelligent guide dogs really are.

Do you want to learn more about guide dogs? Check out this selection of materials from the library below!

I Love Vincent by Laura Ljungkvist

Picture book. Scout is a guide dog to his best human friend, Vincent. As the two move throughout their day, we see just how much they help each other.

Guide Dogs by Dale Jones

Non-fiction. All about guide dogs! Did you know that like humans, guide dogs retire? Learn all about them, including their duties, training, and how they are matched with their handler.

Morris and Buddy: The Story of the First Seeing Eye Dog by Becky Hall

Non-Fiction. The true story of Morris Frank, a blind young man who traveled to Europe in 1924 to meet a specially trained dog. After bringing his new helper dog home, Frank opened the first guide dog training program in the United States.

Buddy by Kate Klimo

Fiction. A novel based on the real-life story of Morris and Buddy, told from Buddy's perspective. 

Raising Lumie by Joan Bauer

Fiction. A twelve-year-old girl helps raise a puppy to become a guide dog, who in turn helps her through her own personal trauma. 

Curiosity Quest: Guide Dogs

Film. This 27 minute video about how guide dogs are trained can be streamed through Kanopy.

Books About Service Dogs

Though not specifically about guide dogs, these books about other types of service dogs will delight kids.

Harley the Hero by Peggy Collins

Picture book. Harley is a service dog for a teacher with an invisible disability. Beloved by all the students, neurotypical and neurodiverse alike, he becomes a hero when he saves a student during an emergency.

I'm a Gluten-Sniffing Service Dog by Michael Babay

Picture book. Meet Chewie, the sharp-nosed poodle who makes sure that Alice, who has celiac disease, doesn't eat anything that could harm her.

Rescue & Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky & Patrick Downes

Non-Fiction. When he is paired with a girl who wears prosthetic legs from an accident, Rescue worries that he won't be up to the task of being her service dog. Based on a true story.

Wednesday & Woof: Catastrophe by Sherri Winston

Early Reader. Woof is a service dog who helps Wednesday with her juvenile arthritis…and solving mysteries. 

Chester and Gus by Cammie McGovern

Fiction. Chester failed out of service dog school. But when he is adopted as a companion animal for an autistic boy, he discovers he can help his new best friend in ways nobody imagined.

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Are you interested in more children's books about disability? Check out our list, Disability: Read Up on It! for a carefully curated selection of titles. 

At Toronto Public Library, we know a thing or two about how awesome things can start with a dot (just take a look at our logo!). And every year on September 15, the world is invited to celebrate three of them — creativity, courage, and collaboration — on International Dot Day.

The day itself also started with a dot… well, more specifically the book The Dot written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds.

It is the story of Vashti, a girl with a blank piece of paper and a big problem. She needs to make something for art class and she can't draw. Her teacher encourages her to "just make a mark" to see where it takes her. So she does. A sharp jab of a maker that creates a dot on her page and starts her on a wonderful creative journey of self-discovery.

It was a reading of this "delicate fable about the creative spirit in all of us" by Iowa teacher Terry Shay to his students that inspired the creation of International Dot Day.

As stated on its official website, on this day-ish, people around the world are invited to "re-discover the power and potential of creativity in all they do." To help you to begin, the organizers encourage everyone to read, create and share. Use the hashtags #InternationalDotDay and #MakeYourMark on social media if you choose to share the dots your family or class creates.

The Dot and Other Books to Spark Creativity

You can discover the whole story of The Dot by borrowing a copy. We have it in multiple formats and languages including book, audiobook, eBook, eAudiobook, read-along and French. But be warned, reading it may also start you on your own creative journey as you learn to celebrate what you can do instead of lamenting what you can't!

 

There are many books in our collection that celebrate the power of imagination and the art of self-expression. Here are a few suggestions:

Aaron Slater, Illustrator by Andrea Beaty ; illustrated by David Roberts

 

What If… by Samantha Berger ; Illustrated by Mike Curato

 

A Squiggly Story by Andrew Larsen ; illustrated by Mike Lowery

 

Arlo Draws an Octopus by Lori Mortensen ; illustrated by Rob Sayegh Jr.

 

Blue Spot by Griselda Sastrawinata-Lemay

 

Anywhere Artist by Nikki Slade-Robinson

 

A Dot Day Creativity Challenge

International Dot Day is truly a day not only meant to celebrate your own creativity, but to inspire and encourage others, just like the teacher does in the original story. At TPL, we strive to do this, too! And so we invite you to join us on a little creative journey in the comments below. 

Let's play with our words! Using the letters in the word "dot" or "the dot" share some words of advice, encouragement or creative inspiration. For example, "Do One Thing."

And if you only do one thing to celebrate this International Dot Day, might I suggest that you remind yourself that you possess the power of creativity. Don't believe me? Well then start with a dot and just see where it can'take you.

We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections. Here are some picture books about friendship and feelings that we are really excited about. These stories show how friendship and creativity can help to manage all kinds of feelings and will be hitting shelves soon. 

Blanket by Ohi, Ruth 

When your mood is as grey as a rainy day, kindness and friendship can sometimes help more than words.

 

If You Find A Leaf by Aimee Sicuro

Every leaf this young artist collects suggests a new idea and inspires a different story.

 

I'm not scared, you're scared! by Seth Meyers, illustrated by Rob Sayegh Jr. 

One brave friend helps another to face his fears and enjoy an unexpected adventure. 

 

Stop and smell the cookies by Gibson Frazier, illustrated by Micah Player

An understanding Mom shows Dash a way to deal with his really, big feelings. 

 

What do you see? : A conversation in pictures Barney Saltzberg, photos by Jamie Lee Curtis

This imaginative pair shows that friends don’t always have to see “eye to eye” to enjoy a conversation. 

 

Where do your feelings live? by Catherine Hernandez, illustrated by Myriam Chery

This book explores many different kinds of feelings. The ones that live deep inside and the ones that come out to play. 

Posted on behalf of Laurel, Children's Selection Team.

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The 2022 edition of the TD Summer Reading Club wraps up on September 5. Here's a list of 8 things to do before another summer's in the books: 

1. Take a StoryWalk®

Stroll around the outside of the library building and enjoy reading Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox by Danielle Daniel or I Am Scary by Elise Gravel. There are 23 participating TPL locations this summer.  

2. Read the TDSRC web comic

Artist Soyeon Kim has created a stunning, wordless web comic titled Night at the Library. As kids look at the picture in each panel, challenge them to come up with their own words to tell the story!

3. Write a story ending

Kids are having fun with our story starters, where we present the beginning of a story and challenge kids to come up with their own endings. For inspiration (or a good laugh), you can check out some creative story endings for the story starter titled The Dragon Next Door, which begins like this: 

Things have been very different ever since that dragon moved into the apartment next door.

For one thing, the smoke detector goes off at least five times a day. So annoying!

Another problem: the dragon stays up all night playing Roblox on full blast, and we can hear it through the walls. And, of course, he has so many delivery people knocking on his door to deliver pizza and chicken wings.

But … it’s not all bad having a dragon for a neighbour.

Sometimes he’s good to have around because … 

 

Here's how a few kids chose to finish this story: 

… if you give him a free thing of KFC wings he will fly you to any place in the world that you want. And the best part… he is sooo fast that he only takes about five minutes to get anywhere. He is also good to have around because if your barbeque is not working and you don’t have a fire pit, then the dragon will cook your hotdogs for you! As long as you let him stay for supper. He always has something nice to say, and if you want to play Roblox he will lend his Roblox iPad to you anytime.

But his Roblox at night is still the most annoying thing that I have ever heard. He never stops playing, but I guess I don’t either!

-submitted by hockeydog17

…he tells funny jokes, and does silly things that always make us laugh. He’s really fun to hang out with because sometimes he lets us ride on his back while he’s flying, and we get the chance to see the beautiful sky as it sets and rises. He tries his best to protect us in any way he can even if it can be difficult.

The dragon’s presence can be a lot at times, but at other it can be very comforting to see a familiar face that can cheer you up.

Even thought having a dragon as a neighbor can be a lot, I’m really glad that he moved in to the apartment next door, and I hope he never moves out.

-submitted by bleuetbleu

 

4. Watch a video from a Canadian author or illustrator

Authors and illustrators from across Canada have created informational and inspirational workshop content in English and French. Learn about the magical beings of Haida Gwaii, make your own patchwork dragon, find out how you can become an aquanaut, and more!

5. Read this summer's most popular jokes 

What do you call a lost wolf? A where-wolf!  All summer long, kids have been writing and voting for their favourite jokes; read them all on our jokes page. 

6. Vote in the finals of the Battle of the Books

We're down to the finals in the popular 8-book Battle of the Books tournament. Kids can read both of the books online and then choose their favourite. Voting closes on August 26, 2022. 

Upside-Down Magic: Night Owl by Emily Jenkins, Sarah Mlynowski and Lauren Myracle

Read it now on the TDSRC site.

 

Whatever After: Good As Gold by Sarah Mlynowski

Read it now on the TDSRC site.

 

7. Attend a Summer Wonder program

Explore and discover new interests as a family with TPL's free Summer Wonder programs and activities. To find an upcoming program near you, visit the Summer Wonder page. Watch replays of online programs on our Crowdcast channel, and check out more activities in French, such as taking our French Reading Challenge!

8. Check out kid-approved books

One of the best ways to find some great reads for your child is to review other kids' favourites and add them to your list! Browse the kids' picks section of our website to see what kids across Canada are reading this summer.

 

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Which books or library activities got your family excited this summer? Share your Summer Wonder and TDSRC highlights in the comments!

Il n'est pas encore trop tard pour tenter ta chance!

Invitation lancée aux enfants : nous t'invitons à relever le Défi de lecture en français. S'inspirant du Club de lecture d'été TD, le Défi vise à encourager la lecture en français. Après avoir lu un livre, remplis ce formulaire pour avoir la chance de gagner un prix à la fin de l'été. Précisons que rien ne t'interdit d'y participer plusieurs fois cet été. Bonne lecture!

Nos programmes Summer Wonder en français se poursuivent jusqu'à la fin du mois. Viens découvrir de la musique et des histoires en personne ou regarde les rediffusions d'émissions sur notre chaîne Web Crowdcast. Monte à bord d'un autocar virtuel afin d'explorer la cuisine et l'histoire françaises.

De plus, il n'est pas trop tard pour participer au Club de lecture d'été TD. Inscris-toi en ligne ou passe par ta succursale locale pour prendre gratuitement ta trousse de lecture, qui comprend un carnet, des autocollants, un coin-coin et un code d'accès spécial pour ouvrir une session. En consultant le site Web du Club, tu pourras te livrer à un tas d'activités amusantes, don't échanger des blagues et de drôles d'histoires et regarder des vidéos où tu pourras regarder les auteurs et les illustrateurs à l'œuvre.

Voici notre liste d'ouvrages recommandés. De plus, dans notre Duel des livres, tu peux voter pour l'un des huit ouvrages suivants, tous signés par des écrivains canadiens :

 

It's Not Too Late to Go On a Summer Reading Adventure

Kids are invited to take our French Reading Challenge! Inspired by the TD Summer Reading Club, this challenge is designed to encourage and support reading in French. Read a book and fill out this form for a chance to win a prize pack at the end of the summer. Multiple entries are allowed, so happy reading!

Our French Summer Wonder programs continue throughout the month. Come discover music and storytelling in person, or watch online program replays on our Crowdcast channel. Join us on a virtual tour bus and explore French cuisine and history.

Plus, it's not too late to participate in the TD Summer Reading Club. Sign up online or by visiting your local library to pick up a free reading kit. It includes a notebook, stickers, fortune teller and a special online access code. Visit the Club website to share jokes and silly stories, watch videos featuring authors and illustrators, and more fun activities!

Check out these recommended reads! You can also vote in the Battle of the Books, which features these eight books by Canadian authors:

 

Arnold, le genre de super-héros par Heather Tekavec et Guillaume Perreault

Contrairement au reste de sa famille, Arnold n’est pas un super-héros. Mais un jour, il reçoit un appel auquel lui seul peut répondre. Lis-le tout de suite!

 

Éléalix: La cité disparue par Audrée Archambault

Au camp de vacances, Maëlla-Rose, Naomi et Juliette découvrent la mystérieuse légende d’une cité disparue, qui les mènera au cœur d’une sombre forêt. Lis-le tout de suite!

 

L'épouvantable histoire de l'ogresse qui ne mangeait que les enfants sages par Danielle Chaperon et Baptiste Amsallem

Une vilaine ogresse ne mange que les enfants sages. Que faire pour sauver les gentils chéris, sinon les transformer en pestes? Lis-le tout de suite!

 

Le géant qui sentait les petits pieds par Alain M. Bergeron et Pierre-Yves Cezard

Les habitants de la vallée du Talc sont aux prises avec un géant qui pue des pieds. Que faire pour se libérer des mauvaises odeurs? Lis-le tout de suite!

 

La légende de Paul Thibault par Annie Bacon et Sans Cravate

Paul Thibault est un coureur des bois au courage légendaire, qu’il lutte contre l’épinette à tentacules, le golem de feuilles ou le terrible siffleux. Lis-le tout de suite!

Nin auass / Moi l'enfant: Poèmes de la jeunesse innue par Joséphine Bacon, Laure Morali et Lydia Mestokosho-Paradis

Cette anthologie de poésie bilingue innu-aimun-français a été écrite par des enfants et des jeunes innus du Québec. Lis-le tout de suite!

 

Pinéshish, la pie bleue par Michel Noël et Camille Lavoie

Incapable de voler, Pinéshish la pie bleue doit trouver un refuge. Qui du bouleau, de l’érable ou du sapin lui offrira protection et sécurité? Lis-le tout de suite!

 

Toucania par Valérie Picard et Marianne Ferrer

Sur les traces de son grand-père, l'intrépide Amandine part à la découverte de la légendaire île de Toucania et de ses créatures étranges. Lis-le tout de suite!

Happy summer! We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections. Here are some picture books we are really excited about that will be hitting shelves soon! Read them with your child and log them using a free app called Beanstack. Earn badges, try fun challenges for all ages, and explore our Summer Wonder and TD Summer Reading Club programs.

The Boy Who Loved Maps by Kari Allen, illustrated by G. Brian Karas

A boy who is passionate about maps ,including those of faraway and imaginary places, is the local go-to person in his neighbourhood for making custom maps. One day he is approached by a girl who describes a place that for a time seems to elude his abilities.

 

Let’s Do Everything and Nothing by Julia Kuo

A mother's offer of lifelong companionship to her daughter, describing all the adventures they shall have to explore the world around them. Importantly, she makes a point to include all the lazing around and goofing off they can look forward to as well.

 

Lizzy and the Cloud by the Fan Brothers

In this latest surreal tale from the Fan brothers, Lizzie visits the cloud seller and instead of buying a spectacular cloud in the form of a bird or an octopus, she goes for an ordinary cloud whom she names Milo. She takes him everywhere and soon he gets bigger.

 

A Spoonful of Frogs by Casey Lyall, illustrated by Vera Brosgol

An influential witch has a syndicated cooking show and will show us how to make frog soup, but the unobliging frogs steal the show.

 

Time Capsule by Lauren Redniss

A great conversation starter! A girl decides to create a time capsule and fills it with various things from her life, both tangible and intangible. Simply told in a matter-of-fact narrative, it is deceptively engaging and prompts an appreciation for the fantastic.

 

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With the recent popularity of online games like Wordle and Spellie (which was made especially for kids by a dad from Vancouver) there seems to be a brighter spotlight shining on the world of words.

"Letter and Word Magnets" by Lyn Lomasi is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Of course, at Toronto Public Library, we've always had an appreciation for words. Not only do words in many different languages make up the books in our collection, but they are an important building block in getting kids ready for reading!

Three of our Ready for Reading skills feature words:

• Hearing words is all about listening for the smaller sounds in words, which will help children to sound out written words.
• Seeing words is about gaining familiarity with printed language, to help children feel comfortable with books and reading.
• Knowing words is about building a child's vocabulary so that they recognize written words and better understand what they read.

 

We have many books in our collection that celebrate the wonder of words. Whether they're being used to describe our country, play with poetry, or create a new collection, these books also shine a spotlight on wonderful words.

Three Little Words by Clemency Pearce, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw

 

Words by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert

 

Canada in Words by Per-Henrik Gürth

 

100 Words for Little Canadians by Pierre Lamelle

 

Moving Words About a Flower by K.C. Hayes, illustrated by Barbara Chotiner

 

Poem in my Pocket by Chris Tougas, illustrated by Josée Bisaillon

 

Max's Words by Kate Banks, illustrated by Boris Kulikov

 

The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds

 

Perhaps these books will inspire you and your children to play more with words or even start a word collection of your own. To help get these collections started, why not add your favourite word in the comments below?

Have you seen the first images from the James Webb Space Telescope? NASA unveiled the spectacular full-colour pictures on July 12. It’s difficult to describe the vast beauty and mystery of the universe, and how it makes us feel. Does gazing at cosmic cliffs fill you with curiosity and wonder? Maybe with some existential dread and melancholy in the mix? Amazed, excited, inspired?

Share these images at home and in the classroom to spark discussion and learning! Kids love asking questions about space. It’s also a popular topic with paren'ts, caregivers and educators because of all the STEM connections you can make. Astronomy books are one of most frequented sections in children’s nonfiction. We get lots of questions from kids on our Wonder Wall about black holes, extraterrestrial life, stars and solar systems.

Did you know the Mars rovers Curiosity and Perseverance were both named by kids who won essay contests? Clara Ma was 12 years old when she wrote:

Curiosity is an everlasting flame that burns in everyone’s mind. It makes me get out of bed in the morning and wonder what surprises life will throw at me that day. Curiosity is such a powerful force. Without it, we wouldn’t be who we are today. …Curiosity is the passion that drives us through our everyday lives. We have become explorers and scientists with our need to ask questions and to wonder. Sure, there are many risks and dangers, but despite that, we still continue to wonder and dream and create and hope. We have discovered so much about the world, but still so little. We will never know everything there is to know, but with our burning curiosity, we have learned so much.

 

The power of curiosity can'take you to incredible places! Mattea Roach is a Jeopardy! super champ who won 23 games earlier this year. She made history as the most successful Canadian to ever compete on the trivia quiz show. During an Ask Me Anything session on Reddit, she was asked what advice she would give to a kid.

My advice to kids who want to be on Jeopardy someday would be to find joy in learning new things and to have that joy of discovery be your primary motivation for learning, because then you’ll actually want to do it. The subjects I’m weak on on Jeopardy and in real life are all things that I’ve never personally found that much fun to learn about, so I’ve never bothered to read about them in any depth or retain information about them. By contrast, the things I do better on (like music and politics) are things that were first introduced to me in ways that I found fun and interesting, and so I’ve continued to enjoy learning more about those topics in more depth on my own.

 

Visit the library this summer and explore together as a family! You don’t have to be an astrophysicist to introduce your child to the wonders of space. Discover new facts and ideas about nature and science, history and technology. Children’s nonfiction books provide accessible introductions to various topics.

 

Everything & Everywhere: A Fact-Filled Adventure for Curious Globe-Trotters by Marc Martin

From Hong Kong to Reykjavík, Ulaanbaatar to New York City, embark on a trek around the world.

 

The How and Wow of the Human Body by Mindy Thomas, Guy Raz and Jack Teagle

A hilarious illustrated journey through the human body, from your tongue to your toes and everything in between.

 

In the Dark: The Science of What Happens at Night by Lisa Deresti Betik and Josh Holinaty

Why do we dream? How do bats use echolocation? What blooms in the moonlight? Why do stars twinkle? Find out what happens while we’re asleep! A 2022 Yellow Cedar Award nominee.

 

Looking Up: An Illustrated Guide to Telescopes by Jacob Kramer and Stephanie F. Scholz

All over the world, people have built fantastic structures for looking up into the sky. Discover different shapes and sizes of these monuments to curiosity and collaboration!

