Growing a Reader: Kids' Books, Tips and More

Ahhh August! That time of the summer when recreational reading begins to drop off ever so slightly for kids.

There are multiple reasons why this may occur: preparing for the back to school rush, perhaps more day trips or weekend getaways, a general loss of interest and the emergence of new, interactive gaming on smartphones and tablets.  

Libraries are always looking for new and fresh ways to keep kids interested in recreational reading in their final month of summer break, and there are lots of things you can do too!

How about trying your hand at an old, yet engaging, game?

Scavenger hunts are back and more popular than ever! From geocaching to Pokémon GO, the search and discover hunts are exciting, interactive and a great way to discover new pockets of your neighbourhood, or new ones altogether!

Click on this image to find everything you need to know about Pokémon GO at your local branch

The great thing about scavenger hunts is that they do not have to be virtual to be fun. Your children do not have to be 8 years or older to play, and you do not need to follow instructions on a phone or tablet to explore your neighbourhood, or to discover new places! There is an amazing trend called Book Scavenger Hunts, which may not only get your kids outside and moving, but also keeps them engaged while reading.

Win-Win!

Here’s how it works:

Take a book, any book. Seriously! A picture book, pre-chapter book, chapter book, graphic novel, etc., and give the book a quick scan. Check out the TD Summer Reading Club’s Recommended Reads list for some great options, or visit your local branch and speak with a staff member. Write down objects, occupations, or actions from the book that your kids can also easily find in their neighbourhood. Some examples are, “kids playing in a soccer tournament”, or “someone waiting for a bus”, or “fish swimming in a lake or river”. Yes, it is that easy.

You can have your kids engage in the scavenger hunt as they read along, or at the very end of the book. You can bring the scavenger hunt outside, or simply have your children check off items as they read them on the page. There are no steadfast rules when it comes to running a book scavenger hunt; no Poké balls to replenish, and no need to follow a compass on your phone.

Following are two examples of Book Scavenger Hunts. One is based on the classic, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, and the other is based on the wordless picture book Sidewalk Flowers by JonArno Lawson and Sydney Smith, which is a personal favourite of mine this year. Book Scavenger Hunts can also be adapted for children with physical, reading, or developmental disabilities. For example, audiobooks could be used in place of print, with children marking off items on the scavenger hunt as they pass them in the story. You can use large font or images on flashcards; you can even use braille books and flashcards.  Challenge your creativity, and give one of these hunts a try!

Happy Hunting!

Where the Wild Things Are Scavenger Hunt

1) Pajamas or a costume

2) A blanket

3) A tool (i.e. a hammer, a screwdriver etc.)

4) A utensil (a fork or a spoon)

5) A pet 

6) The moon

7) 10 stars

8) The sun

9) Three different trees

10) Two different kinds of animals you may find in a park or forest (or in a make believe forest)

11) A boat

12) A wild looking animal (hint: check your TD Summer Reading Club booklet or a poster at your local branch…)

Sidewalk Flowers Scavenger Hunt

1) Someone wearing a red shirt or jacket

2) A child walking with an adult (mom, dad, grandparen't, nanny etc.)

3) Three different types of flowers

4) People at a bus stop

5) A TTC bus or streetcar

6) Three people wearing a type of hat or head covering

7) Someone wearing a bright floral or coloured item of clothing

8) A bird

9) A dog

10) A cat

11) Someone on their phone

12) Someone sitting or lying down on a park bench