And we're off!

The official launch of the 2011 Let's Read program was on Sunday, September 25, 2011 at Word on the Street in Victoria Park. Hundreds of kids and their families join us to make buttons and hear about the program.

In the afternoon, members of the Waterloo Siskins hockey team and their mascot, Captain Crunch, helped us to officially launch the program.

We gave away lots of treats, read some of the book and handed out free tickets for a Waterloo Siskins hockey game. Thanks Siskins!

We all had a great time at the launch and we hope you enjoy the book as much as we do.

2011 Let's Read Launch

Join us on Saturday, September 25th from 11:00 - 5:00 at Victoria Park in Kitchener at the Word on the Street Festival for the launch of our 2011 Let's Read title - The Farm Team written by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Bill Slavin. Let's Read will be launched at 3:00. Come and hear us read the book, hang out with some Waterloo Siskins hockey players and enjoy a sweet treat on us!


Check back here throughout the fall as we announce programs and events at your local library.

Fundraiser for Let's Read

A BIG THANKS to JM Drama, a local community theatre group.

Last night's proceeds from their current production - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - were donated to Let's Read.
Founded in 1983, JM Drama encourages and supports the arts in Waterloo Region. A group of us attended opening night last night and it was great fun. The show runs from August 11 - 13 and August 18 - 20. Tickets are available in advance at the Center in the Square box office or at the door.

Registry Theatre
122 Frederick St.

http://www.registrytheatre.com/

Grand River Rafting Adventure Winners!

Simply by checking out and reading "Chocolate River Rescue" from the Cambridge Libraries, children were entered into a draw for the amazing prize of a rafting adventure for a family of six down the Grand River, Cayuga Run, generously donated by Garth Potruff, owner of Grand River Rafting Co. The draw was held in March and our winner, Noor Aburaneh, 9, brought her family to share in all the excitement. Pictured from left to right, top row down, is Hiba, Aya and Khaled Aburaneh, Karen Murray-Hopf (Let's Read coordinator for Cambridge) Garth Potruff, Ibrahim, Aburaneh, Tamer Abuhweleh, winner Noor, and Abdullah Aburaneh.

Let's Read Contest winners at Waterloo Public Library

Waterloo public Library held a Let's Read colouring contest in which the children drew their favourite passage from Chocolate River Rescue. We had so many exciting entries that it was hard to chose winners. Congratulations to our Let's Read colouring contest winners Silvia G. age 11 ( entry at right ), Geentanjali S 8 (middle picture) and Sofia S. age 9 (last picture) .

Chocolate River Rescue Crossword Puzzle

Try out our crossword puzzle and see if you know everthing there is to know about Craig and Shawn and Tony and their adventures. Do the puzzle and bring the ballot into your local library and you could win a prize!

Winners will be contacted on Family Literacy Day - Thursday, January 27th!

Let's Read Author Visit and PD Day in Cambridge

With sirens wailing and a chance to sit in a real river rescue boat courtesy of Cambridge Fire & Rescue, it was an exciting afternoon for the children at the Queen's Square location of Cambridge Libraries.

A visit from award winning author Jennifer McGrath Kent, complete with a bookmark signing, was a highlight as children expressed how much they loved her book CHOCOLATE RIVER RESCUE.

And don't miss out on the chance to win a rafting experience with the Grand River Rafting Co. when you check out a copy of the book. Let's Read continues to run until January 31, 2011 and will be present at the Family Literacy Event at Conestoga Mall on Sunday, January 30 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

See you there!