June 2015

June 2015

TORONTO

KIDS &

This themed edition is dedicated to the Toronto Public Library and its TD Summer Reading Club Program.

Visit activities events restaurants travel more!

Time for Preschool?

Ages 1-5 Years Flexible Scheduling Extended Hours

Summer Cam-9pyrss Ages 2

Northwood Montessori

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• Parent & Tot • Toddlers • Preschool The Academic Advantages of Montessori plus the Fun of Bilingual E.C.E. Enrichment plus the Helpful Conveniences of Day Care.

Finch Campus • 1080 Finch Avenue East • 416-492-9495 www.northwoodmontessori.ca

Est. 1989

holidays | father’s day

Father’s Day Events

10

ways to celebrate Father’s Day

Father’s Day is a great tribute to Dad, but it’s also a good excuse for the entire family to relax and enjoy each other’s company. www.Toronto4Kids.com Here are some “gift of time” suggestions for spending time with your Dad! 1. Treat him to breakfast in bed. Dad will enjoy being served breakfast in bed, so fix his favourite breakfast and carry it to him on a tray.

2. Take Dad to a ball game. What better way to bond with Dad than by watching the game together over hot dogs and popcorn.

3. Get active with Dad. Play a game of volleyball in the backyard, go play tennis or throw some hoops at your local park. You can also go biking or inline skating.

4. Is your Dad a sportsman? If Dad is a golfer, fisherman, hiker or biker, then head out for the great outdoors!

5. If Dad is into thrills and challenges, take him go-karting or challenge him to a game of paintball, laser tag or bowling.

6. Take Dad out to Father’s Day brunch for some special dining and entertainment.

7. If your Dad is a movie buff, invite him to the movies to catch a current flick. Or, host a movie night with some fun father-themed movies: Dad (1989, Ted Danson); Big Daddy (1999, Adam Sandler); Three Men and a Baby

2 | TORONTO KIDS - June 2015

(1987, Tom Selleck); Father of the Bride (1991, Steve Martin); Father’s Day (1997, Robin Williams); Daddy Day Care (2003, Eddie Murphy).

8. If the weather’s hot, then cool off with Dad at a water park. Or, hit your local amusement park to get Dad’s adrenaline going.

9. Does Dad spend his free time in the garage or wood shop? Find something to build together, such as a birdhouse.

10. Treat Dad to the best BBQ. Yes, it’s Mom’s turn to fire up the grill!

Happy Father’s Day!

T.O. Tip Spend a day getting lost on Toronto Island. June 19 marks the re-opening of the William Meany Maze that was dismantled in 2011. Last summer, about 1,200 black cedars were planted in a winding maze, recreating the labyrinth’s original 1967 design that dad might remember from his own childhood.

Father’s Day Weekend Specials at Scenic Caves Nature Adventures June 20 & 21 Father’s receive free park admission with paid child admission (ages 3-17). Plus fathers and up to four family members receive $20 off an Eco Adventure Tour). Add the new Thunderbird Twin Zip ride for even more excitement.

Scenic Caves Nature Adventures 260/280 Scenic Caves Rd. www.sceniccaves.com Father’s Day at Casa Loma June 21, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Enjoy a casual barbecue, family activities and live entertainment. Tickets include the barbecue and activities as well as admission to Casa Loma with multimedia audio guide.

Casa Loma www.casaloma.org Father’s Day at Halton County Radial Railway June 21 Come ride the streetcars with Dad! The HCRR is a full-sized operating electric railway and museum, featuring historic electric railcars operating on two kilometers of scenic track. Fathers get in free with the purchase of one youth admission.

13629 Guelph Line, Milton www.hcry.org/specialEvents.html Fathers Get in Free at Wye Marsh June 21 As a thank you to all the dads who take their kids outdoors to play, explore and experience nature, fathers will get in free. Check out the amphibian and reptile display hall, go hiking, biking, canoeing and kayaking, and visit the birds of prey display.

Wye Marsh Conservation Area 16160 Hwy. 12, Midland www.wyemarsh.com

Father’s Day Chocolate Workshop June 21, 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Treat your father with an oh-so-chocolatey history and tasting lesson!

