Splash! Make waves this summer with the Ottawa Public Library TD Summer Reading Club

Well, it’s everyone’s favourite time of the year again...Summer! School’s out, warm weather is in and the TD Summer Reading Club (SRC) is on!  For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about here’s a short version: The SRC is short for Summer Reading Club and it’s the library’s way of getting you and your kids reading this summer. Sponsored by TD Canada, kids receive a free kit that includes a poster, activity book and stickers when they sign up at any branch of the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) or Bookmobile stop across the city. What’s more, libraries from across Canada participate in this program and every year is a different theme. In case you hadn’t guessed it yet, the theme this year is Splash! Splouff!

Lots of time and care went in to making a fantastic kit that kids would want to hang on to and hang up (the poster that is). Every year the poster, stickers and booklet are illustrated by a well-known and talented Canadian illustrator. This year the artwork is courtesy of award-winning British Columbia artist Kim LaFave. You can see some of his beautiful illustrations in books such as Amos’ Sweater, Big Ben and Shin-Chi’s Canoe-this one won the Governor General’s Literary Award for Children’s Illustrations in 2009. You can check out some of his work here: The kit is just one of the reasons why we love the SRC. Another reason is that it helps combat summer reading loss. Never heard of it? Basically, it means that kids lose an average of one month of reading progress during the summer if they’re not reading over the holidays. Honestly. That’s one of the main reasons why we’re so passionate about the SRC.

They’re not into reading you say? Well, I say they just haven’t found the right book yet. Seriously. Books now come in all shapes and sizes, and cover a wide range of topics and interests. Whether they’re into sports, dance, history or fashion we’ve got it covered.

Not sure where to start? Here are just a couple of places where you can find a range of great booklists for your kids: Library and Archives Canada Toronto Public Library Ottawa Public Library (of course!) Going away this summer? That’s perfect. Just make sure to pick up the kit before you leave. There are crossword puzzles, trivia, dot-to-dots and even a place for them to record what they’ve read in the activity book. Oh yeah, don’t forget the stickers. Who doesn’t like stickers-right?

Not only do we at the OPL love the TD SRC but so too does the CNIB (holy acronyms!). As a matter of fact, the CNIB library decided to align their summer reading themes with TD’s in 2010. That means that children with print disabilities can now read some of the same books as their friends. Pretty cool, huh? As always, we’re also offering free and fantastic programs, many of which are based on our Splash theme. Think mermaids, Vikings, pirates, sea creatures and more.  Essentially, we’re working hard to ensure your kids have a great summer filled with awesome books and fun things to do. Speaking of fun things to do, OPL has once again partnered with some incredible outside organizations to provide you with a wide-range of programs across the city. Check us out and register online here.

Summer isn’t only for kids and tweens. It’s also about teens. If you know any teens who like to read and are looking to score some free stuff, have them check out our online teen summer reading club. They’ll be eligible for weekly draws just for posting reviews of their favourite books. Not only that, there are some great booklists on the site, just in case they’re not sure what to read next. They can check it out here.

And finally, if your kids should find themselves looking for more Splashy-goodness, have them hop on over to the Toronto Public Library’s (TPL) website. They’ve got a great site devoted to Splash! Here they’ll find games, activities, booklists, interactive stories and so much more. Check them out here. One more thing, don’t wait to register for programs. Program space is sometimes limited. That said, don’t worry if the program you want is full. Just call your branch to find out about waiting lists. Better yet, find out what other branches are doing and try somewhere new. Whatever you decide to do this summer, we hope you take the kids to the library and make a Splash! You won’t be sorry you did! Happy summer reading!

Reading books at Rosemount Library

by Brie My four year old and I have been making weekly visits to the Rosemount Library before her art class and it has quickly become my favorite library!

The Rosemount library is in a lovely old building, one of the Carnegi libraries. At first I was surprised by how small the library is, especially the children's section, but I have come to love that. I feel like it is much easier to search through the books when I'm not overwhelmed by choice. It is also easy to sneak around the corner from the children's section into the adult section and grab a few books for myself while still keeping an eye on the girl.

There is a small play area for younger kids with puzzles and toys. The only complaint, and I am stretching here, is that it would be great if more seating could be fit into the small space. But the girl really doesn't mind. She is happy to sit on the floor and read her books.

I don't know if it is because of the small size of the library, but I have had some great luck findig some interesting kids' books as I search through the stacks. Here are three of my favorite.

A book by Mordicai Gerstein had me laughing as I turned the pages. I loved the story about the girl that lives in a book trying to figure out what her story is and isn't.

Dust Devil is a perfect tall tale. It chronicles the advertentures of  giant Angelica in her new home of Montana. And the illustrations are captivating.

Look! Look! Look! is the story of three mice and what happens when they discover a postcard sent to the big people that live in their house. It is a great introduction to the colours and shapes found in art.

