October 2019 booklist from the Ottawa Public Library

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The Ottawa Public Library is back to share some of their new books for children with us. This month’s post is by Kristina Roudiy, Children's Program & Public Service Assistant at the Alta Vista branch of the Ottawa Public Library

Picture book: Find Spot at the library / 2019

For ages 1-3.
Some of you might remember reading Spot’s adventures as a child. The first books in the series were published in the 1980’s. The books have since been reedited. This is the latest Spot the dog board book! Spot explores a library and, as always, plays hide-and-seek with the reader.

Picture book: The book hog / 2019

For ages 3-5.
The author of The Watermelon Seed is back with another brightly-coloured title. In this one, the main character, a pig, loves his scooter and…books. But he has a secret: he does not know how to read them! Until, one day, he meets a whole community of book lovers and a dedicated librarian at his local branch. The illustrations reflect the story in that the books first look blurry, and once the pig learns how to read, they start having lines & titles (some of which the readers will recognize!).

Picture book: The night library / 2019

For ages 3-7.
This is the story of a young boy who receives a book for his eighth birthday. He is less than thrilled with the gift, since he is a reluctant reader. But his interest in reading will be rekindled once he finds himself into a dream where the two lion statues from the New York Public Library come to life and take him onto a magical exploration of the various library rooms. The art in this picture book will make readers feel like going to visit the New York library building! Classic references are also hidden in the illustrations: The-cat-in-the-hat, Peter Rabbit, the Polar Express.

Non-fiction: Planting stories: the life of librarian and storyteller Pura Bulpré

For ages 4-7.
This brightly-coloured picture book tells the true story of a Puerto Rican woman, Pura Bulpré, who starts working at the New York Public Library and finds out that there is not a single book on the shelf about Latin American culture. She decides to write her own books and to share stories with the Storytime families. Soon, she travels across the country to present and to inspire.

Early Reader: Otter: I love books! / 2019

For ages 5-7.
If you don’t know Otter, you ought to start with the introduction title: “I am Otter”! The Ottawa Public Library owns 7 titles in the series. This is Otter’s latest adventure. He feels like going to somewhere fun, like the circus or the sea, but his keeper takes him to… a library.

Chapter book: The library of ever / 2019

For ages 7-9.
Science fiction novel. Eleven-year-old girl Lenora thought accompanying her nanny to the public library would be pretty boring -that is, until she walks into the library and somehow finds a magic portal to a very special library that contains the knowledge of the whole universe. There, Lenora is given the job of Apprentice Librarian and has to fight the Forces of Darkness.

An excellent, timely, book for initiating a discussion about intellectual freedom and censorship. 

Chapter book : The book case : an Emily Lime mystery / 2019

For ages 8-11.
Mystery novel set in England in the 1950’s. Daphne arrives at St Rita’s and finds out that it’s a rather unconventional boarding school. The classrooms are numbered in a random manner and the head librarian is nowhere to be seen. Daphne becomes friends with library assistant Emily and student George. Together, they decide to investigate a library break-in and a missing student.

Chapter book: The library shelves: an interactive mystery adventure / 2019

For ages 7-11.
During their field trip to the local public library, grade 6 schoolfriends Catalina, Edward, James and Samantha notice a scratching sound, as well as some yellow bookmarks sticking out of library books. Do they follow the source of the sound, or do they collect the bookmarks with riddles on them? Your choice! This is a “Choose your own story” book, with 12 possible endings.

Chapter book: Property of the rebel librarian / 2018

For ages 8-12.
This is the story of twelve-year-old June who decides to start an underground library in her school locker, when their school library bans the majority of the books from their shelves. But her boyfriend Graham does not understand her activism and joins in the censorship. How will June manage, especially once her loan log goes missing? Good food-for-thought on book banning. 

For ages 6-12.
Children are well familiar with the “You wouldn’t want…” non-fiction series, as the Ottawa Public Library has about 70 titles in their collection, covering topics such as : inventions, history, nature, science, health, biographies, and more. This newly published title uses fun cartoon graphics to depict how libraries have become a space for the community to share and to be together.

By the way, did you know that October is “Library Month”? The Ottawa Public Library takes the opportunity every year in October to hide and give away Golden Tickets. For more information, click here : https://bit.ly/2o9wk9y  

Birthday Party: Glow Wars Nerf Gun Battles

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Last year my daughter had the chance to attend a Glow Wars Nerf Gun Battle birthday party for a friend, and she had such a blast that she insisted THIS was the perfect location for her tenth birthday party!! Since I love the idea of hiring out bdays (and keeping the mess out of my home!) I got in touch with GlowSport and asked if we could check out their packages.

