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Thank you to all who have shared your stories and books with us all month, Toronto! We can’t wait to see if we’ve hit our goal!
The Children’s Book Bank is a most wonderful registered charity and we hope, if you are able, you will continue to support them beyond A Good Book Drive. Please don’t forget they accept books & donations year round!
Thank you to all who’ve helped us spread the word about the importance of children’s literacy and the power of a really, really good book! 📚❤️
Say hello to Warren Frank, lead singer of The Kents! He’s sharing Scurvy Dogs by Kevin Frank.
What’s the book about?
“This book is about a gang of neighbourhood dogs who like to think they’re pirates.”
What will he write on his book plate?
“My Dad is the author of this book! When I was a kid my Dad (a cartoonist) would write books for my siblings and I on our birthdays. Now that I’m older he’s a published author and it’s been really special seeing so many kids read and enjoy his work. It’s like sharing a little bit of my childhood with people.”
What are his favourite kinds of stories?
“I love stories about other people’s lives, fiction or nonfiction. Jerry Spinelli really did it for me when I was a young reader (I’ve also donated Maniac Magee).”
Does he still read as much as he did when he was a kid? What kinds of things does he read now?
“I try to! We spend tons of time driving around on tour and that’s helped my reading quite a bit. I’ve gotten into some great books by CBC hosts lately (especially Grant Lawrence) and right now I’m reading “Hunger Makes Me A Modern Girl” by Carrie Brownstein.”
Why does he think reading is important?
“I think reading helps us understand things and opinions we otherwise wouldn’t. It helps us strengthen our imaginations, and it inspires us to become creators.”
Thanks, Warren!
Toronto, drop off your new and gently used kid’s books donations (books for 12 years & under) at these spots during February, and help out The Children’s Book Bank in Regent Park!
Financial donations to the Book Bank are another way to participate in this year’s A Good Book Drive. The Children’s Book Bank is a registered charity!
For donations of $20 or more The Children’s Book Bank will proudly share your favourite children’s book title on their A Good Book Drive Book Shelf display during the month of February. Just include the title of your book in the ‘Message for the Children’s Book Bank’ section on their donation page.
Photo by Katrina Thorn
Meet Juan M. Gonzalez-Calcaneo, Communications Manager at Bandit Brewery! He’s sharing Frida Kahlo by Ma. Isabel Sanchez Vegara.
What’s the book about?
“It’s a book that introduces children to the work of Frida Kahlo. The beautiful illustrations by Gee Fan Eng captures the fabulous magical surrealism of Frida.”
If this book were a time machine, where and when would it take him?
“This book (to me) represents the present state of the world. While growing up in Mexico, we didn't have access to children’s books that celebrated our heritage. I'm thrilled that books like this exist now, showcasing the magic of different cultures and aesthetics from around the globe.”
What will he write on his book plate?
“Dear reader, I introduce to you a piece of magic from my native country, Mexico, with the hope that it will inspire the way you navigate your life with authenticity, integrity, and love.”
Why does he think reading is important?
“Reading gives us a chance to be a part of the story. It doesn't dictate what characters look like or how we should feel about a story. It gives us room to develop our own understanding of it.”
Thanks Juan!
Toronto, drop off your new and gently used kid’s books donations (books for 12 years & under) at these spots during February, and help out The Children’s Book Bank in Regent Park!
Photo by Danny Patterson
We’re baaaaaaack!
A Good Book Drive Toronto is back for its third year, looking to bring formative stories to a new generation of readers!
Did you know that, so far, A Good Book Drive Toronto has raised 7010 books for The Children’s Book Bank!? Indeed! We’ve exceeded our yearly goals of 1000 books (2016) and 3500 books (2017) Let’s try and do it again, this year’s target is 4,000 books!
New to A Good Book Drive Toronto? Here’s the scoop:
How does A Good Book Drive work?
Running through the entire month of February, A Good Book Drive asks Torontonians to donate new and gently used children’s books and deliver them to any number of locations throughout the city (full list below!) There, you can also can personalize your favourite book with a special bookplate, sharing your own story of why that book is special. By permanently placing those stories within the cover of the books, children will read the personal narratives and learn about the impact of that book on someone else’s life! Cool, eh?
Financial donations to the Book Bank are another way to participate in this year’s A Good Book Drive. The Children’s Book Bank is a registered charity!
For donations of $20 or more The Children’s Book Bank will proudly share your favourite children’s book title on their A Good Book Drive Book Shelf display during the month of February. Just include the title of your book in the ‘Message for the Children’s Book Bank’ section on their donation page.
Where do the books go?
All books gathered from A Good Book Drive Toronto are given to The Children's Book Bank, a registered charity. It was founded in 2007 with a commitment to providing the chance for book ownership to children in Toronto who might otherwise not have the opportunity to purchase them. Lifelong reading habits are nurtured in the Book Bank's welcoming storefront space where children and their families spend time reading together and browsing the collection of carefully selected, gently used books. Each person who visits can take a book each, every day, free of charge. The Book Bank also provides free books and literacy support to local schools, health clinics, and community organizations throughout the city. Since opening, The Children's Book Bank has given away over 1,000,000 books! Amazing!
Where can I drop off books?
Here are the kinds of books that are suitable to donate during A Good Book Drive, as they are the books The Children's Book Bank can use.
