Volunteer of the month

Sylvie Letendre

  We are delighted to announce our new volunteer of the month for May, Sylvie! Congratulations and thank you for volunteering with us.

To celebrate our volunteer this month, here’s an interview with Sylvie:

1. Have you learned anything (about yourself or others) while volunteering with us?
I’ve rediscovered a sense of wonder and creativity. Also, the kind of books I read has changed. I’m much more expressive and enthusiastic. Also, the get-togethers Madeline organizes for the volunteers are enriching. I’ve met people of all ages and backgrounds with whom I’ve shared little moments of life. Among them, an 87-year-old woman who volunteers as a librarian. She had a radiant smile and contagious enthusiasm. Wow!

2. Have you noticed any changes in the children you read to? Especially regarding their enthusiasm for books?I started reading stories at a local daycare two years ago, and I’ve been happy to continue this work ever since. I work with different age groups each week. In early January of this year, I was introducing books to the 18-month-to-2-year-old group. At that age, I had to rely on touch and visuals to draw their attention to the book. Five weeks later, those same children sit down to listen to the story. Their relationship with the book has changed. They participate in the story when I ask them to. It’s truly rewarding to see them grow.

3. Do you remember a funny story that happened while you were volunteering with us?

When I read a story, I turn the book toward the children so they can see the book and the pictures throughout the reading. While I was reading a story to a group of 4- to 5-year-olds, a boy said to me, “You shouldn’t be reading the story because
you’re not looking at the book!!” I replied, “I read it several times before telling it to you, so I know it by heart.” And he replied: “No, you forgot a word…” Oops!!

4. Is there anything that surprised you (related to your volunteer experience with us, with yourself, etc.)?
As someone who is very serious about my work, I found myself surprised to be developing my creativity and, above all, letting go in order to make my stories fun and dynamic.

5. How do the skills you acquire during your volunteer work with us help you in other areas of your life?
I show more patience and empathy. Construction season is starting! That means trucks, tractors, and construction vehicles will be spotted all over the city. Check out this book and our fun activity to help little readers spot and recognize all the construction sites!

Chloe Karam

  We are delighted to announce our new volunteer of the month for April, Chloe! Congratulations and thank you for volunteering with us.

“Volunteering with minibiblioPLUS has shown me how small moments, like sharing a story, can have a meaningful impact. I’ve learned to become more patient, present, and attentive to each child’s unique way of engaging. Each session highlights the power of storytelling in building confidence and curiosity, through which children learn and express themselves. Seeing them recognize me when I arrive and grow more excited about books each week is incredibly rewarding. Watching their skills develop in real time is a privilege, and I’m grateful to be part of their journey.”

Sharon Sahi

  We are delighted to announce our new volunteer of the month for March, Sharon! Congratulations and thank you for volunteering with us.

“I’ve loved seeing the children grow each week, especially their excitement for books and story time! The babies enjoy participating during stories, looking at pictures, and they get especially excited when they receive their own books to explore each session. The older kids really enjoy the plots and the activities that connect to our weekly stories. One of my favorite parts is how eager they are to share what has happened in their lives since the last time I saw them. They’re always curious about which book we’ll read next, and their growing enthusiasm for stories makes every visit special and rewarding.”

Ranaan Randy Charness

  We are delighted to announce our new volunteer of the month for February, Randy! Congratulations and thank you for volunteering with us.

This month, we share Randy`s thoughts through a video interview. Watch it here :

Gaëlle Alloix

  We are delighted to announce our new volunteer of the month for January, Gaëlle! Congratulations and thank you for volunteering with us.

Here’s what she has to say about her experience:

“I have been volunteering at MinibiblioPlus for several months now, and I enjoy coming in to help every week. I have learned a lot about the work involved in running a library, such as processing, returning, and shelving children’s books. This experience has taught me to be more methodical and attentive to detail.

What surprised me most was realizing that even without being in direct contact with the children, my work contributes to their enjoyment of reading. Volunteering has strengthened my interest in libraries, and I am proud to be part of such a committed community!”

Chantal Bissonnette

  We are delighted to announce our new volunteer of the month for December, Chantal! Congratulations and thank you for volunteering with us.

“Every time I go to a daycare, it’s a story in itself! Here’s one that recounts a joyful enthusiasm for books.

It was October, during the festive Halloween season. I had chosen a fantastical story! It mainly showcased the magical talents of a family of young wizards and witches. For the occasion, I had made a magic wand. As I read the story, I waved my wand to add excitement and bring the onomatopoeia to life: “Zip! Zap! Zop!” Sitting comfortably on the padded mats, the children smiled and listened attentively.

Once the reading was over, the teacher gave the children permission to play, run around, and stretch their legs. I stayed behind with the intention of connecting more with these little ones. While I was helping a little girl build a tower of blocks, a little boy with curly hair and glasses hanging on the tip of his nose came and sat down next to me. With a mischievous look, he grabbed my book and my magic wand. With the wand, he followed the words of each sentence. In his imagination, he was reading me a story. He would sometimes stop to point to a word and ask me, “What’s this word here?” … “And this one?” He was glowing with curiosity. For a moment, he turned into a magician. Eager to activate his little power, he started running toward his friends, and with a wave of his wand and a “Zip! Zap! Zop!”, he rekindled that spark of spontaneous joy in each of them! A precious moment, one of the most magical!”

Carling Cheng

  We are delighted to announce our new volunteer of the month for November, Carling! Congratulations and thank you for volunteering with us.

“I joined minibiblioplus because it gives me the opportunity to work with children and improve my storytelling skills while promoting early literacy. Initially, I was nervous and lacked the confidence when working with children as I’ve never worked with them before.

On my first day, the children were rambunctious and had a difficult time sitting down.  I persisted and I’m glad I did because now whenever it’s story time, they’d sit and listen, enraptured by the stories and colourful illustrations. My belief in the children has also led to further belief in myself that I am capable of far more than I believe.

Story time is one of the most fun and rewarding volunteering experiences I have ever done. I look forward to creating more wonderful memories with the children.”

Karla Soto

  We are delighted to announce our new volunteer of the month for September, Karla! Congratulations and thank you for volunteering with us. Here is what she has to say about her experience:

“Being a story time host at minibiblioPLUS has been a deeply rewarding experience. At first, I was a little shy in front of the young children. I wondered if they would enjoy my readings. However, as we met more and more, they gradually guided me and helped me discover a world filled with words, images, and magical colors. At each session, I was amazed by their curiosity, their ability to listen and understand, and their enjoyment of imitating sounds and making funny facial expressions. This experience allowed me to reconnect with my inner child! I am also very grateful for the welcome and support I received from the minibiblioPLUS team. Thanks to their work, a love of reading can be planted in children’s hearts.

Thank you so much, minibiblioPLUS, for this invaluable contribution! I look forward to continuing to be involved in this wonderful and generous initiative.”

Antora Saha 

Announcing our newest volunteer of the month for August, Antora! Congratulations and thank you for volunteering with us. Here is what she has to say about her experience:

“I think children are like molecules in the air, small, bursting with energy, and brimming with ideas. That’s why the Minibilioplus literacy initiative has always fascinated me: it introduces young minds to the power of reading. Each reading session fills me with anticipation, I’m always eager to see how the children will engage with the story.

These experiences have shaped me into a more empathetic, introspective, and resilient person. I’m honoured to be part of a space where curiosity is nurtured, creativity is celebrated, and young children are given the chance to experience reading, perhaps for the very first time.”