Then release your inner Willy Wonka as you make your own coffee-infused chocolate truffles guided by our expert host chocolatier, Odile.

Odile Chocolate 829 Dundas St. W. www.tastytourstoronto.com Father’s Day Brunch Cruise June 20, 2 to 4:30 p.m.

Spend a wonderful afternoon cruising the Toronto harbour while you enjoy a market-fresh buffet brunch.

Mariposa Cruises 207 Queen’s Quay W. www.mariposacruises.com Battle of Black Creek at Black Creek Pioneer Village June 20 & 21 Over one hundred soldiers set up camp for this colourful Revolutionary War re-enactment with a full-scale battle. Kids will love the rubber band shooting gallery and demonstrations.

Black Creek Pioneer Village 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy. www.blackcreek.ca Springridge Farm Food Truck Festival June 20 & 21 Surefire fun for dads, families and foodies, the festival includes 15 food trucks so come hungry! Fill up on food then head to the Fun Farm Yard, a safe, educational and fun area for families to explore and play.

7256 Bell School Line, Milton www.springridgefarm.com For an updated list of Father’s Day events and activities, visit: www.toronto4kids.com/FathersDay

TORONTO

introduction | editorial

KIDS &

publisher IAN PROUDFOOT toronto general manager JOHN WILLEMS director of advertising CHERYL PHILLIPS sales team lead GEORGE AGELOPOULOS regional director of operations BARRY BLACK director of circulation MIKE BANVILLE regional director of production and creative services KATHERINE PORCHERON features writers TASHA ZANIN SARAH LENNOX cover design KIMBERLY FONG

Welcome back to our themed edition of Toronto Kids & Families

T

he best part about encouraging our youth to read is how easy it is to get involved.

For the second year in a row, we’ve dedicated the June edition of Toronto Kids and Families to the work of Toronto Public Libraries.

Most specifically, this themed edition offers content in support of the library’s TD Summer Reading Club.

The program seeks to engage children in reading during the summer months through various activities and events, a number of which you will see previewed on the pages of the edition.

• An overview of the summer reading club program. A total of 99 branches in the city are participating this summer.

• A look at the library’s growing number of KidsStops services for children under 5.

• A selection of suggested titles.

• A focus on a few of the kinds of the Summer Reading Club events taking place all across the city starting next month, including events with

What’s Inside Celebrate Father’s Day pg 2

About the TD Summer Reading Program Reading Club Events

TIFF, Young People’s Theatre and Story Planet.

There are hundreds of events to choose from.

We at Metroland Media Toronto have a growing number of activities in partnership with TPL. The library system is growing; the number of library users continues to rise. Last month, the 100th branch opened in Toronto.

We think this is exciting and a testament to the desire of the people of Toronto to learn and to grow as individuals.

We hope you enjoy this edition, we encourage your feedback and we hope if you have children, you check out the TD Summer Reading Club. ______________________________________ Paul Futhey is the guest editor of Toronto Kids & Families. He can be reached at pfuthey@ insidetoronto.com

June Events

pg 4

pg 5

pg 6-7

Feature: KidsStops pg 8

About the Toronto Public Library pg 9

Feature: Top 10 reads and other suggestions pg 10

Activities & Resources

pg 11

There are lots of events and activities taking place at the Toronto Public Library. Far left: the Bloor-Gladstone branch’s KidsStop (read more about KidsStops inside).

175 GORDON BAKER ROAD, TORONTO, ONTARIO M2H 0A2 TELEPHONE & ADVERTISING INQUIRIES 416.493.4400 Toronto Kids & Families is published monthly.

Copyright 2014. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may by reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. Toronto Kids is in full compliance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. Call 416-493-4400 for more information.

Photos courtesy TPL

www.kumon.ca 800-ABC-MATH

*FREE REGISTRATION JUNE 2015 Call us to get started today! *Offer valid at participating Kumon Centres only when you enroll between 6/1/15 - 6/30/15.