Not that we know much about Nerf in our home. It’s not something my kids have gotten into as an activity, but ANYTHING glow-in-the-dark is usually a fun time for kids.

You can arrange your nerf war birthday party at GlowSport’s West or East end locations. Since we live in Orleans we went with the east end, aptly named “The Chop Shop.” Located in an industrial location near Innes and St. Laurent, the party takes place in a giant room with stacked tires and parked cars. Lots of places to hide!!

When you first arrive the kids are suited up in glow paint and glow t-shirts. This is also how teams are decided, and I was happy that staff took care of that so we could avoid fights over who was going to be on whose team!

We then went over all the rules in detail with our teammate - the person running our event. He got the kids to read the rules themselves (love it!) and I was happy to see that they addressed potential issues like safety or disagreements. I could definitely see the potential for kids getting upset or having arguments. Luckily we had an AWESOME group of kids that managed their disagreements well (usually it was: “I tagged him and he didn’t go to the safe zone!!”)

We then entered the playing zone and started a series of “battles.” The kids got a chance to pick their nerf guns from the “gun shop” and had the opportunity to upgrade to some pretty cool ones as we progressed through each round. Of course, the birthday girl was allowed to use the COOLEST nerf guns! And unlike other birthday parties, here we had 90 minutes to enjoy ourselves, which was the perfect amount of time. We finished the party in the party room, where we ate snacks and cake and watched the next group battle it out!

Adults are welcome to join in with the kids for $10, and my husband and I may have had a bit too much fun trying to hit each other.

Other things you should know:

  • This isn’t really designed for kids under 6. My soon to be 7 year old was OK, although she got a bit nervous at the start because it was so dark.

  • You can ask them to turn the music down! My daughter found it too loud, so our teammate turned it down to a volume that worked for her.

  • We went with the package for 15 as it meant two teams of 7 and 8

  • You can add food to any package. We ended up bringing our own snacks and cake, as the time we booked was after lunch

  • The party room is right above the play room, so keep in mind it will be quite loud when the next group starts. The kids didn’t seem to care, and everything was still glow-in-the-dark, so they loved looking at the different colour their clothes had turned!

Overall it was a wonderful experience. Our teammate lead was incredible with the kids and kept them focused. I think we’ll definitely be back - GlowSport offers many other programs and activities for kids.

Disclaimer: GlowSport covered the cost of my daughter’s birthday party package. Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of GlowSport.

Family-Friendly Halloween Activities in Ottawa

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We’re so lucky to have museums, farms and malls in the Ottawa region who love to celebrate Halloween as much as our kids do! Here’s this year’s list of Halloween activities for families in Ottawa.

Trick or Treat with the Mayor
When: Saturday, October 26th from 5 to 8 pm
Where: Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West

See what’s brewing in the Spooky Witches Den before visiting all your favourite movie and storybook characters! Be wowed and get up close to some amazing little creatures and characters then decorate your very own mini pumpkin.

The Original Haunted Walk – Halloween Season
When: Nightly until November 3rd
Where: Various locations in Ottawa

Great for older children and adults, The Haunted Walks are best known for their tours and stories of ghosts and haunted places and Halloween is the perfect time to experience one of these walks! From October 4 – November 2 they are featuring a special “ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?” version of their Ghosts & the Gallows tour. For more information: http://hauntedwalk.com/ottawa-tours/ 

Saunders Farm – Haunting Season
When: Saturdays and Sundays between now and October 31st
Where: Saunders Farm, Munster, ON
Admission: General Day Admission is $25 (kids 2 and under are free); General night (Fright Fest) admission starting from $36.

Scarier at night and as a not-as-scary experience during the day, Saunders Farm offers families the ultimate in Halloween thrills and chills!  The Day Haunting Season is fine for kids as the more scarier attractions are closed and the jumping pillows and main play area is open. There is also a pumpkin patch hay ride available for young visitors.

The Fright Fest (Night) at Saunders Farm is good for children ages 12 and up. For more information visit: http://saundersfarm.com/

Acres of Terror
When: Now until October 31st
Where: Cannamore Orchards, 1480 County Road 32, Crysler

In their 27th year, Acres of Terror has four main components: the spooky wagon ride, the house of terror, the spooky village, and the fog maze! Night Dates (7-10pm): Sept. 27-28, Oct. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-30. Day Dates (12-4pm): Oct. 12-13, 19-20, 26-27. Visit https://cannamoreorchard.com/acres-of-terror/ for more information, including pricing.

