For Kids

September marks the start of a new school year. The start of a new school year often means adjusting to a new regular routine and more time spent on studies than on consoles. But we all know that once we come home, we like to kick back with a good book or video game and take a break before it’s time for homework. Well, this month, may we suggest you try out Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot in your spare time.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is currently available for Play Station 4 and XBOX One and will be available for SWITCH this month!

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot relives the story of Goku and other Z Fighters. Beyond the battles, experience life in the epic Dragon Ball Z world as you fight, fish, eat and train with Goku, Gohan, Vegeta and others.

If you feel like diving even deeper into Goku and the world of Dragon Ball Z, you can checkout one of the many Dragon Ball Z graphic novels that we have in our collection!

So what is Science Literacy Week exactly? From their website, “Science Literacy Week showcases the diversity of Canadian science and the culture it’s embedded in. Libraries, museums, science centres, schools and not-for-profits come together to highlight the books, movies, podcasts and events that convey the excitement and influence of science in our everyday lives. It’s about each and everyone’s unique relationship with science and how they live it.”

This year’s theme is Climate.  Canada is a country that is filled with many different climates.  “These different climates define Canada’s regions and influence the people, plants and animals that live within them.”

Check out some of our best picks for kids to keep you and your family learning all about the wonders of science. Click on a book cover to place a hold in our catalogue.  To find even more books with fun and educational science experiments please click HERE

Pop sizzle boom! : 101 science experiments for the mad scientist in every kid By Amy Oyler

The most clever, fun, and exciting book of kids’ science experiments ever! This book is perfect for kids who like the excitement of exploding things, boiling things, and generally making a mess while learning about science. Get ready for amazing projects like: -Slime Party! -Color-changing milk -Mentos Diet Coke Geyser -PVC Rocket Launcher -Puffy Paint in the Microwave -Solar Oven S’mores -Homemade Light Saber

 

Captain Kidd’s crew experiments with sinking and floating By Mark Weakland

 

Aye, aye, matey! Captain Kidd here, and I’m on an adventure on the high seas. I’ve always wondered why me boat floats but me treasure sinks. Follow me crew to find out all about sinking and floating!

 

 

Experiments in material and matter with toys and everyday stuff By Natalie Rompella

 

Engaging experiments using simple toys and everyday stuff teach curious young minds all about material and matter. Readers can take an up-close look at the different types of matter, properties of each type, and so much more. With low-level text and step-by-step photos, connecting young readers with science concepts and supporting the Next Generation Science Standards has never been simpler!

The book of potentially catastrophic science By Sean Connolly

It’s never been more important to engage a child’s scientific curiosity, and Sean Connolly knows just how to do it–with lively, hands-on, seemingly “dangerous” experiments that pop, ooze, crash, and teach! Now, the author of The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science, takes it one step further: He leads kids through the history of science, and then creates amazing yet simple experiments that demonstrate key scientific principles.

Mythbusters confirm or bust! : science fair book #2 By Samantha Margles

Do you have what it takes to be a MythBuster? Confirmed! Kid-friendly and age appropriate, this fun follow-up book to the successful MythBusters Science Fair Book is packed with more than thirty brand-new experiments for school and at home. Follow the book’s step-by-step simple instructions, and you’ll be able to bust or confirm myths just like Adam and Jamie on the popular MythBusters TV show from the Discovery Channel.

Storytelling games, AKA Roleplaying Games (or RPG for short) are an important part of the gaming culture. Not only are RPG games yet another way to game with friends, but RPG games allow for creativity, exploration and imagination and certainly makes for a lot of laughs around the table. Dungeons and Dragons is one of the most popular role playing games that can be played and is always a uniquely different experience. If you want to see what all the hype is about you can check out some of the guides to the RPG game here:

This is a guide to A Dungeons and Dragons adventure for characters of levels 1-10. The Curse of Strahd is a great way to learn how Dungeons and Dragons is played and stories are woven together through guided scenarios.