TORONTO KIDS - June 2015 | 3

about the TD Summer Reading Club program T D Summer Reading Club is an inclusive, bilingual program that strives to engage all children in the joy of reading during the summer months while championing Canadian writers and illustrators. The program helps connect families with books and build confidence in reading through the delivery of free incentives and fun, accessible library activities. All summer long across Canada, libraries aim to inspire a sense of adventure and wonder, nurture children’s imaginations and celebrate their accomplishments.

Children who register for the TD Summer Reading Club at their local library receive a free notebook and are encouraged to earn stickers by reading over the summer. Kids can also participate at tdsummerreadingclub. ca, where they can find great reads, read and tell jokes, create an online notebook to track reading and so much more! Toronto Public Library branches are holding all kinds of great programs too, during the day as well in the evening and on weekends, so be sure to check

4 | TORONTO KIDS - June 2015

about | td summer reading club

Participating: as easy as 1, 2, 3

1 2 3

Register your child at your local library branch, any time throughout the summer, and receive a free reading kit, including a notebook and stickers Come back to the library throughout the summer to get recommended reads from friendly library staff, and participate in great programming Participate at home, on the road, or online at tdsummerreadingclub.ca

out your local branch for details, or go online at tpl.ca/readingclub At the library, at home, on the road or online, make the TD Summer Reading Club part of your child’s summer adventures.

About the sponsor The TD Summer Reading Club was developed by the Toronto Public Library, and offered to libraries nationwide, with the support of Library and Archives Canada and TD Bank Group. Thanks to TD’s ongoing contributions, the program has continued to grow and thrive, expanding first across the province of Ontario in 2001 and more widely across Canada in 2004. With more than 2,000 local public libraries participating in the program (including 100 in Toronto), almost 700,000 children participate in the TD Summer Reading Club, collectively reading over 1.2 million books each summer.

Together with the Toronto Public Library and Library and Archives Canada, TD Bank Group is making a positive impact promoting children’s literacy and education and encouraging the love of reading in today’s young people.

events | library

reading club events There are lots of events taking place throughout the city during the TD Summer Reading Club. Visit tpl.ca/readingclub for the full list.

Story Planet (above, courtesy photo) and Young People’s Theatre (right, photo Jenna MuirheadGould) are involved in some of the TD Summer Reading Club events taking place this summer.

Documentary Filmmaking with TIFF Join guests from TIFF’s Special Delivery program for a two-hour hands-on workshop on documentary filmmakJuly 29, 2 p.m. ing. Learn the basics of Weston documentary production and work together to produce a short film about play and the joy of reading. Whether it’s in front of the camera or behind it, everyone will get a chance to participate. For ages 9-12. Registration required.

Young People’s Theatre: Playing with Character A Young People’s Theatre artist educator will lead children July 18, 2 p.m. through a series of Downsview drama exercises that prompt them to betAug. 6, 6:30 ter understand their p.m. favourite characters Parkdale from the TD Summer Reading Club recomAug. 15, 2 p.m. mended books and Thorncliffe explore what makes them so special. Children will examine the characters’ strengths and

weaknesses and see what happens when their characters are placed in a brand new story. For ages 7-12. Registration required.

Story Making with Story Planet In Story Planet’s story making workshop, we get kids excited about writing, helpJune 27, 2 p.m. ing them to see it as Amesbury Park an opportunity for play rather than as July 9, 6 p.m. work. This fun workBendale shop invites kids to collaboratively July 23, 6 p.m. imagine, write and Parlament illustrate a unique story. With the help of a facilitator and typist, you will brainstorm a story and watch as it’s brought to life by a professional artist.

Leave the workshop as a published author and illustrator with a book of your own! For ages 7-12. Registration required.

Other events Other events happening across the city include: Hisssstory of Snakes, Storytelling with Adele, Mad Science –Spin, Bop, Boom!, Robotics with Logics Academy and more...

TORONTO KIDS - June 2015 | 5

upcoming events Pirate Life at Centre Island Sail aboard the 45-foot Island Rogue from Centre Island. Come dressed in a pirate costume or use provided costumes. Receive face paint tattoos and a cool new pirate nickname.

