What’s New - Minibiblioplus

Volunteer of the Month – October

October 22, 2025

Audrey Carbone

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

An interview with Audrey:

Have you learned anything (about yourself or others) from volunteering with us?
I have rediscovered my love of reading in parks!

2. Have you seen any growth in the children you read to? Especially in regard to any excitement about books?

When I first started reading at the daycare, there were a number of students where were too shy to interact with the stories. By the 5th story time, they were sharing stories about their week, their vacations, and their favourite colours with me between books (and sometimes during stories). I was able to see the students come out of their shells bit by bit!

3. Can you think of a funny story from during your time volunteering with us?

During one of my story times , a student turned to her friends and said ‘Quiet! Teacher is reading!’ while I was mid sentence.

4. Is there anything that has surprised you (related to your volunteer experience with us, yourself, etc.)?

I was surprised at how excited the students would get every time I came in for story time. They would say ‘teacher is here!’ And then run to the reading spot.

5. How do skills you practice during your time volunteering with us help you in other areas of your life?

Volunteering with Minibiblioplus reminds me to slow down once in a while and be present in the moment and not always think of what needs to be done.

Book of the Month – October 2025

October 22, 2025

minibiblioPLUS

News, Resources, Uncategorized

Our book of the month for October: Go Away Big Green Monster!

“Go Away, Big Green Monster!” by Ed Emberley is an engaging, interactive children’s book designed to help kids face and overcome their fear of monsters.

Through a series of cleverly designed die-cut pages, children build the monster piece by piece, only to take it apart again, page by page.

This playful storytelling technique empowers young readers by giving them control over the monster’s appearance, making the process of confronting fear both fun and reassuring.

Check out our free resource pack here!

Book of the Month – September 2025

September 24, 2025

minibiblioPLUS

News, Resources

Our book of the month for September: Help Wanted: Must Love Books! 😍📖

After her dad gets a new job, Shailey needs a replacement to read her bedtime stories at night. She interviews many candidates, from Sleeping Beauty to Snow White.

Who will be the final reader?❓😮

Enjoy this story and think about your own bedtime routines with your kids!

And, don’t forget to check out our free resource kit here and below:

Volunteer of the Month – September 2025

September 23, 2025

minibiblioPLUS

News, Volunteer of the month

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.”

FHI Literacy Month Seek and Find!

September 11, 2025

minibiblioPLUS

News, Resources

In September we celebrate Literacy Month at the Fraser-Hickson Institute. Join us for a literacy-themed search & find at your local library, and you could win a FREE BOOK from the Fraser Hickson collection!

Literacy Month is an important month to acknowledge because, truly, knowledge is power. Being literate empowers individuals to thrive. What’s more, strong literacy skills are the foundation for education, critical thinking, better career opportunities, healthier choices, and active communities.

When people can read, they can learn, communicate, participate, and grow. And this starts from birth!

So why not make this month count? Come hunt for literacy-themed clues, connect with stories, and be in with a chance to win a book that could spark someone’s next great adventure.

Let’s celebrate the power of reading together; literacy opens doors for everyone.

Summer Reads 2025 – Snow in August!

August 22, 2025

minibiblioPLUS

News, Resources

Snow in August?! Have you ever heard of such a crazy thing? Check out this wonderful book to learn more about it! And don’t forget to visit our resource pack to learn how you can make your own snow this summer.

Volunteer of the Month: August 2025

August 20, 2025

minibiblioPLUS

News, Volunteer of the month

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.”

Literacy Thoughts #1

August 19, 2025

minibiblioPLUS

blog

Our team reflects on literacy, rooted in our experiences and areas of expertise.

Today: Zoë Whittall, Communications Coordinator.

“As a child, my parents read to me almost every night, instilling in me a love of books and stories. This early reading experience shaped my imagination, but it also shaped my future. It led me to pursue a master’s degree in English literature and work towards a master’s in library and information studies.

Today, working in communications for an early literacy nonprofit allows me to turn that personal passion into impact. Unfortunately, though, passion alone is not enough. Montreal is seeing a troubling rise in the number of kindergarten-aged children identified as vulnerable in critical areas of development.

In just a decade, this figure has increased from 25.6% to 28.9% (EQDEM, 2022), a change we can’t afford to ignore.

Literacy is a school issue, yes. But more than that, it’s a societal one. The Fraser Hickson Library’s minibiblioPLUS initiatives address this challenge head-on, offering a comprehensive, bilingual approach to early literacy development.

These programs distribute books while simultaneously building bridges between families, educators, and communities, fostering early skills that lay the groundwork for long-term academic and social success.

When we invest in early literacy, we’re shaping the trajectory of future generations and strengthening the social fabric of our city and province.

I am proud to be a part of an organization committed to taking action in ensuring our youngest minds have access to the resources they need to thrive.”

Source:

https://santepubliquemontreal.ca/professionnels-et-partenaires/thematiques-de-sante-publique/enquete-quebecoise-sur-le-developpement-des-enfants-la-maternelle-eqdem#:~:text=claire%2C%20connaissances%20g%C3%A9n%C3%A9rales.-,Statistiques%20%2D%20EQDEM%202022,(CLSC)%20et%20des%20voisinages.

Welcome

August 19, 2025

minibiblioPLUS

blog

Welcome to Our Blog: Your Early Literacy Resource Hub

We are thrilled to launch the Fraser-Hickson Institute blog, a new space dedicated to advancing early literacy across Québec.

This blog will bring you insightful, thought‑provoking pieces from our own team at the Fraser‑Hickson Institute, alongside contributions from literacy advocates and experts from communities near and far.

Whether you’re an educator, caregiver, researcher, or a curious reader, you’ll find articles that dig into literacy trends, research breakthroughs, and hands‑on strategies, rooted in Québec’s vibrant, multilingual fabric.

Stay tuned for our first post – the first in our series of literacy thoughts from our team!