If you have a large amount of books, it's best to contact the Book Bank & drop them off directly (our drop off locations are independent business with apple crate sized donation boxes.)
You can find A Good Book Box this year at these fabulous spots around town! Drop off your books here:
The Children’s Book Bank - 350 Berkeley Street
Doll Factory by Damzels - 394 Roncesvalles Ave
Doll Factory by Damzels - 1122 Queen Street East
Ella Minnow - 991 Kingston Road
Indie88 - 20 Hanna Avenue
Local Gest - 424 Parliament Street
Love Me Do - 50 Lynn Williams Street
Queen Books - 914 Queen Street East
Scooter Girl - 187 Roncesvalles Ave
The Shmooz Cafe - 590 Pape Avenue
Sneaky Dee's - 431 College Street
The Scullery - 200 Carlton Street
Tiny Record Shop - 804 Queen Street East
Town Barber - 1114 Dundas Street West
Town Barber - 1158 Queen Street West
Type Books - 883 Queen Street West
How can I tell my friends?
We love hearing about your favourite books and the books you’ve donated to the drive! Please say hi and spread the word by tagging @agoodbookdrive on social media and using the hashtag #AGBDTO!
A Good Book Drive will be sharing images and stories of the books donated in Toronto throughout the month of February at agoodbookdrive.com and on social media @agoodbookdrive #AGBDTO
Have 2 minutes? Here's A Good Book Drive Toronto explained, featuring some great Torontonians with their favourite kid's books!
Share with your friends, and share your favourite book with A Good Book Drive during the month of February.
Visit agoodbookdrive.com for donation box locations and more!
WE’RE BACK!
A Good Book Drive Toronto is back for it’s second year, looking to bring great stories to a new generation of readers!
Last year our goal was to raise 1,000 books and you helped us raise 3,198 books in total for The Children’s Book Bank in Regent Park! This year’s target will be to raise 3,500 books in the month of February!
See some of last years book drive participants, including; the Mayor of Toronto, Olympian Adam van Koeverden, many local musicians, broadcasters and other great Torontonians in the A GOOD BOOK DRIVE VIDEO. Share it with your friends to explain A Good Book Drive in just two minutes!
Want to donate a book this year? Throughout February drop off your favourite kid’s book at one of our A Good Book Box Locations:
• The Children’s Book Bank - 350 Berkeley Street • The Scullery - 200 Carlton Street • Type Books - 883 Queen Street West • Caplansky's Deli - 356 College Street • Tiny Record Shop - 804 Queen Street East • Local Gest - 424 Parliament Street • Love Me Do - 50 Lynn Williams Street • Indie88 - 20 Hanna Avenue • Reunion Island Coffee Bar - 385 Roncesvalles Ave • Town Barber - 1114 Dundas Street West • Ella Minnow - 991 Kingston Road • Capital Espresso -1349 Queen Street West • Scooter Girl - 187 Roncesvalles Ave • Doll Factory My Damzels - 394 Roncesvalles Ave & 1122 Queen Street East • Kid Icarus - 205 Augusta Ave
More to come!
Don’t forget to check back in here or on our social media accounts (@agoodbookdrive) every day in February we’ll be featuring new Torontonians who will share a good story about their favourite children’s book!
All the best, and happy reading! ~ the A Good Book Drive Toronto team
Photo by Jessica Blaine Smith
Meet one of the wonderful photographers on the A Good Book Drive Toronto team, Vanessa Heins! She was responsible for capturing so many of the great photos during the drive, and now it’s time for her to share her book!
She picked Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. Why?
“I read this book around the time in my life where I was trying to figure out who I was, trying on a few different hats to see which one fit. I was never a girl who wanted to be in a box. I wanted to skateboard, wear boys clothes, play basketball and do things that seemed to put me slightly on the outer edge of what other girls my age were doing at that time. It is easy to feel so much pressure to be like everyone else and at that sensitive age where so much is going on, it can be an extremely hard process to figure it all out. Anne was so relatable because she was different! At the beginning she is picked on for how she looks and acts yet she continues to be herself and slowly but surely people in the town start to see her magic.”
What does she hope the next reader gets from this book?
“The courage it takes to truly be yourself! There is no one in the world like you and that is what makes you special, so be just that! Be bold, be loud, be weird, be you.”
Thank you, Vanessa!
Photo by Katherine Holland
Meet Maurie Sherman, Producer and Reporter for the Roz and Mocha Show on Kiss 92.5 (aka ”Damnit Maurie”)!
He picked Love You Forever by Robert Munsch, a book that takes him back “to me as a kid in the early to mid 80s, a time when all that mattered to me was lego and snacks.”
What is his hope for the next reader?
“I hope anyone that reads this book, will find the love in it, and the special meaning it has for kids and parents everywhere. Showing that we all share the same love for each other and the boy and mom in the book.”
Why does he think reading is important?
“Reading is as important as working out in the gym... for the simple reason that it’s a work out for your brain and imagination. It’s a great way to clear your mind and and relax, I'm thrilled I read more now.”
Thank you, Maurie!
Drop off your Toronto new and gently used kid’s books donations (for 12 yrs & under) at these spots during February, and help out The Children's Book Bank in Regent Park!
Photo by Katherine Holland
