Review by Fariha, member of the Albert Campbell Youth Advisory Group. Trigger Warning: Rape How do you get a girl to stop crying? You cover her mouth. The first time I started reading this book, back when it was just released, I read the first three pages and closed it.... Continue reading

Through everyday activities, such as talking, singing, reading, playing and writing, you can help build language skills and help your child become a reader. Play is my favourite of these activities. Play is a wonderful way for children to learn about the world around them. This knowledge helps them develop... Continue reading

Thanks for opening this blog post! I wouldn't have listened to a blog post entitled "do not open" either. In fact, when I see "do not open" labelled on something, I become more curious as to what is inside. This was especially true when I was younger and my mom... Continue reading

When I was younger, my brother and I always loved jumping on the bed (much to my mother’s disappointment, of course). Whenever I sing this song as part of a story time, I almost feel like I’m one of the monkeys in the song. If your child is also a... Continue reading

Books with rhyme and rhythm makes reading fun for children and helps them to develop the ability to hear the smaller sounds in words. Being able to hear the smaller sounds helps build pre-reading skills. Here are some picture books with some rhyming words that you can enjoy with children... Continue reading

There are just a few days until the release of the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. If you haven't already, you can place a hold on a copy of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child Parts I & II:The Official Script Book Of The Original West End Production.... Continue reading

I have a problem that I think many other readers can relate to when they find a book they like -- I sit down and finish reading it immediately. Then, I’m left with this problem of what to read next. Sure, I can find some great read-a-like titles, but sometimes,... Continue reading

Reading with your child is a great way to bond while helping your child build a love for reading. When children have fun reading, they will show more interest in reading. Choosing funny books to read aloud together with your child will help turn reading together into a special time... Continue reading

Boys book club at S.Walter Stewart Branch It’s official! In addition to our adult book club sets, you can now borrow teen and juvenile book club sets from the library. From the Diary of the Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley's Journal to The Hunger Games, there are many books to choose... Continue reading

Each year, the Governor General’s Literary Awards (the GGs) honour the best in Canadian literature. The finalists for the children's illustration category were released earlier this week. Copies of these books can be borrowed from the library. Here are the five finalists from the children's illustration category: A Cat Named... Continue reading

Starting school was fun when I was in elementary school – it meant we got shiny new shoes, bags, markers and clothes. When I was in elementary school, I would organize all the things I needed before school on my table so I would be prepared on the first day... Continue reading

“We’ll be friends forever, won’t we, Pooh?” asked Piglet. “Even longer,” Pooh answered. - A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh Illustration by E. H. Shepard. Image Credits Bibliodyssey Flickr Friendship has always given me a warm fuzzy feeling, kind of like the same feeling of being wrapped up in a good... Continue reading

Photo courtesy of Micah Zierer-Clyke Through everyday activities, such as talking, singing, reading, playing and writing, you can help build language skills and help your child become a reader. As parents and caregivers, you play an important role in your child’s early literacy development – you spend a lot of... Continue reading

“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” Albert Einstein Since I was a child, I’ve always been fascinated with reading fairy tales. I would spend hours at my local library reading books... Continue reading

You may be getting more than vaccinations and prescriptions for vitamins at your child’s next doctor’s visit. This past Tuesday, St. Michael’s Hospital and Toronto Public Library launched one of the first Reach Out and Read programs in Canada, and the first connected with a Canadian hospital. Through this initiative,... Continue reading

Family Literacy Day, held on January 27, is a national initiative created by ABC Life Literacy Canada to encourage families to read and engage in literacy-related activities together. In celebration of Family Literacy day, Toronto Public Library offers activities all month long to get children and families excited about reading... Continue reading