By Lianne Fortin & Jessica Roy
TD Summer Reading Club is Canada’s biggest, bilingual summer reading program for kids of all ages, all interests, and all abilities. This free program is co-created and delivered by more than 2,000 public libraries across Canada. It celebrates Canadian authors, illustrators and stories. It’s designed to inspire kids to explore the fun of reading their way – the key to building a lifelong love of reading.
Kids can lose up to two months of reading skills over the summer (Oxford Learning, 2019). Studies show kids who keep reading throughout the summer do better when they return to school in the fall. TD Summer Reading Club is a great way to get kids excited about reading and maintain their reading skills over the summer months.
Why It’s Special:
Kids (and their caregivers) can participate anytime, anywhere – at local public libraries across Canada as well as at home, online, on the road or wherever their summer takes them. Participants explore recommended reads; track their reading; read books online; join in activities; collect reading incentives; share jokes, stories, book reviews, and more.
Register Online or In-person
This year, the TDSRC is moving to a hybrid program with both in-person components (where possible) and a robust online platform. Starting June 15th, kids will be able to visit tdsummerreadingclub.ca to enjoy recorded author workshops and storytimes, vote for their favorite read in the weekly Battle of the Books competition and track their progress with the new badging system.
Depending on local public health protocols, kids may also be able to register through their local library to participate in activities and receive their free print notebook and stickers. The preschool notebook provides parents with ideas and activities to support their child’s development of early literacy skills. The school-age notebook includes STEAM activities to keep kids engaged in learning through the summer months. You can find a description of program materials and downloadable, printable files here: https://www.tdsummerreadingclub.ca/about_the_club/program_materials
New this year, libraries will also be offering 555 StoryWalk® programs in various locations across Canada. This socially distanced and outdoor activity invites families to read a book as they stroll from page to page along a path or in a park. We have also provided library staff with program activities that can be adapted for socially distanced and outdoor programming as well as printable activity sheets for curbside service.
Diversity and Accessibility
The TDSRC team recognize the need for kids of all backgrounds and abilities to see themselves in the program content and we are committed to reflecting the diversity of our audience in our recommended reads, artwork, and activities. This year we worked with GoodMinds and The Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) to create a more diverse and inclusive Recommended Reads list.
For kids who have trouble reading print because of a physical, visual or learning disability, program materials are available in a variety of accessible formats including large print, OpenDyslexic font, braille and audio. For downloadable, printable files visit: https://www.tdsummerreadingclub.ca/about_the_club/accessibility
Program Impact
The program aims to create changes in kids’ reading behaviour and attitudes so they can develop into life long readers and learners which will contribute to their long term success in life. Last year, participant surveys were distributed to parents and kids online and results showed the positive impact TDSRC is having on families. Here are a few highlights:
- 96% of parents/caregivers (English) say their child maintained or improved their reading skills
- 97% of kids will consider joining the Club again
- 96% of children increased or maintained their enjoyment of reading
- 95% of parents/caregivers say the club has maintained or increased their child’s confidence as a reader
- 87% of children read more often or the same amount
How can educators support TDSRC and prevent the summer slide?
Please share the promotional video with families and encourage kids to join the club by visiting their local library or tdsummerreadingclub.ca to enjoy the fun of reading all summer long. You can also share an electronic version of the parent’s brochure which features the top recommended reads.
You may want to check with your local public library to see when their in-person registration opens—it varies slightly by location but is usually in mid-to-late-June. The TDSRC kids’ site launches June 15th. Libraries may also be able to visit your class remotely to promote the program.
To find out more about the program, please visit the parent and educator portal: https://www.tdsummerreadingclub.ca/about_the_club
Lianne Fortin is the Program Manager, TD Summer Reading Club for Library and Archives Canada.
Jessica Roy is the Manager, TD Summer Reading Club, Service Development & Innovation, at the Toronto Public Library.