Weekends in June Centre Island www.piratelife.ca

the weekend. In addition to world-class racing, the event is a festival of festivals featuring beer gardens, food trucks, interactive games and activities, live entertainment, charity events and celebrity appearances.

June 11 to 14, 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Exhibition Place www.hondaindytoronto.com

Princess Pop: A celebration of Wishes at Lower Ossington Theatre Sing along with your favourite princesses: Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White and more at Tinkerbell’s celebration of wishes. But when an unexpected visitor tries to ruin everything they will need your help to find a happy ending.

Until June 28 Lower Ossington Theatre 100A Ossington Ave. www.lowerossingtontheatre.com

Build a Load n’ Go Truck Kids will learn how to build a Load n’ Go Truck with easy to follow, step-by-step instructions in this free DIY workshop for kids ages 4 to 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

June 13, 10 a.m. until 12 p.m.

Various Home Depot locations www.homedepot.ca

Honda Indy The event features an action-packed schedule of racing on the track, with the Verizon IndyCar Series headlining

Relay for Life Ready? Set? Relay! Be a part of the Canadian Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event, Relay For Life. Families can register as a team, fundraise together, and enjoy exciting activities on event day! $35 registration fee.

Hands-On

Education

June 13, 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Fort York www.relayforlife.ca/toronto

Muhtadi International Drumming Festival The Muhtadi International Drumming Festival (MIDF) celebrates the drum, its universality as an art form, and its presence in all cultures around the world. The event will be a twoday family-friendly celebration full of multicultural performances and passionate, artistic people. Free.

June 13 & 14 Woodbine Park Lake Shore Boulevard and Coxwell www.muhtadidrumfest.com Pompeii: In the Shadow of the Volcano at the ROM The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) hosts the Canadian premiere of Pompeii: In the Shadow of the Volcano. The exhibition includes approximately 200

For further information or camp registration call

6 | TORONTO KIDS - June 2015

• • • •

North America’s premier jazz festivals produced annually by Toronto Downtown Jazz. What began in 1987 as an eightday showcase of jazz now attracts in excess of 500,000 loyal patrons annually over 10 days. Attractions include more than 350 performances with over 1,500 musicians performing at approximately 40 locations around Toronto.

Free and ticketed events.

Event takes place in multiple locations across Toronto

www.torontojazz.com evocative objects that tell the dramatic story of Pompeii, an ancient Roman city captured in time by ash and debris that buried it during a volcanic eruption.

June13 to Jan. 3 Royal Ontario Museum www.rom.on.ca MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition Spend a day as a MythBuster at MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition to uncover the truth. And while you’re at it, watch live demonstrations and check out real props and gadgets from the show.

June 5 to Sept. 13 Ontario Science Centre www.ontariosciencecentre.ca Village Day by The Yonge Lawrence Village BIA Activities include live bands and performances, kids’ play areas, free caricatures, jumping castles, mini golf, clowns, magicians and one of Toronto’s largest sidewalk sales.

June 13, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Certified Professional Instructors Video Tape Analysis Written Evaluations Radar Gun Drills

(905) 889-7293 - Peter Nielson

Arts

The TD Toronto Jazz Festival has become known as one of

JUNIOR TENNIS CAMP Centrally located (Bayview & Sheppard) O.T.A. Award Winning Jr. Program Ages 4-18, Beginner to Advanced 11 Different One Week Sessions Full and Half Day Programs

Food

June 18 to June 21

BAYVIEW VILLAGE • • • • •

Outdoor

TD Toronto Jazz Festival

Junior Jays Saturdays Bring your family to the ballpark every Saturday home game for Jr. Jays Saturdays presented by Boston Pizza. Kids can visit the Jr. Jays zones located at sections 127, 237, 239, the 200 level outfield and section 536 to take part in many fun activities. Kids 14 and under can line up at sections 108, 208 and 508 to run the bases just like the pros after the game.

June 6, 20 and 27 Rogers Centre www.torontobluejays.com Mississauga Waterfront Festival Celebrate summer with Dock Dogs, special events and all sorts of familyfriendly activities. And the Pan Am Games flame is coming to the MWF! And as always, admission is free.

