Kids Programs

Jo reads "Night Night Little Pookie" by Sandra Boynton, published by Random House.

If you're hoping to read one of the books that Jo recommends here, the list is down below! Just enter the title and author into the search box of our catalogue, and then place a hold, and make an appointment for curbside pickup at any branch.

• Let’s Find Momo - by Andrew Knapp, published by Quirk Books
• Feelings - by David Stewart, published by Scribbler Books
• Animals on the Go - by Ruth A. Musgrave, published by National Geographic
• Out and About - by Violet Peto, published by Dorling Kindersley

Jo reads "How do dinosaurs say goodnight?" written by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Mark Teague, and published by Blue Sky Press. If you're hoping to read one of the books that Jo recommends here, the list is down below! Just enter the title and author into the search box of our catalogue, then place a hold, and make an appointment for curbside pick-up at any branch.

• Pat-a-cake - by Hazel Quintanilla, published by Flowerpot Press Jack and Jill - by Hazel Quintanilla, published by Flowerpot Press
• Humpty Dumpty - by Hazel Quintanilla, published by Flowerpot Press Humpty Dumpty - by Anthony Lewis, published by Child’s Play
• Zoom, Zoom, Zoom - by Annie Kubler, published by Child’s Play
• Pete the Cat and the Itsy Bitsy Spider - by James Dean, published by Harper Collins

This program is designed for parents and caregivers to engage with their babies. Learn stories, rhymes, finger plays, and songs that you can sing together for years to come!

Jo reads "Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle, published by Henry Holt & Co.

If you're hoping to read one of the books that Jo recommends here, the list is down below!  Just enter the title and author into the search box of our catalogue, then place a hold, and make an appointment for curbside pick-up at any branch.

• Classic Munsch: 123 – by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko, published by Annick Press
• Will Ladybug Hug – by Hilary Leung, published by Cartwheel Books
• Discovering Words: English French, Cree - by Neepin Auger, published by Rocky Mountain books
• Animals on the Go – by Ruth Musgrave, published by National Geographic Children’s Books
• The Secret Life of Squirrels – by Nancy Rose, published by Puffin Canada

This week, see what happens when Miss Sara tries to launch a mini-figure using a bottle of pop and some Mentos®... hint: things get a little messy! Want more ideas for LEGO building at home? Just enter the title and author of the books below into the search box of our catalogue, place a hold, and make an appointment for curbside pick-up at any branch.

• Epic LEGO Adventures with Bricks You Already Have - by Sarah Dees
• LEGO Friends : Build Your Own Adventure - by Hannah Dolan 

Join Miss Sara for a weekly LEGO challenge that you can do in your own home or backyard.  This week, see what happens when Miss Sara builds a LEGO volcano!

Want to learn more about real-life volcanoes?  Just enter the title and author of the books below into the search box of our catalogue, place a hold, and make an appointment for curbside pick-up at any branch.

• Volcanoes and other forces of nature : a LEGO adventure in the real world - by Penelope Arlon
• The Magic School Bus Presents Volcanoes And Earthquakes - by Tom Jackson

Rachel reads "In the Red Canoe" written by Leslie Davidson, illustrated by Laura Bifano, and published Orca Book Publishers.  Our special guest reads "Dewey's Christmas at the Library" written by Vicki Myron and Bret Wittner, illustrated by Steve James, and published by Little Brown.

If you're hoping to read one of the new books that Rachel previews for us, the list is down below!  Just enter the title and author into the search box of our catalogue, and then place a hold, and make an appointment for curbside pick-up at any branch.

• Dr. Seuss’s Spring Things - written by Dr. Seuss, illustrated by Tom Brannon, published by Random House Books for Young Readers
• Happy, Sad, Mad and Glad! - written by Britt Allcroft, illustrated by Patrick Spaziante, published by Random House Books for Young Readers
• Oscar - by Andrea Posner-Sanchez, published by Random House Children’s Books
• The Paper Kingdom - by Helena Ku Rhee, illustrated by Pascal Campion, published by Random House Books for Young Readers
• Grandma’s Gardens - by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton, illustrated by Carme Lemniscates, published by Philomel Books
• Where’s Waldo?: The Wonder book - by Martin Handford, published by Candlewick Press
• My first cookbook: fun recipes to cook together - by Molly Birnbaum, published by America’s Test Kitchen Kids
• Dear Bunny - by Katie Cotton, illustrated by Blanca Gomez, published by Lincoln Children’s Books

This week Rachel reads "On My Mountain" written by Francois Aubineau, illustrated by Jérôme Peyrat, and published Orca Books.  Our special guest reads "Something Good" written by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko, and published by Annick Press.

