Readers for Life

Celebrating 30 years of TD Summer Reading Club

At TPL, children learn the joy of reading through free programs and spaces designed to help them thrive. Advay Balaji is always excited to talk about the critters
and creatures he discovers in his treasured storybooks. “There’s one penguin book I read all by myself,” he says. “That’s one of my favourite characters.”

The seven-year-old has been captivated by stories since he was born. His mother, Dhanu, made a habit of regularly visiting the library to select new books for their bedtime reading. The routine inspired such passion that he asked for a book-themed birthday party when he turned four.

“The book theme was the caterpillar book,” he says, referring to Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) has identified literacy in school-aged children as a key determinant of health that has a significant impact on their futures. For many families, programs like TDSRC offer a fun way to keep reading part of summer routines. “Even though our program is designed to be about the joy of reading, it’s practice,” Soheli notes. “If kids are reading something for fun during the summer, there’s more understanding and interest in the reading they do back at school, because they’ve probably gotten a little bit better at it.”

In addition to TDSRC, the library offers multiple children’s literacy programs aimed at meeting kids wherever they’re at—whether they need additional, one-on-one support found in TPL’s Leading to Reading program to improve their skills, or just a place to connect with other kids and enjoy snacks and fun activities at their local branch’s After School Club. The goal, Soheli says, is to foster a lifelong love for reading and literacy.

“We’re hoping it becomes second nature for kids to go to the library as part of their weekly routine.”