June 12 to 14 Memorial Park, Port Credit 20 Lakeshore Rd. E., Mississauga www.themwf.com

Sports

www.bayviewvillagetenniscamp.ca

Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue www.yongelawrencevillage-bia.com Annex Family Festival This family-friendly festival includes interactive activities, rides and live performances in the Children’s Village, Green Living and a line-up of wellknown Toronto artists on the main stage. Free June14, 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Bloor Street West between Spadina and Bathurst www.annexfamilyfestival.org Shrine Circus Spectac!

This is the 252nd anniversary of the Zerbini Family Circus. This imaginative new show includes trapeze & aerial artistry, jugglers, the motorcycle Globe of Fire, musical comedy, the Zerbini cavalcade of Equus and Pachyderms, classical clowns, and more.

June 19 to Aug. 2 Milton, Markham and Brampton www.shrine-circus.com

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upcoming events Indigenous Arts Festival The Indigenous Arts Festival @ Fort York celebrates traditional and contemporary music, dance, theatre, storytelling, spoken word, visual arts, crafts, and food created by indigenous artists. Free.

June 18 to 20 Fort York www.toronto.ca/museum-events The Redpath Waterfront Festival Celebrate the waterfront revitalization with Party on the Promenade featuring buskers, dance demonstrations, live music, art on the water, SUP lessons, an artisan market and great food. Plus youth dance workshops in contemporary, jazz and hip hop in HTO Park and the DockDogs Championship.

June 19 to 21 Queens Quay from Spadina Avenue to Lower Sherbourne wwwtowaterfrontfest.com Luminato Luminato Festival has become one of the preeminent arts festivals in North America, having commissioned over 66 new works of art, and featured 7,500 artists from 40 countries. Free + ticketed events.

June 19 to 28 Event takes place in multiple locations www.luminatofestival.com Scotiabank CHIN Picnic The annual picnic is brought to you by CHIN media, Canada’s first multilingual station, in celebration of our nation’s diversity. The weekend features performances from world class entertainers, fireworks, shopping, midway rides, and a petting zoo.

Jun. 19 - Jun. 21 Little Italy www.scotiabankCHINpicnic.com Build and Grow at Lowe’s

Shop while your kids build a bird house!

Recommended for children in grades 2 to 5. Kids will take home the toy they made, a merit certificate, name tag, apron and goggles.

June 20 Various Lowe’s locations www.lowes.ca AlohaFest Toronto A celebration of Polynesian culture, AlohaFest will include dance and musical performances, food and crafts.

Rain or shine.

June 20, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mel Lastman Square w w w.hulaik ala.com/events/ alohafest-2015 Eco-Art-Fest The festival includes public art installations by Canadian artists, art activities for families and all ages, guided art tours, and musical performances in a licensed outdoor space. Free.

June 20 to Sept. 13 Todmorden Mills 67 Pottery Rd. www.no9.ca/ecoartfest The Junction Summer Solstice Festival Celebrate the longest day of the year in the Junction. Day to night, enjoy acrobats, art installations, buskers, a live mural project, take a spin on a Ferris wheel and taste the unique street food from the Junction’s local businesses.

Stay around for special events and a projection show.

June 20, noon until 12:45 a.m.

The Junction 2952 Dundas St. W. www.thejunctionsummersolstice.com Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival The festival will once again expect 180 to 200 teams with over 5,000 athletes.

In 2015, as the festival celebrates its

Education

Sports

Outdoor

Food

Arts

27th year, it promises to continue to be one of the most exciting summer events in Toronto. Free to watch.

June 20 & 21 Centre Island www.dragonboats.com Journey to Conquer Cancer Run or Walk 5k Register for the third annual Journey to Conquer Cancer Run or Walk 5K. Have fun walking or running the 5K, 3K or 1K family-friendly course in downtown Toronto. Get ready for lots of entertainment throughout the route, followed by a post-race celebration, designated children’s area and hot breakfast. Kids are free!

June 21, 8:30 a.m. to midnight.

