Connor Cloutier was on the hunt Friday for a book that had anything to do with firefighting.
Just days after receiving related Christmas gifts, the three-and-a-half-year-old boy was at the Orillia Public Library with his mom, Erin, and little sister, Natalie. Erin signed him up for the annual Winter Reading Club.
“It’s a good way to keep them involved with books and keep us coming back to the library every week,” Erin Cloutier said. “It’s a great place and they have lots of stuff for the kids.”
The Winter Reading Club began Dec. 21 and runs until Feb. 14. Kids can sign up any time.
The library has switched things up a bit this season. The club is now open to anyone up to 18 years old.
"We wanted to make it more inclusive for that entire age group," said Chanel Craigie, of the library’s family department.
There’s also a Bingo theme, which asks participants to reread a book, cook something from a cookbook and read a biography, among other tasks.
Kids still pick their own books, but “it just makes it a little more fun for them,” Craigie said.
“It’s giving the kids more guidance on where to start.”
About 70 people have signed up for the club. Every time they report back to the library, they receive a Kinder egg and are entered in a draw for prizes: a foam sled, a Squishmallow plush toy and a family fun pack including a popcorn maker, DVDs and books.
The library is also hosting free Friday afternoon how-to programs this winter.
People can register and bring the family to learn to skateboard, make jewelry, decorate cookies, paint pictures or battle in Disney trivia, and then eat some pizza together.
For more information, call the library at 705-325-2338 or visit its website.
