Welcome to Between the Lines!
Each month we will have new reading challenges and other activities for grades K to 8 with all kinds of different themes and adventures. Print out our reading log, or pick one up at the library to let us know what you've read this month to be able to recommend books to all of our library users! Let us know what you're reading and what challenges you are doing with the social media hashtag #MPLBTL. You can also use our new reading app Reader Zone and the code c25e1 to see all of the reading and beyond book challenges! Let us know what books you read through Reader Zone.
Readerzone is a new addition to our April Between the Lines. Challenges will automatically update on the first of each month, and will only be available until the last day of each month! Log your challenges before then to see your progress.
April Reading Challenges:
Read a Poem or Poetry Book 
April is Poetry Month! To celebrate, read a poem or a whole poetry book. Poetry is a type of literature that is all about sparking the reader’s imagination and feelings. When writing poems, poets pick out words specifically for their meanings, sounds and rhythm when writing. Examples of poems can be nursery rhymes, funny limericks or a haiku. April also marks Haiku day on April 17.
The library has a great collection of poetry books in our “Literature” Section. Check them out next time you are in one of our branches. You can also check out some poetry e-books on our Tumblebooks and Tumblebooks cloud Jr. databases.
Re-read Your Favourite Picture Book
April 2 marks Picture Book Day! Do you remember what your favourite picture book is or was? This is a great opportunity to go back and reread it to rediscover the wonder that made it one of your favourites.
Did you know that 100 years ago in 1922, “The Velveteen Rabbit” by Margery Williams Bianco was first published? What a perfect picture book to read for Spring and Easter! If you have never read it, give it a try for the first time, it is a true classic.
Read a Book or Graphic Novel That Makes You Laugh 
April is humour month and April 1st is April Fool’s day. Find some great laugh out loud titles, opens a new window on Novelist K-8 plus, one of Markham Public Libraries online databases.
We recommend “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” by Richard Atwater. It’s a perfect read for April: it’s funny, and all about penguins (April 25 is World Penguin Day).
Read a Book From Our “Science & Nature” Section
April is full of many science and math related celebrations, from Science Month, Math Month and Financial Literacy Month to Earth Day on April 22. This is a great time to read any science, nature or math book from our Science & Nature section.
Ever heard of a saying that goes, “April Showers bring May Flowers”? Try finding a book about weather, nature or flowers that will explain this saying.
Beyond Books Challenges:
Do an Environmentally Friendly Activity.
Celebrate Earth Day by doing something that helps our environment. Some examples of how you can help, are:
- Take 15 to 30 minutes to pick up the litter in your schoolyard or neighbourhood
- Make a craft completely out of recycled materials
- Do some spring cleaning and make sure to reduce, reuse and recycle! Remember that Markham has textile recycling and electronic recycling.
- Plant a tree or start a garden. Don’t have a yard, no problem! Markham has community garden plots that can be leased.
Did you know?
- The City of Markham has lots of great environmental conservation ideas on their Environmental Conservation webpage.
- Markham Public Library is hosting a virtual Earth Day Game Night on April 22 from 7:00 to 8:00pm. This event is fun for the whole family (please register for the event ahead of time).
Write a Poem or Haiku
Now that you’ve read a poem or poetry book, give writing a poem of your own a try. We all have the potential to be great poets. If you need some help we have a great blog post on our website called “Let’s Write Poetry!”. Take a look to get you started.
Visit the Varley Art Gallery
Visit the Varley Art Gallery at 216 Main Street Unionville in celebration of World Art Day (April 15). Frederick Varley was an artist and member of the Group of Seven painters. He was born in England in 1881 and immigrated to Canada in 1912. He lived right here in Markham, just down the street from the art gallery.
The gallery has a lot of great programs running this Spring. Take a look at their brochure. A great seasonal program to note is the “Easter Egg Painting Party!” on Sunday, April 10th.
Other April Happenings
| Ramadan Storytime | Markham’s Japanese Sakura Trees |
| April 2nd to May 2nd is Ramadan, which is observed by Muslims with a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. We have a Ramadan Storytime on April 2nd at 11:00am online. Register here. | April is a great spring month with trees and flowers starting to bloom. Markham has some great Japanese Sakura Trees that typically bloom delicate pink or white flowers in late April to early May. These beautiful trees are a great celebration of spring and something very beautiful to check out while they are in bloom. |
Special Days in April
| April is School Library Month. Visit your school’s library and make sure to thank the librarians, as it is also library workers day on April 12. | April 13th to 19th is International Screen-Free Week and Library Week. What a great time to turn off your devices and read a book! |
| April is Autism Awareness Month. Find more about Autism from Autistic Self Advocacy Network | April 17th is Easter Sunday. Other Easter holidays are Palm Sunday (April 10th), Good Friday (April 15th) and Easter Monday (April 18th) |
| April is Pet Month. Take the time to try reading to your pet. | April 21 to 26 is Safe Kids Week |
| April 1st is Batman Day. Celebrate the caped crusader by reading a comic book or graphic novel. | April 24th is Orthodox Easter. |
| April 2nd is International Children’s Book Day. A great day to celebrate by reading! | April 28th is Superhero Day |
| April 10th is Siblings Day |
Featured Markham Public Library Online Resource for April:
This month we are featuring “BrainFuse”. BrainFuse is an online database that is available free with your Markham Public Library card with online homework help, writing lab assistance, test prep, video lessons and study tools including live tutors. Access it through our website or download the app.
Check out our blog “5 Reasons Why You Should Try BrainFuse” for more information.
Looking for something to do? Check out ideas for Programming:
Markham Public Library Online Programming:
- MPL’s variety of “Books and Reading” Programs
- Reading Buddies
- Ramadan Storytime: April 2 - 11:00 to 11:30 am in Arabic/English
- Introduction to 3D Printing for Children: April 13 - 4:00 to 5:30pm, for children 8 to 12 years old
- Earth Day Game Night: April 22 - 7:00 to 8:00pm. Fun for the whole family
- Origami Tulips for Mother’s Day Cards: April 27 - 4:30 to 5:30pm, for children 8+
- Family Trivia Night: April 30 - 7:30 to 8:30pm, more fun for the whole family
- Creative Career Talks: Comics & beyond: May 4 - 3:00 to 3:45pm, all ages
- Backyard Birds Through the Seasons: May 4 - 6:30 to 8:30pm, all ages
The City of Markham Programming:
How to register for a program with the City of Markham: https://www.markham.ca/wps/portal/home/recreation/programs/registration-information/05-registration-information
- Programming for all ages. All programming requires registration through EZreg.
- Visit the Varley Art Gallery. They also have a great variety of programs to offer.
As the weather gets nicer, consider visiting Markham’s parks and trails.
Add a comment to: Between the Lines April: Poetry month, science & nature, earth day, laughs, and more!