If you're hoping to read one of the new books that Rachel previews for us, the list is down below!  Just enter the title and author into the search box of our catalogue,, and then place a hold, and make an appointment for curbside pick-up at any branch.

Stargazing - written and illustrated by Jen Wang, published by First Second.

100 Dinosaur and Prehistoric Words to Know - written by Matthew T. Miller, illustrated by Alette Straathof, published by Cottage Door Press.

A Kid of Their Own (Rachel calls this one "A kid on the Farm" by mistake - woops!) – written by Megan Dowd Lambert, illustrated by Jessica Lanan, published by Charlesbridge.

The Way Home for Wolf - written by by Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field, published by Scholastic.

This is a Dog - written and illustrated by Ross Collins, published by Nosy Crow.

Jo reads "Go Away Big Green Monster", written and illustrated by Ed Emberley, and published by Hachette Book Group.  Our friend Joe Connors from Connors Music reads "There's a Monster at the End of This Book" by Jon Stone, illustrated by Michael Smollin, and published by Golden Books.

Want to read more monster books at home? You now have the option of putting holds on the books in the library!  Yippee!  Just log into your library account online (or phone one of our branches), place a hold on the books you want, and we’ll parcel them up, and phone you to arrange your curbside pick up time.

No More Monsters Under Your Bed, by Jordan Choutau

Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck, by Heather Schwartz

If digital is your preference, check out the Kids eresources section of our website, and look for these recommended titles (don't forget to have your library card handy to sign in!):

On Overdrive/Libby:

• Horrid Henry’s Monster Movie, by Francesca Simon and Tony Ross

On Hoopla:

(Jo says you must be very brave to read this book!)

• The Big Book of Monsters, by Hal Johnson and Tim Sievert
• Friendly Monster Crafts

A special note from Jo, to all the grown-ups:  "I used Monster Spray more than 30 years ago to monster proof my daughter’s bedroom.  I think I just grabbed a spray bottle with water in it and misted the room.  Worked like a charm!"  

Jo reads "If You Give a Moose a Muffin", written by Laura Joffe Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond, and published by Harper Collins.  Our special guest Rachel reads "Moose!" by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko, and published by North Winds Press.

Want to read more moose books at home? Check out the Kids eresources section of our website,

and look for these recommended titles (don't forget to have your library card handy to sign in!):

On Overdrive/Libby:

• The Useful Moose, by Fiona Robinson
• Moose Power, by Susan W. Beckhorn and Amy Huntington

 On Hoopla:

• The Moose of Ewenki, by Gerelchimeg Blackcrane and Jiu Er
• Elliot’s Fire Truck, by Andrea Beck (audiobook)

Find more information on moose in Ontario, follow this link to the Canadian Wildlife Federation website. 

Jo reads "17 Things I’m not allowed to do anymore", written by Jenny Offill, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter, and published by Schwartz & Wade Books.  Our super secret Masked Reader (AKA Michaelango the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle) reads "Please,  Open This Book!" by Adam Lehrhaupt, illustrated  by Matthew Forsythe, published by Simon and Schuster.

Want to read more "good advice" books at home? Check out the Kids eresources section of our website, and look for these recommended titles (don't forget to have your library card handy to sign in!):

On Hoopla:

Don’t Wake The Yeti, by Claire Freedman and Claudia Ranucci

On Kanopy:

Don’t Let The Pigeon Stay Up Late, by Mo Willems

On Overdrive/Libby:

Don’t Push The Button, by Bill Cotter

Jo is reading "Matthew and the Midnight Turkeys", written by Allen Morgan and illustrated by Michael Martchenko, published by Annick Press. 

Jo is reading "Class Clown", written by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko, and published by North Winds Press.