 

Myths and Legends of the World by Alli Brydon and Julia Iredale

Meet gods, goddesses, serpents, talking fish and clever spiders in 21 extraordinary stories from peoples and cultures around the globe. A TD Summer Reading Club recommended read.

 

Packing for Mars for Kids by Mary Roach

Blast off into a wormhole of strange, gross and delightful facts! How do astronauts go to the bathroom? What happens if you vomit in your helmet during a spacewalk? Can farts really be deadly in space?

 

Why Don’t Cars Run on Apple Juice? by Kira Vermond and Suharu Ogawa

What keeps the stars from falling from the sky? Why do metal boats float? Find the answers to more than 50 questions asked by kids.

 

You can also sign up for one of our Wonder Workshops this summer! These hands-on programs challenge kids to create solutions to real problems. Using design-thinking principles, participants can brainstorm, create and test a prototype. Check out the books which inspired these workshops!

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer and Elizabeth Zunon

William built a windmill out of scrap metal and old bicycle parts, bringing electricity to his home and changing his family’s lives. Learn about wind energy and sustainability and get inspired to design and build your own invention.

 

Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover by Markus Motum

Follow Curiosity’s journey from construction to touchdown! Take our Mars challenge and brainstorm ways to explore the Red Planet.

 

Me and Marvin Gardens by Amy Sarig King  

In this novel, Obe discovers a strange creature that only eats plastic. Delve into the book’s themes and devise a method of fighting plastic pollution.

 

Nibi’s Water Song by Sunshine Tenasco and Chief Lady Bird

Nibi is thirsty, but the water from her tap is brown. Her search for clean water inspires change and action, in this picture book that introduces an important topic to young readers.

 

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

Can a robot survive in the wilderness? Wall-E meets Hatchet in an action-packed sci-fi adventure. In the Wonder Workshop based on this novel, kids can learn about amazing adaptations, design their own creature and brainstorm creative solutions to survival challenges.

 

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No matter what kids are interested in, the library can be their portal to fun, learning and discovery. Our Summer Wonder programs run until September 3. We’d love to see what your family creates! Snap a photo of your tinkering and inventions and share it with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #TPLSummerWonder.

Track all the books you read this summer using a free app called Beanstack. Register your family by visiting tpl.ca/readingapp or by downloading the Beanstack Tracker app for your device. Complete challenges, earn badges and get more book recommendations to make kids curious about the world!

Did you know that July is Disability Pride Month? No? That's ok. It's still pretty new and not yet formally recognized like 2SLGBTQ+ Pride or specific cultural heritage events. But many disabled people around the world have chosen July to unapologetically celebrate our identities as disabled people.

Celebrating disability might seem odd to you, and there are parts of being disabled that are hard, but our disabilities are still an important part of who we are. For those that celebrate, Disability Pride Month is a chance for us to connect with other members of our community and to push back against ableist messaging that tells us that disabled people are a burden, pitiable victims or somehow less deserving of the respect and rights that many able-bodied people take for granted.

One way that we do that is by telling stories about disability. Specifically, happy stories. And that's what this blog post is all about: picture books featuring happy disabled kids. Most children's books about disability focus on teaching able-bodied kids about inclusion and difference. They're anti-bullying books. Or they teach about a specific type of disability. And those books are important. But it's also important for kids, disabled and able-bodied, to see disabled kids just getting to be kids. Having fun with their friends and family, going to school, playing in the park. Doing the things we see able-bodied kids in picture books do all the time. 

Here are six children's picture books that do exactly that. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

 

Dancing with Daddy by Anitra Rowe Schulte

This is the book that inspired me to write this blog post. It truly is a joyous book about a girl with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome who attends a father-daughter dance. Throughout the book, we see Elsie navigating the world in her wheelchair, eating a meal using a feeding tube and using picture communication symbols to talk to her family without speaking words. We also see Elsie smiling, laughing, making her own decisions and generally having a good time. And, of course, we see her dancing with her dad! 

 

Thukpa for All by Praba Ram and Sheela Preuitt

Tsering is excitedly heading home for some of his grandmother's thukpa, a delicious noodle soup. Along the way, he invites several of his friends and neighbours to join in their little unplanned community celebration. What's great about this book is that it shows how Tsering, a young blind person, independently travels throughout his community of Ladakh, near the western Himalayas. He is shown using his white cane, as well as non-visual cues, such as the sound of nearby water or the flapping of flags. I also really like that Tsering is clearly a valued member of his community and, while his tactile skills in the kitchen come in handy when the power goes out, there is no sense that he needed to prove himself or earn respect.

 

Juan has the Jitters! by Aneta Cruz

Tomorrow is the track and field day at Juan's school. Changes in his routine make him nervous so Juan is clapping his hands and sorting his toys to keep the jitters away. But then he finds out that his teacher has made the events about his favourite subjects: math! And he's asked Juan to be the judge, a role that is just right for him. This is a cute book about an autistic, neurodivergent child. There's a couple things that I really like about this book. First, Juan's "stimming" behaviours, like the clapping he does to focus and stay calm, are not treated as a problem or something to be corrected. Second, Juan's integrated into the class activities but is allowed to participate in a way that he's comfortable with. His teacher thought about Juan's needs in advance and found a way to make sure that Juan was included in the events without pushing his boundaries too much.

 

Ali and the Sea Stars by Ali Stroker

Ali Stroker is a Tony Award-winning Broadway star. Even as a kid, Ali was born to perform. In her new book, child Ali and her friends stage production of Peter Pan on the local beach. But what will happen when a storm rolls in on the day of the performance? A fun, celebratory book featuring a disabled kid who takes charge, has fun with her friends and learns to improvise when things don't go according to plan. Bonus points for showing how beaches and other rough surfaces can be made accessible by creating paved pathways.

 

My three best friends and me, Zulay by Cari Best

Introducing Zulay! She's a smart, happy girl who is about to discover a new love of running. This is another great book about the experience of a blind child. I love that Zulay has a group of close friends. I love that we see things she is good at, like math and running, and things that are a little harder for her, like drawing or remembering not to speak out during class. We also see that sometimes having a disability does actually make you a little different from other people, like when Zulay receives lessons on using her white cane. I especially love that Zulay doesn't have to fight for the chance to participate in the track and field day. She isn't excluded and she isn't told that she needs to overcome her disability in order to be a runner. She just needs to learn to run on the track in a way that is safe for her. 

 

Just Because by Rebecca Elliot

This is an adorable story about a child named Toby who loves his big sister, Clemmie. There are lots of things that Toby doesn't know, like why certain things make him laugh or why Clemmie's hair is so curly. His answer: "Just Because." He also doesn't know why Clemmie can't walk or talk, but he's not bothered. His answer, again: "Just Because." Clemmie is his sister and they have fun together. That's all that matters to Toby. I love seeing this matter-of-fact approach towards disability, especially in children's books, because kids don't think a disability is weird or bad or sad until they get that message from adults. So let's not send that message. This book also gets bonus points because there's a version in American Sign Language available as an e-video. 

 

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For more children's book featuring respectful disability representation, check our our Disability: Read Up On It! booklist.

For more stories and rhymes in American Sign Language, check out our Stories in Sign Language collection.

Find more information about our accessible services, equipment and collections by visiting our Accessibility page.

The TD Summer Reading Club (TDSRC) has launched for another summer! Families can visit a Toronto Public Library branch to pick up their free reading kit, which will help motivate kids to read all summer long. Learn more at tpl.ca/readingclub.

Kids can also participate online on our Club website. The website features many fun reading-related activities, including the return of the popular Battle of the Books!

 

The Battle of the Books is an 8-book tournament where two books compete for kids' votes each week. At the end of the summer, one book will be crowned as the champion. Here's the full 2022 tournament bracket: 

 

All of the books in the tournament are available as ebooks on the Club website, so kids can read the books and then vote for their favourite. The Battle of the Books features these eight books by Canadian authors:  

 

The Origin of Day and Night by Paula Ikuutaq Rumbolt and Lenny Lishchenko. Read it now on the TDSRC website.

 

Haunted Canada 10: More Scary True Stories by Joel Sutherland and Mark Savona. Read it now on the TDSRC website.

 

Upside-Down Magic: Night Owl by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins. Read it now on the TDSRC website.

 

The Orphan & the Giant by Neil Christopher and Jim Nelson. Read it now on the TDSRC website.

 

The Crosswood by Gabrielle Prendergast. Read it now on the TDSRC website.

 

Whatever After: Good as Gold by Sarah Mlynowski. Read it now on the TDSRC website.

 

Tales from Beyond the Brain by Jeff Szpirglas and Steven P. Hughes. Read it now on the TDSRC website.

 

We Learn from the Sun by David Bouchard and Kristy Cameron. Read it now on the TDSRC website.

 

There is also a French version of the Battle of the Books available on the Club website, the Duel des livres. Which book will win? It's up to young readers across the country to decide! Sign up for the Club and cast your vote every week.

Looking for more summer fun for kids and families? Get the Beanstack reading app and explore our free Summer Wonder programs and activities.

Happy summer! We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections. Here are some picture books we are really excited about that will be hitting shelves soon! Read them with your child and log them using a free app called Beanstack. Earn badges, try fun challenges for all ages, and explore our Summer Wonder and TD Summer Reading Club programs.

 

A Dress with Pockets by Lily Murray, illustrated by Jenny Løvlie (ages 2-5)

Some dresses are frilly and lacy, stripy or silly, sun dresses or fun dresses. Lucy knows that the best dresses are the ones that have pockets!

 

Ice Cream Face by Heidi Woodward Sheffield (ages 3-5)

An "ice cream kid" thinks every meal should be ice cream (I happen to agree), but waiting in line at the ice cream parlor is hard. A delicious ode to a summer treat!

 

The Sublime Ms. Stacks by Robb Pearlman, illustrated by Dani Jones (ages 3-7)

Mr. Stephens is a great librarian, but when it comes to story time and craft time, things are a bit boring. That is until Mr. Stephens mysteriously disappears and substitute librarian Ms. Stacks arrives and shakes things up!

 

My Lala by Thomas King, illustrated by Charlene Chua (ages 3-7)

Lala is a confident toddler who wakes up one morning and decides she owns everything in the world. She claims everything with a red dot, her Lala Dots!

 

Don't Eat Bees: Life Lessons from Chip the Dog by Dev Petty, illustrated by Mike Boldt (ages 3-7)

Chip the dog knows things, and has some advice on living your best life. Like the difference between what to eat (the fancy stuff humans cooked for dinner) and what not to eat (bees). But will Chip follow his own advice?

 

Posted on behalf of Margaret, Children's Selection Team.

 

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Crunch on a carrot! Take a bite of some bok choy! Or nibble on some new potatoes because June 17 is Eat Your Vegetables Day!

And while you're enjoying a delicious and nutritious plate of produce, why not pick up one of these fun veggie-themed picture books so that you can read what you eat?

 

1 Big Salad: A Delicious Counting Book by Juana Medina 

 

Alien Tomato by Kristen Schroeder ; illustrated by Mette Engell

 

Goodnight, Veggies by Diana Murray; illustrated by Zachariah OHora

 

LMNOPeas by Keith Baker

 

LMNOPea-quel by Keith Baker

There are more concept-based adventures with these little green peas as they teach readers about numbers (1-2-3 Peas), colours (Little Green Peas: A Big Book of Colors), and the months of the year (Hap-pea All Year).

 

PAR-TAY!: Dance of the Veggies (and their Friends) by Eloise Greenfield; illustrated by Don Tate

 

Piranahs Don't Eat Bananas by Aaron Blabey

(We promise that this one has veggies in it too!)

 

Vegetables in Underwear by Jared Chapman

These veggies get festive in the book Vegetables in Holiday Underwear and the author/illustrator even celebrates fruit in the companion book Fruits in Suits. (Though surprisingly I couldn't find any information about an Eat Your Fruit Day.)

 

Of course you can always celebrate Eat Your Vegetables Day by learning about legumes in one of our many non-fiction books about vegetables.

The Vegetables We Eat by Gail Gibbons 

 

Let us know in the comments which variety of vegetables are your favourite! Will you be feasting on some fiddleheads, chewing cauliflower, or devouring daikon on June 17?

Oh and don't forget…every day is a good day to eat (or read) your vegetables! 😉

We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections. Here are some of the latest picture books, perfect for Pride Month, that celebrate families and people across the rainbow spectrum. Additionally, all are available in an electronic format.

Calvin by JR & Vanessa Ford, illustrated by Kayla Harren (ages 4-8)

When Calvin tells his paren'ts that he's a boy even though the world sees him as a girl, they help him look and feel like the boy he's always known himself to be, with new clothing and a haircut. When the first day of school arrives, Calvin is worried about how he'll be treated, but his friends and teachers welcome Calvin with kindness, support and respect.

 

Cinderelliot: A Scrumptious Fairytale by Mark Ceilley & Rachel Smoka-Richardson, illustrated by Stephanie Laberis (ages 4-7)

In this queer retelling of the classic fairy tale, baker extraordinaire Cinderelliot wants to enter a competition for a new royal baker. But his stepsiblings plan to pass off his sweet creations as their own. After some assistance from a fabulous fairy godfather, Cinderelliot's chocolate cake catches the eye of Prince Samuel. Upon Cinderelliot's hasty exit, the prince searches the kingdom to find not just his baker but also his new husband.

 

If You're a Drag Queen and You Know It by Lil Hot Mess, illustrated by Olga de Dios (ages 3-5) 

A troupe of diverse drag queens in colourful costumes gives the classic song "If You're Happy and You Know It" a fabulous twist. From striking a pose to laughing real big, this book embraces the playfulness of drag culture and encourages kids to sing, dance and be their brightest and boldest selves.

 

Patience, Patches by Christy Mihaly, illustrated by Sheryl Murray (ages 1-5) 

Patches is very good at being a patient pup, especially on the day when his moms step out and promise to be back soon. When they return with a new baby, Patches adjusts to life with the addition to the household and teaches the baby to be patient, just like him.

 

'Twas the Night Before Pride y Joanna McClintick, illustrated by Juana Medina (ages 4-8)

On the night before Pride, everyone is preparing for the big celebration, including a family of two moms, a boy and his younger brother. Modeled after the classic poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, this book gently highlights the history and importance of Pride, honours the dazzling diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and reaffirms that the best thing about Pride is getting to be yourself.

Posted on behalf of Scott, Children's Selection Team and Juvenile Pride Collection selector.

 

More Ways to Celebrate Pride

• Check out our Reading with Pride booklist for more children's books celebrating diverse families and encouraging self-expression 
• Tune in live for our online Rainbow Storytime on June 14 and Drag Storytime with Gila Münster on June 25
• Watch our Rainbow Storytime videos on YouTube
• Visit tpl.ca/pride for programs and recommended reads for all ages

 

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This year, from May 29 to June 4, the Toronto Public Library is celebrating National AccessAbility Week. NAAW is a week to celebrate Canadians with disabilities and raise awareness of the importance of accessibility and inclusion for all in our communities.

National AccessAbility Week was founded in 1988 and was inspired by Rick Hansen who, in 1987, completed his Man in Motion World Tour where he travelled around the world in his wheelchair. His trip took him 26 months, during which he visited 34 countries and travelled 40,000 kilometres to raise awareness about inclusivity for people with disabilities, as well as raise money to help find a cure for paralysis. Rick is also the Founder of the Rick Hansen Foundation. His foundation supports and advocates for people with disabilities.

So, what is accessibility? Accessibility is the commitment to removing and preventing barriers for people with disabilities in the design of products, devices, services and spaces. An example could be building a ramp instead of stairs, using a microphone so everyone can hear what you are saying, or designing a quiet space for someone to go when they are feeling overstimulated. People with disabilities need things to be accessible so they can participate in an activity or complete a task. When we think about accessibility from the start, we are doing our part to ensure inclusion is possible for everyone.

Red Shirt Day is the Wednesday of National AccessAbility Week, and it takes place on June 1 this year. We wear red shirts on this day to be united in showing support for people with disabilities and their families. It is also a time for people to make a commitment to helping create a fully accessible and inclusive society for all. It's important to remember that while we celebrate National AccessAbility Week and Red Shirt Day once a year, the commitment we make is year-round and life-long.

 

Here are some recommended reads for kids in celebration of National AccessAbility Week and Red Shirt Day:

 

A Sky Blue Bench by Bahram Rahman, illustrated by Peggy Collins

When an accident leaves Aria with a prosthetic leg, she can no longer comfortably sit on the furniture or the floor at her school. She decides to build a bench for herself, inspiring all of her classmates that they can do anything they put their minds to.

 

I Will Dance by Nancy Bo Flood, illustrated by Julianna Swaney

Eve feels that her cerebral palsy and wheelchair will never allow her to dance, no matter how much she wants to. That is until her mom finds a dance class for all abilities, and all of Eve's dreams of dancing come true.

 

Can Bears Ski? by Raymond Antrobus, illustrated by Polly Dunbar

Bear doesn't mean to ignore his dad or miss saying hello back to a friend. Often, he just doesn't hear them at all, or only hears them asking, "Can bears ski?" When his dad takes him to an audiologist, Bear learns that he is experiencing hearing loss and will need to start wearing hearing aids. Adjusting to his hearing aids is not always easy, but with the help of his dad, Bear will persevere!

 

I Love Vincent by Laura Ljungkvist

A lovely story told from the perspective of Scout, a seeing-eye dog who has graduated from a special training school and has been paired with a man named Vincent who is blind. They take very good care of each other everyday and make the perfect team!

 

The Secret Code by Dana Meachen Rau, illustrated by Bari Weissman

Oscar is blind and reads Braille. At school, he starts to teach his friend to read Braille. Soon, Oscar is inspiring his whole class to learn to read Braille, too.

 

My Friend Uses Leg Braces by Kaitlyn Duling 

A non-fiction book about children who use leg braces and other mobility aids. A great book for beginner readers with a picture glossary at the end. This book is part of the All Kinds of Friends series.

 

We Move Together by Kelly Fritsch and Anne McGuire, illustrated by Eduardo Trejos

This book celebrates differences and explores how people of different abilities navigate their everyday lives. The book is an excellent resource for families and teachers to start discussions about disability and accessibility with children.

 

Lucas at the Paralympics by Igor Plohl, illustrated by Urška Stropnik Šonc

An inspiring and informative book about a lion named Lucas who attends the Summer Paralympics. While there, he gets to watch world-class athletes with disabilities compete in a wide range of sports.

 

Roll On: Rick Hansen Wheels Around the World by Ainslie Mason, illustrated by Ron Lightburn

Learn about Rick Hansen and his incredible Man in Motion World Tour! He travelled around the world in his wheelchair to raise awareness about inclusivity for people with disabilities, as well as raise money to help find a cure for paralysis.

 

I Am Not a Label by Cerrie Burnell, illustrated by Lauren Baldo

This illustrated non-fiction book highlights biographies of 34 disabled artists, thinkers, athletes and activists from past and present day.

 

The Chance to Fly by Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz

Nat Beacon loves musicals, but she has never been in a musical or seen an actor who uses a wheelchair be on a musical theatre stage. When her family moves to New Jersey, she finds a casting call for a kids' production of Wicked. As Nat also uses a wheelchair, she wonders if someone would ever cast her in this production.

 

El Deafo by Cece Bell

This funny, award-winning graphic novel is a loose autobiographical account of author Cece Bell, who experienced hearing loss at a young age and now uses hearing aids, known as her "Phonic Ears." Cece is worried about fitting in at school but soon finds her place in the world and some new friends along the way.

 

Accessibility at Toronto Public Library

• For more recommended reads, check out our Disability: Read Up on It! booklist.
• Learn more about visiting the library by reading My Visit to Toronto Public Library: A Social Story for Everyone, available in multiple formats including video, audio and eBraille.
• Find more information about our accessible services, equipment and collections by visiting our Accessibility page.

