For Kids

By Leo Scardicchio

Board games are making a comeback. They cater to our need for adventure by placing us into a new world where the focus isn’t on daily house chores, work projects, or homework. Every adventure is different and experiencing those adventures together with someone else can be a thrilling experience.

While the video game world may be thriving, (as we move into yet another generation of console gaming), board games are keeping stride, offering us a variety of ways to experience an adventure solo or with our families at home! Try out one of these popular board games from our collection and see what all the hype is about!

In Isle of Skye , 2-5 players are the chieftains of 5 famous clans. The players try to build their little kingdoms to score as many points as possible. But in each game only 4 of the 16 scoring cards will be scored. Each game is different and leads to different tactics and strategies. This is a tile placement strategy game.

A classic when it comes to board games, Ticket to Ride is a cross-country adventure train game. Players collect train cards that enable them to claim railway routes connecting cities throughout North America. The longer the routes, the more points they earn. With additional challenges and ways to earn extra points, you won’t be able to lose!

What do you get when you combine the #1 party game with the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Code Marvel. This edition combines the hit social word game with the Marvel Universe including Spider Man, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Avengers and Doctor Strange. Opposing teams, S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra, compete to be the first to identify all of their teams ‘field agents’ from 25 code cards displayed in a 5 x 5 grid. A must-have for Marvel fans of all ages.

Fortnite Fans, this take on a classic game is for you and your family. Monopoly: Fortnite is not a game about what you own, but about surviving. In this edition, 2 to 7 players claim locations, battle their opponents, and avoid the Storm to survive; the last player standing wins.

There are more famous Canadian children’s authors than you may think. Canada is home to a large number of authors who have written well-known kids’ books. Here is just a peek at some of the spectacular Canadian titles that can help inspire your kids to read. Click on a book cover to place a hold in our catalogue.

Blue Mountain by Martine Leavitt

Tuk the bighorn sheep is told he will be the one to save his herd, but he is young and would rather play with his bandmates than figure out why the herd needs saving. As humans encroach further and further into their territory, there is less room for the sheep to wander, food becomes scarce, and the herd’s very survival is in danger. Tuk and his friends set out to find Blue Mountain, a place that Tuk sometimes sees far in the distance and thinks might be a better home. The journey is treacherous, filled with threatening pumas and bears and dangerous lands, leading Tuk down a path that goes against every one of his instincts. Still, Tuk perseveres, reaching Blue Mountain and leading his herd into a new, safe place.

Lumberjanes: Unicorn Power by Mariko Tamaki

“Welcome to Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady Types. The five scouts of Roanoke cabin–Jo, April, Molly, Mal, and Ripley–love their summers at camp. They get to hang out with their best friends, earn Lumberjane scout badges, annoy their no-nonsense counselor Jen. and go on supernatural adventures. That last one? A pretty normal occurrence at Miss Qiunzella’s, where the woods contain endless mysteries. Today is no exception. When challenge-loving April leads the girls on a hike up the TALLEST mountain they’ve ever seen, things don’t go quite as planned. For one, they didn’t expect to trespass into the lands of the ancient Cloud People, and did anyone happen to read those ominous signs some unknown person posted at the bottom of the mountain? Also, unicorns”

The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier

When orphaned Irish siblings Molly and Kip arrive to work as servants at a creepy, crumbling English manor house, they discover that the house and its inhabitants are not what they seem. Soon the siblings are confronted by a mysterious stranger and the secrets of the cursed house will change their lives forever.

Masterminds: Payback by Gordon Korman

After a serious betrayal from one of their former friends, the clones of Project Osiris are fighting to survive in the real world. To prove the existence of Project Osiris, Amber and Malik turn to the notorious mob boss Gus Alabaster, also known as Malik’s DNA donor. Meanwhile, Eli and Tori get sucked into even bigger conspiracies as they hunt down where Eli’s DNA comes from. Can they eventually end the Project Osiris?

Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel

When a newborn bat named Shade but sometimes called “Runt” becomes separated from his colony during migration, he grows in ways that prepare him for even greater journeys.

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Best-selling Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery published the first book in her charming series in 1908, making it a literary favorite for more than a hundred years. Published as a children’s novel, the story of Anne Shirley, an orphan, was inspired by the author’s childhood adventures on rural Prince Edward Island. It follows Anne’s journey as she moves to a farm on Prince Edward Island to live with a middle-aged brother and sister who had intended to adopt a boy to help them with farming chores. The story follows Anne as she makes a home and comes of age on the island.

Coyote Tales by Thomas King

Two tales, set in a time “when animals and human beings still talked to each other,” display Thomas King’s cheeky humor and master storytelling skills. Freshly illustrated and reissued as an early chapter book, these stories are perfect for newly independent readers.

By Melissa Mason

Ready to be snowed in? Grab a blanket and some hot chocolate and dig into a wintery new book!

Pug’s Snow Day by Kyla May

Bub the pug has never seen snow before, and when Duchess the cat tells him it is frozen rain he is appalled and does not want to go out even to play with his human, Bella–but the week is about to get worse because a new family has moved in next door, and they apparently have a pet monster (at least if Nutz the squirrel can be believed) and Bella’s mother has arranged a play date for Sunday.

