Let's Move It Outdoors!
Karen Scott
The weather's finally getting warmer and it's time for some fun activities outdoors.
If you want to get your little ones interested in gardening, maybe start with an oldie but goodie:
"Talkie" Thursday
Coleen McFarlane
If you are crafting or cleaning around the house why not entertain yourself with storytelling? It’s the perfect time to try a audiobook (also known as a talking book). While you are dusting you can distract yourself with a good mystery, get caught up in a thriller, or get a laugh from a feel-good book.
Trying Out Book Suggestions
Catherine
Publisher catalogues, Goodreads.com, blog blogs…there are so many great options for finding reading inspiration. Like most people, however, I find the best source is other readers. The following are some books that were suggested to me by others. While I was initially reluctant to read them, I was glad I did. Click any of the titles below to place a hold in our catalogue.
Bridge Building Challenge
Karen Scott
Here's an engineering challenge that will keep the kids engaged for quite a while: have them build a bridge that will hold a certain amount of weight.
Finding Reality in Fiction
Coleen McFarlane
Often as I am reading a novel, I want to learn about the “real bits” I find embedded in the fiction. When I read Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier, I immediately wanted to look at the art work of Johannes Vermeer. It is like the connection you make to a particular city you wish to visit after reading a novel – like New Orleans and Anne Rice’s the Vampire Chronicles.
Staff Picks: In the Dream House
Catherine
Karen Nordrum of our Tamworth Branch recently read In the Dream House, a heart-wrenching memoir by Her Body and Other Stories author Carmen Maria Machado. Here is Karen's review:
Digital Fitness Resources
Coleen McFarlane
With recreational facilities (including gyms, sports fields and playgrounds) closed in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19, you and your family may be looking for alternatives to keep physically fit. The library offers a variety of fitness options online - all free with your library card.
Access Ancestry.com Remotely
Catherine
Update: remote Ancestry Library Edition access is now available until the end of 2020 and will be continually reassessed as public libraries remain closed.
Ancestry Library Edition provides access to billions of records in census data, vital records, directories, photos, and more.
Ramadan Mubarak
Coleen McFarlane
Ramadan started on April 24th this year and although fasting, prayer, spiritual reflection and doing good deeds will continue to occur, it will surely be challenging not to be able to visit with family during this time of social isolation.
To learn more about the holiday, try some of these children's titles from our digital catalogue:
Science Can Be Fun!
Karen Scott
Are you looking for ways to keep your elementary-aged kids engaged and having fun, while possibly learning something at the same time? Why not let them try exploring some scientific concepts -- they can do these on their own, or you could get involved and have some fun together.