Children’s Summer Book Suggestions from the Ottawa Public Library

The Ottawa Public Library is back to share some of their favourite summer reads for children ages 0 to 14. This month's post is by Kristina Roudiy, Children's Program Assistant at the Alta Vista Branch.

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Board book: Maisy explores: a First Words Book / Lucy Cousins

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1210040026

For ages 0-3. 

British author Lucy Cousins is back with a new board book of “Maisy the Mouse”. Did you know that Maisy's books have been translated into 27 different languages? In this bright, colourful title, each double page is themed around an early science concept, such as weather, growing plants, five senses, the human body, and technology. The tabs on the right make it easy for little fingers to browse.    

Picture book: Bunny’s Staycation / Lori Richmond

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1091141026

*Also available as an e-book on the library’s Overdrive catalogue

For ages 3-5.

When Mama leaves for a five-day business trip, Little Bunny understandably feels sad. Papa suggests that they take a virtual trip of their own, and travel to a different place each day. So on Monday, they build their own car out of cardboard; on Tuesday, they go to a tropical beach; on Wednesday, they cool off in a wintry wonderland; on Thursday, they go on a safari; on Friday, they design their own marshmallow campsite, just in time to welcome Mama home. With cute cartoon illustrations. This story might give fun ideas of activities to do as a family this Summer!

 Picture book: Khalil and Mr. Hagerty and the Backyard Treasures / Tricia Springstubb

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1206788026

For ages 4-6. 

Khalil lives with his large and noisy family in the upstairs apartment, while the elderly and quiet Mr. Hagerty lives downstairs. Both Khalil and Mr. Hagerty enjoy the peace and quiet in the shared backyard. While Khalil hunts for bugs and treasure, Mr. Hagerty tends to his garden. They soon become friends, helping each other with language and misplaced garden tools. One hot Summer day, Khalil suggests a hunt for buried treasure, which does not end up being too successful, but is nonetheless followed by tasty chocolate cake and milk! With detailed illustrations made in paper-cut collage, and one simple sentence per page. A lovely intergenerational book about making friends, no matter your age or your differences!

Picture book : My Singing Nana / Pat Mora

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1204732026

For ages 4-6.

This is the story of Billy and his beloved grandmother called Nana. On the morning of their family's big Summer show, Billy's sister wakes up with a cough. Billy turns to Nana for help, and together they manage to still put on a show and sing their favourite songs – in Spanish and English. But Billy has noticed that his Nana is getting forgetful. He talks about it with his mother, who reassures him that though Nana's memory is failing, they can still do all of their favourite activities together. Such as baking in the kitchen! The recipe of their cherry treat is included in the book (yum!) –  as well as talking points for discussing Alzheimer's / dementia with children. 

Early Reader: Don't Worry, Bee Happy / Ross Burach

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1187450026

For ages 6-8.

Some of you might start singing or humming when they notice the title of this early reader! This is the first book in the “Bumble & Bee” series, published earlier this year. Bumble and Bee buzz happily around the pool, until they notice that Froggy is rather cranky. They attempt to cheer him up by engaging him in their playful activities and also try to help him get rid of his hiccups. Reading about this unlikely trio and their funny adventures will for sure put a smile on your face! 

Early Reader: Swim, Mo, Swim! / David A. Adler

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1225646026

*Also available as an e-book on the library’s Overdrive catalogue

For ages 6-8. 

Well-known children's author David A. Adler (author of Cam Jansen, Bone, as well as numerous non-fiction titles) has created a new early reader series with young character Mo. In Mo's fifth adventure, he and his friends are at summer camp and competing in Field Day challenges. The winning team will get extra ice cream. But can Mo win a medal in the swimming competition?

Early Reader: TJ’s New Friend / Aviaq Johnston

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1187482026

For ages 6-8. 

Aviaq Johnston is a young Inuit author from Nunavut who spends some of her time in Ottawa, Ontario! She earned a Governor General's History Award in 2014. In this story, we read about a new girl named Sapa who moves to TJ's community. TJ and Sapa share common interests and end up spending all Summer playing and exploring the neighbourhood. When school starts in the Fall and TJ's classmates start teasing Sapa for being different, will TJ stand up for his new friend? 

Chapter book: Float / Laura Martin

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1168823026

*Also available as an e-book on the library’s Overdrive catalogue

For ages 9-12.

Twelve-year-old Emerson is spending summer at a camp designed to accommodate kids with superpowers. Problem is, none of those kids know how to control their power.  Emerson's uncontrollable floating, for example, means he has to wear weighted shoes just to stay on the ground! At Camp Outlier, he gets to meet the accidentally invisible Hank, the spontaneously combusting Anthony, the time-travelling Murphy, and Zeke with X-ray vision. As members of the Red Maple cabin, they become friends through canoeing, capturing the flag, playing pranks and overall having a lot more fun than they expected to. Until Emerson discovers that one of their own is hiding a deadly secret that could endanger them all. With lots of action, great dialogue and plenty of humour! Fans of Gordon Korman and Dan Gutman, in particular, will enjoy this book.