Captain Awesome Has the Best Snow Day by Stan Kirby

Captain Awesome is determined to make this the best snow day ever in the eighteenth adventure of the Sunnyview Superhero Squad!

Captain Awesome just woke up, and something is suspicious. His mom’s not calling him to come downstairs for breakfast. His school clothes aren’t laid out for him. He peeks out the window and gasps. He can barely see anything through the piles and piles of…snow! This can only mean one thing. SNOW DAY! And it’s going to be the greatest snow day ever! Or is it?

The Meltdown by Jeff Kinney

When snow closes Greg Heffley’s middle school, he and his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, face a fight for survival as warring gangs turn the neighborhood into a wintry battlefield.

The Sleepwalking Snowman by Andres Miedoso and Victor Rivas

Desmond and Andres face a snowman that was built by a schoolmate but seems to have a mind of its own, as well as a snowball-throwing bully.

The Greatest Gift by Kallie George

The peaceful winter that Mona the mouse expected at the Heartwood Hotel is disturbed by a difficult duchess, food shortages caused by a huge blizzard, and secrets. Mona will have to gather friends both old and new to keep the peace.

Michelle the Winter Wonderland Fairy by Daisy Meadows

Kirsty and Rachel are together again! Kirsty’s mom won an online contest for a photo she submitted to a travel website. The prize is a trip for four to a beautiful snowy resort where a winter festival is being held.

There’s just one problem– Jack Frost has stolen Michelle the Winter Wonderland Fairy’s magic items! As long as they’re missing, people won’t be able to enjoy all the wintry activities.

Rachel and Kirsty have to help Michelle before Jack Frost ruins winter fun for everyone!

Slush Puppy Love by Christina Soontornvat

Princess Lina’s BFF Claudia is desperate for a dog. So Lina decides to use her Winterheart magic to turn a puppy snow sculpture into the perfect pet. But the magical snow dog has a mind of its own — and it’s running loose at school!Two-color interiors are packed with kid appeal!

November 11 is Remembrance Day, a day to show our respect and gratitude to the serving and previous members of our armed forces who have sacrificed for our country.  Originally called Armistice Day, Remembrance Day is observed on the 11th day of the 11th month.  At the 11th hour on this day, we pause to remember the brave soldiers who fought for our country. That date and time mark the moment that World War I ended.

For this Remembrance Day, read a book with your child.  Discover the meaning of the poppy and learn about John McCrae, the field surgeon in the Canadian artillery, and poet, who tended to his fellow soldiers.

In Flanders Fields by Norman Jorgensen

In Flanders Fields tells the story of a young homesick World War I soldier, who risks his life to cross the no-man’s-land and rescue a robin caught in the barbed wire that separates the opposing forces, dug into their trenches. Although the story takes place in the midst of a long and brutal war, the fighting has paused and no violence is seen. The focus of the book is on the similarity of the soldiers on both sides of the fence.

On Juno Beach: Canada’s D-Day Heroes by Hugh Brewster

June 6th, 2004 will mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day, when Canadians landed on Juno Beach. This outstanding book contains unpublished accounts of D-Day eyewitnesses and participants, and through their eyes we are able to see what it was like to live through the assault on Hitler’s Atlantic Wall and the massive invasion that followed. Captivating photographs and memorabilia bring these stories to life.

The Kids Book of Canada at War by Elizabeth MacLeod

War is a time of terrible tragedy and great loss. But it is also a time of incredible courage and determination. In this entry in the acclaimed Kids Book of series, Elizabeth MacLeod looks at Canada’s battles and wars and at the people who fought in them. From the earliest recorded battles on Canadian soil to Canada’s overseas peacekeeping missions today, kids will meet heroic Canadians, learn about the technology of war and read chilling first-person accounts from soldiers on the battlefields.

In Flanders Fields : the story of the poem by John McCrae by Linda Granfield

Canadian Library Association Honour Book” The lines of the celebrated poem are interwoven with fascinating information about the First World War, details of daily life in the trenches, accounts of McCrae’s experience in his field hospital, and the circumstances that led to the writing of “”In Flanders Fields.”

A Poppy is to Remember by Heather Patterson

Moving text coupled with stunning illustrations by Governor General’s Award-winning artist Ron Lightburn explain the symbolism behind the poppy.

A bonus for teachers is the five-page spread all about the poem, “In Flanders Fields,” Canada’s wartime and peacekeeping endeavours, and the adoption of the poppy as our Remembrance Day emblem.

These are just a few of the many scary books we have available at the library. Check our catalogue out for more of your favourite creepy reads!

Scream and Scream Again! by R.L. Stine
A harrowing array of scary stories that all have one thing in common: each either begins or ends with a scream! R.L. Stine–the godfather of Goosebumps–and some of the most popular authors today bring an unrivaled mastery of all things fearsome, frightening, and fantabulous to this terrifying anthology of all-new scary short stories. Scream and Scream Again! is full of twists and turns, dark corners, and devilish revenge. Collected in conjunction with the Mystery Writers of America, this set includes works from New York Times bestselling authors telling tales of wicked ice-cream trucks, time-travelling heroes, witches and warlocks, and of course, haunted houses.

