This year, more than 1,000 kids signed up for the annual TD Summer Reading Club at the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library.
They were challenged to read more, do more, explore more, and discover their interests and passions through the world of books.
“I think this year’s theme, Feed Your Passions, gave us a lot of latitude to integrate some fantastic S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, art and math) and play activities – like slime-making and bubble parties – into our summer planning,” said children’s services librarian Andrea Ciurria. There was even an opportunity to see butterflies hatch, thanks to a donation of three chrysalises by Maria da Costa.
The young readers enjoyed treats, crafts and invitation-only parties – but every good thing must come to an end.
On Aug. 17, the TD Summer Reading Club wrapped up with an afternoon of games in the Zima Room at the library, crafts, donated prizes that included passes to the CN Tower, Canada’s Wonderland, Ripley’s Aquarium and LEGO Land, and kudos for the biggest readers.
In total, the kids read 11,879 books through the seven weeks of summer. “Our best year to-date,” said Ciurria.
“I have always been interested in open-ended approaches to learning and play, and I think the summer is a good time for kids to really creatively approach learning,” she said.
Now, with the start of school just more than a week away, the library will continue to encourage kids to read – including with a books-to-movies club for kids 10 and older that will meet once a month, and it will work with schools on a Battle of the Books competition for kids in Grades 3 to 6.