Toddler Halloween Haunt
When: Thursday, October 31st from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, Carp
Admission: By donation for parents, grandparents, or caregivers with kids. Kids under 5 are free.

A perfect Halloween Day activity for young kids. Kids and adults can come dressed up in their favourite costume and discover spooky (and cute) ghosts and monsters throughout the museum to collect treats.

Zombies invade the Bunker

When: October 26th and 27th
Where: Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, Carp

This Halloween season, the Diefenbunker will once again partner with The Haunted Walk of Ottawa to present, Incident at the Bunker: A Zombie Adventure. Guests will be led on an interactive adventure with the undead, deep inside the labyrinth that is the Cold War Museum. This unique Halloween experience is a perfect combination of storytelling, interactive challenges, unexpected surprises and of course…zombies. Perfect for kids 12+.

Fall Family Fun At Hugli's Blueberry Ranch
When: On now until October 31st
Where: Hugli's Blueberry Ranch, 2139 Greenwood Rd., Pembroke, ON
Weekends: $10.62 + HST (kids & adults) Under 2 is free (includes shows and wagon rides to the pumpkin patch)
Weekdays: $6.64 + HST (kids & adults) Under 2 is free.

Evening activities have been put on hold this year, but there are plenty of family-friendly daytime activities including a tunnel hill slide and pedal carts!

Chillings Estate Halloween Party
When: Sunday, October 20 from 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Billings Estate National Historic Site
Admission: Cost: $6.75/person, $17.50/family (2 adults + children)

Come dressed in your costume and help Billings put the ‘trick’ in ‘trick-or-treat’ as they explore the whimsical, wily, and sometimes troublesome history of Halloween pranks. Complete fun Halloween activities and challenges to enjoy a delicious treat. Additional vintage treats and coffee will be available for cash purchase. *Please dress for weather conditions; activities will take place both indoors and outdoors.

Halloween Hijinks
When: Sunday, October 27th 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Cumberland Heritage Village
Cost: $19.75 per family (2 adults + children); $7.75 adults; $5.50 seniors, children and students. Children 5 and under are free. Annual memberships are welcome.

Wear your costume and explore the origins of Halloween traditions as you collect some yummy treats along the way. Complete a scavenger hunt inspired by some of the spooky symbols associated with the season, see if you can determine fact or fiction when it comes to Halloween trivia, create your own masquerade mask, explore Halloween in early Hollywood, and more!

Haunted Horaceville
When: Sunday, October 27th from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Where: Pinhey's Point Historic Site, Dunrobin, ON
Admission: Cost: $10.65 per person (Ages 15 and up)

Bring your friends and gather ‘round for a live storytelling program that will shift your understanding of history from the ordinary to the otherworldly. A lantern-lit tour of the manor house will add to the atmosphere. S’mores and hot apple cider will be served for a seasonal treat. Featuring guest storyteller Marie Bilodeau.  Registration is required. The registration deadline is Wednesday, October 23.

Pumpkinferno
When: Various dates from now until Sunday, October 27th
Where: Upper Canada Village
Admission: from $12 to $18
Visit Upper Canada Village and discover a selection of all-new pumpkin-carved displays as well as fan-favourites! This event is for all ages and includes 7,000 handcrafted pumpkins all lit at night along a kilometre long path in a picturesque 19th-century backdrop.

25th Annual Pumpkin Fest at Proulx Farm

When: September 22nd to October 31st, 2019.
Where: Proulx Family Farm, 1865 O’Toole Rd., Cumberland

The farm is transformed into a giant Halloween playground. Bring a picnic and visit for a ghostly gathering in a country setting. Children love seeing the farm transformed into a giant Halloween playground! Open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm and Thanksgiving Monday from 10 am to 5 pm.

Family Travel: Brockville, Ontario

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KITC would like to welcome back, guest blogger, Stephen Johnson. Stephen Johnson is an Ottawa writer who loves to write about family travel.  During the summer, you will most likely find him and his family at a local fair or festival.  During the winter, a beach in Mexico is a likely bet.  

For one weekend this summer, Brockville felt like it was one of the largest ocean ports in the world. Our family visited the Tall Ships Festival over the Labour Day weekend. 