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre 610 University Ave. www.runorwalk.ca Outdoor Survival Skills at Kortright Discover what can keep your family alive in the forest if you were lost. Discover some of the wild edibles that abound in the forest. Hike times: 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Included with admission. Adults $6.50, seniors $5.50, children 15 and under get in free June 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kortright Centre for Conservation 9550 Pine Valley Dr. www.kortright.org Na-Me-Res Traditional Outdoor Pow Wow at Fort York Native Men’s Residence Traditional Pow-Wow is held to recognize National Aboriginal Day. The event features traditional dancing, drumming, a feast, giveaway, kids area, and craft vendors.

June 21, noon to 4:30 p.m.

Fort York www.toronto.ca/museum-events Bicycle Tour: The Forts of Toronto at Fort York

BIRCHMOUNT GYMNASTICS CENTRE

Bicycling is a unique and exciting way to view Toronto’s early history. Lambton House celebrates Bike Month with a tour starting at Lambton House and ending at Fort York. Moderate difficulty.

June 27 Fort York www.toronto.ca/museumevents Snow White at Solar Stage Snow White and Prince Geoffrey are childhood friends, separated by Queen Evilla when she finds out from her Mirror that Snow White is now the fairest in the land. Queen Evilla takes Snow White to the forest, and leaves her

there, but Snow White meets a group of dwarves who take her in and keep her safe. It will take the love of Geoffrey and the Dwarves to save Snow White from Queen Evilla’s jealousy. Musical play for ages 4 and older.

June 6 to 21 Solar Stage 4950 Yonge St. www.solarstage.on.ca For more June events, visit: www.toronto4kids.com/Calendar

Classes walking to teens

Summer CampMonday-Fridays, July 6 - August 28 Half & Full Days Gymnastics Classes all year round.

Summer Gymnastics Camp July 8 to August 26th

Register on-line at:

www.birchmountgymnastics.com

Hands-On

1800 Birchmount Rd.

Toronto

or Call us at: 416 292-4110 TORONTO KIDS - June 2015 | 7

feature | early literacy

An engaging experience KidsStop service provides tactile learning environment

By Ali Raza

N

inety per cent of a child’s brain is developed before the age of five.

That’s why the Toronto Public Library is stressing its KidsStop service for parents and caregivers to prepare their children for a “far happier, more successful learning experience in school,” says library service manager for special projects Peggy Thomas.

With nine locations across Toronto – including the newest at the Scarborough Civic Centre that opened in May – KidsStop provides a tactile learning environment for children up to age five with themes that vary by branch.

At the Fairview branch in North York, the theme is shapes and colours. Children can have a hands-on learning experience with interactive kiosks that present large oval shapes that integrate cool and warm colours.

Aimed at enhancing literacy in early childhood, the KidsStop themes involve a variety of learning experiences.

“Early literacy we know helps set chil- Early literacy we dren up for success,” know helps set Thomas said. “There children up for are areas that a parent success. or caregiver needs to –Peggy Thomas involve their child with from birth on. They’re reading, singing, talking, playing and writing.”

Engaging children in learning experiences at KidsStop is part of the Toronto Public Library’s research-based set of free programs, services and resources under the umbrella Ready for Reading.

“At Toronto Public Library, everything we do for kids five and under, we call it Ready for Reading,”

said TPL children and youth advocate Lisa Heggum.

“The whole idea is to promote pre-literacy skills and help kids develop those skills through various activities.”

An example of an activity is “spinning stories.”

Children and parents read wordless books where they can spin and stop on four pictures so that they may discuss and build a story together.

“It’s meant to be a place where parents and caregivers interact with their children and start those conversations that they can take home and carry on,” Thomas said.

Thomas added that children build their own stories as they get older. Activities like spinning stories puts children on a fast-track to developing skills required to think creatively and present ideas in a literary form.

The library wants parents and caregivers to continue similar activities at home, and suggests many ways to do it.

“The first thing children learn to read is environmental print around them,” Thomas said. “If they eat Cheerios in the morning, they’ll recognize the box and say that’s breakfast, even if they can’t read ‘Cheerios.’”

It’s one of the many reasons fast-food restaurants boast such iconic logos – they’re easy for children to recognize even before they learn to read.