Do you have any feedback about how we can make the library more accessible? If so, please contact us at accessibleservices@tpl.ca or 416-393-7099.

 

Edited May 30, 2022: clarified definition of accessibility in third paragraph.

If you like milk then please say Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

June 1 is World Milk Day. Created in 2001 by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, it's a day to recognize the importance of milk. Milk is a global food and the dairy industry employs many people around the world. 

That's a very official type of honouring, but I'm also imagining a cookie and dunking it in milk! So if you like milk, like I do, then you and your family may like to know more about where milk comes from, about cows and also about life on a farm. 

 

The Cow that Laid an Egg by Andy Cutbill and Russell Ayto

Marjorie the cow doesn't feel very special. She can't ride bicycles or do cartwheels like the other cows. But one morning, Marjorie is astonished to discover something extraordinary… she's laid an egg! A hilarious farmyard story about having the courage of one's convictions, even when others doubt you.

 

Can Hens Give Milk? by Joan Betty Stuchner and Joe Weissmann

On a small farm in Chelm, a man and his daughter set out to find a way to get milk from their hens, and the results are not only funny, but they're also wacky!

 

I am Cow, Hear Me Moo! by Jill Esbaum and Gus Gordon

While showing her timid gal pals the wonders of the woods, brave Nadine the cow discovers that she is not entirely fearless.

 

The Milkman's Boy by Donald Hall and Greg Shed

A portrait of life at the Graves Family Dairy, where three horses pulled the wagons delivering milk to families in the years before trucks and shopping centers replaced them.

 

I'll Love You Till the Cows Come Home by Kathryn Cristaldi and Kristyna Litten

This great read-aloud extends the saying to the humourous extreme. Along the way, there are yaks in Cadillacs, sheep setting sail, frogs on big-wheeled bikes, and more!

 

Moo, Moo Brown Cow! Have You Any Milk? by Phillis Gershator and Giselle Potter

Through rhyming text, farm animals are asked if they have items needed to prepare for a snack and bedtime, such as wool for a blanket, down for a pillow, and milk to drink.

 

Cow by Katie Dicker

Fun facts and illustrations teach readers about the life of a cow and show different breeds from around the world. Check out more nonfiction books on cows!

 

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type  by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin

When Farmer Brown's cows find a typewriter in the barn they start making demands and go on strike when the farmer refuses to give them what they want.

 

Sleep Tight Farm: A Farm Prepares for Winter by Eugenie Doyle and Becca Stadtlander

It is December, and there are many things for the family to do around the farm to get it ready for winter.

 

On a Farm by Alexa Andrews

Horses live on a farm. Apples grow on a farm. A tractor drives on a farm. What else might you find on a farm? Read along and look at the photographs to find out!

 

DVDs

The Satellite Girl and Milk Cow

An out-of-commission satellite picks up a lovelorn ballad on her radio antenna and descends to Earth to find the source of such sincere emotions. But on the way, she is caught in a raging magical battle and transforms into Satellite Girl! Meanwhile, the balladeer in question meets the fate that befalls all broken-hearted lovers: he is turned into a farm animal.

 

Storytime at Home Youtube Videos 

You might also like some of our online storytimes featuring farm and animal themes:

 

Rooster Wore Skinny Jeans

 

Spots, Feathers and Curly Tails

 

The Greedy Goat

Paren'ts and teens may be interested in some of these adult level titles:

• Milk Cow Kitchen
• Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life
• Why Cows Need Names: And More Secrets of Amish Farms
• Growing Tomorrow: A Farm-to-Table Journey in Photos and Recipes: Behind the Scenes with 18 Extraordinary Sustainable Farmers Who Are Changing the Way We Eat

 

Happy World Milk Day! How will you and your family celebrate?

Have you ever wanted to share your favourite movie or TV show with your kids, but you were afraid that it wasn't age appropriate or that they were too young to really appreciate it? Well, maybe you can't show it to them, but thanks to these books, you can read it with them!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Jason Rekulak and illustrated by Kim Smith, based on the series created by Joss Whedon

 

In recent years, many ultra-popular films and shows have been reimagined as children's literature. Picture books based on some fan favourites have been created as both individual titles and part of the Pop Classics series. This makes these pieces of pop culture more accessible to children. And they give fandoms (people who are united by their love of a particular fictional world) a new way to enjoy their favourites.

The books based on films are usually basic retellings of the stories. They stay pretty true to the original plot, although sometimes plot points are removed or simplified to make the stories more kid-friendly.

On the other hand, picture books based on TV shows often contain newly created stories. Instead of recounting one or two episodes, the writers put the characters in new (although sometimes vaguely familiar) situations. Quite often, the characters are also reimagined as children. This can help the younger reader relate to them. Plus their fans, both young and old, can see beloved characters in a whole new way.

In a picture book, images and words work hand-in-hand to tell the story. In a pop culture picture book, they also celebrate the characters and original stories that inspired their creation.

The illustrations in these books are fantastic! They contain so many Easter eggs, hidden references to classic lines and cherished characters. So while some readers can just laugh at the book's silly stories, others can delight in finding all of the inside jokes. For fans, it's like playing a game of "Where's Waldo?" (or should that be "Find Smelly Cat"?).

Here are some of the pop culture picture books that we currently have at TPL:

 

Movies

Back to the Future by Kim Smith; based on the film written by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale and directed by Zemeckis

 

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial: The Classic Illustrated Storybook adapted by Jim K. Thomas and illustrated by Kim Smith; based on the film written by Melissa Mathison and directed by Steven Speilberg

 

Home Alone: The Classic Illustrated Storybook adapted by Jason Rekulak, Rick Chillot, and Blair Thornburgh and illustrated by Kim Smith; based on the film written by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus

 

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York by Rebecca Gyllenhaal and illustrated by Kim Smith; based on the film written by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus

 

The Karate Kid adapted by Rebecca Gyllenhaal and illustrated by Kim Smith; based on the film written by Robert Mark Kamen and directed by John G. Avildsen

 

TV Shows

Doctor Who: The Runaway Tardis adapted by Rebecca Gyllenhaal and illustrated by Kim Smith

 

Life is Better with Friends by Micol Ostow

 

The Office: A Day in the Life of Dunder Mifflin Elementary by Robb Pearlman and illustrated by Melanie Demmer

 

Parks and Recreation: Leslie for Class President! by Robb Pearlman and illustrated by Melanie Demmer

 

The X-files: Earth Children are Weird by Jason Rekulak and illustrated by Kim Smith

 

Now that you know that there's a new way to "read the screen," which pop culture picture book are you going to read first?

If you are a big pop culture fan like I am, check out our You Oughta Be in Picture Books: Celebrity Authors post to find some books written by the stars!

We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections. Here are some picture books we are really excited about that will be hitting shelves soon. Additionally, all are available in an electronic format.

 

The Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López (ages 5-8)

Stuck inside with nothing to do, Grandma encourages imaginative play, learning to fly and to be resilient just like their ancestors before them.

 

I Love You Like Yellow by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by Vashti Harrison (ages 4-8)

This rhyming picture book is a love note to any child, celebrating the simple pleasures of everyday life. From being caught in the rain, to sipping lemonade on a hot day – cherish every moment.

 

Daddy Speaks Love by Leah Henderson, illustrated by Earl B. Lewis (ages 4-8)

A powerful celebration of all things fatherhood! Daddy speaks love, learning, heroes, future, and pride. Daddy is strong, loving, fun, resilient and always a role model.

 

Moving Words about a Flower by K.C. Hayes, illustrated by Barbara Chotiner (ages 3-7)

Written as a concrete poem, a small dandelion survives in the middle of a busy city sidewalk. The dandelion is plucked from the ground and saved, watch as the words come to life on each page of the book.

 

Smitten with Kittens by Florence Friedmann Minor, illustrated by Wendell Minor (ages 3-7)

Are you smitten with kittens? A simple, rhyming story all about the fun mischief kittens can get into.

 

Posted on behalf of Jesse, Children's Selection Team.

 

Previous Posts from this Year

• January
• February              
• March
• April

 

Get ready, Toronto, because it's that time of year! The Leafs are in the playoffs and our dreams of the Stanley Cup are alive once again.

Kids are lucky because they don't have as many memories of the Leafs' playoffs history as we do. But let's not spoil it for them because it's fun to beLEAF! And you never know, this could be the year…

To help get them (and us!) in the playoffs spirit, here are some fun books about the Leafs, hockey, and the Stanley Cup.

S is for the Stanley Cup: A Hockey Championship Alphabet by Mike Ulmer, illustrated by Chris Lyons

Fun fact: in 1924, several members of the Montreal Canadiens took a road trip with Stanley and left it on the side of the road. (The Leafs would never have done that!) Read about this, plus other strange and interesting facts in Stanley Cup history.

 

Auston Matthews: Hockey Superstar by Ryan Williamson

With the season he's had, I imagine Auston Matthews is most kids' favourite player. But don't worry if your child prefers Mitch Marner or John Tavares, because there are books about them, too.

 

1,2,3 Cheers for the Toronto Maple Leafs! by Matt Napier, illustrated by Melanie Rose

Published in 2016, this is a bit outdated in places. Still, families will enjoy filling in the missing facts themselves. (Remind me again, how many Leafs have scored 50 goals in a season? Say it louder for those in the back!)

• Diehard fans should also check out M is for Maple Leafs.

 

I Spy with My Little Eye: Hockey by David Milne, text by Matt Napier

Kids love to search and find books! This one challenges the reader to spot small differences between photos, with fun rhymes to help them along.

 

The Night Before Playoffs by Stella Partheniou Grasso, illustrated by Paula Becker

Kids will love this fun twist on the holiday classic. Read it before bed, and they will have visions of hockey pucks dancing in their heads.

 

Breaking the Ice: The True Story of the First Woman to Play in the National Hockey League by Angie Bullaro, illustrated by C.F. Payne

Many fans are hoping and waiting for a professional women's league in North America. This story of the amazing Manon Rhéaume shows that women hockey players are just as fun to watch as men.

• Read this alongside Meet Willie O'Ree, a biography of another hockey trailblazer, the first Black player in the NHL. 

 

The Ice Chips and the Magical Rink by Roy and Kerry MacGregor, illustrated by Kim Smith

Emerging readers appreciate books about things they care about. This first in a series of Early Readers about time-traveling hockey players is sure to satisfy kids transitioning to chapter books.

• For beginning readers, look for the I Can Read Hockey Stories.

 

Hockey Night in Kenya by Danson Mutinda & Eric Walters; Illustrated by Claudia Dávila

Possibly inspired by Kenya's real life men's ice hockey team, this hopeful story is about two orphans discovering the sport for the first time. It is currently a nominee for the Silver Birch Express Award, which recognizes books for kids in Grades 3-4.

 

Hockey Super Six: The Puck Drops Here by Kevin Sylvester 

This is the first in a series of hockey themed chapter books with illustrations. It's goofy and full of hockey action, so should be very appealing. Look for the series in either print or eBook.

• This series is also available in French. 

 

Kate's Really Good at Hockey by Christina Frey and Howard Shapiro, illustrated by Jade Gonzalez 

Graphic novels are one of the best ways to get reluctant readers into books. This one tells a great story with appealing illustrations while delivering a powerful message about girls and women in sport. 

• Another fun graphic novel is Planet Hockey: First Star of the Game by J. Torres.

 

So, do you think this will be the year the Leafs bring the cup home? Leave your predictions in the comments. Go Leafs, Go!

Also, if your kids love the Raptors, check out this post.

It's happening, sports fans! Despite the naysayers, the Raptors are in the playoffs. I have to say, I'm not surprised. Even without any big names like Kawhi or Kyle, this team is phenomenal.

I don't know about you, but as a paren't, I would like to request that we don't face any west coast teams. The games go so late, and you know the kids will want to stay up to watch. (Let's go Memphis?)

We adults may not have grown up with the Raptors, but there's no denying their influence on kids. So in honour of the playoffs, let's share with them all things Raptors and NBA with these titles.

Toronto Raptors by Jim Gigliotti

The Raptors are one of the newest teams in the NBA. Read all about their history, and more.

 

Toronto Raptors All-Time Greats by Brendan Flynn

Is Kyle Lowry the GROAT (Greatest Raptor of All Time)? Read this and decide for yourself. I can’t wait for the updated version in a few years, which will surely include the likes of Gary Trent Jr. and Scottie Barnes.

 

2019 NBA Champions: Toronto Raptors (DVD)

If reliving the glory of 2019 doesn’t get you in the mood for playoff basketball, nothing will.

 

Rappy the Raptor by Dan Gutman, illustrated by Tim Bowers

Okay, this is a joke, but this book about a raptor who raps is too cute to resist! 

 

NBA and WNBA Finals: Basketball’s Biggest Playoffs by Matt Scheff

Read about some of the most exciting moments in finals history, including when Kawhi sealed the deal for the Raps in 2019. I just love that it gives the WNBA equal coverage because women can ball, too.

 

5-Minute Basketball Stories by Sarah Howden; Illustrated by Nick Craine

Did you know that when Kevin Durant was a kid, he dreamed of playing for the Raptors just like his idol, Vince Carter? It’s not too late, Kevin! Each of these true stories can be read in about 5 minutes, perfect for a post-game read-aloud.

 

Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball by John Coy, illustrated by Joe Morse

Discover how a Canadian gym teacher invented the game of basketball in 1891. For another interesting book about basketball history, check out Hardcourt: Stories from 75 Years of the National Basketball Association.

 

We Are Family by LeBron James and Andrea Williams

Superstar baller and children’s author, what can’t LeBron James do? This middle-grade novel is the perfect antidote for any of the King's fans who may be missing their favourite player this post-season.

 

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile

Older kids who enjoy graphic novels will love this version of Alexander's popular novel-in-verse about twin basketball stars.

 

Jurassic Park (DVD)

This is another joke! No seriously, I saw this as a kid and it was very scary. Let's just stick to basketball.

 

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So, do you think they can do it again? Let's hear your playoff predictions in the comments. Just remember not to stay up too late, and Go Raptors!

We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections. Here are some picture books we are really excited about that will be hitting shelves soon. Additionally, most are available as eBooks.

Fly by Brittany J. Thurman and Anna Cunha (ages 4-8)  

Africa is a confident little girl who wants to show the world what she is made of. She does so by entering a double Dutch jump rope competition without knowing how to double Dutch. With a lot of determination and the help of friends, Africa teaches us that if you believe it, you can achieve it!   

 

Hush, Little Trucker by Kim Norman and Toshiki Nakamura (ages 3-6) 

A sweet bedtime story that is a rendition of the familiar tune "Hush, Little Baby." The story begins with a young boy who is upset because he lost his toy truck in the snow. The boy's mother helps him search for the missing truck by driving many different construction vehicles.  

 

Wombat Underground: A Wildfire Survival Story by Sarah L. Thomson and Charles Santoso (ages 4-8) 

Loud thunder wakes up Wombat, who was sound asleep in his cozy cave. Wombat shuffles out of his hole and sees animals trying to flee from the blazing forest fire. At first, Wombat is protective of his home and defends his cave, but then he chooses to help instead and leads the animals to safety inside his home.  

 

Crocodile Hungry by Eija Sumner and John Martz (ages 3-7) 

A hilarious story about a hungry crocodile looking for something yummy to eat. Unfortunately, everywhere Crocodile goes, everyone is scared away. After crying a pond of crocodile tears, Crocodile attracts a flock of pink flamingos and his hunger problem is solved, but not in the way you think.  

 

Your Birthday was the Best! by Maggie Hutchings and Felicita Sala (ages 3-6) 

A happy little cockroach has the best time of his life when he crashes a children's birthday party. From the fun birthday festivities to ending up in the bottom of a garbage can, this adorable cockroach remains positive throughout his adventure.    

 

Posted on behalf of Edna, Children's Selection Committee.

Previous Posts from this Year

• January
• February              
• March

 

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.

These are the colours of a rainbow. And they are also some of the colours commonly found in a box of crayons. So go and grab yourselves a box of waxy colours and celebrate Crayon Day on March 31!

Crayons in Picture Books

Authors and illustrators have been celebrating crayons for years, especially in picture books. Here are a few of our favourites including some old and new classics with stories of crayons who are always colourful, sometimes heroic, and true to their wonderful selves.

Pete the Cat: Crayons Rock! by Kimberly Dean and James Dean (ages 4-6)

 

Monsters Love Colors by Mike Austin (ages 3-6)

 

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson (ages 3-5)

 

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt; illustrated by Oliver Jeffers (ages 5-8)

 

The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt; illustrated by Oliver Jeffers (ages 5-8)

 

How the Crayons Saved the School by Monica Sweeney; illustrated by Wendy Leach (ages 4-7)

 

Gurple and Preen by Linda Sue Park; illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi (ages 4-7)

 

The Crayon Box That Talked by Shane DeRolf; illustrated by Michael Letzig (ages 3-5)

 

Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall (ages 4-8)

 

Crayons Create Art… and Science!

Another wonderful way to celebrate Crayon Day is to use your crayons to create some wonderful works of art. 

Crayons are a great thing for colouring sheets, of course! Check out our colouring pages featuring Ontario history. And of course they can be used to draw and colour your own pictures, too. But did you know that there are so many more ways to make art using crayons?

Instead of just drawing with the tip, you could take off the wrapper and roll the whole crayon down your paper. Or, if you are old enough to use scissors on your own, you could carefully shave off some of the crayon wax. Then you can press the shavings onto paper and create cool designs. Some art is even made by melting bits of broken crayon with a hairdryer or between two pieces of wax paper – but kids should always get a grown-up to help them with this type of art project. 

And the uses for broken crayons don't stop there (just ask illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi!). They can also be used to make your own "mega-crayons" or a crafty science project. 

Cool Crayons, Chalks & Paints by Rebecca Felix (ages 8-12)

 

Crayola Fun Science Crafts by Rebecca Felix (ages 8-12)

 

Crayons are a Wonder

A TPL Kids visitor once wondered "How are crayons made?" on our virtual Wonder Wall and so I answered that question.

If you want to celebrate Crayon Day by learning more about their history, you could read about Edwin Binney, the Crayon Man, and the story of how Crayola crayons were invented.

The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons by Natascha Biebow; illustrated by Steven Salerno (ages 8-12)

Of course, Crayola isn't the only company that manufactures crayons, but they are the most famous one. Their website even has a way to help you find your favourite (Crayola) colour.

 

Which is your favourite crayon? Mine is "Flamingo Pink"! And if you could create your own crayon, what colour would it be and what would you call it? I would make a bright, bold pink one and call it "Fuchsia Flamingo." (…I really like flamingos!)

How will you celebrate Crayon Day? Whatever you and your family do, I'm sure that it will add a lot more colour to the world… and that's always a cause for celebration!

If you're looking for something to celebrate this spring, then get ready for International Children's Book Day (ICBD), which takes place on April 2!

This annual event, sponsored by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), aims to inspire a love of reading in young people and promote the importance of children's books. First launched in 1967, ICBD is celebrated on or around Hans Christian Andersen's birthday (April 2).

Each year, a different National Section of IBBY is selected to be the international sponsor of ICBD and the 2022 sponsor is IBBY Canada! A week of special activities in celebration of this year's event begins on March 25 and continues until April 2.

The theme for ICBD 2022 is "Stories are wings that help you soar every day," written by celebrated author Richard Van Camp. These words are featured on a poster (PDF 4.9 MB) IBBY Canada has produced in collaboration with Van Camp and author-illustrator Julie Flett.

Celebrate ICBD with your family! Read any of these wonderful titles by Richard Van Camp and Julie Flett:

Birdsong by Julie Flett (ages 4-8)

When Katherena and her mother move to a small town, Katherena feels lonely and out of place. But her world starts to change when she meets Agnes, an elderly artist who lives next door.

 

Little You by Richard Van Camp, illustrated by Julie Flett (ages birth to 3)

This board book celebrates the joy babies bring into the world.