• Printable Munsch-related activity sheets from Scholastic
• Silly Mad Libs you can fill online
• Print and fill in a Mad Lib fortune-teller

Find related eBooks from the Kids eResources (don't forget to have your library card handy to sign in!) 

Joke books on Hoopla:

• Jokelopedia, by Eva Blank
• Knock, Knock, Lettuce In! by Brenda Ponnay
• Laugh Out Loud Awesome Jokes for Kids by Rob Elliott
• Side-splitting Jokes for Minecrafters by Brian Boone

Funny picture books on Libby:

• Six Sheep Sip Thick Shakes by Brian P. Cleary
• Walter the Farting Dog by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray
• The Book with No Pictures by B. J. Novak

Since April is Poetry Month, Jo is reading "Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out" by Shel Silverstein, a silly poem about garbage that piles right up to the sky! And, special bonus, Jo also reads "Do Not Open This Book" written by Michaela Muntean, illustrated by Pascal Lemaitre, and published by Scholastic Press.

Want to read more poetry at home? Check out the Kids eResources section of our website, and look for these recommended titles (don't forget to have your library card handy to sign in!):

On Hoopla:

• Explosion at the Poem Factory, by Kyle Lukoff
• Fancy Nancy Poet Extraordinaire!,by Jane O'Connor
• Where the Sidewalk Ends, by Shel Silverstein

On Libby/Overdrive:

• Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry: How to Write a Poem, by Jack Prelutsky
• Noisy Poems for a Busy Day, by Robert Heidbreder and Lori Joy Smith P.S.

Did you know "The Cat in the Hat" by Dr Seuss and "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" by Clement Moore are poems?

Earth Day up-cycling crafts!

• Recycled crayon gems
• Recycled paper heart craft

"Hello, My Name is Octicorn" 

This week Jo is reading "Hello, My Name is Octicorn", created by Kevin Diller and Justin Lowe, and published by Balzer + Bray.  We also learn how to make Story Rocks, a fun tool to help create our own stories with family and friends.

But wait - what's that?  A special news bulletin?  Hmmm...

Want to read some Star Wars stories to get ready for May the 4th? Check out the Kids eResources section of our website, and look for these recommended titles (don't forget to have your library card handy to sign in!):

On Hoopla:

Star Wars Adventures Vol. 1:  Heroes of the Galaxy, by Landry Walker

(Volumes 2-8 also on Hoopla)

This is one of Jo's all-time favourite book series for kids. Why?  They are written in diary style, the characters are fun and almost believable, and some of the situations remind me of things that happened when I was in elementary school.  It's best to read them in order.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, by Tom Anleberger

(Books 2-7 also available on Hoopla)

Jo even found some Star Wars music on Freegal! Just look for "The Star Wars Music," by Star Wars D.J.

Want to make some Star Wars origami at home? ...and then find your favourite character!  If you do make any of these at home, please post a photo of your awesome creation on our Facebook page or tag us using "@georginapl".

"I'm Fun Too" 

This week Jo is reading "I'm Fun Too", written and illustrated by Jonathan Fenske, published by Scholastic. Our special guest Patrick Devine reads "Show and Tell" written by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Marchenko, and published by Annick Press.

Want to do more LEGO stories and activities at home? Check out the Kids eResources section of our website, and look for these recommended titles (don't forget to have your library card handy to sign in!):

On Hoopla:

• LEGO - Brands We Know series, by Sarah Green
• LEGO Man in Space (A true story based on two Agincourt, Ontario teens who launched a LEGO Man into actual space!), by Mara Shaughnessy

On Hoopla Television:

• LEGO Nexo Knights series, Season 1

On Overdrive/Libby:

• LEGO Ninjago Book 1 - Way of the Ninja, by Tracey West (subsequent books are written by various authors, so it’s eaiesty to find the books by putting "Ninjago" in the search bar)

Visit the LEGO Play Zone page. 

"Moritmer" 

Jo reads tells the story "Moritmer", written by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko, and published by Annick Press.

Want to read more books about sleepovers and bedtime at home? Check out the Kids eResources section of our website, and look for these recommended titles (don't forget to have your library card handy to sign in!):

On OverDrive/Libby:

(No PJ party reading list would be complete without some spooky stories written by our friend, librarian, and author Joel Sutherland!)