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden
After suffering a tragic loss, eleven-year-old Ollie who only finds solace in books discovers a chilling ghost story about a girl named Beth, the two brothers who loved her, and a peculiar deal made with “the smiling man”–a sinister specter who grants your most tightly held wish, but only for the ultimate price. Captivated by the tale, Ollie begins to wonder if the smiling man might be real when she stumbles upon the graves of the very people she’s been reading about on a school trip to a nearby farm. Then, later, when her school bus breaks down on the ride home, the strange bus driver tells Ollie and her classmates- “Best get moving. At nightfall they’ll come for the rest of you.” Nightfall is, indeed, fast descending when Ollie’s previously broken digital wristwatch begins a startling countdown and delivers a terrifying message- RUN.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Nobody Owens, known as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn’t live in a graveyard, being raised by ghosts, with a guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor the dead. There are adventures in the graveyard for a boy–an ancient Indigo Man, a gateway to the abandoned city of ghouls, the strange and terrible Sleer. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, he will be in danger from the man Jack–who has already killed Bod’s family. The Graveyard Book, a modern classic, is the only work ever to win both the Newbery (US) and Carnegie (UK) medals.

We’ve all spent a little more time than usual at home this year and by now, even as the school year begins, you may have some downtime to enjoy playing a videogame or two. Caledon Public Library has a growing collection of console games that we think you will enjoy!

Video Game titles are generally released on a monthly basis every year. In most cases, newer releases translate to better software and powerful engines driving their game software to deliver players the best possible experiences. However, every console produces those titles that never get lost among all the subsequent releases that follow. Here are 3 perfect examples from our XBOX ONE collection that stand the test of time.

Spyro Reignited

Developer Toys for Bob has done an amazing job at remastering the Spyro series from the 90s. Spyro Reignited Trilogy mixes together Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2 and Spyro: Year of the Dragon, giving it a major overhaul in terms of visuals and audio. Toys for Bob has even brought back the original voice actor for this rendition. Give Spyro Reignited Trilogy a try, you won’t be disappointed.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Electronic Arts has secured the license for Star Wars for sometime now. However, Star Wars Battlefront I and II lacked story and depth but thankfully, Star Wars Fallen Order makes up for this in spades, providing gamers with an original, well though out, story-driven campaign. This is by far one of the best Star Wars titles that has graced a console platform.

Project Cars

The community created Project Cars stands toe-to-toe with what is argued as the best racing simulation title ever, Forza, when it comes to realistic driving experience. Project Cars takes this even further allowing the player to fully customize even the smallest of details of each race, including how the weather will fluctuate between laps. The Project Cars sequel titles are worth taking a play through as well, but as Project Cars is the foundation for the sequel titles we recommend starting here for the best driving experience on the XBOX console.

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.”

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.

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

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!

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!

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.

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.

Some scientists study plants. Others study the stars. And others study the oceans. This book explains what different scientists do and what they need to know. Photographs show scientists exploring the world around them. With full-color, full-page photographs throughout plus straightforward and engaging text, the I Want to Be … series is an appealing introduction to a broad spectrum of occupations.

Studies show that kids who don’t read during summer vacation actually slip in reading ability by the time autumn rolls around. Here are some fun books to help you encourage your children to read over the summer. Don’t forget to sign up for our exciting Summer Reading program at: http://www.caledon.library.on.ca/children/td%20summer%20reading%20club.aspx

Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach by Melanie Watt

Since Scaredy Squirrel is scared of the beach, he makes his own safe getaway. But when something is missing and Scaredy Squirrel ventures to the real beach to find it, he finds himself among a crowd of people, and enjoys his day with them.

Chu’s Day at the Beach by Neil Gaiman

Accompanying his family on a visit to the beach, Chu the little panda looks forward to playing in the sand and wading in the water while wondering how his colossal sneezes will impact the day.

A Whale of a Tale by Amy Hsu Lin

Looking forward to a trip to the beach, where he hopes to find a seashell that will enable him to hear ocean sounds

S is s’mores :a camping alphabet by Helen Foster James

An introduction to camping from A to Z using poetry, prose, and illustrations includes information on beach camping, canyons, foliage, and camping gear.

Song for a summer night : a lullaby by Robert Heidbrede

Neighborhood children are drawn out of their houses by the sights and sounds of the world after dark on a soft summer evening.

Summer in the city by Marie-Louise Gay

Charlie was looking forward to summer vacation until he realized he would be stuck at home with his little brother the entire time, but Charlie ends up making new friends and finding adventure in his own neighborhood

Diary of a Wimpy Kid : Dog Days by Jeff Kinney

It’s summer vacation, the weather’s great, and all the kids are having fun outside. So where’s Greg Heffley? Inside his house, playing video games with the shades drawn.

Don’t throw it to Mo! by David A Adler

Accepted by his football teammates despite being their youngest member, little Mo is teased by a rival team until his coach devises a plan to use his smaller size to enable a big win.