 

May We Have Enough to Share by Richard Van Camp (ages birth to 3)

A beautiful board book about gratitude, complemented by photos from tea&bannock, a collective blog by Indigenous women photographers.

 

On the Trapline by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Julie Flett (ages 4-8)

A boy and Moshom, his grandpa, take a trip together to visit a place of great meaning to Moshom.

 

We Sang You Home by Richard Van Camp, illustrated by Julie Flett (ages birth to 4)

A celebration of the bond between paren't and child, this is the perfect song to share with your little ones.

 

Welcome Song For Baby by Richard Van Camp (ages birth to 2)

A lyrical lullaby for newborns. Complemented with stunning photographs, this evocative board book is perfectly suited as a first book for every baby.

 

Wild Berries by Julie Flett (ages 4-8)

Clarence and his grandmother pick wild blueberries and meet ant, spider, and fox in a beautiful woodland landscape.

 

Read Indigenous

For a selection of more of the best books for kids by Indigenous writers and illustrators, you can check out:

• Read Indigenous: Books for Kids, our reading list for children of all ages
• OverDrive Kids offers a collection of Indigenous ebooks, including picture books, beginner readers and chapter books for older children
• IBBY Canada's fabulous picture book list of 125 recommended Indigenous reads, which includes detailed annotations
• The International Children’s Book Day Activity Kit (PDF 5.4 MB) available in English and French. There is a great selection of fun activities that you can do together as a family!

 

IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities

Did you know that the IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities is located at North York Central Library? This collection has outstanding examples of books for and about young people with disabilities. It aims to promote disability awareness and encourage publication of books designed for young people who have disabilities. The collection includes specialized formats such as Braille, PCS and Sign Language, as well as tactile and textile books. The books in the IBBY Collection are kept as reference for research or reading in the library.

If you'd like to make your own tactile book to celebrate ICBD, you can watch this video:

 

Hans Christian Andersen's Books

If you're interested in reading any of Hans Christian Andersen's tales, TPL has many titles you can borrow, including these:

The Emperor's New Clothes by Virginia Lee Burton (ages 4-8)

 

The Orchard Book of Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales by Martin Waddell (ages 6-11)

 

Thumbelina retold and illustrated by Brian Pinkney  (ages 4-8 )

 

Happy International Children's Book Day!

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Toronto Public Library promotes the importance of books and a love of reading year round. If you are looking for how you can foster early literacy skills in your child, visit our Ready for Reading website and try some of the fun activities we recommend to get your child ready for reading!

 

What does accessibility mean to you?

Often that word reminds us of ramps, automatic doors and modified washrooms.

These are important, but accessibility goes far beyond physical spaces. For us, it also includes our collections, services, programs and digital platforms.

Children with all kinds of disabilities visit our branches every day. We want to be welcoming for all. To help serve this diverse group, we are launching My Visit to the Toronto Public Library: A Social Story for Everyone.

What is a social story?

Social stories are simple picture books about an activity. Their goal is to help prepare children for a new experience or situation. They were first developed by Carol Gray, a former teacher and consultant who supports people with autism. Her publication, The New Social Story Book, is available at the library.

What is the social story about?

Our social story is about a visit to the library. It takes readers through things a person might do during a visit. This includes choosing books, using a computer, accessing the washroom and more.

It contains a glossary at the end to explain library terms the reader might not be familiar with.

Who is the social story for?

People of any age or ability can use our social story.

Having said that, we wrote it with children with disabilities in mind. While we were planning this project, we spoke to children with disabilities and children who are Deaf, their families, and some agencies that support them. We asked what they thought would be helpful in a social story, and we used their input when writing it.

When you read through the social story, you will notice images of children of various ages and abilities. These are some of the children we spoke with in our consultations. Some have visible, physical disabilities while others have invisible disabilities. Some are D/deaf. Some are siblings of children with disabilities and do not have any disabilities that we know of.

Just like them, the people who use the story will be diverse. They could be kids who are neurodiverse or teens with developmental disabilities. Some may have anxiety about visiting new places or meeting new people. Teachers might use the social story with their classes before bringing them to the library. Children who are new to Canada may also find it useful.

How did we write the social story?

Writing a social story is a big job. The idea came from two of our children’s librarians and grew from there. First, we spoke with children, families and agencies to decide what to include. After we wrote it, we took the photos. Then we had it translated into Braille and American Sign Language. Many people and organizations helped us write this book, and we are thankful for their support.

How do you use a social story?

Read the social story one or more times before your visit to the library. Encourage your child or student to ask questions, and answer the best you can. If you’re unsure about something, feel free to call the branch you’ll be visiting and ask.

Where can I find the social story?

You can find the social story on our website, tpl.ca/socialstory. It is available in the following formats:

• PDF eBook
• Audio, with or without audio description (AD)
• Video, with or without audio description (AD)
• Video with American Sign Language (ASL) translation
• Braille (eBraille)

We're working on a print and ePUB version of the story. Stay tuned!

Other recommended reading

We encourage paren'ts and children of all abilities to check out our booklist, Disability–Read Up on It! These books all contain positive portrayals of people who have disabilities or are D/deaf.

Here are some other books in the collection that support learning social and emotional skills.

Listen and Learn by Cheri J. Meiners

Look for other books in this series, including Join in and Play.

Time to Make Friends by Penny Tassoni; illustrated by Mel Four

Other useful books in this eBook series include Time to Care, Time to go to Nursery and Time to go to Bed.

How to be a Friend by Laurie Krasny Brown; illustrated by Marc Brown

How to Apologize by David LaRochelle; illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka

Get Unstuck from Disappointment by Gill Hasson; illustrated by Sarah Jennings

Also look for Step Back from Frustration, by the same author.

 

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Are there any other books that have helped your child? Please let us know in the comments!

Accessibility at Toronto Public Library

Toronto Public Library strives to make our spaces, services, and collections welcoming and accessible for everyone. In early 2022, we released our Multi-Year Accessibility Plan. You can learn more about it and other accessibility initiatives on our website at tpl.ca/accessibility.

Do you have any feedback about how we can make the library more accessible? If so, please contact us at accessibleservices@tpl.ca or (416) 393-7099.

We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections. Here are some picture books we are really excited about that will be hitting shelves soon. Additionally, all are available as eBooks.

El Cucuy is Scared, Too! by Donna Barba Higuera, illustrated by Juliana Perdomo (ages 3-5)

In this re-imagining of the classic monster tale, Ramon moves to a new town and has to convince El Cucuy, the monster that lives in his room, that he is brave enough to meet new people and start at a new school.

 

My Friend! by Taye Diggs, illustrated by Shane W. Evans (ages 3-5)

Two best friends always have each other's backs, but when one of them purposefully hurts a classmate, his friend is quick to show him the error of his ways.

 

The Longer the Wait, the Bigger the Hug by Eoin McLaughlin, illustrated by Polly Dunbar (ages 0-5)

Hedgehog has been waiting all winter to hug his friend Tortoise, but when spring arrives, he cannot find him anywhere. After searching high and low for him, Hedgehog learns that the longer the wait, the bigger the hug.

 

Millions of Maxes by Meg Wolitzer, illustrated by Micah Player (ages 3-5)

When Max goes to the park one day, he learns that other kids share his name and he is not "the one and only Max" like he always believed. At first, he is upset, but then he meets some other Maxes and begins to realize that sharing a name can be really fun.

 

The Paper Bird by Lisa Anchin (ages 4-6)

Annie loves art, but one day, when her classmates laugh at her drawings, everything turns gray. Annie loses her spark until a tiny lopsided paper bird helps reignite her passion by showing her that art does not always have to be perfect.

Posted on behalf of Teresa, Children's Selection Team.

Previous Posts from this Year

• January
• February              

It's hard to believe that March Break will be here soon! If you have kids and are wondering what you can do with them over the break, Toronto Public Library (TPL) has you covered.

1. Visit the library

With the majority of TPL branches now open, you can visit your local branch and pick up a variety of library materials that are sure to keep your kids busy. Whether it's books, audiobooks, movies or comics, we have a huge selection for you to choose from and expert staff to provide recommendations.

Did you know that by simply visiting the library together, you are helping to develop your child's early literacy skills? A trip to the library lets your child see that books and reading are important. When you do visit, let them choose what to read. They are more likely to read what interests them. Taking just 20 minutes a day to read or engage in a learning activity with your child improves their literacy skills and is important to their development. 

Here are some great titles you and your child can enjoy together. Some of these may even inspire fun family activities during March Break!

The Canadian Kids' Guide to Outdoor Fun by Helaine Becker

This comprehensive compendium of activities and games will help kids stay active and enjoy all that the outdoors have to offer. It is full of handy how-to guides for fun things to make and do for every kind of kid. 

 

Gabi's Fabulous Functions by Caroline Kranja (ages 5-8)

Coding in the kitchen? Yes! Best friends Gabi and Adi are baking a special birthday treat, and making a recipe is a lot like creating a function in computer code. 

 

Hockey Night in Kenya by Danson Mutinda and Eric Walters (ages 5-10)

When orphan Kitoo receives a copy of Sports Around the World, he becomes fascinated by an image of the Canadian national men's ice hockey team. Then one day, Kitoo finds a pair of beat-up old rollerblades. He teaches himself to skate and dreams of one day playing hockey like the men in his book. But you can't play ice hockey in Kenya, can you?

 

I Am a Peaceful Goldfish by Shoshana Chaim (ages 3-6)

This charming book teaches the youngest readers fun ways to be mindful, relieve anxiety, and regain control over their bodies and actions – essential and easy-to-learn life skills!

 

I'm Not Sydney by Marie-Louise Gay (ages 3-6)

A group of friends enjoy an afternoon playing as animals in this delightful ode to the imagination by bestselling author Marie-Louise Gay.

 

Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall (ages 3-9)

Jabari is inventing a machine that will fly all the way across the yard! But making it go from CRASH to WHOOSH will take grit, patience, and maybe even a little help from his sister.

 

My Day with Gong Gong by Sennah Yee (ages 4-8)

A day in Chinatown takes an unexpected turn when a bored little girl makes a connection with her grandpa. 

 

Super Detectives by Cale Atkinson (ages 6-9 years)

Join Simon and Chester in their first adventure, and fall in love with this hilarious odd couple by fan-favorite author and illustrator Cale Atkinson.

 

We All Play by Julie Flett (ages 3-7)

Join celebrated artist Julie Flett on a joyful romp with animals. From chasing, chirping birds, to swimming, squirting whales, this book for young readers reminds them how animals play just like them.

 

2. Check out our booklists for kids

If you're not sure what to read next, we have a number of recommended booklists.

• First and Best – for kids birth to 5 years, be sure to look at our annual list of TPL's top picks of the best Canadian children's books for building reading readiness.
• Movement books - dance and jump and clap along with these stories! On our Ready for Reading website, you can browse new books by topic. 
• Black Lives Matter
• Read Indigenous
• Reading with Pride

Check out all the latest new books and more staff picks!

If ebooks are more your speed, OverDrive Kids offers a huge collection of picture books, beginner readers and chapter books for older children. There are also audio Read-Along titles, books presented in sign language (ASL) and books in other languages. 

Looking for French ebooks? Check out Cantook Station Jeunesse!

 

3. Join us live on TPL Kids Crowdcast for virtual March Break programs

In-person March Break programs won’t be taking place this year in the branches, but we have a variety of free online programs during March Break.

• For ages 4 and up: join WonderPhil for a virtual magic show on Tuesday, March 15.
• For ages 6 and up: comic workshop with Clayton Hanmer, explore the strength of air with Mad Science, plus two French language programs featuring Njacko Backo and Touralingo.

Details can be found on our March Break website. Replays of these programs will be available for a limited time, so be sure to watch them soon! 

 

4. Visit TPL Kids

Our website for children 6 to 12 has jokes and riddles, cool trivia and much more! Kids can share their own jokes and submit a question to the Wonder Wall. A virtual escape room and digital puzzles will launch on the site on Saturday, March 12.

 

5. Watch our online programs available at any time

As well as live programs, TPL offers a selection of high-quality, interactive programs for kids on our YouTube channel.

• Explore our STEM-focused Mini Makers series, suitable for children 4 to 8 years
• Storytime at Home videos feature short Ready for Reading storytimes delivered by our children's staff
• Check out our TPL Kids Crowdcast channel for replays of coding tutorials, craft workshops, book clubs and more

 

6. Engage in screen-free activities

• Call Dial-a-Story at 416-395-5400 to listen to children's stories in over 16 languages. There are stories for children 7 years and under, as well as for children up to 12 years. 
• Build important pre-reading skills in kids 5 and under with five easy, everyday activities: talking, reading, singing, playing and writing. Find Things to Do with your child, such as storytelling and simple games, that will help develop these early literacy skills.
• Our Growing A Reader blog features not only great book suggestions and literacy tips but also has some fun activity ideas that can be done at home, such as picture puzzles and DIY science experiments.

 

We wish you and your family a happy March Break!

Every day is a new day to celebrate. And each one seems to have its own dedicated celebration of something weird and wonderful. February 23 is no exception. It's International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day.

What better way to celebrate this day than an appreciation post for a little dog named Biscuit who stars in his own set of children's books?

Author Alyssa Satin Capucilli published her first book about a small, yellow puppy named Biscuit 26 years ago. Since then, Biscuit has had over 20 different adventures in the pages of his I Can Read Books.

Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli (ages 3-5)

(Also available in audiobook format)

Biscuit and the Little Llamas by Alyssa Satin Capucilli (ages 3-5)

Biscuit Loves the Library by Alyssa Satin Capucilli (ages 3-5)

These books are perfect for children who are progressing from getting Ready for Reading to reading on their own.

Each page has a few simple sentences along with cute pictures. Words are often repeated and there are patterns to be found throughout the writing. And books like these are also just the right size for a young child to hold and turn the pages on their own. All this adds up to a great way for children to transition from picture books to beginning readers.

 

Ways to celebrate International Dog Biscuit Day

If you want to celebrate with Biscuit on February 23, check out Alyssa Satin's Capucilli's website and explore the world of Biscuit. There you can find downloadable activities and the author's reflections on Biscuit's 25th Anniversary (2021).

Or why not create your own way to play by making a "Give a Dog a Biscuit" game?

• Draw a picture of a puppy on a large sheet of paper. Caregivers might have to do the drawing for little ones but they can help by using their favourite colour crayon and colouring the picture.
• Draw several bone-shaped dog biscuits on a smaller piece of paper. (You can colour them in too if you like!)
• Cut the paper dog biscuits out. This is a great opportunity for children to practice using scissors with supervision.
• Put a small piece of tape on the back of each biscuit.
• Tape the puppy picture on the wall, making sure the area is clear from any obstacles and tripping hazards.

Now you're ready to play "Give a Dog a Biscuit" using the same technique as Pin the Tail on the Donkey!

With dog biscuit in hand and something soft covering their eyes, each person gets spun around three times. Then they are encouraged to walk towards the puppy picture so they can'try to "give a dog a biscuit." Whoever sticks their paper dog biscuit closest to the puppy's mouth wins!

Of course, if there is a real puppy in your family, you can also celebrate this "holiday" by making them some yummy dog treats. Remember cooking with children provides an opportunity for them to learn science and math as you partake in some food-related family fun. (Just don't do any taste testing if your recipe calls for something other than food for people.)

Here are a few canine cookbook suggestions for paren'ts and caregivers to borrow:

Becoming a Dog Chef: Stories and Recipes to Spoil your Pup from America's Top Dog Chef by Kevyn Matthews (Adults)

In the Dog Kitchen: Great Snack Recipes for your Dog by Julie Van Rosendaal (Adults)

Pup-approved Dog Treat Recipes: Homemade Goodies from Paddington's Pantry by Cayla Gallagher (Adults)

 

So how will you show your appreciation for dog biscuits or a dog named Biscuit on February 23? Do you have a favourite Biscuit book? Does your dog have a favourite biscuit flavour? Let us know in the comments and enjoy the stories – or, if you're a dog, the snacks. WOOF!

We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest picture books to our shelves. In honour of Valentine's Day, we have decided to present a range of books dedicated to love in its manifold forms. Most are available in eBook format.

Grow your child's love for reading! Check out our list of Valentine's Day Books for Kids for more sweet and heartwarming recommendations.

 

I Love You Because I Love You by Mượn Thị Văn and Jessica Love (ages 4-8)

This call-and-response picture book features all kinds of families showing their love in many different ways.

 

Viking in Love by Doug Cenko (ages 3-7)

Stig is smitten with the bold and beautiful Ingrid. How can he prove his love with a big, scary ocean between them?

 

Rita's Rabbit by Laura Mucha and Hannah Peck (ages 2-5)

Rita finds out that soft and fluffy doesn't always mean sweet and lovable. Sometimes scaly and scratchy can be loyal and friendly!

 

What is Love? by Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis (ages 3-5)

A young boy sets out on a quest around the world to find the answer to this question. But everyone he meets has a different answer. Can they all be right?

 

Love is Here by Mike Malbrough (ages 5-8)

A poetic celebration of something that everyone searches for, but is found all around.

 

Posted on Behalf of Laurel, Childrens Selection

 

Previous Posts from this Year

• January

---

Edited on March 4: changed title to include "Picture Books", added "Posted on Behalf of Laurel, Childrens Selection"

Has spending time in nature helped you during the COVID-19 pandemic? The great outdoors can provide many benefits for the mind and body. Sure, the winter season may throw an icicle in our biking, gardening and picnicking plans, but there are still fun activities your family can'try outside, weather permitting!

January 27 is Family Literacy Day, an initiative of ABC Life Literacy Canada to encourage families to share the joy of reading and learning together. This year's theme is learning in the great outdoors. Screen time has skyrocketed for both adults and children these days, and it's important to get outside for exercise, fresh air and vitamin D. Toronto has many parks, ravines and trails to explore and enjoy. Dress for the weather, and follow public health guidelines to keep your outdoor learning experience safe for everyone!

Too cold for a long walk outside? Stay in and read together! Make reading a happy and special part of your daily routine. Keep in mind when choosing books that age recommendations are guidelines. You know your child best, and children can access books and stories in different ways.

 

A is for Anemone by Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Budd (ages 2 to 6)

A board book that introduces the alphabet using iconic imagery of the west coast. One of our 2021 First and Best picks for kids under five! Check out the full list for more great Canadian children's books for building reading readiness.

We are excited to host The Art of Storytelling with Roy Henry Vickers! Join us online for the 14th annual Sybille Pantazzi Lecture, presented by the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books. Tune in live on February 10, 2022 at 7 pm to learn how the celebrated Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers designs, illustrates and narrates the stories in his books.

 

Malaika's Winter Carnival by Nadia L. Hohn and Irene Luxbacher (ages 3 to 7)

Moving from the Caribbean to Canada is a big change! In this picture book, Malaika does her best to adjust to her new home and blended family. Check out our list of winter books for kids and blog post on celebrating outdoor winter play for more seasonal reads! 

 

The Case of the Snack Snatcher by Liam O'Donnell and Aurélie Grand (ages 7 to 10) 

The first book in the West Meadows Detectives series introduces Myron, a third-grader on the autism spectrum, and his hyperactive friend Harjah, who use their unique abilities to solve the mystery of who is stealing the school's morning snacks.

 

Twins by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright (ages 8 to 12) 

In this graphic novel, middle school changes everything for identical twins Francine and Maureen. They've always shared the same classes and liked the same foods, but now Francine wants to join new clubs and dress differently. How will their relationship change when Maureen decides to run against her sister for class president?

 

Finding Home by Jen Sookfong Lee and Drew Shannon (ages 8 to 12) 

Why do people leave one home to create another? This nonfiction book follows the journeys of different immigrants and refugees, exploring the complexity of human migration in an accessible way. Nominated for the Yellow Cedar Award. Check out all of the finalists for the 2022 Forest of Reading Awards.

 

More book recommendations

Browse new books and staff recommendations for your next great read! Enjoying books together is your child's first step toward developing a lifelong love of reading.

