Looking for ways to help your child cope with the COVID-19 pandemic? Few of us have lived through a situation like this before and it is difficult to know the best practices to follow. Many of us are figuring out our own ways of coping and making it up as... Continue reading

Historical fiction not only engages the reader, but it teaches them about the world of the past. These titles, for the most part set in Canada, show Canada’s history as a diverse nation and displays how much the country has changed and grown. Although the stories take place years ago,... Continue reading

What do you get when you cut a Jack O' Lantern by its diameter? Pumpkin Pi! Happy Pi day! Pi Day is celebrated yearly on March 14 because 3, 1 and 4 are the first three significant digits of π. Celebrations around the world vary, but usually they involve the... Continue reading

What better way for you to teach and inspire your children than to read about some of the most remarkable women in history? These strong women show(ed) amazing perseverance and dedication to their respective crafts, while struggling against numerous barriers and prejudice. While there are many inspiring stories, here are... Continue reading

Toronto Star Archives. Nov. 24, 1991, Yuletide ritual. Christina Gemfors, wearing a crown of candles symbolizing the saint of lights, takes part in the Lucia Festival during the Swedish Christmas Fair at Harbourfront. The fair featured Swedish delicacies; Christmas decorations; home-baked goods and demonstrations of handicrafts. Are you looking to... Continue reading

A visit to the hospital is never fun, but it can be much less stressful if your child is prepared and knows what to expect. Talking and reading with your child about the jobs of doctors and nurses and what happens at a hospital or doctor’s office can make the... Continue reading

Are you raising vegetarian children, or just interested in learning more about being vegetarian? Perhaps you’re cutting down on how much meat that you eat. Whether for health, environmental or compassionate reasons, more and more families are starting to follow an increasingly plant-based diet. And why not, plant-based foods are... Continue reading

Looking for a free, fun activity that you can do at home that will keep children busy for hours? If your kids are like mine, hunting for bugs can take up an entire afternoon. While I have never been partial to creepy crawlies, I do find them fascinating to learn... Continue reading

Have you heard that Toronto has become the first Bee City in Canada? According to the Bee City Canada Website, by becoming a "Bee City", Toronto will help raise the profile of the pollinator protection movement in Canada. This couldn't have come at a better time, as the Intergovernmental Science-Policy... Continue reading

“Temper tantrums, however fun they may be to throw, rarely solve whatever problem is causing them.” Lemony Snicket, Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid Has this ever happened to you? You make what you hope will be a quick stop at the grocery store to pick up a few items... Continue reading

Music is an excellent and fun way to help with early literacy skills, but music made for kids can sometimes be the most annoying sound ever created (think of some popular kids television shows with repetitive songs). It isn’t always though! There are lots of wonderful albums out there that... Continue reading

This year Hanukkah begins on the evening of Saturday December 24, and lasts until the evening of January 1. There are lots of wonderful stories celebrating the festival of lights, here are some suggested picture books to share. Be forewarned though, some of these stories will make you hungry! Be... Continue reading

To the tree! To the tree! Up the tree! Up the tree! Up they go to the top of the tree. Why? Will they work there? Will they play there? What is up there on top of that tree? A dog party! A big dog Party! P.D. Eastman, Go, Dog.... Continue reading

Hush little baby, don't say a word And never mind that noise you heard It's just the beasts under your bed In your closet, in your head… (Enter Sandman by Metallica) Recently I saw a humorous post floating around social media about a father who sings his child Enter Sandman... Continue reading

Last night my daughter asked me to name all of the colours in French, and I realized how poor my French skills are. Many Ontario students, like my daughter, are starting French Immersion this year, and I am already learning that it can be a challenge for parents who don’t... Continue reading