Graphic novel: Hicotea: a Nightlights Story / Lorena Alvarez

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1180945026

For ages 9-12.

In this enchanting sequel to “Nightlights”, ever-curious young Sandy wanders away from her classmates during a field trip to the local wetland and finds an empty turtle shell. Peering inside, she falls into a magical world where Hicotea, the shell's owner, maintains a museum of paintings, sculptures, and artifacts documenting a very special wetland – one that has been almost completely destroyed by an evil creature. Can Sandy help Hicotea and her friends fight against the creature destroying their home? Alvarez's stunning, Miyazaki-like style, with brightly coloured landscapes and intricately detailed illustrations, bring a sense of wonder and magic to the natural world, hinting at the complex ecosystems around us that frequently go unnoticed. Sandy is a delightful protagonist with her relentless questions and deep respect for the natural world; hopefully, she will inspire young readers to find the magic in their own backyards.  

Chapter book: Chirp / Kate Messner

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1205785026

*Also available as an e-book on the library’s Overdrive catalogue

For ages 10-14. 

When Mia's grandma has a mild stroke, the middle schooler's family moves from Boston to Vermont, to help her grandmother sell her cricket farm. Mia is quite happy to leave Boston, but not so happy to have to attend two summer camps instead of watch TV, her favourite pastime since her gymnastics injury last year. But the Launch (entrepreneurial) and Ninja Warrior camps will help her in ways she never expected. Since Gram is determined to get more people eating protein-rich crickets, Mia creates a business plan for the cricket farm and starts investigating on who is sabotaging her business. Amid common themes of friendship and overcoming fears, the author incorporates strong #MeToo messaging, most poignantly in Mia's experience with a former 7th-grade coach. This novel succeeds both as an engaging mystery with strong female characters and as an appropriate middle-grade introduction to a serious and relevant issue.

 ***The Ottawa Public Library is doing TD Summer Reading Club virtually this Summer! Please visit our “Summerland” page to find out what it's all about, and to register for online Family programs : https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/kid-zone/src.

Kids can also participate in a Summer Reading Draw, to be entered for prizes such as gift cards to a bookstore or the CineplexStore, or a six-month membership to a magazine. The ballot can be found here :   https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/sites/default/files/src_reading_draw_ballot_card.pdf

Feel free to also explore the OPL's e-book resources. Have a great Summer!***

A family night out at the Wesley Clover Parks Drive-In Theatre

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, when there isn’t a pandemic, 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.

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I have not been to a drive-in movie since 1990. At the time, I was eighteen years old. We were seven teenagers stuffed into a car that fit four (a few may have been crammed in the trunk!).

Fast forward thirty years, drive-ins are making a comeback during this time of social distancing. Our family learned there was a drive-in taking place at Wesley Clover Parks in Ottawa’s west end and couldn’t wait to see what our son thought of this unique experience! 

This time, our family of three, easily fit in our vehicle which comfortably seats five. There was no need to hide anyone under car seats or next to the spare tire. 

I have to admit, I was somewhat nervous to go to the drive-in. Like most Ottawa families, for the past three months, our family excursions consisted of taking a walk or bike ride through our local park. 

Once we arrived on-site my fears were quickly allayed. All staff were wearing face masks and social distancing was maintained at all times. There was plenty of space between vehicles and people could even order concessions online via their smartphone. 

We had a few minutes to spare before the movie started so our son, David, and I walked around the site while maintaining our social distance from others. It felt like people were coming out of their cocoons. Hatchbacks and truck flatbeds were turned into viewing areas. We even saw one family bring a mattress for the young ones in case their dozy eyes could not last for the entire movie. 

The night we visited, Thor: The Dark World was on the bill. I am usually not a superhero fan but enjoyed the escapism of the film. The fact that it was a perfect summer night added to the ambiance. The night went by quickly but was definitely memorable.

Our motto this summer will be to keep it local. The drive-in experience at Wesley Clover Parks was the perfect place to start. 

As one can expect,  there are a few restrictions in place during this time of COVID-19.  People are asked to not bring in any outside food or drink other than sealed bottled water.  It is okay to sit in the hatchback or flatbed of your vehicle. Only one person per vehicle is allowed to go to the bathroom at a time with the exception of young kids who can be accompanied by one adult.  There are outdoor portapotties on-site with very good hand-washing facilities.  

Our family found all the measures to be reasonable and they did not impede our enjoyment of the event.  We understood they were for our safety and the safety of all participants.  