 

Other types of resources

Other fun ways to build literacy skills include storytelling, scavenger hunts, playing a board game, and following a recipe. Here are more library resources to give you ideas for celebrating Family Literacy Day.

Dial-a-Story 

Give this number a ring and you can listen to recorded stories in 16 different languages. Call 416-395-5400 and put your phone on speaker!

Growing a Reader

This blog has an extensive archive of recommended reads and literacy tips and activities. Check out our previous posts on:

• Going birdwatching and learning about urban wildlife. Connect with the environment as a family and continue exploring the wonderful world of nature through books.
• Reading aloud. Reading to children is a fun way to build literacy skills and for families to bond through the magic of storytelling. We recommend some of our favourite read-alouds with irresistible first lines.
• Staying connected. From making papercraft hugs to window and sidewalk art, families can'try these activities to send some love and brighten someone's day.

Ready for Reading 

As a paren't or caregiver, you are your child's first and best teacher. Our Ready for Reading program supports and promotes five easy, everyday activities that help build important pre-reading skills: talking, reading, singing, playing and writing. Explore the site and discover tons of literacy tips and videos.

TPL Kids 

Why shouldn't you tell jokes while skating? The ice might crack up! What advice do you get from a librarian? Believe in your shelf! Our website for kids is filled with jokes, riddles, and weird and wonderful trivia. Older kids can share their own jokes, write funny captions or ask important questions they are pondering, like how did dinosaurs really look?

To learn more about dino discoveries, join us for an After School Club with Club Rex! Check out our TPL Kids Crowdcast channel for more online programs. Replays are available to watch anytime, so your family can have fun coding, crafting, doing magic tricks and science experiments and other fun activities.

TPL Reading Challenge 

12 books, 12 categories, 12 months! This is a great way to encourage readers of all ages to try something new and discover different authors and genres. At the end of the year, participants have the opportunity to enter a prize draw. Up for a bigger challenge? Take the Advanced Challenge with 14 more books!

TPL on YouTube

Want to build a catapult, make a kaleidoscope or even "sew" a constellation? Mini Makers programs are hands-on experiments and projects you can'try at home. Explore STEM concepts using household materials and lots of imagination! In this video, families can create stellar sun art while learning about our solar system.

Press play on our Storytime at Home videos for fun and interactive books, songs and rhymes. We have over 40 stories, including bedtime favourite Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd.

We hope you and your child will find books and activities at the library to enjoy and discover together, on Family Literacy Day and any day. Happy reading!

Happy New Year!

We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest picture books to our shelves. In January, we’re offering our usual feature of wordless picture books from the previous year. One of the things I love about wordless books, and talking about them with kids (and adults too), is how differently they might be interpreted. Thus my annotations below may not be all that reliable. You’ll just have to borrow each for yourself to see if you think I’m right!

Every Little Kindness by Marta Bartolj (ages 7-10)

A young woman is putting up posters for her lost dog and spies a busker in the park. Having no money, she gives him her apple. Another man notices her selfless act and with a smile, is inspired to pick up after a litterbug. This is witnessed by a small boy who then sees a young girl lose her grip on a helium balloon. He is moved to buy her a new one. And so the forward paying continues. Now that’s my kind of contagion! 

 

The Farmer and the Circus by Marla Frazee (ages 4-8)

If you’ve ever missed someone dearly, this follow-up and finale to Frazee’s trilogy (The Farmer and the Clown, The Farmer and the Monkey) will strike a chord. Roles are reversed and now it is the monkey and the clown who play hosts to the visiting farmer when he pays them a surprise visit at the circus and takes part in circus life.

 

Grand Isle by Kate Samworth (ages 6-9)

What promises to be a fun relaxing day at the beach quickly turns strange and unnerving when a gigantic concave leaf washes ashore. It serves as a boat, taking two children to a mysterious island where everything is scaled up, and even a newly hatched chick towers over them. The chick is helpless and needs assistance, but when the chick’s mother arrives, the human children understand instinctively that they need to go (and I don’t mean to the bathroom)!

 

Grasshopper by Tatiana Ukhova (ages 4-7)

A young girl’s fascination with tiny creatures innocently wreaks havoc to their delicate existences. Eventually, she comes to understand the contrary effects her well-meaning actions have on them. She contents herself with watching and otherwise leaving them to live their lives in the discrete worlds they are suited to.

 

Over the Shop by JonArno Lawson and Qin Leng (ages 3-7)

An old shopkeeper needs to rent a somewhat dilapidated apartment above the shop but isn’t having much luck finding takers. The one couple that does show interest is met with disapproval. No reason is given, but the possibilities occurring to the reader might not reflect well on the shopkeeper. Luckily, a granddaughter, who has been looking after a mangy stray cat outside, intervenes and changes the old curmudgeon’s mind. The couple moves in and slowly transforms the place. 

 

Sonata for Fish and Boy by Milan Pavlović (ages 3-7)

A lone musician draws a bow across a stringed instrument on a park bench, attracting a fish from a nearby pond. Soon fish and musician are flying through the air. Having left the instrument behind, they are carried along, buoyed only by a strange melody into the atmosphere and beyond. Returning to this world (or perhaps another), they find a small hut in which a number of other animals are jamming. The amazing power of music is celebrated in this story, divided into differently paced sections much like a sonata. 

 

Posted by Pat, Children’s Selection Team.

It may be the time of year when little folk dressed in red visit some people's homes to cause mischief or to help Santa to see who has been naughty or nice. But at Toronto Public Library, we have elves on our shelves all year long!

Santa's Elves

Santa and his elves go together like milk and cookies. These merry little helpers can often be found in children's Christmas stories.

The 12 Sleighs of Christmas by Sherri Duskey Rinker (ages 4-8)

 

How to Catch an Elf by Adam Wallace (ages 4-8)

 

Ten Little Elves by Michael Brownlow (ages 3-6)

 

Top Elf by Caleb Huett (ages 8-12)

 

The Elves and the Shoemaker

The elves play a starring role in this traditional German folktale originally written by the Brothers Grimm. Our collections include retellings in both picture book and video format. The story is also included in a number of folk and fairy tale compilations as well.

The Elves and the Shoemaker by Paul Galdone (ages 6-12)

 

The Elves and the Shoemaker by Jim LaMarche (ages 5-10)

 

The Elves and the Shoemaker: Presented in American Sign Language (ages 5-10)

 

Fifty Famous Fairy Tales (ages 6-12)

 

Michael Hague's Treasured Classics by Michael Hague (ages 6-10)

 

Land of Stories: A Treasury of Classic Fairy Tales by Chris Colfer (ages 8-12)

 

More Elves 

You can find even more elves in picture books, as part of some popular children's fiction series and even in "how to draw" books. Quite often they are joined by other magical creatures, both friend and foe.

The Magical Tale of Ben and Holly by Neville Astley (ages 3-6)

 

Keeper of the Lost Cities ("Keeper of the Lost Cities" series) by Shannon Messenger (ages 9-12)

 

Guide to the World of Fairies by Andrew Donkin (ages 9-12) 

(And don't forget to check out the original Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer and the graphic novel version adapted by Michael Moreci too!)

 

How to Draw Magical, Monstrous & Mythological Creatures by Bob Berry (ages 9-12+)

 

So it's plain to see that there are all kinds of elves hidden among our children's collections. There might even be one in the book that you're reading right now…

There's an Elf in Your Book by Tom Fletcher (ages 4-8)

 

Who's your favourite elf on the bookshelf? Let us know in the comments!

We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections. Here are some of our favourite picture books from this year's crop. All are available in electronic formats (eBook and/or eAudiobook). Be sure to check out our picks for First and Best 2021 as well!

Don't Hug Doug by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman (ages 4-7)

Some people love a nice, warm, squishy hug. Others don't. Doug is one of those people. Doug only likes one kind of hug, a bedtime hug from his mom. So how do you know if someone wants a hug or not? It's simple. Just ask! 

 

Pride Puppy! by Robin Stevenson, illustrated by Julie McLaughlin (ages 4-7)

Accompanied by their two moms, younger sibling and dog, a child attends Pride Day, meeting family and friends and enjoying the colourful sights. But when their dog goes missing at the parade, the community comes together to reunite the pup with his family. This rhyming alphabet book is a perfect introduction to the joy of Pride for young readers.

 

It Fell From the Sky by Terry Fan and Eric Fan (ages 4-7)

Something magnificent has fallen from the sky, and Spider has claimed it as his own. He builds WonderVille a grand attraction to view the mysterious object, but will his greed destroy everything?

 

I Don't Want to Read This Book by Max Greenfield, illustrated by Mike Lowery (ages 4-7)

Reading a book is hard, especially if you don't want to. With all those words and sentences and paragraphs and chapters! There are just so many better things you could be doing, like eating cake and watching YouTube. A hilarious book for kids who don't want to read (and those who do).

 

Bodies are Cool by Tyler Feder (ages 4-7)

People come in all shapes and sizes. That's what makes bodies cool! Celebrate the diversity of human life in this exuberant rhyming picture book.

 

Stand Like a Cedarby Nicola I. Campbell, illustrated by Carrielynn Victor (ages 4-7)

The sights and sounds of nature come alive when we take time to stop and listen. Learn the names of different animals in the Halq'eméylem language, and what they can'teach us!

 

How to Wear a Sari by Darshana Khiani, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff (ages 4-7)

A little girl sets out to prove that she can do grown-up things, too! Her first task is to wear a sari. With the help of her dog, the little girl chooses the perfect sari to wear, but quickly realizes how challenging each step is: the tucking, the wrapping and the pleats.

 

Off to See the Sea by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon (ages 0 to 5)

In order to get their little girl interested in bath time, a mother and father create a magical under-the-sea adventure filled with a roaring waterfall and a giant rubber ducky. Bath time has never been so fun!

 

Posted on behalf of Margaret, Children's Selection Team.

Previous New and Noteworthy book recommendations

• January 2021 (Wordless Books Roundup)
• February 2021
• March 2021
• April 2021
• May 2021
• June 2021
• July 2021
• August 2021
• September 2021
• October 2021
• November 2021

Toronto Public Library is happy to announce our picks for this year's First and Best titles. This annual list features the best Canadian books of 2021 for children from birth to age five that are not only fun to read but are also the best for building reading readiness skills.

TPL's annual First and Best list is part of our Ready for Reading program, developed to help paren'ts and caregivers support the development of early literacy skills in children from birth to age five through fun, everyday activities.

The titles on our First and Best list have been carefully selected by a working group of children's staff. This year's list features a variety of stories that families are sure to enjoy and are available at library branches across the city.  To be eligible, titles must be:

• a first edition
• authored, illustrated or translated by a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada
• published between January 1 and December 31 of the current year
• written in English, or English and other languages
• appropriate for children between birth and five years

Paren'ts and caregivers, you are a child's first and best teacher. The first books you share with your child should also be the best, so take some time to read one or more of these wonderful titles with your little one. Our library staff can also help recommend other great books that will keep your child enthusiastic about reading.

Happy reading!

A is for Anemone by Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Budd

With crisp, luminous illustrations by celebrated Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers, and a simple rhythmic text, this sturdy board book introduces the alphabet using iconic imagery of the West Coast.

 

Chaiwala! by Priti Birla Maheshwari, illustrated by Ashley Barron

When their train makes a ten-minute stop at the station in Jaipur, a young girl and her mother hurry to get in line for a cup of chai.

 

Hair Twins by Raakhee Mirchandani, illustrated by Holly Hatam

A father and daughter become hair twins when he styles her hair in a tight bun on the top of her head, just like the joora he wears every day under his turban.

 

My City Speaks by Darren Lebeuf, illustrated by Ashley Barron

A young girl, who is visually impaired, finds much to celebrate as she explores the city she loves.

 

One, Two, Grandma Loves You by Shelly Becker, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

In this rhyming picture book, a little girl and her grandmother count up to their next visit and then do all of their favourite things together.

 

Pride Puppy! by Robin Stevenson, illustrated by Julie McLaughlin

A rhyming alphabet book featuring a family who have lost their dog at a Pride parade.

 

The Rock from the Sky by Jon Klassen

Turtle really likes standing in his favourite spot. He likes it so much that he asks his friend Armadillo to come over and stand in it, too. But now that Armadillo is standing in that spot, he has a bad feeling about it…

 

Thao by Thao Lam

"Thao" seems like a simple enough name, yet Thao has been called everything from "Tail" to "Theo" to "Towel." Completely fed up, she decides to try an "easy" name like "Jennifer." But trying to be someone else only works for so long.

 

This Is How I Know/Mii maanda ezhi-gkendmaanh by Brittany Luby, illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley

In this lyrical story-poem, written in Anishinaabemowin and English, a child and grandmother explore their surroundings, taking pleasure in the familiar sights that each new season brings.

 

Time is a Flower by Julie Morstad

An imaginative picture book that combines nature and play to talk about the passage of time.

 

Visit the Ready for Reading website for previous First and Best winners, recommended titles, literacy tips and more!

We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections. Here are some picture books we are really excited about that will be hitting shelves soon. Additionally, all are available as ebooks.

 

The Big House and the Little House by Yoshi Ueno, illustrated by Emiko Fujishima (ages 3-5) 

Little Mouse and Big Bear are having trouble making new friends until they unexpectedly meet one day. They soon hit it off, but it is not until a big storm threatens Little Mouse's house that they truly form a lasting friendship.

 

Elephants Do Not Belong in Trees by Russ Willms (ages 2-5) 

Larry the Elephant loves living in the big bushy tree with the big fat trunk, but Bird, Squirrel and Monkey think that elephants do not belong in trees. They eventually have a change of heart when Larry saves the tree from a bulldozer intent on felling it.

 

Off to See the Sea by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon (ages birth to 5)

In order to get their little girl interested in bath time, a mother and father create a magical under-the-sea adventure filled with a roaring waterfall and a giant rubber ducky. Bath time has never been so fun!

 

Ruby's Reunion Day Dinner by Angela Dalton, illustrated by Jestenia Southerland (ages 4-8)

Every year, Ruby's family holds a big family reunion, and everyone is responsible for bringing their signature dish. This year, Ruby is struggling to find her signature dish, but with a bit of inventiveness she finds the perfect solution to her problem. 

 

What if, Pig? by Linzie Hunter (ages 3-6)

Pig is the best friend that anyone could ever ask for, but he has a big secret. He worries. A LOT! When he decides to throw a party and his worries get out of hand, his friends come to the rescue and help him keep his feelings in check.

 

Posted on behalf of Teresa, Children's Selection Team.

Previous New and Noteworthy book recommendations

• January 2021 (Wordless Books Roundup)
• February 2021
• March 2021
• April 2021
• May 2021
• June 2021
• July 2021
• August 2021
• September 2021
• October 2021

In 1946, Viola Desmond challenged racial segregation in Canada simply by sitting down to watch a movie. Seventy-five years later, as the fight against anti-Black racism continues, we remember this strong Black woman not just for what she did but for who she was.

Meet Viola Desmond by Elizabeth MacLeod (Scholastic Canada Biography)

On November 8, 1946, Viola Desmond's car broke down in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. To pass the time as she waited for it to be repaired, she decided to go and see a movie. In Halifax, where she was from, Black people could sit anywhere to watch a movie and so Miss Desmond chose a seat on the main level. She thought it would be easier to see the screen. But the situation was more complicated than that.

In that theatre in 1946, it was understood that the main floor, the "better seats" were for white people only. Black people were forced to sit in the balcony. Viola Desmond could not sit where she wanted.

She was told that she had not paid enough money for her ticket but the theatre staff refused to let her do so. She was asked to leave but she refused to do so. And so the police were called and Viola Desmond was arrested and thrown in jail for the night.

The story does not end with the events of that November 8. The fight against this discrimination had just begun. Viola Desmond, with the help of her community, took the fight all the way to Nova Scotia's Supreme Court. She lost her appeal. 

Sixty-three years later, on April 15, 2010, Viola Desmond was granted an official pardon and an apology.

And 75 years after that fateful night in New Glasgow, we acknowledge the significance of this anniversary and its importance in Canadian history.

More About Viola Desmond

Viola Desmond's role in history arguably became more widely known in 2018. That year, she became the first Canadian woman to be featured on regularly circulating currency ($10 bills). And while the events of November 8, 1946 are an important moment in the fight against racial inequality, the woman at the centre of them should be remembered for more than just that one act of defiance.

A true pillar of the African-Canadian community, Miss Desmond made spaces for Black women that did not readily exist. At a time when they were not often welcomed in many white-owned establishments, she opened a hair salon for them in Halifax. She also created and sold her own line of specialty beauty products. After having difficulty finding a school that would welcome her as a youth, Miss Desmond became a mentor to young Black women by opening up her own beauty school, the Desmond School of Beauty and Culture. 

Viola Desmond was not only an activist and leading force in Canada's civil rights movement, but also an entrepreneur, business owner and community leader. She had done many great things for the Black community long before she took on this fight for justice. These too should be remembered.

Where to Learn More

Toronto Public Library has many resources that can help paren'ts, caregivers and teachers introduce Viola Desmond to children. These include the French-language version of the English book pictured at the top of this post (Meet Viola Desmond), an alphabet book written by students of William King Elementary School in Nova Scotia, and a picture book biography that recounts the events of November 8, 1946 in story form.

Voici Viola Desmond by Elizabeth MacLeod (Biographie en Images)

 

The ABC's of Viola Desmond by the Grade 2/3 students at William King Elementary School (2017)

 

Viola Desmond Won't Be Budged! by Jody Warner

 

More information about Viola Desmond can be found in many of our online databases, which are great resources for students researching historical figures. You can access articles in Canada in Context, Britannica Library and Academic OneFile for free with a library card.

Viola's story can also be found in different biography collections, a testament to her impact on history as both a Black Canadian and a Black woman. She is also internationally recognized and featured in the She Persisted book series from Chelsea Clinton.

Amazing Black Atlantic Canadians: Inspiring Stories of Encouragement and Achievement by Lindsay Ruck

 

The Kids Book of Black Canadian History by Rosemary Sadlier

 

Quatre Filles de Caractère by Emmanuelle Bergeron

 

She Persisted Around the World by Chelsea Clinton

Yes, she persisted but Viola Desmond is more than just a woman who sat down in a movie theatre. She is a true hero who stood up for justice. And so as we recognize the anniversary of her courageous act and remember all that she did, may we be inspired to follow her example and continue the fight for equality.

 

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Related Posts

• Viola Desmond, Black Canadian Civil-Rights Pioneer
• Viola Desmond, Activist, Entrepreneur and a Face That You Will be Seeing Around

 

Lately, picture books about embracing differences have been abundant. These books encourage kids to accept differences in others and be comfortable with being different themselves. 

Below we have compiled some of the best representations of these books. They are arranged in order of their intended audience, with books for younger children listed first. While important, these books shouldn't be used exclusively. Rather, they should be used as bridges to having candid discussions with your kids about acceptance and inclusion. 

We also encourage you to use these books in tandem with our booklists on Black Lives Matter, disabilities, gender affirmation and Pride.

 

It's Okay to be Different by Todd Parr

This classic book conveys a simple message in a fun and accessible format. Each page contains a short phrase that begins with "It's okay to…" Some of the statements are silly while others are serious. A great choice for preschoolers. 

 

One of These Is Not Like the Others by Barney Saltzberg

Each page in this cute picture book presents a series of four characters or objects, where three are similar and one is different. It goes on to explain why the difference is good. The illustrations and patterned text will make this a hit with preschoolers.

 

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold; illustrations by Suzanne Kaufman

A diverse group of classmates go throughout their day together. They represent different colours, abilities, family structures and religions. The refrain "All are welcome here" is repeated throughout the book.

 

Colin and Lee Carrot and Pea by Morag Hood

Lee is a pea, and Colin is a carrot. They are friends. Since he is a carrot, Colin can't do the same things as all the peas. But there are lots of other things he can do that make him a great friend to have.