But there is a way to use a McDonalds or Cheerios logo educationally, Thomas said. She suggested cutting out a variety of logos and placing them on separate pieces of paper. Then the parent or caregiver can ask the child to tell a story about each logo.

A toddler’s experience eating breakfast might seem like a dull story to some, but it’s the first step into developing a crucial story-telling ability that is an important measure of literacy.

TORONTO

Brentwood Library’s KidsStop with its ‘Exploring the Alphabet’ theme.

KidsStop branches (themes in brackets) Bloor/Gladstone (Water) • Brentwood (Exploring the Alphabet) • Cedarbrae (River Express) • Dufferin/St. Clair (Enchanted Forest) • Fairview (Shapes and Colours) • Mount Dennis (Photography) • Scarborough Civic Centre (Environment) • S. Walter Stewart (Space) • Thorncliffe (Reading) It’s not just logos. This activity can be done with photographs of relatives living thousands of miles away.

Parents and caregivers can also ask their children to draw a picture and tell the story of the drawing.

“Kids can relate to it,” Thomas said. “If they’re in the story, it’s suddenly a very important story.”

Ultimately, Thomas said, one of the most

KIDS &

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important things parents and caregivers can do for children is to show them that reading is valued in the household. Simply reading aloud to children is enough to give the impression that literacy is important – even if it’s the same book for 20 days in a row.

This is because children will begin to see individual words once they know the story well enough, she added.

There remains an overwhelming amount of academic and medical sources that promote early childhood literacy as a means to success. The American Academy of Pediatrics, Boston University Medical Center and Toronto’s own St. Michael’s Hospital are some of many organizations and institutions that provide evidence-based research for early childhood literacy.

about the Toronto Public Library A city-wide view of branches

about | tpl

Did you know?

Toronto Public Library (TPL) is one of the world’s busiest library systems In 2014, it had more than 18 million visits to its 99 branches.

72% of Torontonians use the system 1.3 million people are registered Toronto Public Library cardholders Collections are comprised of over 10.5 million items including books, CDs, DVDs and eBooks, with 40 languages represented in library materials Torontonians borrowed library materials 32 million times There were more than 30 million visits to torontopubliclibrary.ca There were 2.3 million wireless sessions in library branches More than 850,000 participants attended 34,000 library programs

The Toronto Public Library has 100 branches located across the city. Visit torontopubliclibrary.ca /hours-locations for the complete list.

– Toronto Public Library

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learning | book nook

top-10 reading list No one knows great reads like the staff at your local library.

These Canadian children’s books have been carefully chosen to get your kids started on their summer reading adventures.

For more recommended reading, visit tdsummerreadingclub.ca or speak to staff at your local library.

Weird Zones: Sports, by Maria Birmingham and Jamie Bennett (Ages 8-12) Forget baseball and hockey for a minute. Explore the world of toe wrestling and toilet-bowl races instead!

See You Next Year, by Andrew Larson and Todd Stewart (Ages 4-8) Share the joy of two children’s summertime adventures during a week at the beach.

Between Shadows, by Kathleen Cook Waldron (Ages 9-12) Can Ari convince his family that fishing, biking and creating a garden together are more important than selling his grandfather’s cabin?

If Kids Ruled the World, by Linda Bailey and David Huyck (Ages 3-8) Everyone would be free to have fun, dream, and play together if kids ruled the world!

Shadow Chasers, by Elly Mackay (Ages 3-6) Find out how shadows can make great playmates!

Robot Smash!, by Stephen W. Martin and Juan Carlos Solan (Ages 1-7) Hide your fragile toys... this robot’s favourite thing to do is SMASH stuff!

The Story Starts Here,

by Caroline Merola (Ages 3-8) A backwards, upside-down, wacky, goodtime story!

Viminy Crowe’s Comic Book, by Marthe Jocelyn and Claudia Dávila (Ages 9-12) Holy Cannoli!

Will the world ever be the same after Wylder and Addie get sucked into the pages of their favourite comic book?

Got a question you need answered? Ask a librarian!

By Ali Raza

T

o adapt to rapidly changing technology and needs, the Toronto Public Library chooses to “change its focus” to serve its community better, says librarian and children & youth advocate Lisa Heggum.