Films are being offered that will appeal to adults and children. Check the bill ahead of time to make sure the film and screening time are age-appropriate. All ticket sales are done online. For more information, visit, www.thedriveinottawa.ca

Pandemic Summer Bucket List

This summer is like no other. All of my kids camps have been cancelled, and we don’t have the same childcare we normally would have. I’m going to need to be strategic about our summer, especially if I want to avoid fighting, whining and complaining. I’ve come up with a list of activities that you could do, keeping in mind that some museums and other venues will re-open for visitors this summer. If that’s the case and you feel comfortable visiting certain places, don’t forget to check out our 50 Things to do With Kids in Ottawa post for more ideas.

Let the summer fun begin!

TD Summer Reading Club

Water Toys for Keeping Cool

Drive-through zoo or online zoo experience

Online National Gallery experience

Count Birds for a Bird census

Decorating bikes

Make your own ice cream

Repaint/decorate the kids room

Visit the Beach

Camp in the backyard

Biking on the Parkway

Go for a hike

Plan weekly learning activities

Find a fun online summer camp (some of your fave summer camps are offering an online version!)

Do a tour of the best splash pads

A water maze with Eco Odyssey

Geo Caching!

Strawberry Picking

Visit Petrie Island

Go for an ice cream crawl (see West end and East end ideas)

Take fun photos around our city (see our Scavenger Hunt ideas from last year!)

Bake some bread

Make cards for seniors

Find a waterfall

Make chalk art on your driveway and street for the neighbours

Self-guided scavenger hunts

Build something or start a new craft (e.g. cross-stitch)

Garden experiments

Subscription STEM Kits

Camping close to home

As we all find ways to keep the kids entertained closer to home this summer (all my kids were slated to head out to sleep away camp for two weeks next weekend) we’re trying to be creative and think outside of our usual activities.

Backyard camping!

Twins setting up a tent in the backyard

My twins (11) came up with a great plan last week that reminded me of something my older son used to do with friends all the time - a backyard camp out!

The twins set up the tent with almost no help (word of warning, a few years ago the first time my kids tried to set up a tent alone there was a tent pole incident that required stitches - just be careful the first time they attempt to do this on their own) and got to stretch some of their independence and logic skills, which sounds like homeschooling to me!

Decorate and make it feel cozy

Twins got the main structure of the tent set up

They then spent a long time decorating the tent (my daughter strung up LED lights inside) and making sure it had all the comforts of home. There were blankets, stuffies and books, and my son even found an extension cord so they could bring their devices outside to watch some Youtube and listen to music as they fell asleep (something I thought was fine after all the time they spent working on setting up their outdoor quarters.)

Camp “fire”

If you’re doing a camp out with your kids or helping them, a real (or fake) campfire can be a fun option. Depending on where you live, bylaw may allow you to have a fire in the backyard - fire tables are super popular these days too! Roast marshmallows and make some s’mores, and then organize a good ol’ fashioned sing along. If fire is a no-go, you can still share some tasty snacks around a make believe fire pit. Most people remember some of their Guiding or Scouting days, or just Google a few songs to sing together. If you’re super musically inclined, bring your instruments outside as well!

My kids spent a couple of nights out there and I expect they will repeat this several times over the course of the summer.

So if you have some camping equipment sitting around, let the kids practice figuring out how to set up their campground on their own, see what they come up with in terms of decorating and camping activities and then you can decide if you’re ready to have them sleep out there overnight on their own. For older kids you can leave a back door unlocked (and a light on!) in case there are any problems overnight. Walkie Talkies are also great so that they can reach you if they need you. An option for younger kids is to let them fall asleep and then move them inside, sleeping in a room close to the backyard with the windows open so you can hear them (I did this when the kids were younger), you can camp out there with them, or pitch the tent in the living room or basement. All the ways can be be a fun activity for the kids as we stay closer to home this summer!

Edited to add: please use your personal judgement on when is a safe age to allow your kids to camp out in the backyard, with or without you joining them.

The Importance of Having a Legal Will

When was the last time you updated your Will? Do you even have a Will? Did you know that without a Will, if you and your child’s other parent were to die, who they would live with is uncertain?

I wanted to learn more about the importance of having a Will and if having one made with a lawyer was important or just something some people do. To get the answers I wanted, I spoke with Vinayak Ethiraju from Ottawa law firm, Fresh Legal.

I will start by saying this – prior to writing this blog post, I thought printing a Will kit off the Internet, filling in the blanks and safely filing it in a drawer was all I needed to do to make sure my child and my assets were covered should my husband I pass away. Suffice to say, I was wrong and my husband and I have since booked a call to have a written Legal Will made.

