Smurfs play in the forbidden forest at the library
What are you reading this summer? The notfor-profitgroupBookNetCanadahaspublished a list of the 150 bestselling Canadian books of the past 10 years, and it is full of great suggestions for reading for children and adults over the warm and sunny — or even rainy — holidays. Picture book author Robert Munsch tops out with 37 of the titles. The list also includes the work of many writers for adults who have been speakers at the Fort Erie Public Library, including Lawrence Hill, Emma Donoghue, Ami McKay, Elizabeth Hay, Linden MacIntyre, Cathy Marie Buchanan, Terry Fallis, Kelley Armstrong and Vincent Lam. These authors have moved us, thrilled us and made us laugh, and their books are sure to do the same for you. You don’t need to run out and purchase these books, though; you can check them out from your nearest library branch, or download them for free to your ereader or other device using Overdrive, Hoopla or Libby, all great reading platforms available through the library website www.fepl.ca. Ask at any branch. If you are already reading, don’t forget there are summer reading challenges and prizes at the library for all age groups throughout the season. For children, everything from a free popsicle to a fancy little robot called an Ozobot could be yours. Adults can read three books to win a free coffee, or complete their card to enter the running for a Kobo ereader!
Everyone is welcome to the Saturday fam- ily movie matinee this week, when the Smurfs go racing through the Forbidden Forest following a mysterious map, to discover the biggest secret in Smurf history in Smurfs-the Lost Village. The matinee will be screened at the Centennial branch, beginning at 2 p.m. Then on Tuesday, adult movie fans will want to be at the Crystal Ridge branch at 2 p.m. for Miss Sloane, a thrilling drama about the high stakes world of political power brokers, starring Jessica Chastain.
Children ages 5 – 7 are welcome at the Monday afternoon MakerLab on July 24 at the Centennial branch. Please let us know you are coming by registering ahead.
All ages will want to come out on Monday afternoon or evening, July 31, for an “Escape Room” experience at the Centennial branch. Join a dozen other adventurers in a “locked” room, solving the clues to escape. There will be snacks, video games and board games to play while you wait. Escape room will run on the hour at 2,3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 p.m., and we ask that you arrive at least fifteen minutes beforehand to secure your spot. Families are welcome to attend and play together.
Jillian Jiggs is a favourite character in children’s books, and Fort Erie audiences will have a chance to see her adventures live and in person when the To Be Determined Theatre Company presents “JILLIAN, JILLIAN, JILLIAN JIGGS YOUR ROOM LOOKS LIKE IT WAS LIVED IN BY PIGS!” with performances at both the Centennial and Stevensville branches on Friday, Aug. 11. Best of all, thanks to a generous donation by the Friends of the Fort Erie Public Library, this play will be free for all to attend. There’s still time to read some Jillian Jiggs stories to get ready for this exciting event, and to pick up your family’s tickets ahead of time, to ensure seating. Ask at any branch about the books and the play.