Toronto Public Library Hosts StoryMobs

"Literary phenomenon" will help launch the 2014 TD Summer Reading Club across Canada

TORONTO, June 3, 2014 /CNW/ - Toronto Public Library is pleased to work with StoryMobs to launch TD Summer Reading Club 2014 across Canada. StoryMobs, a literary phenomenon where great children's books meet flash mobs, will run 13 story mobs of the same book, on June 28, in six provinces across the country; four of them at Toronto Public Library branches.

Through the use of costumes and props, music, simple choreography and reading out loud, children and their families engage with books in a new and exciting way. Participants are encouraged to dress up as characters from the book, bring props to use in the telling of the story, and to read along as the story is shared. Families will have an opportunity to create crafts, make props and costume items to use at the StoryMobs at a pre-event craft session.

"We're excited to be launching the TD Summer Reading Club with StoryMobs. Through fantastic programs like this, children and their families have an opportunity to experience the fun and energy of reading and connect with books in a creative and engaging way," said Lisa Heggum, Toronto Public Library's Child and Youth Advocate and Manager of the TD Summer Reading Club national program.

Like other flash mobs, StoryMobs appear out of nowhere in an apparently spontaneous way, in a busy public space, at a designated time, and then disperse without any additional fanfare. The chosen book for this StoryMob is The Busy Beaver by Canadian author and illustrator Nicholas Oldland. The Toronto locations will be revealed on June 20 on tpl.ca/readingclub. Book-lovers, flash mob-enthusiasts and fun folks of all ages are encouraged to attend this free event. Toronto participants can find the script and sign up for reader parts for all 4 locations at storymobs.ca.

The TD Summer Reading Club is a fun summer club for children of all ages that engages them in the joy of reading through various activities. All children who register receive exciting fun and engaging reading kit that includes a Maker notebook, Club magazine or activity book and stickers that they earn for each book they read throughout the summer. Children can also explore tdsummereadingclub.ca, browse librarian-selected booklists, participate in programs and speak with our experienced staff who can help them have fun reading all summer. The Club runs at all Toronto Public Library branches across the city, and libraries across Canada offer the program in their communities. For an up-to-date listing of all TD Summer Reading Club events taking place at Toronto Public Library branches visit tpl.ca/readingclub.

Toronto Public Library is one of the world's busiest urban public library systems. Every year, 19 million people visit our branches in neighbourhoods across the city and borrow 32 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131. To get the most current updates on what's happening at the library, follow us on Twitter @torontolibrary.

StoryMobs was created by Gretel Meyer Odell and Roxanne Deans who promote the initiative as a way of inspiring a sense of community and nurturing literacy and imagination. Visit their website at storymobs.ca for more information on how to get involved, follow StoryMobs on Twitter @storymobs.

SOURCE: Toronto Public Library

Media Contacts: Toronto Public Library, Sharanja Thangalingam, Communications Officer, 416-397-5971, [email protected]; StoryMobs: Roxanne Deans, StoryMobs Co-Producer, 416-670-6074, [email protected]