Why it’s important to have a Will

Having a Will provides certainty. When you pass away, you want certainty of knowing how your estate is going to be distributed; who’s in charge of your estate and also, depending on your current life situation, that your kids, other assets, funeral arrangements, and religious beliefs are addressed in accordance to what you want and believe in.

If you die without a Will, the law says that you have died “intestate,” which means that you left no instructions as to how your property is to be divided and distributed and so a provincial act will govern how your property will be distributed to your surviving relatives. If you are married, this will probably mean a spouse gets everything. If a spouse and kids are left behind then your estate would generally be divided between them. Most people are okay with that, but you may still want specific arrangements for say a godchild or special needs sibling, etc. Having a Will makes sure you’re taking care of all those people the best way you can – with certainty.

What happens if parents die and children are left behind – and there’s no Will?

When one parent dies and the parents are married or separated, the surviving child(ren) go to the surviving parent, unless there is just cause as to why this should not happen. If both parents die and kids are left without a Will stating who they will live with, then it is considered a live issue. A Will can assign a person(s) to be guardian(s) of children as well as assign a guardian of their property. A Will makes it certain of who is responsible otherwise it is up to the state to figure that out and that can be messy and put children in what is already an awful situation.

When deciding on who children should live with and who should manage their property, make sure you discuss it with your spouse. As well, make sure whoever is assigned to manage the property for the children is someone you trust. Deciding this and putting it into a Will offers peace of mind for all involved parties.

How often should I review my will? 

Vinayak recommends having a Will reviewed every two to three years, but other events can also trigger a Will to be void or warrant a change. For example, if you have a Will made before a marriage and then get married – your Will becomes void. Your Will should also be reviewed with every child. As well, a Will should be altered upon a separation or divorce. Unlike when you get married, a Will is not void upon separation or divorce. You always want to make sure your Will reflects your current wishes.

As well, if you are in a common-law relationship it is a good idea to have a Will if you want your common-law partner to inherit part of your assets, otherwise, they will likely get nothing – similar to how family law works.

How easy is it to change a Will?

Changing a Will is pretty straightforward. Depending on the changes sometimes a draft document with amendments (a codicil) can be made and other times the entire Will is redone to avoid multiple documents. 

Do I need to see the same lawyer who first drafted the Will when I need changes?

No, you can take your Will to any lawyer, but it may be easier to use the same lawyer since they will have the original on file. It may also cost less.

What are the benefits of having a Will made using a lawyer versus a Will kit?

Making a Will without using a lawyer will cost you far more in the long run. Most people who make a Will themselves do it wrong. Lawyers go to law school for a reason – they know the law! And lawyers also add an extra layer of protection in terms of legal capacity.

Wills are often challenged on a person’s capacity to make the choices they made, especially if someone doesn’t like something you did in your will. If a lawyer drafts the Will then there are multiple layers of protection to prove capacity, including an intake sheet, the lawyer asking the person to set out assets, and typically within the initial phone call, a lawyer can make sure a person has the capacity to assign assets, assign the powers of attorney, etc.

If a Will made with a lawyer is ever challenged, a lawyer will have notes to help in establishing your capacity. Remember, a lawyer should have no vested interest in your estate compared to a friend or family member who would.

If you do your Will wrong and your Will is not enforceable in that people can’t do anything with it, then all that effort is for nothing. If it causes more problems than it solves, you are leaving the mess of dealing with your assets and debts, and possibly your children, up to your surviving family to wade through.

You need someone objective to give you honest answers and challenge assumptions – a lawyer can do that! 

What is a Power of Attorney and why is having one important? 

There are two types of Power of Attorney:

For personal care – i.e., helps make health care decisions should you be incapable of making the decisions yourself i.e., you are in a coma. This person would take over and make decisions for you.

For property – to manage your assets. Again, if you were incapable, someone with Power of Attorney for Property will manage finances, pay your bills, etc. 

Your Power of Attorney has significant power. Make sure you choose someone you trust and knows your wishes, such as a close family member. You want to select someone you know will follow your wishes, and not abuse their power – no matter what.

If you do not have a Power of Attorney for Personal Care then the decisions can be made by certain family members listed in a provincial act called the Health Care Consent Act. In some cases, a provincial body called the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee can become involved to deal with your personal care decisions and to manage your finances. This process can be far more frustrating and less predictable for you and your family members.

When you have a legal Will made, you can also ask your lawyer to prepare Powers of Attorney in separate documents as a part of your estate planning.

Creating a Will can be difficult, but Vinayak’s personable, friendly and ability to explain legal terms in a way I could understand gave me reassurance that having a Legal Will is not only important, but it’s also necessary!

If you want to learn more or are ready to get a Will, contact Vinayak. He’s currently offering virtual appointments and is available by phone 613-627-4800 or email vinayak@freshlegal.ca