 

Ernest by Catherine Rayner

Ernest the moose is too big to fit into this book! But Ernest and his friend find a solution to their problem – just make the book bigger. This fun book offers an important lesson about inclusion and accommodating differences.

 

Lovely by Jess Hong

What is lovely? Using one word sentences and simple, child-friendly drawings, this book proclaims that lovely is different. People of all ages, sizes, genders and abilities will see themselves represented here.

 

The Great Big Book of Families by Mary Hoffman; illustrations by Ros Asquith

There are all kinds of families! Families come in all shapes and sizes. They practice different religions. Some families live in big houses, while others don't have homes at all. This book celebrates and normalizes the differences between families.

 

Pop! by Karen Kilpatrick; illustrations by Germán Blanco

It's Pop Day and Otto the Kernel can't wait! Except for some reason, Otto doesn't pop. First he is sad, but then he meets other Kernels who didn't pop either. They reassure him that you don't need to be Popcorn to have fun. Otto then makes sure that other Kernels know it's okay to not pop.

 

Odd Dog Out by Rob Biddulph

Rhyming text describes the life of a wiener dog who doesn't fit in. Feeling sad, she runs away and arrives at a place where everyone looks like her. When she meets another dog who is different, she realizes she should be proud of being unique. She returns home, where she is welcomed with open paws, and soon other dogs begin expressing their individuality. 

 

Janine by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Janine is one-of-a-kind. She dresses differently, talks differently and acts differently. One bully makes fun of her, but she doesn't see why. She knows she's spectacular! When the bully tells her she must change if she wants to come to her party, Janine decides to have her own, instead. The bully doesn't expect any of the other kids will want to come, but it turns out they all do.

 

A Kid is a Kid is a Kid by Sara O’Leary; Illustrations by Qin Leng

A group of kids on a playground recount the questions they get asked that they wished they weren't. One child says, "I get asked why I'm so small. I'd rather get asked what big words I can spell." Another child with a prosthetic leg says, "Ask me what I can do, not what I can't!" The book finishes with the one question all kids like to be asked – if they want to play. 

 

The Wall by Giancarlo Macri and Carolina Zanotti; illustrations by Elisa Vallarino and Mauro Sacco

In this advanced picture book, a king declares that too many people in the kingdom don't look like him, and he orders them banished. Then he builds a wall. But soon he realizes that all the banished people have skills the kingdom needs, so he brings them back.

 

What books would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments!

We are dedicated to bringing the creepiest and most chilling books to our library collections! Here are some picture books we are really horrified about that will be hitting shelves soon. Most are also available as eBooks. In honour of two authors who have written more than a couple of terrifying tombs, I mean tomes, I've put a dreadful skull and crossbones beside their names with a little extra info at the bottom of the post.

In addition to all of these grotesque books and authors, you might also want to check out our curated booklist Halloween Books for Kids and Halloween eBook collection via Overdrive.

 

Hardly Haunted by Jessie Sima (ages 4-8)

A once-stately old mansion sits unoccupied on a hill and has begun to fall into disrepair, but she still longs to be occupied. Why won't anyone live within her walls? Could it be because she is haunted?

 

How to Haunt a House by Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by Edward Miller (ages 4-8)

A class of young ghosties has been studying haunting techniques under the renowned Madame Grey. Now they are ready for the final test: haunt three houses, scare the families from each, and they pass. What could be easier?

 

Little Ghoul Goes to School by Jef Czekaj (ages 4-8)

Kids all know that the first day in a new school can be a real nightmare, and it's no exception for little ghouls! What if your teacher is really nice? What if other students are friendly, or the food is delicious and nutritious?

 

Looking for a Jumbie by Tracey Baptiste ☠️, illustrated by Ren Amber (ages 4-8)

Naya knows that Jumbies, varied creatures of Caribbean folklore, exist 'for true' even though her Mama says they are just in stories. Tonight is a full moon and clear, and thus the perfect time for Naya who knows no fear, to prove her mother wrong.

 

Poultrygeist by Eric Geron, illustrated by Pete Oswald (ages 4-8)

A chicken crossed the road to get to the other side, but a careening semi spoiled their plans. Our hero is tenderized tartar and has thus arrived on THE OTHER SIDE! Fellow roadkill spirits attempt to orient the chicken to appropriate afterlife etiquette.

 

Vampenguin by Lucy Ruth Cummins ☠️ (ages 4-8)

A cultural exchange of sorts with a cheery narration at odds with the pictures. The Dracula family decides to spend a day at the zoo. The first stop is the penguin enclosure where curious baby Dracula slips out of his pram just as a careless zoo employee is using the enclosure door.

 

Vampire Peter by Ben Manley, illustrated by Hannah Peck (ages 4-9)

Peter is new to town and so weird! He eats gross food, speaks strangely, spooks, the caretaker, gets into fights and quickly picks up a reputation as the baddest boy in school. Another student seeks to avoid responsibility for their own part in Peter's troubles.

 

 
Which Nose for Witch? by David Crosby, illustrated by Carolina Coroa (ages 4-9)

An important rite of passage for any growing witch is a trip to the Conk Boutique and the selection of an appropriate new nose followed up by a magical nose job. Grizelda's time has come but there are so many kinds to choose from and Grizelda can be a bit fussy.

 

☠️ Tracey Baptiste has also written novels about Jumbies.

☠️ Lucy Ruth Cummins illustrates widely but writes in a vein well suited for Halloween.

 

Previous New and Noteworthy book recommendations

• January 2021 (Wordless Books Roundup)
• February 2021
• March 2021
• April 2021
• May 2021
• June 2021
• July 2021
• August 2021
• September 2021

Spirit Day, which takes place on October 21, 2021, is celebrated every year on the third Thursday in October. It is a day to stand in support with 2SLGBTQ+ youth and to speak out against bullying. 

With GLAAD leading the way, Spirit Day has become a worldwide campaign supported by millions, including multinational corporations, organizations like the NBA, NFA and celebrities such as Dan Levy, Céline Dion and Lilly Singh. On Spirit Day, which was established in 2010 by Canadian teenager Brittany McMillan, everyone is encouraged to wear purple (the colour purple or violet on the original rainbow pride flag represented "spirit"). Being kind to others and being proud of who you are is what the day is all about. 

One of the best ways to commemorate Spirit Day is to recognize and appreciate that each of us is unique, and every person should be celebrated for that uniqueness. As caregivers, it is important to acknowledge that the 2SLGBTQ+ community is a part of your child's world. Together as a family, you can learn more about topics such as homophobia, transphobia, bullying and pride. Here are a few recommendations and resources to help with that education and celebration.

Spirit Day by Joy Yang (ages 3-7)

Our 2sLGBTQ+ Community

You Be You!: The Kid's Guide to Gender, Sexuality, and Family by Jonathan Branfman (ages 8-12)

 

The Big Book of LGBTQ+ Activities: Teaching Children About Gender Identity, Sexuality, Relationships and Different Families by Amie Taylor (for paren'ts & caregivers)

 

Raising LGBTQ Allies: A Paren't's Guide to Changing the Messages from the Playground by Chris Tompkins (for paren'ts & caregivers)

And find reading lists, collection highlights and more on tpl.ca/pride, our Pride Celebrations webpage.

 

Our 2sLGBTQ+ Families

A Family is a Family is a Family by Sara O'Leary (ages 2-6)

I Promise by Catherine Hernandez (ages 3-6)

Love is Love by Michael Genhart (ages 4-8, for paren'ts & caregivers)

 

About 2sLGBTQ+ Discrimination

LGBTQ+ Discrimination by Rachael Morlock (ages 10-12, teens)

Homophobia: Deal with It and Turn Prejudice into Pride by Steven Soloman (ages 8-12)

 

Transphobia: Deal with It and Be a Gender Transcender by J. Wallace Skelton (ages 8-12)

Find out more about the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biophobia on TPL's Arts & Culture Blog.

 

Standing with 2sLGBTQ+ Youth

How to Stop Homophobic and Biphobic Bullying by Jonathan Charlesworth (for paren'ts & caregivers)

That's So Gay!: Challenging Homophobic Bullying by Jonathan Charlesworth (for paren'ts and caregivers)

 

Growing Up Trans: In Our Own Words edited by Kate Fry and Lindsay Herriot (ages 10-12, teen)

 

More books for paren'ts and caregivers who are raising a transgender, non-binary, questioning or gender-creative child can be found on our shared list of Gender-Affirming Paren'ting Resources.

 

More on Bullying

Stand Up to Bullying!: (Upstanders to the Rescue!) by Phyliss Kaufman Goodstein (ages 8-12)

 

The Survival Guide to Bullying: Written by a Teen by Aija Mayrock (ages 8-12, teens)

 

You Can Stop Bullying: Stand By or Stand Up? : You Choose the Ending by Connie Colwell Miller (ages 6-9)

Find out more about bullying on this previous Growing a Reader Blog post called "What an Awful Bully. Sad!"

 

Stories to Celebrate Wonderful You…

Remarkably You by Pat Zeitlow Miller (ages 3-7)

 

I Will Be Fierce! by Bea Birdsong (ages 3-6)

 

Except When They Don't by Laura Gehl (ages 3-6)

 

Watch the replay of our Reading with Pride book talk on Crowdcast.

 

…and Colourful Too!

My Shadow is Pink by Scott Stuart (ages 4-8)

 

Rainbow Boy by Taylor Rouanzion (ages 4-6)

 

Pride Puppy! by Robin Stevenson (ages 3-6)

 

You can also find Rainbow Storytime videos on our YouTube Channel

My Voice is a Trumpet by Jimmie Allen (ages 3-8)

Stand up, stand out, and stand together! And don't forget to wear purple on Spirit Day, October 21!

October is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month. Learning Disabilities (LDs) are hard to measure, but statistics show that 2 to 10% of Canadians have one. It is the second most common disability in youth, following only mental illness.

While there are many different types of learning disabilities, the focus of this post is reading disabilities. Dyslexia is the most common reading disability. However, some other medical conditions and disabilities can cause reading challenges.

A person with a reading disability may experience difficulty with:

• Learning letters and their sounds
• Organizing their written and spoken language
• Reading quickly
• Understanding what they read
• Spelling

Not all children with reading difficulties necessarily have a disability. All children learn at a different pace, and some may need a little extra help to reach grade level. These children may still benefit from some of the suggestions listed below.

The following formats and resources are available at the Toronto Public Library to support children with reading disabilities.

 

OverDrive

eBooks

OverDrive is TPL's largest platform for eBooks and eAudiobooks.

Using eBooks can be helpful for people with reading disabilities. This is because is many cases, users can customize their reading settings.

Some people with dyslexia benefit from a font called OpenDyslexic. Letters in OpenDyslexic are designed with heavy-weighted bottoms, which may help with letter recognition. It also uses unique letter shapes and wide letter spacing. Using their reading settings, OverDrive users can select OpenDyslexic as their book's font. However, it is important to note that not everyone with dyslexia finds OpenDyslexic helpful.

Some readers also find it helpful to increase the font size, line spacing, and/or page contrast.

There is also the choice of reading eBooks through either OverDrive or the Libby app. All of the reading settings mentioned above are available on both OverDrive and Libby.

Read-Alongs

Many people with reading disabilities find it useful to combine print with audio. In fact, studies show that for people with dyslexia, listening while reading increases fluency, comprehension and reading accuracy.

Kids in the younger elementary grades may enjoy OverDrive's Read-Along format. Read-Alongs allow the reader to listen along while they read. The book highlights the text that is being read aloud. OverDrive organizes their Read-Alongs for kids into Fiction and Non-Fiction.

In addition to Read-Alongs, OverDrive offers Read-Along Videos, which are animated children's books with onscreen text and audio narration.

Audiobooks

Since most Read-Alongs are aimed toward kids in grades K-3, older kids may prefer to pair their printed books with audiobooks. An advantage of OverDrive over traditional CDs is that users can customize the speed of the book's narration.

OverDrive has a wide selection of popular audiobooks for kids. It also has audio versions of comics and graphic novels that would pair well with their print versions. There is more information about the benefits of graphic novels below.

 

Print Collections

Decodable Books

Decodable books focus on phonetics, which use sound and letter patterns to help kids learn to read. Dyslexia Canada recommends decodable books for children who are struggling with this skill. 

Bob Books

Bob Books' simple phonics teach one skill at a time. They are packaged in sets. Each set contains several short books.

 

Sounds Like Reading Books by Brian P. Cleary 

These brightly illustrated, fun books focus on teaching reading through rhyme patterns. In addition to the print books, they are also available on OverDrive as Read-Alongs.

 

Ladybird I'm Ready… for Phonics! 

These basic phonics books increase in complexity as readers make their way through the series.

 

Budding Reader

These readers use phonics, repetition and appealing illustrations. They are only available as eBooks.

 

All-in-One Read-Alongs

All-in-One Read-Alongs are similar to OverDrive's Read-Alongs, except they are physical picture books with a built-in audio player. This format is suitable for younger children who are learning how to read. 

Hi-Lo Books

Hi-Lo means the content is high-interest while the reading level is low. These books are created for struggling readers who want to read about age-appropriate topics they can still understand. 

Orca Two Read books are heavily illustrated phonics stories for children ages 6 to 9 who are learning how to read. The books are meant to be read alongside an experienced "buddy reader." Right now their only series is Meg and Greg, a chapter book that is published with a dyslexia-friendly font.

 

Orca Currents are short, high-interest novels for students ages 10 to 14 who are reading below grade level.

 

Orca Limelights and Orca Sports are aimed at middle schoolers with an interest in the performing arts and sports, respectively.

You can find other Hi-Lo books in our catalogue by searching under the subject heading "High Interest-Low Vocabulary Books" and limiting the results to Children. A couple of series on that list that work particularly well for kids in the younger grades are Bink & Gollie and Elephant & Piggie. TPL also has a list of Hi-Lo books for Teens.

Dyslexic Readers

Dyslexic readers are Hi-Lo books that use dyslexia-friendly formatting. This consists of a specially-designed font such as OpenDyslexic or Dyslexie, and printed on thicker, tinted paper.

Here's a complete list of Dyslexic Readers for kids. We also carry Dyslexic Readers for Teens and Adults.

As mentioned previously, not all readers with dyslexia find this format useful, so don't be discouraged if it doesn't work for your child.

Graphic Novels

Graphic novels are a popular and accessible format that work well for kids with reading disabilities. They are helpful because the pictures give cues to the meaning of the text. Graphic novels also help strengthen kids' confidence and build vocabulary. 

Many illustrated novels, such as the Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries series, also fit into this category. These types of books are great for reluctant readers because they combine great storytelling with humour. 

If you need graphic novel suggestions, our kids' website can help you find some great titles. Graphic novels are also available digitally on OverDrive and Hoopla.

 

CELA Collection

If your child has a learning disability, they are eligible for services through the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA). With access to over 800,000 items, CELA's collection includes eAudiobooks that can be downloaded or listened to on a player. Eligibility and registration information about CELA can be found on the TPL website.

 

Leading to Reading

Leading to Reading is a free program that pairs volunteers with children in grades 1 to 6 who are struggling with reading and writing. The volunteers use fun, interactive methods to increase the child's interest and confidence in reading. The program is currently being offered at select library branches.

 

Books About Reading Disabilities for Kids and Paren'ts

Books for Kids

We maintain an updated list of recommended children's books written by or about people with disabilities called Disability: Read Up On It!

Here are a few books that portray characters with dyslexia and learning disabilities with sensitivity and positivity.

Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco

At first, Trisha loves school, but she experiences difficulties learning how to read. A new teacher helps her understand and overcome her problem.

 

Here's Hank series by Henry Winkler

This Early Reader series features the funny adventures of Hank Zipzer, a boy with ADHD and dyslexia. The books are published with dyslexia-friendly formatting.

 

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Ally, an intelligent, creative sixth grader with dyslexia, worries that people will find out that she cannot read. A Schneider Family Book Award winner.

 

The Truth As Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor

Mason Buttle can barely read or write. His learning disabilities are compounded by grief, following the unexplained death of his best friend. Then Mason makes a new friend, who also goes missing. Soon, Mason finds himself in trouble. Will anyone believe him? A Schneider Family Book Award winner.

 

Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan

Did you know that Percy Jackson, demigod and star of the ultra-popular series by Rick Riordan, has dyslexia? Kids may want to pair the novels with an audiobook or read them in graphic novel format. 

 

Books for Paren'ts & Educators

Dyslexia Canada recommends the following books for paren'ts and educators. For more tools and resources, you can visit their website.

Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally E. Shaywitz

 

The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain by Brock Eide

 

The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan: A Blueprint for Renewing Your Child’s Confidence and Love of Learning by Ben Foss

 

Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain by Maryanne Wolf

 

And don't forget another important resource: library staff! We would be happy to provide you and your child with additional reading suggestions and resources next time you can call or visit one of our open branches.

We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections. Here are some picture books we are really excited about that will be hitting shelves soon. Most are also available as eBooks.

Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty, illustrated by David Roberts (ages 3-5)

It's cleaning day for everyone since Grandma is visiting! Everything needs to be clean, including the cat. This fun read-aloud picture book has rhyming text throughout as the cat tries to distract Dad and Papa with nonsensical chores, creating hilarious chaos with each family member.

 

I Wish You Knew by Jackie Azúa Kramer, illustrated by Magdalena Mora (ages 4-7)

Estrella and her class gather around an old oak tree and share their secrets and fears. Some children are hungry, some live in a shelter, and Estrella shares that her father has been deported, and how much she misses him.

 

 

Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson (ages 4-8)

Milo is on a long subway ride and begins looking at the people around him, imagining stories about their lives and where they are going. He soon realizes you can't really know a person just by looking at them.

 

Shhh! The Baby’s Asleep by JaNay Brown-Wood, illustrated by Elissambura (ages 2-5)

The baby is sleeping – can everyone in the family (including the dog and the neighbour) keep quiet while the baby naps? Nope! But big brother knows just what to do.

 

 

Zuri Ray Tries Ballet by Tami Charles, illustrated by Sharon Sordo (ages 4-8)

Zuri Ray loves trying new things, but when her friend Jessie asks her to join a ballet camp, she has a hard time fitting in. Zuri Ray learns that it's okay to have different hobbies than her friends, and that's what makes her unique.

 

 

Posted on behalf of Jesse, Children's Selection Team.

Previous New and Noteworthy book recommendations

Great news! Toronto Public Library is happy to announce that all outstanding overdue and holds-not-picked-up fines on children cards have been waived.

During the pandemic, we have not been charging fines on any cards, and going forward and on a permanent basis, TPL will not charge overdue fines on materials checked out on children’s cards. We don’t want overdue fines to keep your child from using all the great library resources available to them.

We invite your child to explore and experience everything that the library has to offer. Here are some of the things they can do with their library membership:

• Read all the books they want! Borrow them in branch or online
• Check out a new movie
• Get live online homework help
• Explore fun and interactive programs on our Crowdcast and YouTube channels, from after school clubs to storytimes
• And so much more!

 

We know it’s a challenging time and we’re doing everything we can'to make the library safe for everyone. Learn more about our available services and how to prepare for your next visit.

Please share your feedback with us

More information about the elimination of children’s fines. Let us know what fine-free for kids at TPL means for you and your family by completing this short survey.

According to its official website, World Letter Writing Day was created in 2014 by Richard Simpkin. On September 1 each year, everyone is encouraged to pick up a pen or pencil and some paper and write someone a letter.

Dear Dragon by Josh Funk (ages 4-7)

With so many ways to communicate via technology, it may seem that letter-writing is a thing of the past. Yet, for many children, handwritten notes are often among the first types of greetings that they may send.

Toddlers start by printing their names on things like Valentines or a drawing that they are giving to someone. Preschoolers might add some heartfelt words to a card sent for someone's birthday or another special occasion. When they get to school, older children might pass notes to each other or they could send letters home from summer camp. And of course, Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy are still among the most popular recipients of letters from kids of all ages.

 

The Thank You Letter by Jane Cabrera (ages 4-7)

There are many positive aspects related to letter writing.