Do you have a favorite library in Ottawa?

Brie is the mom of a 4 year old daughter “the girl” and 2 old son “the boy”. You can read her blog at Capital Mom.

Four for Father’s Day – Picture Book Recommendations from the Ottawa Public Library

by Elizabeth Thornley, Coordinator, Children and Teen Services Celebrate fathers and Father's Day with four fun picture books that put the father-child relationship front and centre.  

In Hide and Squeak, by Heather Vogel Frederick, busy little Mouse Baby, not quite ready for bed, leads his patient father on a game of “hide and squeak”.  Simple rhyming text and large, humorous and uncluttered images make for a lively father-son romp.  Illustrator, C.F. Payne gives this mouse pair a range of funny and endearing facial expressions, capturing the love they share.  Dads can be great at games, and are also appreciated when they share their knowledge of the world.  

In Jane Yolen's My Father Knows the names of Things, the young narrator tells us about the many things his Dad knows – from the names of birds and dogs and cheese, right through to a dozen words for night.  “He knows which dinosaurs are the meanest.  He knows which soaps can make you cleanest!”  Delightful illustrations by Montrealer, Stéphane Jorisch, add a quirky and urban feel to this story about a smart dad who is happy to share all he knows with the child he loves.  

Children in blended and non-traditional families may have more than one smart dad in their lives - a reality pleasantly portrayed in Dad and Pop: an ode to fathers and stepfathers by Kelly Bennett.  Both Dad (her biological father) and Pop (her stepfather) get equal loving attention as a young girl tells us the differences between and the similarities shared by her two fathers.  It is clear from the cartoon-like illustrations and the understated text that she spends lots of time with both fathers and that she is loved by both Dad and Pop.  

Father's Day may be celebrated once a year, but in Daddy is a Cozy Hug, Rhonda Gowler Greene shows us that “the love” lasts all year long.  In every season, the dad in this story plays an important role in shared activities with his son.  “Daddy is a fish” when they swim, a “pile of leaves” when autumn comes and a “blanket when cold winds begin to blow”.  And finally - “Daddy is so many things with me the whole year through.  I'm glad I have my Daddy...  Daddy, I love you.”  

Happy Father's Day and happy reading!

Summer reading for young adults: Recommendations from the Ottawa Public Library

This post is part of a series of monthly blog posts by Ottawa Public Library children’s librarians! We hope you enjoy today’s post and remember to check back every month for great children’s books ideas. by Anne-Marie Miller, Children's Librarian, Hazeldean Branch

*  Click on the picture of each book to be redirected to the Ottawa Public Library site page for that book.

In my household there is not one problem that is going to be resolved by the wave of a wand or a secret spell.   Perhaps, it is time for your readers to try some stories  that are just a little more like that.  In the stories suggested here , the characters need to rely on their own fortitude, ingenuity and courage to work through the circumstances that confront them.    Oh yes, and they do get a little help from their friends, too.  In the end, we may discover  that plain old human nature has a kind of magic all it’s own.

Meg and Edward are twins but they are very  different and carry on in a constant  state of rivalry.   Meg is a high achiever just starting seventh grade at Fischer High – the school for gifted and talented students.    Edward goes to Charlton Street Alternative School where grades are not even considered to be meaningful.    Never Mind  by Avi and Rachel Vail is narrated  in alternate chapters  by Meg and Edward. Trying to impress Kimberly from the High Achievers Club at school, Meg gives the impression that her  twin is a musician, a guitarist with a band.    Kimberley promptly invites Meg, her twin and his band to a big Saturday night party.   The problem is Edward cannot play guitar at all; he does not have a band at all; but, he does have  some friends who can play a little.   So Never Mind unfolds with one missed beat after another,  builds  to the big cacophonous  party on Saturday night,  and yet still manages to conclude in harmony.    If you haven’t  yet  found  Avi, this is a great start to his long list of YA novels.  

In Crunch by Leslie Connor  the children are all very responsible, but their  parents have been stranded miles from home by the long anticipated gas crunch which has finally arrived.  There is no gas to be had anywhere and the five Marriss children who expected to be in the care of the eldest, 18 year old Lily, for a weekend find they have to fend for themselves for most of the summer.  Dewey tries to carry on with the family business, a bike repair shop, and finds himself overwhelmed with customers under crunch circumstances.  There are lots of helpful adult friends and neighbours, but there are also a few who try to take advantage of the Marriss children.  Bicycles, cash and bicycle parts go missing and some customers are just downright troublesome.   The children are valiant, however.  They solve their own mystery and many others around town at the same time.  Mom and Dad finally make it home with the help of a new friend they  have made on the road.  A wonderful, humorous  summer read.