• Summer’s End by Joel  A. Sutherland
• Haunted Canada 6 by Joel A. Sutherland

 On Kanopy (TV):

• Franklin Has A Sleepover

On TumbleBooks:

• Go Back To Bed! by Ginger Fogleson Guy

Here’s the link for the apple nachos.

Jo shares some bunny stories!

Want to do some more bunny stories and activities at home?

Check out our Kids eResources section of our website, and look for these recommended titles (don't forget to have your library card handy to sign in!)

Hoopla: 

• Bunnies by Kevin Attebury Bunnies (non fiction) by Alex Kuskowski
• Bunnies and their Hobbies by Nancy L. Carlson

Libby:

Ready Rabbit Gets Ready by Brenna Maloney

Kanopy: 

Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems

Kids Info Bits:

Type Bunny into the search bar for all sorts of facts. 

Craft some Sock Bunnies AND A SPECIAL BONUS! Jo's very first cooking video! (AKA How to make play dough). 

Jo talks to us about farm animals, and we learn how to make "clean mud"!

Want to do some more stories and activities at home? Check out the Kids eResources section of our website and look for these recommended titles (don't forget to have your library card handy to sign in!):

On Hoopla:

• The "Life on a Farm" series, by Judy Wolfman
• Buttercup's Lovely Day, by Carolyn Black Gideon, by Olivier Dunrea

On Libby:

• Pigs to the Rescue, by John Himmelman
• Baby Animals Around the Farm, by Mary Osborne

On Tumblebook Library:

• Chicken, Pig, Cow, by Ruth Ohi
• Chicken Big, by Keith Graves

Farm animals crafts and activities  

Songs and rhymes about ducks

Jo shares songs and rhymes about ducks, and we read "Swim Duck Swim", written by Susan Lurie, with photos by Murray Head, published by Feiwel & Friends.

Jo also reads "I Spy with My Little Eye" by Edward Gibbs, published by Templar.

Want to read more duck stories and do an I Spy activity at home?
Check out the Kids eResources section of our website, and look for these recommended titles (don't forget to have your library card handy to sign in!):

On Hoopla: Ducks, by Bold Kids How Ducks Grow Up, by Linda Bozzo

On Overdrive/Libby:

• Pete the Cat - Five Little Ducks, by James Dean
• Ducks Go Vroom, by Jane Kohuth
• Ducks in a Row, by Jackie Urbanovic and Joe Mathieu

Here's a great activity for Earth Day, and the "I Spy" concept.

"Pete the Cat"

Jo is reading one of our all-time favourites, "Pete the Cat", written by Eric Litwin and illustrated by James Dean.

We also have special guests Joe and Charlotte Connors read "Hey, Duck!" by Carin Bramsen, and we learn how to use home-made Story Stones to sing a counting song about ducks.

Want to do more fun stories and activities at home about shoes? Check out the Kids eResources section of our website, and look for these recommended titles (don't forget to have your library card handy to sign in!):

On Hoopla:

• Mama's Work Shoes, by Caron Levis
• Fancy Nancy: Shoe La La, by Victoria Saxon

On Tumblebook Library:

A Flock of Shoes, by Sarah Tsiang

Episode 49 of "The Day Henry Met…”on Kanopy Kid:  features Henry meeting and talking to a pair of running shoes! Here is a great link to show you how easy an at-home "Shoe Store" is to create.

Playing shoe store helps children to sort by size, colour, matching, and shoe purpose. They learn concepts such as too big and too small, and practicing putting on and taking off shoes helps children increase their finger dexterity and readies them for changing into indoor shoes at school. 

"Llama Llama Gram and Grandpa"

We’re celebrating Mother's Day, so Jo reads "Llama Llama Gram and Grandpa", by Anna Dewdney, published by Viking Books for Young Readers. We also learn how to use shaving cream for sensory play, art, and even literacy!

Want to do more stories and activities at home? Check out the Kids Programs page on our website, and look for "Top Secret Mother's Day Stuff"!