For younger children, writing (of any kind) is a wonderful activity that will help them to get Ready for Reading. Encourage scribbling, writing and drawing in daily activities. Give your child opportunities to practice writing their name or let them "write" notes or lists.

Older children can use letter-writing as a way of practicing their handwriting, which is a discipline that may slowly disappear as we rely more and more on typing and technology to communicate. And learning how to write a proper letter, even if it isn't done by hand, is a life skill that is an asset for everyone, whether they are using it in business, a job search, activism, or their interpersonal relationships.

These three how-to books by Cecilia Minden and Kate Roth are great for ages 6 to 12. They are a part of  the Language Arts Explorer Junior series.

Letters in Literature

Authors sometimes choose to tell entire stories through letters. This is known as epistolary fiction. (Though it should be noted that this type of writing may now also include stories told through emails, texts and other forms of communication.) A collection of letters can also provide information in a non-fiction book, making up all or part of its contents.

TPL has many children's books in this letter-writing genre in both print and ebook formats. Here are a few examples from various parts of our collection:

Picture Books

Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings (ages 3-6)

 

Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School by Mark Teague (ages 5-8)

 

A Letter to My Teacher by Deborah Hopkinson (ages 5-10)

 

The Sorry Life of Timothy Shmoe by Stephanie Simpson McLellan (ages 4-7)

 

Beginning Readers (BR) and Early/Easy Readers (ER)

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin (ages 3-7)

 

Corduroy Writes a Letter by Alison Inches (ages 4-7)

 

Dear Professor Whale by Megumi Iwasa (ages 7-10)

 

Yours Sincerely, Giraffe by Megumi Iwasa (ages 7-10)

 

Children's Fiction

Love from Lexie by Cathy Cassidy (ages 8-12)

 

Love from Paddington by Michael Bond (ages 7-10)

 

P.S. I Miss You by Jen Petro-Roy (ages 9-13)

 

To Night Owl From Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan (ages 9-12)

 

Reading a book told through letters is one way to celebrate World Letter Writing Day. Writing a letter to your favourite author is another. 

Journeys: Young Readers' Letters to Authors Who Changed Their Lives edited by Catherine Gourley (ages 8-12+)

 

Whether you choose to do so by reading or writing or both, take some time to celebrate World Letter Writing Day. And if you still need a reason why, think about this quotation from Richard Simpkin:

"We are more expressive when we write a letter compared to an email or txt where we just want to take short cuts, we try not to make spelling mistakes when we write, we usually take pride in our handwriting & we all want our letters to look & sometimes feel special to the receiver, a hint of perfume, a photo, a favourite flower petal. We usually just make more of an effort."

 

(Plus it will help to get you ready for Pen Pal Day when it comes around again on June 1!)

Summer is the season of hot weather, cool snacks and spending time with the kids. You're always searching for activities to entertain the whole family. Jigsaw puzzles are a great way to pass the time. But have you tried picture puzzle books?

Picture puzzle books can be educational but won't remind kids of school. They promote active off-screen engagement: you can'take one on the go and don't even need to charge it. Like scavenger hunts in book format, they can help children develop their observation skills and learn about the world around them.

Is your child starting kindergarten this year? We've put together a booklet filled with fun learning activities like connect the dots, matching games and yes, a scavenger hunt! The end of summer and starting school can be challenging in the best of times. We're here to support your family as you help your child make the transition into the classroom with confidence. From August 23 to September 4, you can pick up a Kindergarten Let's Go! Activity Bag at your local branch, while supplies last. It contains an activity booklet, bubbles, sidewalk chalk and stickers to encourage discovery and play. 

 

Explore with your child to help ensure their success in kindergarten and beyond! Kids of all ages love poring over picture puzzle books. Every page is jam-packed with things to spot and riddles to solve. Here are five of our favourite series:

 

I Spy by Jean Marzollo and Walter Wick

The tried and true series combines search-and-find riddles with stellar photographs. Can you spot all of the hidden objects? 

 

Where's Waldo? by Martin Handford 

A list of picture puzzle books wouldn't be complete without mentioning the iconic and elusive Waldo. Waldo in his signature red and white striped shirt, bobble hat and glasses is the time-travelling main character of this series. Can you find Waldo hidden in the seas of people doing different things? 

 

Look and Find by Kirsteen Robson 

This series contains colourful illustrations with lots of things to find in fun speech bubbles. Different topics include kid favourites such as dinosaurs, bugs, farm and jungle. 

 

Spot 7 by various authors

Look closely: on each spread there are two photographs. Are they the same? At first glance, it might appear so but hidden are seven differences and the trick is to spot all seven. Can you? 

 

Look, Look Again by Matt Bruning 

Another spot-the-difference series with a twist. Search through the two-page spreads but be careful: as you progress through the book, the difficulty level increases.

 

Browse more picture puzzle books in our catalogue. Does your child have a favourite series? Challenge each other to see who can spy more objects with their little eye or who can find Waldo first!

Kids from across Canada have been submitting content to the TD Summer Reading Club website this summer. Here are some of our favourite submissions so far.

Jokes

Question: What did the apple say to the cat?

Answer: Nothing, apples can’t talk.

-submitted by seewaves500

Question: My friend Mark stole my dictionary and I said…

Answer: Mark, my words!!!

-submitted by librarylover10

Question: What do you call a dinosaur fart?

Answer: A blast from the past!

-submitted by abby_h

Question: Where do sheep go to cut their hair?

Answer: To the baa-baa shop.

-submitted by gaily

 

Story endings

Our story starters give kids the chance to exercise their creative writing skills. We start a story for kids and they can'take it in any direction they see fit. Several of our favourite responses are from the story Your Order Has Shipped, which begins like this:

Ding-dong!

I run to the front door and open it. There is a brown box at the door and I see the delivery man walking back towards his truck. 

"Who's it for?" my dad asks, as I carry the box into the house and shut the door.

"Hmm, let's see," I say, looking for the name on the label. "Uh… Hmm. Ok, this is weird," I say. "The package is addressed to Chloe."

"Chloe? Our cat?!" my dad exclaims.

"Yea, that's what it says," I reply. "Right here, see: Package for Chloe."

"How is that possible?" my dad says.

Chloe, our pet cat, walks into the room and has her eyes on the box… 

 

Here's how kids chose to finish this story:

She starts to use her claws and rips open the box like she had been waiting for it for days.

Inside, I see a $50 fancy cat bed just for her in her favourite colour: yellow. I wondered how she paid for this bed when I hear my dad shout in the kitchen.

"Who just spent 50 dollars on a cat bed!!" 

I knew it from the start when we adopted Chloe, she wasn't any ordinary cat…

-submitted by banana_dog

 

…and ripped the box apart with her teeth. In the box there was a packet of cat treats and a letter that said I Love You. It showed a picture of a male cat. My dad says we better not let Chloe get near any packages like that again, because when Chloe ate the cat treats she got sick.

-submitted by crystalheartpie

 

"Should we let her open it?" I ask my dad.

Dad laughs. "I think that's more of an opposable thumbs thing, honey. I'll go get the scissors."

Dad leaves the room. I scoot over to Chloe and scratch her under the chin, just the way she likes. She starts to purr.

"I can smell that stink bomb from here, kitty!" I whisper. "This is going to be our best April Fools' prank yet!"

-submitted by bookgirl99

 

Book reviews

Kids have been reading a lot this summer. We've read over 18,000 book reviews to date.

Sometimes, the reviews can be funny, like this user who reviewed the book Karate Kakapo by Loredana Cunti and Stacy Curtis:

I do karate so I know the struggle.

-submitted by therealcat123

 

Sometimes they can be heartwarming, like this review for Don't Stand So Close to Me by Eric Walters:

I read this at the beginning of the pandemic, and I found it really helped. It helped me believe that one day, everything would be all right.

-submitted by chiot

 

And other times, the reviews are quite profound. Here's a thoughtful review for the book These Are My Words: The Residential School Diary of Violet Pesheens by Ruby Slipperjack:

I really enjoyed reading this book, because with all the First Nations and Indigenous deaths from residential school are being revealed, I wanted to educate myself on this topic and this book did. Violet and her grandmother’s relationship is so strong I couldn’t imagine it would ever break. This book was also very sad at the same time, but I won’t reveal why because it might spoil the book. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about living in a residential school.

-submitted by thebookaddict

 

Most popular ebooks

Thanks to the generosity of publishers, kids in the Club have access to ebooks on our website that are available at all times without waiting lists or restrictions. These are the top three titles so far: 

Dog Man: Fetch 22 by Dav Pilkey. Read it now on the TDSRC website.

 

The Bad Guys in the Dawn of the Underlord by Aaron Blabey. Read it now on the TDSRC website.

 

The Lunch Club: It Came From the Basement by Dom Pelletier. Read it now on the TDSRC website.

 

Check us out online!

There is still plenty of time to register for the Club (it's free!) and check out all of our online content this summer. The TD Summer Reading Club website is available until September 6, 2021.

There are more ways to participate in TDSRC, like attending online programs and downloading the Beanstack reading app with fun activities and challenges. You can also sign up in person. So head to your local branch to pick up a reading kit, borrow a grab & go bag and take an outdoor StoryWalk® at select locations. Happy summer reading!

We all want our children to be empathetic and understand the feelings of others. We want them to invite the new kid to join the soccer game, and check on a friend who's hurt.

But sometimes we end up with the kid that tramples over the new kid on the way to the goal and doesn't say sorry.

One way to cultivate empathy in your child is to let them see empathy in action. In addition to modeling empathy, you can read books that show caring behaviour. These stories can help your child put themselves in another's shoes.

Here are some of our favourite picture books that will help build empathy in your child.

 

Books about Everyday Kindness

I Walk with Vanessa: A Story about a Simple Act of Kindness by Kerascoët 

I Walk with Vanessa is a powerful and wordless story about how small kindnesses can make a big difference when you're the new kid in school.

 

When We Are Kind by Monique Gray Smith

This sweet book is chock-full of empathetic acts, and sparks children to think about their own actions toward others.

 

Can I Keep It? by Lisa Jobe 

A boy starts to consider the needs of living creatures when he wonders about the best places for each of them to live.

 

Noni Speaks Up by Heather Hartt-Sussman

Noni knows what it's like to be on the end of cruel remarks. But when she witnesses a classmate being bullied, she's afraid to speak up.

 

Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller 

Wow, what a book. In this story, a girl wonders what to do when a classmate spills grape juice on her clothes and her attempt at kindness goes awry. What exactly does it mean to be kind? This book will make your child think.

 

Books About Understanding and Accepting Our Differences

According to Harvard's Making Caring Common project, learning about the struggles of others can increase empathy. Read your child books about people with diverse abilities and experiences to help them understand, accept and care for others.

 

My Sister, Alicia May by Nancy Tupper Ling 

This lovely book details the joys and struggles of life, school and sports for Alicia May, a girl with Down Syndrome. Her story is told from her sister's point of view. Check out our Disability: Read Up On It booklist for more great books recommended by our children's librarians.

 

The Magic Beads by Susin Nielsen-Fernlund 

A girl who lives in a homeless shelter worries that she doesn't have anything spectacular to bring to Show and Tell.

 

Talking Is Not My Thing by Rose Robbins 

This beautifully written book about non-verbal autism will help your child understand and accept the differences of others. If you like this book, you might also enjoy the companion book, Me and My Sister.

 

Adrian Simcox Does Not Have a Horse by Marcy Campbell 

Chloe knows that Adrian's family doesn't have a lot of money. When Adrian brags about owning a horse, Chloe is sure that it can't be true.

 

Looking for more great books on this topic? You might want to try Novelist, a book recommendation database that is free to use with your library card. Enter "empathy" as a search term and then limit the results by age.

Would you like to learn more about raising an empathetic child? Take a look at this valuable resource from Harvard's Making Caring Common project: 5 tips for cultivating empathy.

I hope you enjoy your reading journey!

We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections. Here are some picture books we are really excited about that have just hit our shelves. Additionally, most are available as eBooks.

Poem in my Pocket by Chris Tougas. Illustrated by Josee Bisaillon. Ages 6-9.

A writer’s journey is never easy! When the words of a carefully crafted poem escape from a hole in a young person’s pocket, they scatter and mingle all across the city. Later, the word re-form into something new and special: a Poet-Tree!

 

Beatrice was a Tree by Joyce Hesselberth. Ages 4-8.

Have you ever imagined that you were a tree? With roots, leaves and branches, and nesting birds? Beatrice does and along the way we learn all the different ways trees are important for our environment!

 

Stand Like a Cedar by Nicola I Campbell. Illustrated by Carrielynn Victor. Ages 4-7

The sights and sounds of nature come alive when we take time to stop and listen. Learn the names of different animals in the Halq'emeylem language, and what they can'teach us!

 

The Day the Rain Moved In by Eleonore Douspis. Ages 7-10

One day, it mysteriously starts to rain inside Pauline and Louis’s house, even though it is bright and sunny outside. No one knows where the rain is coming from and Pauline and Louis are embarrassed and afraid of being teased at school. What would they do if their friends found out their secret?

 

We All Play by Julie Flett. Ages 0-7

Animals and children are not so different, they are connected in many ways: they hide and hop, splash and squirt and wiggle and wobble. They play and have fun in nature! This book has a glossary of the English and Cree names for all the animals included.

Posted on behalf of Margaret, Children's Selection Team.

 

Previous New and Noteworthy book recommendations from this year

Mars holds a special fascination for space fans of all ages. There's no shortage of Red Planet-inspired stories. Earthlings have imagined all sorts of things about our neighbour, creating plenty of books, radio dramas, movies, TV shows and video games to fill Wikipedia subcategories.

When NASA's Perseverance rover landed on Mars on February 18, 2021, it made headlines around the world. Did your family watch the exciting descent or check out some of the amazing images taken by high-tech cameras? Experience the wonder of space exploration together with your child. Join us for a design thinking workshop where kids can learn about Mars and build their own machine or device to explore the rocky terrain.

 

Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover by Markus Motum (ages 8 to 12)

Our Wonder Workshop: Mars Challenge program is inspired by this book. Before Perseverance, there was Curiosity! The story follows the rover's journey from construction to touchdown. Kids will have the chance to brainstorm their own solutions to the challenges of going to Mars. Discover the power of imagination! Tune in live on July 14 at 11am or watch the replay.

You might not have any advanced scientific instruments in your kitchen drawers. (And if you do, you probably don't want to risk damaging them!) But look around your home for ideas to create your own rover. What can your child come up with using objects like egg cartons, toilet paper rolls and juice boxes? Here are some guidelines for your foray into design thinking:

• Ask. What is the problem? What do we need to solve?
• Imagine. What are some ways to solve the problem?
• Plan. Organize your steps.
• Create. Bring your idea to life by drawing it or using recyclable materials to build it.
• Test. Just because you didn't actually launch your creation into space doesn't mean the mission failed. Did your child develop a better understanding of Mars, spacecraft or the solar system?
• Improve. How can you make the prototype work better based on observations from the testing stage?

It's okay if your child's idea doesn't quite come together. Trying and testing things out is a great opportunity to learn about the scientific method. Take time and work on possible solutions as a family. There is no right or wrong answer. The fun is in imagining!

Fact or fiction, we have lots of resources about Mars. Books can fuel kids' imaginations and encourage the spirit of scientific discovery!

 

CatStronauts: Race to Mars by Drew Brockington (ages 7 to 10) 

Cats in space! Kids will have a catastrophic good time with this graphic novel series.

 

Destination: Space – Living on Other Planets by Dave Williams and Loredana Cunti (ages 9 to 12)

Earth is a Goldilocks planet, meaning it's just right for human habitation. What are the factors to consider? Written by a Canadian astronaut, this book breaks down the challenges of living on the moon or Mars in a fun, engaging way.

 

The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm (ages 8 to 12)

In this science fiction novel set in the year 2091, Bell is a regular kid who lives on Mars. But it's weird how there's no contact with anyone in the other colonies. When all the adults get sick, it's up to the kids to save the day.

 

Mars by Elizabeth Carney (ages 6 to 8) 

Discover the fascinating world of Mars in this book packed with stunning photos. National Geographic Kids offers many levelled books to encourage the scientists and explorers of tomorrow.

 

Mars: You Decide How to Survive! by Hena Khan, David Borgenicht, Robert Zubrin and Yancey Labat (ages 8 to 12)

Readers get to join the youngest crew of astronauts ever to make the trip to Mars! Kids will love choosing their own path in this action-packed adventure with 22 possible endings. Can they achieve the mission and safely return home to Earth?

 

Red Rover: Curiosity on Mars by Richard Ho and Katherine Roy (ages 4 to 7)

The rover is depicted like Wall-E in this book filled with beautiful, alien illustrations of sandstorms and rocky landscapes. Following all the informational picture books starring Curiosity, we can expect more stories about Perseverance to be published. 

 

Rovers by Julie Murray (ages 6 to 9) 

Take a closer look at the incredible rovers that roam distant planets! Learn more about space technology like satellites and shuttles in this series. You'll be surprised by the common products that were originally developed for astronauts.

 

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Keep your child exploring and learning all summer long! You can'track your reading, complete challenges and earn badges using a free app called Beanstack. Register your family by visiting tpl.ca/readingapp or by downloading the Beanstack Tracker app for your device.

Our Summer Wonder programs run until September 4.  You can also check out our Mini Wonder Workshop videos on YouTube for more design-thinking challenges. We'd love to see what your family creates! Snap some photos of your prototypes and share it with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #TPLSummerWonder. 

Relevez notre Défi Lecture!

L’été bat son plein, y compris pour les enfants qui lisent en français. Cette année, la Bibliothèque publique de Toronto offre une version française en ligne de tous ses programmes Summer Wonder. Vous pouvez écouter de la musique, fabriquer des objets grâce à Explorum et entendre des récits captivants. Nous vous offrons tous ces programmes passionnants sur Internet jusqu’au 4 septembre 2021.

De plus, votre enfant peut s’inscrire au Club de lecture d’été TD. Inscrivez-le en ligne ou passez par votre succursale locale pour prendre gratuitement sa trousse de lecture, qui comprend un carnet, des autocollants, un coin-coin et un code d’accès spécial pour ouvrir une session. En outre, nous proposons un Défi Lecture aux enfants de 12 ans ou moins. Après avoir lu un livre en français, ils peuvent remplir ce formulaire pour participer à un concours et courir la chance de gagner un prix. Précisons que rien ne leur interdit d’y participer plusieurs fois cet été. Bonne lecture!

Cet été, nous vous recommandons 75 ouvrages. Ce n’est donc pas le choix qui manque pour tous les goûts. Pour vous aiguiser l’appétit, voici quelques ouvrages intéressants.

 

Take the French Reading Challenge!

Summer is in full swing for all, including French readers! The Toronto Public Library is running French Summer Wonder programs this year with all the programs online. You can listen to music, make things with Explorum and listen to some amazing stories. And all of these fun programs will be available online until September 4, 2021.

Your child can also register to participate in the TD Summer Reading Club. Sign up online or by visiting your local library to pick up a free reading kit. It includes a notebook, stickers, fortune teller and a special online access code. We are also holding a French reading challenge for children ages 12 and under. Read a French book, then fill out this form to enter a prize draw. Multiple entries are allowed, so happy reading!

We have 75 recommended reads in French this year, so there are heaps of options for all types of readers out there. Here are some books to get you started.

 

La Clique du camp: le jeu du fantôme d’Alain M. Bergeron, de François Gravel, de Martine Latulippe, de Johanne Mercier et de Philippe Germain

Vous trouverez cet ouvrage sur le site du Club d’été.

Jade, Jules, Cédric et Lou ont été jumelés en équipe. Ils ont une semaine pour démasquer celui ou celle qui s’amuse à taquiner les campeurs ! Chacun raconte sa version de l’enquête à sa manière dans ce roman mystérieux et hautement rigolo, écrit à huit mains.

