TD Summer Reading Club 2014

EurekaThe TD Summer Reading Club is an inclusive, bilingual program that strives to engage all children in the joy of reading during the summer months. This program is a joint initiative between TD Bank Group, Toronto Public Library, and Library and Archives Canada. Every year a theme is selected from suggestions made across the country. This year’s theme is EUREKA!

Children who register for the TD Summer Reading Club at their local library receive a free promotional reading kit and are encouraged to earn nine collectible stickers by reading books over the summer. They are also invited to participate in programs organized at their local library and share their love of reading with children across the country through the TD Summer Reading club website.

Here are some of the Tundra titles that are being featured in the reading lists this year, make sure you check them out at your local library!

Ella May and the Wishing StoneElla May and the Wishing Stone
Written by Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Geneviève Côté
Trade Paperback | 32 Pages | Ages 4-6
ISBN: 978-1-77049-410-7
“…Fagan believably captures the delicate balance of friendship in the very young and lets the story play out with welcome complexity. Côté’s illustrations are simple without being cartoonish, demonstrating the same warm understanding of childhood. Thoughtful and Touching” — Kirkus Reviews

I Like To PlayI Like to Play
World Vision Early Readers
Written by Marla Stewart Konrad
Hardcover | 24 Pages | Ages
ISBN 978-0-88776-998-6
“…full of gorgeous photographs and simple text…. The pictures are thought provoking and will prompt many questions from young readers…. There is so much joy and focus in these pictures… highly recommended….” — Excellent, Resource Links

In the BagIn the Bag!
Margaret Knight Wraps It Up

Written by Monica Kulling
Illustrated by David Parkins
Trade Paperback | 32 Pages | Ages 5-8
ISBN: 978-1-77049-515-9
“…a delightful picture book biography of a little known inspiring woman…. I love stories about smart and determined young women and Kulling’s lively text tells an inspiring story about this determined woman who ‘never gave up without a fight.’ David Parkins’ charming illustrations are filled with carefully drawn period details and engaging humor…. Don’t miss this really excellent book that opens the door to a multitude of curricular uses.” – Bookends, a Booklist Blog

Mr Zingers HatMr. Zinger’s Hat
Written by Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Dušan Petričić
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 4-6
ISBN: 978-1-77049-253-0
“A charming, marvelous tale surrounding the art of creating and telling stories, Mr. Zinger’s Hat celebrates the budding friendship between an elderly writer and a young boy who discovers a storyteller within … Fagan’s writing is beautifully crafted … Petričić’s engaging artwork deftly juxtaposes two distinct styles which portray a real-life setting and an imaginary world … The illustrations vividly depict the storyteller’s wry humour and the boy’s wide-eyed innocence.” — Jury Members (Winner of the 2013 Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award)

Sweet!Sweet!
The Delicious Story of Candy

Written by Ann Love and Jane Drake
Illustrated by Claudia Dávila
Trade Paperback | 64 Pages | Ages 9-12
ISBN 978-0-88776-962-7
“…reading their new book is a little like dipping into a grab bag from the candy store: the experience is fun, varied, and relatively cheap, considering the pleasure it gives. The difference is that you can take in the whole book at a single sitting and feel the better for it. Underneath its whimsical exterior — the humorous cartoon illustrations, the fun bits of trivia — there’s a centre of solid research. The writing is clear and engaging…. This thoughtfully constructed book is a treat to read.” — Starred review, Quill & Quire

What Am IWhat Am I?
Written by Linda Granfield
Illustrated by Jennifer Herbert
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 2-5
ISBN: 978-0-88776-812-5
“Little ones will be kept on their toes as they guess which item is being described by a series of clues. Straightforward descriptions and bright, simple illustrations help kids figure out the right answers.” — Today’s Parent

readerparade
Please click here for more information about John Martz, the illustrator who created the artwork for this year’s Reading Club!

TD Summer Reading Club

Telling Tales 2010

This year, the 2nd Telling Tales: A Family Festival of Stories is being held on Sunday, September 19, 2010 in the Westfield Heritage Village. Gates open at 9:30am and the festival ends around 4:00pm. You don’t want to miss it, Telling Tales won the 2010 Tourism Hamilton Award of Excellence – Festival of the Year! 

Where is Westfield Heritage Village you may ask? Just 30 minutes north of downtown Hamilton.  The fairground is located at 1049 Kirkwall Road (also referred to as RR 552), Rockton, ON L0R 1X0. This festival is also outdoors, so make sure you pack your sunscreen, hat, (umbrella), and water! Parking and admittance into the festival are free!

