April 22nd is Earth Day. Here are 10 Canadian children's books that celebrate nature and will spark needed conversations about conservation, climate and social justice, and instill a love and respect for the natural world. Thanks to CTV Your Morning for giving me the space to talk about kids' books! Watch the full segment on … Continue reading As Seen on CTV: 10 Kids’ Books for Earth Day
It's the second annual I Read Canadian Day, when children across the country are asked to spend 15 minutes reading from a Canadian book. We have so many great books to offer, but here are ten recent titles that reflect the diverse population, landscape- not to mention the breadth of kidlit talent- in Canada. Watch … Continue reading As Seen on CTV: 10 Books to Read for I Read Canadian Day
Can we agree that books make the best gifts? Whether you're providing independent readers with an escape or giving the gift of quality time spent reading with a little one, here are some options to consider this year. Remember to check and see if your local independent bookstore is offering curbside pick-up or delivery, as … Continue reading As Seen on CTV: Kids’ Holiday Gift Guide
The days are getting shorter and the wind is getting cooler, meaning it's time for a bumper crop of fall book releases! Here are just a few of my faves, as seen on my CTV Your Morning segment on September 17, 2020. Big thank you to host Anne-Marie Mediwake and her shout-out to my YA … Continue reading As Seen on CTV: Fresh Fall Reads for Kids
June is Indigenous History Month in Canada. We have a long way to go in recognizing the rights of Indigenous people and acknowledging the truth about our violent and ugly past. My CTV Your Morning segment is a privilege and I strive to include a wide-range of books and creators on each list. This month's … Continue reading As Seen on CTV: Indigenous History Month Kids’ Book List
I've always been committed to the environment. From a young age, I was interested in conservation, initiating recycling programs, and protecting at-risk species. Movies like Fern Gully and Free Willy had a big impact on me, as did Canadian TV show The Smoggies and The Body Shop's endangered species campaign. Fun fact, my very first … Continue reading As Seen on CTV: Earth Day Books for Kids
With kids out of class and parents suddenly finding themselves juggling working from home and managing their kids' education, now is a good time for comfort reading. Remember that you are not your child's teacher, the most important thing you can do for your kids is establish routine, provide comfort, and keep them entertained. With … Continue reading CTV Your Morning: Quarantine Reads for Kids
In honour of the first I Read Canadian day, my most recent CTV Your Morning segment features Canadian read-alikes, equivalents to big US or UK classics. Watch the segment here, or read on for my selections. Recently, the New York Public Library shared their most frequently checked out books and Ezra Jack Keats' The Snowy … Continue reading As seen on CTV Your Morning: I Read Canadian Day
January is Mental Health Awareness month in Canada. The conversation, especially around Bell Let's Talk Day on January 29th, is getting louder, more nuanced, and larger in scope, yet it can be hard to address these issues with children. I'm so grateful to the team at CTV Your Morning who continue to support children's books … Continue reading As Seen on CTV: Kids’ Books That Address Mental Health & Wellness
At this time of year, kids are settling into new routines, battling back to school anxiety, and juggling homework, activities, and so much more. Reading can provide a much-needed moment of zen, a time to wind down and escape. Check out the video here, or read on to find out more: Picture Books, Ages 3-7 … Continue reading CTV Your Morning Kids’ Book Picks: Sept 13, 2019
Vikki VanSickle 