 

 

C’est quoi un réfugié? d’Élise Gravel

Vous trouverez cet ouvrage sur le site du Club d’été. 

Qui sont les réfugiés? Cet album l’explique simplement aux enfants et leur rappelle que ces personnes déracinées sont avant tout des êtres humains comme nous.

 

 

Les hauts et les bas d’Amanda d’Ashley Spires

Amanda et ses amis sont des aventuriers intrépides. Ils font des courses d’avions, construisent de grands forts et domptent des animaux sauvages. Lorsque ses amis suggèrent de transformer un arbre en bateau de pirates, Amanda est incapable de monter à bord (et de grimper dans l’arbre). Saura-t-elle surmonter sa peur? Elle va essayer. Un récit drôle et touchant sur le courage et la détermination.

 

Ollie, le champion d’Alain M. Bergeron, de Fil et de Julie

Vous trouverez cet ouvrage sur le site du Club d’été.

Ollie, sympathique monstre vert à quatre yeux, est sur le point de prendre le train pour Béring, où a lieu le grand championnat de planche à roulettes de la planète Luni-Vert. La présence de ses amis sera-t-elle suffisante pour lui redonner confiance en lui?

 

Un renard sur la glace / Maageesees Maskwameek Kaapit de Tomson Highway et de Brian Deines

Vous trouverez cet ouvrage sur le site du Club d’été.

Joe et Cody pêchent sur la glace avec leurs paren'ts. Soudain, les chiens repèrent un renard à la fourrure aussi brillante que des flammes…

 

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Quels livres lisez‑vous en français? Dites‑le‑nous dans la section des commentaires.

What are you reading in French? Let us know in the comments!

Edited July 5, 2021: Added YouTube link to Explorum program.

This collection of the latest and greatest picture books are perfect for celebrating Pride Month with your children. Most are also available as eBooks.

Llama Glamarama by Simon James Green, illustrated by Gary Parsons (ages 3-5)

While the other barn animals are fast asleep, Larry the llama breaks out his bright costumes and dances the night away. Larry keeps his fabulous nighttime activities a secret, afraid he'll be teased. But when he discovers a vibrant carnival with animals just like him, he must decide to live his truth or continue to keep it a secret.

 

Pride Puppy by Robin Stevenson, illustrated by Julie McLaughlin (ages 3-6)

Accompanied by their two moms, younger sibling and dog, a child attends Pride Day, meeting family and friends and enjoying the colourful sights. But when their dog goes missing at the parade, the community comes together to reunite the pup with his family. This rhyming alphabet book is a perfect introduction to the joy of Pride for young readers.

 

Ritu Weds Chandni by Ameya Narvankar (ages 5-7)

Excited to attend her cousin Ritu's wedding to her girlfriend, young Ayesha is heartbroken at the many people who shout unkind words and try their best to stop the festivities. But Ayesha's love for her family saves the day, along with her commitment to making the day fun no matter what. Ayesha's bold attitude towards homophobia and her unconditional love for her cousin shine brightly in this picture book.

 

Sam is My Sister by Ashley Rhodes-Courter, illustrated by MacKenzie Haley (ages 4-8)

Evan loves being a big brother to his two siblings, Sam and Finn. But when Sam wants to grow longer hair, wear dresses and read princess stories, Evan is confused. With the help of supportive paren'ts, Evan comes to understand that Sam is trans and his sister. This picture book explains clearly what being transgender is and how transitioning does not change who someone is in their heart.

 

What are Your Words? A Book about Pronouns by Katherine Locke, illustrated by Anne Passchier (ages 4-8)

On the way to a neighbourhood summer bash, Ari struggles to figure out what pronouns to use for that day – sometimes Ari uses he/him, sometimes she/her. Ari meets lots of neighbours, learns their pronouns and tries them out, but none of them seem to fit. Ari soon discovers that it's okay to not know your pronouns right away. A cheerful and affirming introduction of gender-inclusive pronouns and inclusivity.

 

Posted on behalf of Scott, Children's Selection Team.

 

More ways to celebrate Pride:

Previous New and Noteworthy book recommendations from this year:

Grab a basket, a blanket, some food and your sunscreen because June 18 is International Picnic Day!

A picnic can be as simple as taking your sandwich outside to eat on your lunch break, or as extravagant as a giant outdoor party with friends and family (when social gatherings are safely allowed again). And even though Britannica Kids Dictionary defines a picnic as "a meal eaten outdoors often during a trip away from home," you don't really have to go outside or too far away to have one. You could spread a blanket out in your living room and eat your dinner while sitting on the floor!

Recipes and Ready for Reading

Kids can help with the picnic preparations. And this can give caregivers an opportunity to include some fun learning activities.

Ask your children what they would like to bring with them on your picnic. Get them to draw a picture of what they would like to eat. (Perhaps they could use a piece of paper that looks like a typical picnic blanket with red and white squares on it!) Or ask them to help you to make a shopping list. If you are able to take them with you to the grocery store, your child could read out the listed items or look around for matching words on signs and labels.

Starting to scribble with crayons and printing out words that represent everyday items are great ways for kids to practice writing, which is one of our five Ready for Reading activities.

And remember, preparing food together is also a great way to add some STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) to your family's day. Cooking is a science and a great way to do some yummy experiments. And with all the counting and measuring involved, there is plenty of math to be found when following a recipe. 

Here are a few cookbook suggestions with some yummy picnic possibilities in them.

The Picnic: Recipes and Inspiration from Blanket to Basket by Marnie Hanel

 

The Complete Summer Cookbook: Beat the Heat with 500 Recipes that Make the Most of Summer's Bounty by America's Test Kitchen

There's a whole chapter dedicated to picnics in this one but remember that picnics don't necessarily have to be a summertime activity!

 

Salad People and More Real Recipes: A New Cookbook for Preschoolers and Up by Mollie Katzen

And there are more picnic inspired cookbooks in our collection.

 

Reading and Relaxing

After eating a delicious meal, there's no better way to relax than finding the perfect spot to stop and read a book. Here are some picnic-themed suggestions.

Beginner Readers

The Bears' Picnic by Stan & Jan Berenstain

 

Gulp, Gobble by Marilyn Singer

 

A Picnic Adventure by Lisa Gallo

 

Henry and Mudge in the Green Time by Cynthia Rylant

Picnics are often one of the stories in collections, like this Henry and Mudge book. Lots of beginner books may include children's favourite characters having picnic adventures together. 

 

Picture Books

Bats at the Beach by Brian Lies

 

Bears and Blossoms by Shirley Paren'teau

The Lost Picnic by B.B. Cronin

 

Max and Marla Are Having a Picnic by Alexandra Boiger

 

Picnic by John Burningham

 

Picnic with Oliver by Mika Song

 

The Simples Love a Picnic by J.C. Phillips

 

Truck, Truck, Goose! by Tammi Sauer

There are lots more picnic-themed books in our children's collections, available in both print and eBook formats. What are some of your favourites?

 

Picnics and Play

Of course, picnics aren't just about food, friends and family. They're also about having fun! And like stories, games and songs can also be part of any picnic day.

Playing a pre-meal game of tag or baseball might help to make you hungry. Going on a photo scavenger hunt or a nature walk after you've eaten might help with your digestion. And a sing-along is great at any time… as long as you don't sing with your mouth full!

Looking for a picnic song? Try changing the words to the familiar tune like "Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush" to describe how your family is "Going on a Picnic Today." You can sing about the way you spread out the blanket, share your food, and all clean up at the end. Or sing about some familiar but unwelcome picnic guests with this song about ants that can be found on PreschoolEducation.com:

Ants at the Picnic

(sung to the tune of "Skip to My Lou")

Ants at the picnic, what'll I do?
Ants at the picnic, what'll I do?
Ants at the picnic, what'll I do?
Guess I'll eat real quickly!

 

Let's play a picnic-themed game in the comments section below. It's a version of the Alphabet Game called "I'm Going on a Picnic…" (TripSavvy tells you how you can play it at your own picnic, too!)

I will add the first comment saying "I'm going on a picnic and I'm bringing…" and list something that begins with the letter A. The next person will add to the list by commenting with something that begins with the letter B. And then someone will say that they are bringing something that starts with a C and so on. Let's see if we can get all the way to the letter Z and celebrate International Picnic Day together!

The TD Summer Reading Club launches on June 14, 2021 in Toronto! Families can visit a Toronto Public Library branch to pick up their free reading kit, including a notebook and stickers, which will help motivate kids to read all summer long.

The Club website launches the following day and kids can also participate online. Check out our teaser video with a sneak peek of some of the activities we have lined up this summer.   

 

There are a lot of fun things for kids to do on the Club website:

Create an online notebook

Kids can'track their reading by adding the books they read over the summer to their digital notebooks. They can personalize their notebooks with a nickname and avatar, and the notebook will store any contributions kids make to other parts of our website, such as jokes and stories. Each time a kid adds a book or submits content, they are rewarded with a digital badge that is stored in their notebook.

Read ebooks

We have free ebooks for all ages and interests, in both English and French. Once kids set up their online notebooks, they can access the ebooks at any time over the summer — no waiting lists or restrictions!

The Club is fully bilingual. Stay tuned for more information on a French Reading Challenge coming this summer.

Vote in the Battle of the Books

This is an 8-book tournament in which two books battle for top choice each week. All of the books are available as ebooks, so kids can read the books online and then vote for their favourite. At the end of the summer one book will be crowned as the summer's champion.

Review books

Kids can share what they think about books they have read for other kids to see.

Participate in weekly trivia

Each week, we will have a new multiple choice trivia question for kids to answer.

Write stories

Our silly stories ask kids to add their own words to a pre-written, hidden story. Once kids fill in the word prompts, the full story is revealed — and it's usually silly! We also have story starters, where kids continue writing a story that we've started for them. Kids can read the story endings that other kids have submitted.

Share jokes

Kids can write their own jokes and read the jokes submitted by other kids.

Read an original web comic

Kids can check out an original web comic called Book Trouble, written and illustrated by Mike Deas. Sacha Lefebvre and Jean-Francois Laliberté have also contributed an original web comic in French.

Watch author and illustrator readings and workshops

Kids will be able to view online videos and workshops, including a great lineup of programs in English and programs in French.

Print colouring sheets

Paren'ts and caregivers can print out fun colouring sheets, ranging from simple to advanced.

There's something for everyone on our site, including preschoolers and their families. The TD Summer Reading Club is accessible for kids of all abilities, no matter how they read! Learn more about the accessibility of the Club.

Are you ready for a summer of reading fun? Sign up today!

The JUNO Awards put a spotlight on Canadian music and musicians. This year, they are celebrating their 50th anniversary!

 

Among the honours being awarded will be the Children's Album of the Year. This award, which was previously called "Best Children's Album," is given to the artists who released a recorded collection of music for children in the past year. The 2021 nominees include ABC Singsong, Charlie Hope, Ginalina, Njacko Backo and Kalimbas at Work, and Splash'N Boots. 

Recently we hosted a series of programs called the Junior JUNOS, featuring four Children's Album of the Year contenders. The nominated artists performed family-friendly virtual concerts. We were happy to host these performances, which help us to shine a light on some of our great Canadian talent.

These concerts were live performances, but you can still listen to some of these musicians by borrowing their music on CD. We have albums in our collection by Ginalina and Splash'N Boots as well as their fellow nominee Charlie Hope.

Forest Friends' Nature Club Album by Ginalina

 

Coconuts Don't Fall Far From the Tree by Splash'N Boots

 

Songs, Stories and Friends: Let's Go Play! by Charlie Hope

 

Or you could enjoy listening to some of the past Children's Album of the Year winners:

You. Me and the Sea by Splash'N Boots – 2019 Children's Album of the Year

 

Hear the Music by Fred Penner – 2018 Children's Album of the Year

 

I Believe in Little Things by Diana Panton – 2017 Children's Album of the Year

 

If you prefer to listen to your music digitally, Hoopla has a great collection of children's music, including the work of JUNO winner Raffi.

 

Picture Books

A celebration of JUNO recognized artists doesn't have to stop with the music. Several previous winners and nominees have written books which can also be borrowed from TPL.

Baki and the Magic Egg by Njacko Backo 

Sharon, Lois & Bram's Skinnamarink by Sharon Hampson, Lois Lilenstein, and Bram Morrison

Shake My Sillies Out (Raffi Songs to Read) by Raffi

In the Waves by Lennon Stella and Maisy Stella

Hey Little Rockaby: A Lullaby for Pet Adoption by Buffy Sainte-Marie

 

Future Winners

And what about the future of Canadian children's music? Could someone in your family be nominated or win a JUNO award in years to come?

One way that caregivers can start their child on the road to music recognition is by borrowing books that can help them to study music. You might start by exploring what instrument they may want to play or by learning some music basics. Or if they already sing or play an instrument, you could borrow sheet music with songs by past winners Raffi or Sharon, Lois, and Bram.

Play It! Children's Songs: A Superfast Way to Learn Awesome Songs on Your Piano or Keyboard by Jennifer Kemmeter 

 

Learn to Speak Music: A Guide to Creating, Performing, and Promoting your songs by John Crossingham

 

Make Music: A Kid's Guide to Creating Rhythm, Playing with Sound, and Conducting and Composing Music by Norma Jean Haynes

 

And of course singing is one of our Ready for Reading practices. You can read more of our tips in this blog post. Who knows, maybe singing with your child will not only start them on the road to reading, but on their way to the JUNOS too!

 

If you were to record your own Children's Album of the Year, which songs would you want to add to your playlist? Tell us about it in the comments below!

In addition to the passing of Eric Carle, we're sad to say goodbye to award-winning children's author and illustrator Lois Ehlert this week. She passed away on Tuesday, May 26 at age 86.

Lois was best known for illustrating the colourful, addictive and energetic book, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Written by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, this book never fails to get kids up, moving and calling out at a storytime. Originally published in 1989, demand for this book has never diminished — we still own over 100 copies!

Her other well-known books include Color Farm and Color Zoo. With cut-outs in the pages, these books are fantastic for very young children to explore animals, shapes and colours.

The latest addition to our collection, Rain Fish, was published in 2016. It features colourful, mixed-media creations as the illustrations.

My personal favourite is Eating the Alphabet. I was vegetarian for eight years, so I'm a huge fan of eating my colours from A to Z! The book features well-known fruits and veggies, as well as some unusual ones. What do you eat that starts with Q, X, Y or Z? Give it a read to find out!

Lois Ehlert's books will continue to entertain and educate kids for many years to come!

Iconic children’s book author and illustrator Eric Carle has died at age 91.

One of the best known children’s books creators of all time, Carle produced more than 70 books over 50 years. His brightly-coloured mixed-media collages are recognizable for their unique style and child-friendly design.

Born in Syracuse, New York, Carle grew up in Germany. He returned to the United States in 1952 to work as a graphic designer at the New York Times. Later, he went on to work in advertising.

In 1967 author Bill Martin Jr. saw one of Carle's illustrations in an advertisement. Martin contacted Carle about working together on his new book. The collaboration resulted in Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? Brown Bear, Brown Bear was an instant hit, and is still a toddler favourite and librarian go-to in storytimes.

Carle went on to write his own books. In 1969 he published his most recognizable work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. It has been translated into 66 languages and sold over 50 million copies. More than 50 years later, children still can't get enough. In 2018, The Very Hungry Caterpillar was the most frequently borrowed picture book at the Toronto Public Library, with 2,204 checkouts.

While not all of Carle's books achieved the same level of fame as The Very Hungry Caterpillar, many are just as beloved. My personal favourite, Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me, is a magical starry story about a girl who longs to play with the moon. 

Some of Carle's works are out of print, but you can still find them in the Toronto Public Library's Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books.

The IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities has copies of several of Carle's books in Braille. 

Eric Carle will be missed. But his legacy will continue with every child who discovers a love of reading with his books in hand.

Bring on the funny stuff!

Are you tired of holding down the fort of positivity for your family? Are your smile muscles stiff from lack of use? We hear you, and we think you need more funny things in your life.

Bring home some of our funniest picture books and lighten the mood a little. Guffaw and giggle and let that laughter medicine flow!

Arnie the Doughnut by Laurie Keller 

Arnie the Doughnut is so excited that he's been picked to leave the bakery… until he learns that he is going to be eaten! Arnie must get creative if he's going to survive. This book is so funny that I'm chuckling while writing this, just thinking about Arnie. Read this!

 

We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins 

A young T. Rex wants to have a great first day of school, but it's soooo hard to resist eating her classmates.

 

17 Things I'm Not Allowed to Do Anymore by Jenny Offill and Nancy Carpenter

Your children will laugh their heads off (and hopefully won't get any ideas) when they find out why the main character is not allowed to use glue anymore, and 16 other things.

 

Baa Baa Smart Sheep by Mark and Rowan Sommerset 

When Sheep is bored, he can't resist playing a trick on Turkey. A pile of poo is involved. 

 

Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late by Mo Willems 

Have you read the first book in this series, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus? It's great, but I can relate better to the pigeon's bedtime pleas. Another one that unfortunately hits close to home is The Pigeon Needs a Bath.

 

Alien Tomato by Kristen Schroeder, illustrated by Mette Engell

A red ball lands in a garden. What could it be? An alien tomato, obviously! 

 

Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel

Never before have I so immensely enjoyed an alphabet book! Guaranteed laughs. 

 

The Book with No Pictures by B. J. Novak 

A giggle factory of a book, which takes advantage of the fact that adults must read aloud whatever is written on the page. I was interested to see that Penguin Random House has also published a fill-in-the-blanks version called MY Book with No Pictures, where your child can write in their own amazing words.

 

ABZzz…A Bedtime Alphabet by Isabel Minhós Martins, illustrated by Yara Kono

This whimsical alphabet book promises that almost all children fall asleep before they reach the letter S.

 

There Must be More Than That! by Shinsuke Yoshitake 

A child receives the doom-and-gloom message that the future is dim and it's too late to fix our planet. They go on to learn that adults aren't always right, and that the future could be terrifically fun! If you like this, try Shinsuke Yoshitake's other books.  

 

How to Teach a Slug to Read by Susan Pearson, illustrated by David Slonim

This book is ultra-cute, it's funny, and as a bonus, it gives great advice on helping your child learn to read.

 

Are you Scared, Darth Vader? by Adam Rex

It's Hallowe'en night. Isn't there anything that could scare Darth Vader?

 

Still Need More Funny?

Find even more funny books in Bill's blog post about Flatulence Picture Books or Sharanja's post on Laugh Out Loud Picture Books. 

Looking for funny books for older kids? Check out the latest and most popular funny novels and comics on TPL Kids.  

Do you have any books to add to our list? If a book made you laugh out loud, let us know in the comments below!

We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest books to our library collections. Here are some picture books we are really excited about that have just hit our shelves. Additionally, all are available as ebooks.

 

What's Inside a Flower? by Rachel Ignotofsky (ages 4-7)

How do flowers grow? Why do plants bloom? Here's a chance for young readers to explore and find out.

 

How to Build an Insect by Roberta Gibson, illustrated by Anne Lambelet (ages 5-9)

Crawling, flying, hopping, wriggling!  Expert descriptions and detailed illustrations show how fascinating insects can be.  Especially when you see how all the different parts fit together. Note the eBook version of this allows simultaneous loans, so no holds to wait for! 

 

We are the Gardeners by Joanna Gaines and Kids, illustrated by Julianna Swaney (ages 4-8)

A garden can mean lots of hard work, obstacles to overcome, satisfaction and occasional outright failures. The Gaines family describe the lessons they learned and how their plot became a success. 

 

These next two books celebrate our human link to trees and nature with gorgeous illustrations and lyrical texts. Each beautiful and special in their own way. Both are for ages 4-8.

 

Be a Tree! by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Felicita Sala

 

The Tree in Me by Corinna Luyken

 

Previous New and Noteworthy book recommendations from this year:

• January (Wordless Books Roundup)
• February
• March
• April

 

Posted on behalf of Laurel, Children's Selection Team.