Well beyond the traditional community location to borrow books, the Toronto Public Library (TPL) offers a wide variety of services from children’s activities to DJ services. It’s a point Heggum wishes to focus on as librarians across Ontario are adapting to advances in technology.

“People are doing a lot more for

themselves,” Heggum says. “But the number of what we call reference questions has gone down a bit.”

Reference questions, otherwise known as simply asking a librarian for help, seem unnecessary to many bookworms, who can look up the book they need within a matter of seconds online.

But Heggum believes librarians are valuable, now even more than before given so many initiatives and changes within the library system.

“Our librarians are doing more programming, planning and getting out in the community,” she says.

Visiting classrooms, daycares

10 | TORONTO KIDS - June 2015

and community events are all in part of the library’s plan to promote the importance of reading. In partnership with the Ontario Library Association, TPL is also actively involved in many festivals and school reading programs.

The annual Forest of Reading program is one example: more than 250,000 youth and adults are invited to come out and read celebrated books by Canadian authors.

TPL also holds many programs for youth like its summer reading program. From toddlers to teens, the library has a reading program catering to children of all ages.

In the spirit of celebrating

Canadian authors, TPL also offers a Top 10 list of Canadian books in English and another list in French.

Heggum says librarians remain the best source of advice for which books to read.

“We keep in touch with what’s being published and also have a solid understanding of the classics,” Heggum says. “Librarians are very skilled at advising readers on the right book for them and helping people find a book that will really connect with them.”

TPL also hosts innovation hubs that house 3D printers and other new technology at three locations: Toronto Reference Library, Fort York and Scarborough Civic Centre.

Bookspeak! Poems About Books, by Laura Purdie Salas and Josée Bisaillon (Ages 5-9) Fanciful illustrations highlight this collection of amusing and whimsical poems that celebrate the pure joy of books and reading.

King for a Day,

by Rukhsana Khan and Christiane Krömer (Ages 6-10) It’s Basant, the annual kite festival in Lahore, Pakistan. Will Malik and his kite, Falcon, rule the skies?

getting a library card A Toronto Public Library card gives you free access to materials, programs, events and resources in any of Toronto Public Library’s branches and online at torontopubliclibrary.ca Borrow books, ebooks, DVDs, get access to free internet, computers and more.

Don’t have a library card? If you live, work or go to school in Toronto, you can get your card in minutes, for free.

Simply bring two pieces of identification (with your name and address) into any branch.

learning | reference

online fun & reading activities Jokes: Did you hear the one about... try these tips ✔ Read upside down ✔ Read on the go ✔ Read to a family member ✔ Read to an animal (stuffed or real!) ✔ Read under a tree ✔ Act out a scene from a book ✔ Make a story with pictures ✔ Make a reading nook ✔ Read in every room in your house ✔ Read aloud in a silly voice ✔ Read in a blanket fort

On the TD Summer Reading Club website, kids can submit their own jokes, and read the jokes of others.

Here’s a sampling of some reader submissions in 2014.

Q: What do you call cheese that’s not yours?

A: Nacho cheese!

Q: What do ghosts wear on a rainy day?

A: Boooooots!

Q: What do you call a fake noodle?

A: An im-pasta!

Q: Why is it so cold in a hockey arena?

A: Because of all the fans!

Q: What’s the best part of Switzerland?

A: I don’t know but its flag is a big plus.

Q: What has six legs but only walks on four?

A: A man on a horse.

Submit your joke to tdsummerreadingclub.ca

join the fun on the web Visit the TD Summer Reading Club online for more information, plus lots of fun for kids: • Discover great new reads • Rate books and submit review • Read ebooks • Submit and read jokes

Don’t forget to check out Toronto Public Library’s website (tpl.ca/ readingclub) for programs and events happening near you!

www.tdsummerreadingclub.ca

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activities Looking for activities to do with your children?

Visit www.tdsummerreadingclub. ca/staff/resources/activities for a list of activities ranging from stories to games to crafts.

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TORONTO KIDS - June 2015 | 11

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