July Newsletter: Get Ready for Summer Fun at The Children's Book Bank!
JUNE HIGHLIGHTS
Ben Clanton Storytime
While we were excited to welcome author Ben Clanton to our space in June, no one was happier to see Ben than his #1 fan, Joaquin!
Joaquin was only seven months old when he first attended a Storytime with Ben at our Regent Park Book Bank. Now three years old, and having grown up with Ben's books, he could not have been more excited to meet his favourite author again!
GET READY FOR SUMMER AT THE CHILDREN'S BOOK BANK!
10 New Staff Members & 10 New Volunteers
Summer is the busiest time of the year at The Children's Book Bank. With kids out of school, access to free literacy programs becomes more important than ever.
Thanks to the support of Canada Summer Jobs and Focus on Youth programs, we are excited to welcome 10 new staff members to support our summer season! We are also pleased to welcome 10 new high school volunteers through our Teen Ambassadors Program.
All Book Bank locations will be closed this week as we train our new team members. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Saturday, July 4, when all our spaces reopen.
The Importance of Summer Reading
Looking for a fun way to keep your kids engaged during their school break?
Our Summer Reading Program offers fun challenges to keep your kids reading all summer long! Kids can track their progress with stickers and win prizes as a reward for their hard work.
Over the break, kids are at risk of losing a lot of the knowledge and important skills they gained. This learning loss puts them behind when they return to school in the fall. Fortunately, studies show that regular reading is key to preventing the summer slide… and it can be FUN!
Help your kids avoid summer learning loss by enrolling them in our fun Summer Reading Program and making visits to the Book Bank part of your regular vacation routine. We've extended our hours, offering service six days a week at Jane & Finch, Morningside, and Regent Park for more summer fun.
You can also support our Summer Reading Program by making a donation. Your summer gift will be put to work right away, providing children with access to free books and literacy programming to keep them on track this summer.
Summer Programs & Events
Get ready for an exciting reading adventure with our Summer Reading Program!
Read Around the World, one book at a time, with this free program for children and teens ages 3-19. When you sign up at one of our Book Bank locations, you will receive your very own Summer Reading Passport to track the books you read and record your journey around the globe.
As you read, you’ll earn stickers, complete fun challenges, and unlock new travel destinations. Set reading goals, collect rewards, and discover amazing stories from around the world.
The adventure doesn’t stop with books! Throughout the summer, we’ll be offering additional programs and activities that explore the artists and architecture of every continent.
From hands-on art projects to STEM challenges inspired by famous landmarks, there will be something new to explore each week.
Pack your imagination, grab a new book, and get ready to discover the world through reading this summer!
READER FEATURE
Alicia
Eleven-year-old Alicia has been a participant in the Book Bank's Summer Reading Program since 2020. Last fall, she had the opportunity to talk about her experience with Book Bank and share her thoughts on books with a national audience when she was interviewed by CBC News.
Alica credits the program with keeping her motivated and helping her grow as a reader, year after year (click image, right/above, to watch Alicia’s testimonial).
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT
Maggie De Bruyne
Maggie De Bruyne is a longtime supporter of The Children's Book Bank. For the past four years, Maggie has run an annual Bling Sale at the Cabbagetown Festival, selling new and refurbished jewellery to fundraise for The Children's Book Bank and The Cabbagetown Youth Centre. Since 2022, she has raised an incredible $27,400 to support children and youth in our community.
This year's Bling Sale is set to be the biggest yet and will take place on Saturday, September 12, from 9am- 3pm at 286 Carlton St.
To support this fundraiser, we will be accepting donations of the following items at the Regent Park Book Bank until August 1:
Jewelry - in good repair or broken, even fragments, chains, or single earrings.
Accessories - watches, scarves, belts, sunglasses, purses, traveling bags & summer hats.
Vintage items such as powder compacts, pill boxes, perfume bottles, dressing table grooming sets (e.g., comb, brush and hand mirror).
Please email Sepinoud Siavoshi, Operations Coordinator, for more information: sepinoud@childrensbookbank.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
Jess Hannigan: Author Visit
Kick off the summer with an extra special storytime with author, Jess Hannigan!
JANE & FINCH: Saturday, July 4 at 1:30pm
American Sign Language (ASL) Storytime with Faranak Foundation
Everyone is welcome to celebrate Disability Pride Month with us and enjoy a special storytime in both English and ASL!
JANE & FINCH: Saturday, July 11 at 1:30pm
Book Donation Days
The Book Bank is able to accept book donations on the dates and times shown:
SHERBOURNE: June 20, July 25, August 29, September 26, October 23, December 12
MORNINGSIDE: June 27, August 29, October 3, December 12
JULY PROGRAM CALENDARS
Every dollar you give to The Children’s Book Bank helps provide free books and literacy programs to children across Toronto, improving literacy rates and socioeconomic outcomes. Since 2008, the Book Bank has distributed nearly two million books across the city—please consider making a donation to help us get to the next million.