Jeff and David are not supposed to canoe all the way to Lost Island on their own, but they are boys and there is a mystery out there. If they do get into trouble, they have their cousin Claire to bail them out. The Secret of the Robber’s Cave  is the first of the Cabin Creek Mysteries by Kristiana Gregory featuring these three fearless wilderness adventurers.     In this story when Jeff and David land on the island, they find an old cabin, build a lookout high in the trees and eventually locate the entrance to the lost cave.   The group researches at the local library, seek out old timers around town and eventually solve one of the town’s  oldest  mysteries.    This is an eventful book with enough adventure to  keep  the most reluctant reader going.     It is easy to read and  will leave your youngsters eager  for the another mystery in this series.

In The Invention of Hugo Cabret  by Brian Selznick, Hugo, orphaned when his father dies in a museum fire,  is taken to live with his uncle – the keeper of the clocks in the Paris train station.  When the uncle also disappears, Hugo carries on surreptitiously in his stead oiling and winding the station’s many clocks from within the back halls of the station and remaining in his uncle’s old apartment high over the public hallways of the station.   Hugo regularly ‘borrows’ little toys from the toy seller in the station.  When Hugo is caught at this, he meets  Isabelle and together they unravel the mystery of the toy seller’s past.  This is a big fat book that is great for stretching readers up to their next level.  It is part standard novel and part graphic novel  with much of the plot advancing  in stunning black and white drawings so, the reader gets that accomplished sense of having read a very long text.  This book is also available in French  so, it is great for parallel reading by the immersion student.

Summer is over and Lucy Wu is looking forward to her best year ever.  Her sister is leaving for university, so Lucy will have a room of her own.   She will be in sixth grade – the top grade in the school.  She will  be a star performer on the school basketball team.   Everything is looking up for Lucy Wu.  Yet, as The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long  Shang  unfolds Lucy’s expectations  begin to unravel.   An old Aunt arrives from China to share that coveted room.  Her classmate Talent starts Saturday morning Chinese school and Lucy is made to go there instead of to basketball practise.  There are bullies at school and tensions at home.   Lucy is just not that interested in the fact that her family happens to be  Chinese.    She is interested in being American and playing basketball.   Gradually, though, Lucy’s year starts to pull back together,  just not exactly in the ways she had hoped.   There will be a few lessons in the Chinese language and  in Chinese culture for the reader, but the author takes us through these with ease even as Lucy is made to struggle with them.   The prose here is breezy and readable making it is easy to be on Lucy’s side cheering her on.

Books to Swing into Spring With...

This post is part of a series of monthly blog posts by Ottawa Public Library children’s librarians! We hope you enjoy today’s post and remember to check back every month for great children’s books ideas. Get your children into the swing of spring with a visit to your local library.  The following books from the Ottawa Public Library are sure to get the whole family excited about the change of the seasons.

Stimulate your child’s senses this spring with touch and feel books.  Spring is appropriate for babies and introduces vocabulary for the season.  From blossom and flower to fawn and lamb, your baby will love the colourful pictures and playing with the textures.   

After you’ve seen the cute bunny and felt its fuzzy nose, you’ll have to pick up I love bunnies.  From the same series, this touch and feel book offers simple rhymes to describe the fluffy and bouncy quality of bunnies.  With sparkly flowers and a felt carrot, this book offers as much to touch, as it does to look at it.  

*Both Spring and I love bunnies are part of OPL’s English board book collection.  Board books cannot be requested through the library’s hold system but every branch and the bookmobile offer a wide selection.  They are a great way to introduce books to your babies without having to worry about ripping pages.  Go into your local branch to find these two titles and see what else is available!

With the cold days of winter behind us, it’s time for Wake Up, It’s Spring! by Lisa Campbell Ernst.  This story will take you and your child on a journey through the rebirth of the earth and its inhabitants as the days get warmer and longer.  One by one, things start to wake up.  By the end, both you and your child will be wide awake and celebrating the days of spring!

As the season changes, your child can finally shed the layers that were needed to keep them warm all winter.  Welcome the transition from winter to spring with It’s Spring! By Linda Glaser.  The text is accompanied by beautiful images of gushing streams and flowers, plants and trees created by cut-paper illustrations by Susan Swan.  Through Glaser’s story and Swan’s illustrations, you and your child will be able to see, hear, feel, smell, and taste the changes of the season!

One of the wonders of spring is getting outside and into the garden.  Include your child in this process with Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert.  It is the colourful story of the plants and flowers one child and mother team plant in the garden.  Discover red tulips, orange tiger lilies, yellow daffodils, green ferns, blue morning glories, and purple violets for a bouquet that includes all the colours of the rainbow!

Take a closer look at the life span of a flower with Eric Carle’s The Tiny Seed. Your child will learn about the cycle in a garden as a seed germinates and turns into a plant, blooms and goes to seed.  Carle’s bright artwork is sure to captivate your little one.