Summer Reading Club 2024 - World of Curiosities!

1. Families can join in the fun by picking up a Reading Record in person at any VPL Branch beginning on June 17, while supplies last. Families can also make an account to use the Online Reading Tracker.  
2. Set a goal for the Summer! From June 17 until September, try one or more challenging daily activities for around 15 minutes a day.
3. For each day that you try an activity, keep track of what you did. You can use your Online Reading Tracker record or a printed Reading Record you pick up at a branch.
4. After you have done 49 days of activities, visit any VPL location to ask for your medal. Participants do not need to turn in anything (showing us your Reading Record is optional!) but we do want to hear about your favourite activities and adventures!
5. You don’t need a library card to join Summer Reading Club, however, if you are a Vancouver resident, you can sign up for a free VPL card at vpl.ca/librarycard.

What kind of activity can you do to earn your medal?

Something challenging! | Something Fun!

Below are some ideas to get you started, but there are many more things you can do - it's up to you!

• Read! Enjoy a book, graphic novel, magazine article or comic book.
• Listen! Share a story in person, download an audiobook or listen to a podcast.
• Write! Compose a story, blog post, or letter to a friend.
• Create! Draw an illustration, make a sculpture or bake a masterpiece.
• Engage! Attend a program, visit a branch, or explore your own community.

Summer Reading Club Virtual Launch with David Alexander Robertson

Online | Tuesday, June 20 at 1:30 p.m.

Step into the Summer Reading Club 2024 World of Curiosities with Canadian Author David Alexander Robertson. David has written award winning books for all ages and we are excited to hear more about The Portal Keeper, the 4th installment of his acclaimed middle-grade novel series The Misewa Saga. He is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and lives in Winnipeg. Presented via Zoom Webinar.

Presented on Zoom Webinar. To register, please click here.

The Doorway to Adventure: Discovering the Key to a New World with Author Lee Edward Födi

Kensington Branch | Saturday, July 13 at 2:30 p.m.

In this writing workshop, join Vancouver author Lee Edward Födi as he showcases his collection of doorways from around the world and explain how it has inspired his writing. Then enjoy a fun brainstorming session, to design your own doors as you consider storytelling questions. Students can then use this brainstorming as a pathway to writing a story or a scene. 

For Grades 4 - 7 (as of Sept. 2024). Please contact the branch to register beginning on June 17.

Magic Mango Monsters with Summer Reading Club Artist Meneka Repka

Central Branch | Wednesday, July 17 at 11:00 a.m.

Learn what it takes to be a picture book illustrator with the Summer Reading Club’s official artist! Meneka will take you through the whole process of book illustration, and will give you a special sneak peek at her upcoming illustrations in The Mango Monster by Derek Mascarenhas. Then let your monster creativity shine and create your own spooky, cute, or scary book-mark monster. 

For Grades 1 – 4. (as of Sept. 2024). Please contact the branch to register beginning on June 17.

‘Setting’ The Mood for Your Stories with Author Angela Ahn

Terry Salman Branch | Saturday, July 27 at 1:00 p.m.

Join Vancouver’s own middle grade author Angela Ahn for this in-person workshop on creating vivid settings in stories. Hear about examples from her latest book, right in the place that inspired the setting – the Hillcrest Community Centre!

For Grades 4 – 7 (as of Sept. 2024). Please contact the branch to register beginning on June 17.

Find some great summer reads on these Booklists inspired by the Summer Reading Club theme: World of Curiosities!

For Grades K – 2

For Grades 2 – 4

For Grades 4 – 6

For Grades 6 – 7

Ebooks and Audiobooks

Participate in Summer Reading Club programs happening all summer. Check the Events Calendar for details.

Incredible Shrinking Frog!

Visit your local library branch to find the Incredible Shrinking Frog! Write the secret code word on the ballot and enter to win a prize!

Jar of Curiosities

Visit your local library branch and answer a skill testing question about the curios in the jar. Enter your answer in the branch for a chance to win a prize! 

Page by Page

Kids going into Grades 4 - 7 can submit art, prose and poetry to Page by Page.

Looking for something a little more challenging?

• Kids going into Grade 8 in September can join either Summer Reading Club or the Teen Summer Challenge. 
• Kids going into grades 4 - 7 can submit art, prose and poetry to Page by Page.
• Kids going into Grades 4 - 7 can come to programs just for them.
• Complete the SRC BINGO card for an additional challenge. Come into any branch for a print version.  

VPL’s Children's Services is working to make our programs accessible to all Vancouver kids. Please email us at childrens.teens@vpl.ca to let us know how our program facilitators can support you to participate fully and comfortably. To learn more about accessibility at Vancouver Public Library, please click here.

Vancouver Public Library works with the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA). With your library card, Vancouver residents who have a print disability can register for this service on their own, or with Accessible Services. Please ask at your local branch or call 604-331-4100 to speak to our Accessible Services department. 

Similarly, the National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS) is an online public library of downloadable ebooks and audiobooks for Vancouver residents with print disabilities, which include vision, mobility, and comprehension impairments that prevent someone from being able to read a traditional book. Accessible Services registration is required to access this digital collection.

For more information about how BCSRC is working on inclusion and accessibility, please visit their Accessibility Toolkit. 

The Summer Reading Club is a great way for children to practice or improve their reading skills and to continue learning new things over the summer months.

The program welcomes school-aged children of all ages and their families to participate in a variety of free and inclusive activities and programs from June 17 to September 1, 2024.

Feel free to take part in Summer Reading Club activities in any way that works for your child and family. 

Each activity or challenge can be done more than once and can be mixed and matched for optimal fun and learning. For example, some children may choose to read for all 50 days, while others may decide to read for 30 days and then try some Summer Reading Club activities for the remaining time. It’s all up to them!

If you have questions about the Vancouver Public Library’s Summer Reading Club Program or would like more reading or listening suggestions, contact us at children.teens@vpl.ca