Welcome, to Between the Lines!

Welcome to Between the Lines! Bi-monthly, you will discover new themes and adventures as you complete reading challenges and beyond the book activities for grades K to 8. Track your reading for each challenge using the Beanstack App or our reading log brochure. 

Complete all 4 reading challenges within the two months and you’ll have the chance to win a prize! Simply bring in your completed reading log and you’ll receive a ballot to enter into a raffle draw. Raffle winners will be contacted a few weeks after the last month of the edition (e.g. Nov/Dec winners will be contacted in January). You will also receive a bookmark, which you can use to recommend a favourite book to other library customers. 

Throughout the school year, we’ll be running additional contests so be sure to check our website for upcoming events and activities! Post your Between the Lines reading and adventure challenges on social media with the hashtag #MPLBTL to help other library users join in the fun. Let the reading adventure start now!

Jan/Feb Reading Challenges

1. Read about an inspiring historical figure

Alexander Graham Bell, Martin Luther King Jr., Albert Einstein -- these are some of the people who have made a contribution to the world and even changed history! Read a book about someone from the past who you think has changed the world in a positive way.

Reading list: Inspiring people (Kids list), opens a new window

2. Read a book about friendship or family

February is a big month for valuing family, friends, and people you love! Whether you have many people to honour or just one special someone, find meaning and connection in a book cover or story that makes you feel good about the love around you. Celebrate important people in your life by reading a book about friendship or family! And you never know -- what you feel about your relationships might be similar to how the characters in the books feel too!

Reading list: February is friendship month!, opens a new window

3. Read a book with a bear in it (or about a bear)

Winnie-the-Pooh Day is January 18 and what better way to celebrate our favourite bear by reading about him? Or better yet, reading about all our bear friends.  Whether it be non-fiction books about the species of bears and their habitats, or novels with cartoon bear characters on the cover — have fun by reading a book about BEARS!

Reading list: Bears!, opens a new window

4. Read a book with a red cover

Red is the colour of love, passion, happiness, health and warmth. Pick out a book that has a red cover to celebrate these traits and upcoming days like Chinese New Year (on January 29), Valentine’s Day, and Flag Day (on February 15). Remember, the Canadian flag is red and white!

Reading List: Books with red covers, opens a new window

Beyond Books Challenges

1. Read with your family

What better way to embark on an adventure than by getting lost in the pages of a captivating book with your family? Share laugh, tears, and a sense of wonder, or whatever emotion comes up from reading an exciting tale–all with the people who care for you the most!

2. Do something artistic and/or creative

Children’s Authors and Illustrators Week is the first week of February--let's celebrate the incredible authors and illustrators who bring stories to life through their art! Do you love to write? Draw or color? Paint? Sing, dance, or play an instrument? Whatever fun talent or hobby brings you joy and allows you to express yourself—THAT is art! Discover what sparks your imagination and brings you happiness, then go ahead and create!

Reading List: Get creative or be artistic, opens a new window

3. Do a winter activity

Feeling blue from the very early sunsets during the winter? Get yourself pumped up with some fun, cheerful, winter activities! Go on a winter hike, skating at your nearest outdoor rink, or hit the slopes with your toboggan or snowboard.  From making snowmen or snow angels, there are plenty of ways to stay active outside this winter.

Reading List: Winter activities for the whole family, opens a new window

Featured Markham Public Library Online Resource: World Book Activity Corner, opens a new window

Looking for some ideas to keep your family busy this winter? This hidden gem is a great resource for thousands of different crafts and activities for all ages. You can search by age range, type of activity, themes/celebrations and even the length of time it takes to complete. Each activity or craft includes step-by-step instructions. 

World Book is a publisher that has been publishing encyclopedias since 1917. They have many great online resources, like Activity Corner, that you can access with your library card. Find their main page here, and here are links to all of their other great databases: World Book Kids; World Book Discover; World Book Student; World Book Wizard; World Book Advanced; World Book Reader; World Book Timelines. Explore them all today!

Programs

Markham Public Library Programming

MPL’s variety of “Books and Reading” Programs, opens a new window

MPL's events for families and children, opens a new window

City of Markham Programming

Programming for all ages, opens a new window. All programming requires registration. The City of Markham has a new program registration system -- create an account today: City of Markham program registration site, opens a new window.