Gators, cats, and pugs! Oh my! If you are an animal person, check out these books recommended by KFPL Kids.
Recent additions to the collection
Programs, Events, Services and Recommendations for Kids Events + Kids
StoryWalk
October 1-31, 2020
Enjoy the picture book The Cow Who Climbed a Tree while strolling the streets of downtown Kingston. Find the pages of the story in the windows of partnering businesses, then finish your walk at the Central Branch to pick up your StoryWalk® button and choose books to take home and enjoy!
Your adventure is spread over 18 city blocks, so bring water, snacks, and maybe a stroller or wagon for the littlest legs in your family.
StoryWalk® in Downtown Kingston Map
Click or tap on the image below to download the full map to your device.
StoryWalk® Downtown Kingston Directions
Start in Springer Market Square. You will find the first StoryWalk marker in the garden overlooking the amphitheatre behind City Hall.
Walk down Market Street to Ontario Street. Turn left. Cross Brock Street and continue to page 2 at Waterfront Gifts and Apparel at 248 Ontario St.
Continue along Ontario Street, and turn left onto Princess Street. Look for page 3 at Fancy That/The Roundstone at 48 Princess Street.
Continue along Princess to King Street. Cross the street and turn left. Walk down King Street to Brock Street. Turn right onto Brock Street. Look for page 4 at General Brock's Commissary at 55 Brock Street.
Continue down the block to read page 5 at Cooke's Fine Foods at 61 Brock Street.
Walk to Wellington Street, and turn right. Walk up Wellington to find page 6 at Martello Alley at 203 B Wellington Street.
Walk to the traffic lights at Queen Street, turn left and cross to find page 7 at Thrive Chiropractic at 214 Wellington Street.
Continue walking along Wellington to Princess Street. Turn right. Walk to Verde Alternatives at 123 Princess Street to find page 8.
Continue along Princess to Montreal Street where you will find page 9 at The Rocking Horse at 193 Princess Street.
Cross Montreal Street and continue to find page 10 at Hip Kids at 233 Princess Street.
Walk to the lights at Clergy Street, then cross Princess Street and turn left to head back toward the waterfront.
Walk along Princess Street, and look for page 11 at Trailhead at 262 Princess Street.
Close nearby you will find page 12 at Midori at 244 Princess Street.
Continue down Princess Street to Bagot Street, stopping at Novel Idea at 156 Princess Street to read page 13.
Turn right onto Bagot Street, and walk to Kingston Gaming Nexus at 270 Bagot Street to find page 14.
Continue along Bagot Street to Johnson Street, cross at the lights to the Central Branch of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library at 130 Johnson Street.
Come inside to read the last page of the story, get your StoryWalk® buttons from our staff, and relax in our Children's area before choosing some books to take home!
Our Sponsors
StoryWalk® in Downtown Kingston is sponsored by the Friends of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library, and is made possible by the support of our partners.
Every Child Ready to Read
A Project of the American Library Association
adopted by the Kingston Frontenac Public Library in 2010
Before children can learn to read, they must develop a range of early literacy skills. Learning begins the moment they are born, through language and play. By weaving five simple practices into your daily routine, you will not only prepare your child for reading later on, but you’ll enjoy hours of fun together too!
The Kingston Frontenac Public Library is proud to partner with our communities’ parents and caregivers to help raise young readers by providing free access to thousands of books and music recordings. As well, all of our programs for young children focus on developing pre-literacy skills, and use the five simple practices outlined here.
The Federation of Ontario Public Libraries (FOPL) has created an infographic, What Happens During Storytime at the Public Library, that summarizes the information found in its report, “Preschool Early Literacy Programs in Ontario Public Libraries”.
Talking
Children learn about language by listening to their parents talk and joining the conversation. Use new words, give your full attention to what they are saying, and ask questions to keep them talking!
Singing
Songs help children learn to listen, discover rhythm and rhyme, and slows down language so that they can hear different parts of words.
Reading
Reading together is the single most important activity you can do to help them get ready to read! They will learn how books and written language work, and they’ll increase their vocabulary. Deepen the experience by asking questions and involving them in telling the story.
Writing
Reading and writing go together! Once your child can grasp a thick crayon or marker, give him or her unlined paper and plenty of opportunities to draw and write.
Playing
Play is how children explore their world! It builds their imagination, their self-confidence, and their language skills. Playing to get every child ready to read; books with movement, props or puppets.
Kids' Book Reviews: Part 2
Today's book reviews by KFPL Kids include stories about rivalries, mysteries, and animals.
Museum & Park Passes
The library lends passes to local conservation areas, as well as popular museums in Ottawa. These passes may be borrowed for one week and can be reserved in the library catalogue.
Park Passes
KFPL, in partnership with the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, offers. Customized backpacks that include a day pass to Gould Lake and Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Areas, along with field guides to help you get the most out of your visit, may be borrowed for one week
In partnership with the Rideau Trail Association, we also loan backpacks to help you plan exciting adventures on the free hiking trails running through Kingston and the County of Frontenac. Customized backpacks contain laminated trail maps, helpful tips for a safe hike, and field guides to help identify the birds and animal tracks you discover along the way. Packs may be borrowed for one week.
Ontario Parks passes will not be available in 2020.
In Ottawa
Passes are available for museums in Ottawa. Some locations and exhibits may be closed. Please visit their websites for hours of operation and other pandemic precautions.
The Canadian Museum of Nature will reopen on September 5, 2020. A single pass will admit a family group of five (maximum of 3 adults per group).
The National Gallery of Canada is now open to the public. A single pass will admit a family group of two adults and three youth (children under 12 are always free).
Kids' Book Reviews: Part 1
From gryphons to changelings, these books feature mysterious and mythical creatures. Read on to find out what KFPL Kids thought of these fantasy books.
Kids Events
OH, What Fun!
Ready to develop those fine motor skills with a fun playdough activity and snowflake beading? Register for a free take-home kit, all materials provided.
Registration will close on Sunday, December 6. Kits will be available on the holds shelf starting Thursday, December 10. Best suited for ages 3-5 with a caregiver.
Kids Events
Time for a little magic!
Back by popular demand, Chris Pilsworth will be joining KFPL for another spectacular live performance on Saturday, November 21!
This program is recommended for children ages 5 and up. Register to receive a Zoom meeting invitation.
