New titles for your summer reading!

How machines work: Zoo Break!

Follow the mad antics of Sloth and his sidekick Sengi as they try to find their way out of the zoo with the help of machines. Their efforts are brought to life through novelty elements including pop-ups, pull-outs, and lift-the-flaps, allowing readers to explore in greater depth how and why machines work. Spreads highlight the use of simple machines in everyday objects, such as scissors and clocks, mixers and whisks, bikes and brakes, while the story contains clear and simple text to engage the reader.

What do you do with a chance?

In this story, a child is visited by his first chance and unsure what to do with it, he lets it go. Later on, when a new chance arrives he reaches for it, but this time he misses and falls. Embarrassed and afraid, he begins ignoring each new chance that comes by, even though he still wants to take them. Then one day he realizes that he doesn’t need to be brave all the time, just at the right time, to find out what amazing things can happen when he takes a chance. Grades K-3.

Spotlight on coding club!

It’s almost time for the talent show at school, and Erin couldn’t be more excited. It’s her time to take center stage! Plus, she and her friends from coding club are putting together an awesome coding program for the show.But Erin has a big secret: she has anxiety. And when things start piling up at home and school, she starts having trouble handling everything. Her friends from coding club have always been there for her, but will they be as understanding when the going gets tough? Sometimes in coding–like in friendship–things don’t go exactly as planned, but the outcome can be even better than you’d imagined. Grades 3-6

Three books in one: The Lemonade War, The Lemonade Crime, The Bell Bandit.

Family, fairness, and lemonade! Join siblings Evan and Jessie Treski as they battle over a lemonade stand, run a school courtroom, and discover who has stolen the neighborhood bell at their grandmother’s home. In this collected edition of the first three books of the Lemonade War series: The Lemonade War,The Lemonade Crime, and The Bell Bandit, prolific and bestselling author Jaqueline Davies explores themes of entrepreneurial-ism, the difficulties of fairness, and the complex emotional depth of family relationships. Grades 3-6

Boy + Bot

One day, a boy and a robot meet in the woods. They play. They have fun.But when Bot gets switched off, Boy thinks he’s sick. The usual remedies—applesauce, reading a story—don’t help, so Boy tucks the sick Bot in, then falls asleep.Bot is worried when he powers on and finds his friend powered off. He takes Boy home with him and tries all his remedies: oil, reading an instruction manual. Nothing revives the malfunctioning Boy! Can the Inventor help fix him? Using the perfect blend of sweetness and humor, this story of an adorable duo will win the hearts of the very youngest readers. Grades K-3

Indigenous Integration: 101+ Lesson Ideas for Secondary and College Teachers

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission challenges all Canadian educators to Integrate Indigenous content and ways of knowing into the curriculum. This research-based book for secondary teachers responds to these challenges by including aligned pedagogical practices and content. The easy to read discussion, extensive links to resources and practical, ready-to-use applications will not only help secondary teachers meet this curricular challenge but enjoy deeper connections with their students.

What is your next step in Indigenizing your practice as a teacher? Is it reaching out to local Indigenous communities and starting a dialogue that privileges place-based education; the stories and history of the area? Is it noticing the problems in community such as disparities, injustices and facilitating inquiry-based learning to respond to them? Is it acknowledging the role of intergenerational trauma and engaging appropriate processes such as Circles to encourage deep and respectful listening and give voice to each student? Is it revising your history lesson so as not to over-generalize the diversity of First Nations and Metis in Canada? It certainly means having the courage to do something and step into the messiness of the challenge knowing we do not have the answers and may be unsure of the way forward.

Getting started with coding – Get Creative with Code! 

When your kid is ready to add coding to their creativity toolbox but you’re not ready to ship them off to coding camp, Getting Started with Coding is here to help them get started with the basics of coding. It walks young readers through fun projects that were tested in the classroom. Each project has an end-goal to instill confidence and a sense of achievement in young coders.

Steering clear of jargon and confusing terminology, Getting Started with Coding is written in a language your child can understand. Plus, the full-color design is heavy on eye-catching graphics and the format is focused on the steps to completing a project, making it approachable for any youngster with an interest in exploring the wonderful world of coding. So why send your kid to a camp when they can become a coding champ—right in the comfort of your living room?

Show me a story – 40 craft projects and activities to spark children’s storytelling 

Children love to make up stories, and these 40 creative projects and activities encourage them to free their storytelling instincts. Younger children will love making story stones and a storytelling jar, and then will love using them to create stories of their own, while older kids will enjoy word grab bags, story walks, and journaling exercises. For everyone ages 5 to 12, whatever their reading level, this book has everything needed to spark an infinite number of child-created stories.

Your fantastic elastic brain – stretch it, shape it 

Just like how lifting weights helps your muscles get stronger, trying new things without giving up strengthens your brain.
Written by an educator and psychologist, this fun and engaging introduction to the anatomy and functions of the brain will empower each young reader to S-T-R-E-T-C-H and grow their fantastic, elastic brain!