"Hop Into Bed"

Jo reads a book in her blanket fort!  It's called "Hop Into Bed", written and illustrated by Nicholas Oldland, published by North Winds Press.  We also see Jo's favourite stuffy from when she was a kid, and we sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

Want to explore more bedtime-related stories and music at home? Check out the Kids eResources section of our website, and look for these recommended titles (don't forget to have your library card handy to sign in!):

On Overdrive/Libby:

• Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherry Duskey Rinkey and Tom Lichenheld

On Freegal:

• Disney Lullabyes

On Hoopla:

• How to Put An Octopus to Bed by Sherry Duskey Rinkey and Viviane Schwarz
• I Don’t Want To Go To Bed by Tony Ross
• Five Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed by Eileen Christelow

Jo talks to us about seeds and growing things!

Want to do some more stories and activities at home? Check out the Kids eResources section of our website, and look for these recommended titles (don't forget to have your library card handy to sign in!):

Hoopla:

• Seeds, Bees, and Pollen by Julie Lundgren
• And Then the Seed Grew, by Marianne Dubuc
• Seed Crafts, by Betsy Rathburn

Links for kids gardening activities:

• https://kidsgardening.org/
• https://www.prekinders.com/plants-seeds-science-activities/

• https://www.facebook.com/hellosunshineurbanfarm/ 

Julie from Hello Sunshine is a local farmer here in Georgina, and she has all kinds of information to help you get started with flower or vegetable gardens.

Jo is reading two silly stories about some animal friends, and we check in on the seeds we planted last week.

Want to do more stories and activities at home? Check out the Kids eResources section of our website, and look for these recommended titles (don't forget to have your library card handy to sign in!)

On Hoopla: 

• (Non-fiction) Series - Unlikely Friendships for kids, by Jennifer S. Holland 
• Hooray for Hat!, by Brian Won

On Overdrive/Libby:

• (Non-fiction) Best Friends Forever!
• More True Stories of Animal Friendships, by Amy Shields
• Duck on a Bike, by David Shannon
• A Birthday for Cow!, by Jan Thomas 

Skills to prep for school -- Special guest Gail reads "I Love You"

Jo teaches us some skills we can practice at home that will help us when we go to school for the first time! AND we have a special guest named Gail read us a book called "I Love You", written by Jean Marzollo, illustrated by Suse McDonald, and published by Scholastic.

Want to do more school-related stories and school-prep activities at home? Check out the Kids eResources section of our website, and look for these recommended titles (don't forget to have your library card handy to sign in!):

On Libby/Overdrive:

• Franklin Goes to School, by Paulette Bourgeois, illustrated by Brenda Clark

On Kanopy Kids:

• How Do Dinosaurs Go To School, by Jane Yolen

On TumbleBook Library:

• Boomer Goes to School, by Constance McGeorge

Check out a handy school readiness checklist. 

"The Underpants Zoo"

Jo talks to us about basic skills for learning how to write, and she reads "The Underpants Zoo", written and illustrated by Brian Sendelback, and published by Orchard Books. She also reads "Goodnight Underwear", by Todd H. Doodler, and gives us the heads-up about some top-secret ideas coming soon to help us celebrate Mother's Day!

Want to read more silly underwear stories at home? Check out the Kids eResources section of our website, and look for these recommended titles (don't forget to have your library card handy to sign in!):

On Hoopla:

• Aliens Love Underpants, by Clare Freedman
• Vegetables in Underwear, by Jared Chapman

Try out these fun colouring sheets and activity sheets featuring Captain Underpants! 

 "Drumheller Dinosaur Dance"

Jo reads "Drumheller Dinosaur Dance", written by Robert Heidbreder, illustrated by Bill Slavin and Esperanca Melo, published by Kids Can Press.  We also get to look at a real fossil and learn how to make our own pretend-fossils with mud!

Want to enjoy more dinosaur stories at home? Check out the Kids eResources section of our website, and look for these recommended titles (don't forget to have your library card handy to sign in!):

On Hoopla:

• Here We Go Digging Dinosaur Bones by Susan Lendroth and Bob Kolar
• Fossils by Patrick Perish

On Kanopy:

• What’s at the Centre of the Earth (Dinosaur Train TV Series)

On OverDrive/Libby:

• What Was The Age of the Dinosaurs? by Megan Stine
• Deadly Dinosaurs by Niki Forman

Did you know you can visit the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller,  Alberta from  home?  Check out their website for information about their YouTube videos, colouring pages, and their virtual tour app.