The Monster Manual is a companion guide to the 5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons game, giving Dungeon Masters access to all of the creatures, beasts and human characters that players can encounter along their quests. This book provides the stats, abilities and magic abilities of all non-playable characters found within the game.

The Dungeon Master’s Guide, along with some dice and  your imagination, is all you need to run a Dungeons and Dragons game. This acts as a guide to help the Dungeon Master create everything that exists in a fantasy world from castles and villages, evil creatures and bandits, to traps and treasures.

For the most part, everyone loves the odd board game. From Monopoly to Settlers of Catan, board games can be high interest but low patience for set up and take down. Today, we are going to look at a few games you can check out from the library that are both high interest and quick to play, and therefore will most certainly engage the whole family!

Sushi-Go!

Sushi Go! takes the mechanics of card-drafting and set-collection, and distils them into one incredibly streamlined and thematically appetizing game. In Sushi Go! a deck of cards is distributed amongst the players, who then take turns to select one card before passing the rest of their hand to the person to their left. Which card to select really depends on what sets the player is attempting to collect. Sushi Go! provides endless opportunity to sabotage another player, but rounds end so fast that any wrong doing is quickly forgotten.

Codenames: Disney Family Edition

While Codenames is definitely a headscratcher, it is certainly an easy one! Cluemasters give their teams words to help identify the beloved Disney characters, locations and items from a 25 card game grid. The game uses both pictures and words, which makes it easy to follow even for our tiniest of family members that may want to take part in the family game. Being a word association game with both pictures and words, Codenames: Disney is easy enough for anyone to learn the basics.

Spyfall

A game that plays its rounds out in 8 minutes or less, Spyfall is an easy-to-learn card game of bluffing, probing questions, clever answers and suspicion. Players receive secret location cards alerting them to where they are, while one player receives the secret SPY card. In order to win the round, the Spy’s job is to figure out where they are before they blow their cover! This game is all about subtlety. You want to answer questions so other players believe you and know you know where you are but in a not so specific manner so as to alert the Spy to where you are. Happy sleuthing!

O Canada!  On July 1st, Canadians across the country and around the world unite to show our pride in our history, culture and achievements.  Celebrate this special day all month long with some of these Canadian-themed books written by Canadian authors.

Canada Year by Year by Elizabeth Macleod

Award-winning author Elizabeth MacLeod’s year-by-year tour of Canada’s fascinating history highlights a single milestone for every year from the country’s founding in 1867 up to its 150th anniversary in 2017. Divided into ten distinct eras, coverage ranges from politics, sports, business and arts and culture, and includes significant events both at home and in world affairs.  The topics chosen offer an inclusive historical perspective, incorporating women, Aboriginal peoples and people with disabilities into Canada’s rich and diverse narrative. Illustrations by awarding-winning artist Sydney Smith bring a contemporary feel to the stories of the past.

Colossal Canada : 100 epic facts and feats by Elizabeth Macleod

From Chris Hadfield to the maple leaf, peacekeeping to poutine, and mukluks, tuques, grizzlies, and chinooks, this fast-moving and eye-opening book will give young Canadians plenty to cheer about.

Colossal Canada is a wide-ranging round-up of the people, places, animals and events that make us uniquely Canadian. It includes chapters on unforgettable moments in our history, exceptional inventions, monsters and myths, and all of our biggest, best, highest, and most extreme accomplishments.

Kids and adults alike will love learning all about their home and native land — and sharing these fascinating facts with family and friends!

The Story of Canada by Janet Lunn

Learn the story of Canada in this beautiful new edition, fully updated!  Who better than award-winning writer Janet Lunn and historian Christopher Moore to tell our country’s story through rich narrative, recreations of daily life, folk tales and intriguing facts. Coupled with Alan Daniel’s evocative original paintings, as well as dozens of historical photographs, maps, paintings, documents and cartoons, The Story of Canada is as splendid to look at as it is fascinating to read. Includes new material to bring us to the 150th anniversary of Confederation.

