It’s back–but we’re trying something new this year with Forest of Reading at the Carleton Place Public Library!
Forest of Reading is a fun program for young readers in Kindergarten to Grade 8 that runs from December through to the end of April. Participants will read from a category based on their grade level and will take on the challenge to read all ten books in their category. Each group of books were hand-picked by educators and librarians as the best books from Canadian authors and illustrators from the past 2 years. Readers who complete the challenge will be able to vote for their favourite book and help to crown the 2024 winners for this prestigious award! This is the only award given to Canadian books voted on by children!
REGISTRATION:
Join us for a special Forest of Reading Kick Off Day– Thursday, December 7 from 3-5pm–where kids can sign up, get all of the things they’ll need to get started, and maybe even win a fun prize! Only those readers who sign up on the Kick-Off Day will be entered into the draw.
Don’t worry–if you can’t make it that day, your reader can still register at any point after December 7. Just pop into the library and tell us you want to join!
WHAT CATEGORY WILL MY CHILD READ?
The books are based on your child’s grade level. While we realize some kids read above their grade level, we need everyone to start off at the correct spot. Once they finish all TEN books in their category, they are welcome to move on to the next one up! In fact, we’ve had kids read from three categories in one year–that’s 30 books total from December to April!
MY CHILD DOESN’T READ ON THEIR OWN YET. CAN THEY STILL TAKE PART?
Absolutely! Many of the readers in the Blue Spruce category are probably not reading on their own–or still may need help. Any books you read together still count toward the total. After that level, we expect most kids to be able to read the books on their own.
WHAT ARE THE BOOKS WE’LL NEED TO READ AND WHEN CAN WE GET THEM?
We’ll have all of the books here at the library in a special Forest of Reading area. When you register, you’ll be directed to those books and asked to check out only ONE at a time. (Feel free to get other library books while you’re here, but Forest books are limited so that everyone will have a choice to take home.) When you drop off a finished book and mark it as read, you’ll be able to take a new book home. ALL books must be read at home and not while at the library–we want these books to be savored and discussed.
Please see all of the books in each category below:
If you have any questions about the Forest of Reading program, please feel free to email Heidi at hsinnett@carletonplace.ca