We arrived at the Brockville Marina and things were already hopping at eleven in the morning. The festival gave a chance for people to get on board a Tall Ship. There must have been eight or nine tall ships in port. We walked around and picked climbed aboard a replica ship of Christopher Columbus’s Santa Maria. The amount of detail was amazing. It felt like we were stepping back five hundred years in history. 

Another highlight of the festival was seeing the continual comings and goings of the Tall Ships. At any point in the day, there was at least one or two majestically sailing on the St. Lawrence River. 

Our son, David, loved seeing the ships and also enjoyed seeing all the exhibits on display. We met John Casselman who was a retired Aquatic Biology professor from Queen’s University. He shared with us the different aquatic life found in the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes. David was fascinated as he would like to get into Marine Biology as a profession.

This was a perfect segue way for a visit to the Aquatarium. The Aquatarium features exhibits about both the historical and biological aspects of the St. Lawrence river. Naturally, David headed to the exhibits focused on biology. We first found the aquatic touch tank. I was somewhat tentative to touch all the creatures as I thought they may be slimy. David reached right in and did not give me a choice placing them in my hand as well. 

Our next stop was to see the river otters. It was fun to watch them diving and playing in the water. We would also like to return when they are being fed. 

The final display we checked out was one featuring various reptiles of the St. Lawrence. David was quickly able to identify all the different turtles and snakes. He gave me more facts about each reptile than I will ever remember. I guess he does have a future in biology.

Sadly, we did not explore all the exhibits as the Aquatarium was closing and we wanted to see more of the festival. We will definitely be making a return trip. 

Once leaving the Aquatarium, we went back down to the river and visited a display about the Canadian Coast Guard. One of the options was to take a ride on a small inflatable coast guard boat. We hopped on the boat and were cruising around the St. Lawrence. There were only nine of us on the boat so it gave us a chance to talk with the captain and another employee of the coast guard. Taking twists and turns on the boat, I felt like Relic from the TV show, The Beachcombers (ask your parents or maybe even your grandparents!).



It was near the end of the day so of course we were hungry. I am sure there are many fine restaurants in Brockville but we always eat at Don’s Fish and Chips. It is hands down the best fish and chips we have ever tasted. 

With our fish and chips in hand our final stop was to the Bluenose II. Of course, we had to get a photo beside the huge dime with the Bluenose on the front. It seemed like the perfect way to wrap up the Tall Ships Festival with delicious seafood and experiencing Canadian naval history.

There are plenty of other things to do in Brockville. The town is chock-a-block full of charming heritage buildings. A must is also the restored Brockville Railway Tunnel. It is possible to walk through the tunnel which is enhanced by beautiful LED lights and ambient music. Besides, it is free so life doesn’t get better.

For all events and attractions in Brockville, visit www.brockvilletourism.com.

Riding the O-Train with kids

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Many of us have been waiting for years for the new O-Train line to open, and not all of the folks waiting have been commuters. There are a lot of kids in the capital who are excited to take a ride on the new LRT!

If you haven’t had a chance to take the kids for a ride yet, here are some things to know!

Things to know about LRT

Each train can hold 600 people (though it would probably be more fun to take the kids when the trains aren’t full) :) and are fully electric with zero emissions. Every station features different artists’ work, making every station worth exploring.

When do the trains run?

The trains arrive at the stations at the following frequency:

  • 5 minutes or less at rush hour

  • Very frequently mid-day

  • 15 minutes or less after midnight and late evenings on weekends

    Trains start running at 5am on weekdays, 6am on Saturdays and 8am on Sundays and end at 1am Monday-Thursday, 2am on Fridays and Saturdays and 11pm on Sundays and holidays.

How much Does A LRT Ride cost?

Pricing may be going up on October 1, so this pricing is based on what is currently being promoted on the OC Transpo website.

  • Kids under 5 are always free

  • Seniors are free on Wednesdays and Sundays (fun grandparent and kid activity idea??)

  • Regular fair prices are $1.80 for kids 6-12, $3.50 for adult and youth (13+), and $2.65 for seniors.

  • On weekends and specified holidays, use a 1-day DayPass as a Family Pass for $10.80.

How does it work?

There is a ticket machine at every station and they take cash, debit and credit cards.

There are then fare gates that you go through, scanning the bar code from the pass you just purchased.

The ride will take about 25 minutes from end to end (Blair to Tunney’s Pasture) for a one way ride.

Some of the kids we know who took the train on opening weekend said that on top of the train ride itself, they enjoyed the friendly helpers, receiving a new route map and getting to buy tickets from the machines.

Have you been on the train with your kids? What was their favourite part?