Carson Crosses Canada by Linda Bailey

Feisty Annie Magruder and her dog, Carson, live in British Columbia, Canada, and they’re setting out to visit her sister, Elsie, in Newfoundland. In their little rattlebang car, packed with Carson’s favorite toy, Squeaky Chicken, and plenty of baloney sandwiches, Annie and Carson hit the road! They travel province by province, taking in each unique landscape and experiencing something special to that particular part of this vast, grand country. For example, they marvel at the beauty of the big, open sky-and grasshoppers!-in Saskatchewan and discover the gorgeous red earth and delicious lobster rolls in PEI, before finally being greeted by Elsie-and a surprise for Carson!

Thank You, Canada by Andrea Beck

Andrea Lynn Beck’s bestselling and award-winning picture books Goodnight, Canada and Good Morning, Canada have struck a chord with Canadians from coast to coast to coast. Thank You, Canada continues to celebrate our country’s myriad strengths. Joyful, detailed spreads bring out the varied flavours of Canada, in its culture, people, nature and contributions to the world.

Thank You, Canada allows kids to explore connections and think about what it means to be Canadian — it’s a joyful letter of gratitude for all our country has to offer, past, present and future.

This weekend we celebrate Father’s and in today’s blog we’ll look some great board games suitable for you and your dad!

You grew up playing Monopoly with your dad, trading your one railroad for his set of 3 green or 3 red properties, because well, Dad wanted to make sure you won and had fun while doing so. Well, here are a few games that Dad might enjoy playing now that you are older and more competitive!

Catan is a great game to up the anty from your childhood days of playing Monopoly. Catan is a game of settlers vying for glory by trading and collecting resources to develop your settlements. Dad will make no easy trades with you here as every sheep, straw and rock resource proves very valuable!

Everyone always says to treat dad like a King! Kingdomino is a great game to play with dad and tons of fun for the whole family. As a tile placement game, your job is to ensure that one side of your tile connects to at least one side of another tile’s matching terrain type. Securing terrains with crowns give you extra treasure in your race to victory!

Another fantastic game to play with dad is Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King, let’s face it, Dad likes to think he is a king! In this tile laying game, players are Chieftains from the five clans, trying to build little kingdoms and amass the most gold along their routes to their castles. New tactics need to be employed every game as the score cards are constantly changing every round. Who will be King?

In June, we celebrate National Indigenous History Month to honour the history, heritage and diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

National Indigenous History Month is a time for learning about, appreciating and acknowledging the contributions First Nations, Inuit and Métis people have made in shaping Canada.

Find activities, games and stories for youth and educators about Indigenous peoples’ culture, history and languages at the Government of Canada’s Kids’ Stop!

Check out some of our best picks for Indigenous contributions to children’s literature. Click on a book cover to place a hold in our catalogue.

Go Show the World by Wab Kinew

Celebrating the stories of Indigenous people throughout time, Wab Kinew has created a powerful rap song, the lyrics of which are the basis for the text in this beautiful picture book, illustrated by the acclaimed Joe Morse. Including figures such as Crazy Horse, Net-no-kwa, former NASA astronaut John Herrington and Canadian NHL goalie Carey Price, Go Show the World showcases a diverse group of Indigenous people in the US and Canada, both the more well known and the not-so-widely recognised. Individually, their stories, though briefly touched on, are inspiring; collectively, they empower the reader with this message: ‘We are people who matter, yes, it s true; now let s show the world what people who matter can do.’

The Barren Grounds by David Robertson

“Morgan and Eli, two Indigenous children forced away from their families and communities, are brought together in a foster home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They each feel disconnected, from their culture and each other, and struggle to fit in at school and at their new home — until they find a secret place, walled off in an unfinished attic bedroom. A portal opens to another reality, Askí, bringing them onto frozen, barren grounds, where they meet Ochek (Fisher). The only hunter supporting his starving community, Misewa, Ochek welcomes the human children, teaching them traditional ways to survive. But as the need for food becomes desperate, they embark on a dangerous mission.