Keep an eye out for our authors participating in the festival this year:

Monica Kulling
Author of All Aboard! Elijah McCoy’s Steam Engine
12:30pm at the Jerseyville Railway Station
She will be signing at the Bookseller’s Tent at 1:15pm.

Ken Setterington
Author of The Snow Queen, Clever Katarina, and The Wild Swans

12:30pm at the Native Village
2:45pm at the Mountsberg Church with Gillian O’Reilly and Ken Roberts
He will be signing at the Bookseller’s Tent at 1:15pm and 3:30pm.

Kevin Sylvester
Author and illustrator of Splinters

11:00am at the Jerseyville Railway Station
2:00pm at the Bandstand
He will be signing at the Bookseller’s Tent at 11:45am and 2:45am.

Linda Granfield
Author of Out of Slavery: The Journey to Amazing Grace

2:00pm at the One Room School House
She will be signing at the Bookseller’s Tent at 2:45pm.

Click here for some photos from last year’s festival!

Each One Remembered – On se souvient de chacun

Award-winning author Linda Granfield, has been very involved in a school poppy program, Each One RememberedOn se souvient de chacun, for Vimy Ridge Day. On Friday, April 9, Canadians are invited to make poppies to pay tribute to all of those who served in the First World War. To participate in this program and for more information, please click on the links for English and French.

We applaud Linda Granfield for her heroic efforts on acknowledging our beloved veterans!

Teachers, librarians, and parents may also want share these books:

Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion
By Jane Barclay
Illustrated by Renné Benoit
ISBN 978-0-88776-951-1
Ages 4-7

“…beautifully modulated picture book about war and remembrance…. Renné Benoit’s subtle gouache and watercolour illustrations are perfectly attuned to Jane Barclay’s story.” – The Globe and Mail

The War to End All Wars: The Story of World War I
By Jack Batten
ISBN 978-0-88776-879-8
Ages 10+

“…Batten’s account is a model of lucidity, a good place for a young reader to start. Batten’s clean, intelligent prose makes this highly readable and comprehensible….” – The Toronto Star

Black History Month

February is Black History Month, visit your local bookstore or library to learn more. We also compiled our reading recommendations for you (click on the covers for more information):

Grease Town
By Ann Towell
ISBN 978-0-88776-983-2
Fiction
Available on February 9, 2010
A heartbreaking history of prejudice, family ties, and the loss of innocence. The novel is based on a race riot that occurred in Oil Springs, Ontario on March 20, 1863.

Afrika
By Colleen Craig
ISBN 978-0-88776-807-1
Fiction
~ Short-listed for the 2009 IODE (National Chapter) Violet Downey Book Award
~ Selected for the Best Book for Kids and Teens 2009 list, presented by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre

Out of Slavery: The Journey to Amazing Grace
By Linda Granfield
Illustrated by Janet Wilson
ISBN 978-0-88776-915-3
Non-Fiction
~ Selected as a Best Book (Non-fiction) by Quill & Quire
“…is beautifully written, evocative, and heart-wrenching” – School Library Journal

I Came as a Stranger: The Underground Railroad
By Bryan Prince
ISBN 978-0-88776-667-1
Non-Fiction
~ Honor Book for the Society of School Librarians International’s Best Book Award – Social Studies
~ Winner of 2005 Children’s Nautilus Book Awards (Non-fiction)

Season of Rage: Hugh Burnett and the Struggle for Civil Rights
By John Cooper
ISBN 978-0-88776-700-5
Non-Fiction
“…well written and compelling.” – VOYA
“What is really a vignette of events in one small town results in a much broader view of the attitudes of an entire country. An eye-opening story.” – School Library Journal

Rapid Ray: The Story of Ray Lewis
By John Cooper
ISBN 978-0-88776-612-1
Non-Fiction
“…This well-written and engaging biography of the first Canadian-born black athlete to join a Canadian Olympic track-and-field team…” – School Library Journal

A Roundup of Ten Questions with…

Open Book Toronto logoOnce again, the wonderful team at Open Book: Toronto interviewed some of our Fall 2009 authors and illustrators. Many thanks to Clelia and Amy for their hard work! Click on the links below to read Open Book: Toronto’s Ten Questions with:

You can take a look at the Spring 2009 Ten Question interviews here. Stay tuned for interviews from our Spring 2010 authors and illustrators!