CHILDREN & FAMILIES

The Children’s Book Bank gives away free books to children ages 0-18 and hosts free programs for children of all ages in our spaces

HOW IT WORKS

  1. There is no registration process, and you do not need to book an appointment.

  2. You and your child(ren) can drop in to choose a free book anytime we are open.

  3. Each person at a Book Bank space can take one book home every day.

  4. The books do not need to be returned.

BOOK BANK RULES

  1. Parents cannot take books without their children present. Please bring your children to the Book Bank to pick out their own books.

  2. Please keep your phone in your pocket when visiting a Book Bank space.

PROGRAMS

The Book Bank also hosts free programs for children in our spaces. See a description of our programs below, and visit our Facebook or Instagram page to learn about upcoming events.

A staff member reading a children's book to a group of young kids sitting on the floor at the Jane & Finch Children's Book Bank.

Storytimes for Students

Free visits for schools, daycares and summer camps, which include an entertaining storytime followed by browsing and choosing a free book to take home.  

Learn more
A woman reading a children's book to a group of kids sitting on the floor at the Sherbourne Children's Book Bank, with colorful butterfly decorations on the wall behind her.

Saturday Storytimes

Every Saturday we offer story times that are designed to be enjoyed by families on a drop-in basis. These occur at:

A woman is sitting on a purple carpet at the Regent Park Children's Book Bank, raising her arms while surrounded by parents lifting babies in the air during Baby Circle Times programming.

Baby Circle Times

A drop-in program for babies (birth-18 months) and their caregivers with stories and songs. These occur at:

Bookshelves with children's and science books, including multiple sets of dictionaries, a pocket dictionary, a first dictionary, and illustrated books about monkeys, planets, and astronauts.

Dictionaries for Newcomers

It’s important to access a physical dictionary when learning a new language like English. The Book Bank purchases new dictionaries with a discount from Scholastic Publishers and with help from donors.

A woman reading a picture book about flowers and butterflies to a group of young children sitting on a purple carpet at the Regent Park Book Bank.

Readers to Leaders

Each year, we hire local high school students to work in our storefronts. These students gain customer service work experience in an environment which they might know well from past visits.

Children seated on the floor and adults standing at the Regent Park Children's Book Bank, with a woman at the front teaching about dumplings, in a room decorated with books and toys.

School Holiday Programs

The Children's Book Bank is open the second week of the winter holiday, March Break, on PA Days and all summer long. We offer fun family-oriented programming, as well as a regular storytime.

A young boy sitting on a leopard print blanket, wearing pajamas with sloths on them, reading a colorful children's book. Behind him are two plush toys, one purple and one blue, and several other children's books with bright, playful covers.

Books Across The City

Every month, we distribute over 6,000 books to help support the programming at literacy centres, food banks, shelters, schools, and other like-minded organizations throughout Toronto. Our focus is on the neighbourhoods in and around Regent Park, Thorncliffe Park, East Scarborough, Mount Dennis/York, and the North York Area.