Encounter by Brittany Luby

Based on an actual journal entry by French explorer Jacques Cartier from his first expedition to North America in July 1534, this story imagines the first encounter between a European sailor and a Stadaconan fisher. As the two navigate their differences (language, dress, food) with curiosity, the natural world around them notes their similarities.

Meennunyakaa = Blueberry patch by Jennifer Leason

Based in Duck Bay, Manitoba, in the 1940s, an Elder shares his experience of packing up to go out to collect blueberries, a traditional gathering that took place every summer. He describes the journey and landscape with humor and such vivid imagery that readers will see themselves there with him, boarding the trail of wagons from surrounding communities and heading east toward the blueberry patch. The Elder’s stories offer a journey back in time and are complemented by images of fields of plump blueberries, tall green grass, bannock baking over an open fire, clear freshwater streams and the tents the people slept in.

Powwow : a celebration through song and dance by Karen Pheasant-Neganigwane

Part of the nonfiction Orca Origins series for middle readers. Illustrated with photographs, Powwow is a celebration of Indigenous song and dance in North America.

Ancestor approved : intertribal stories for kids by Cynthia Leitich Smith

In a high school gym full of color and song, people dance, sell beadwork and books, and celebrate friendship and heritage. Young protagonists will meet relatives from faraway, shadowy spirits, and sometimes one another (plus one scrappy rez dog).

Pokémon Hunters! The wait is finally over. The immensely popular 1999 title Pokémon Snap from Nintendo 64 is finally back, bigger and better for Nintendo Switch. New Pokémon Snap is an all new game, featuring the Lental region, which will take you on an adventure jumping from island to island, challenging yourself to snap the best picture and build your very own Pokémon Photodex! Work with Professor Mirror to explore dense jungles, vast deserts and determine the mysterious Pokémon and vegetation glows. This new gameplay takes the best elements of the 1994 Pokémon Snap title and combines it with intense new ways to edit and share photos, research vast lands and uncover the mystery of Illumina phenomenon. Reserve your copy today!

Check out some of these other Pokêmon Titles for Switch:

Pokêmon Shield

Pokémon Sword

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon

Celebrate this Mother’s Day by reading a book together.  Here are some of the wonderful children’s books that you can find in our catalogue that celebrate the miraculous bond between mother and child.

That’s Me Loving You By Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Amy Krouse Rosenthal captures parents’ desire to be ever-present in this simple and touching poem offering reassurance of their love. Signs of affection can be found in the natural world around us-from a soft breeze to a shimmering star.

I’ve Loved You Since Forever By Hoda Kotb

I’ve Loved You Since Forever is a celebratory and poetic testament to the timeless love felt between parent and child. This beautiful picture book is inspired by Today show co-anchor Hoda Kotb’s heartwarming adoption of her baby girl, Haley Joy.

With Kotb’s lyrical text and stunning pictures by Suzie Mason, young ones and parents will want to snuggle up and read the pages of this book together, over and over again.

Love You Forever By Robert Munsch and Sheila McGraw

A young woman holds her newborn son
And looks at him lovingly.

Softly she sings to him:
“I’ll love you forever
I’ll like you for always
As long as I’m living
My baby you’ll be.”

So begins the story that has touched the hearts of millions worldwide.

Mommy Hugs By Karen Katz

Mommy and Baby can now count and cuddle as they hug and read about Baby’s day of fun in this book ideal for even the youngest reader!

How to Raise a Mom By Jean Reagan

Celebrate the bond between moms and children with this humorous New York Times-bestseller that invites the kids to do the hard work of raising their mom…if just for a day!

This humorous new addition to the beloved HOW TO . . . books takes readers through a playful, busy day with Mom. Written in an instructional style, two siblings suggest the best ways to raise a happy, healthy mom–from waking her up in the morning to arranging play dates, to making sure she gets enough exercise, some quiet time, and plenty of veggies!