Get ready for Back to School

Let the SDG Library help ensure that your kids hit the ground running this September with our online resources, books, and programming.

1) cloudLibrary

Ready, set, read! Explore our collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks for kids on the cloudLibrary app.  Kids Mode features an interface specifically geared toward children to enhance their digital library experience, and it helps make browsing easier for our youngest readers. Some of the highlights include brighter and more attractive colors, bigger buttons, and kid-friendly browsing and searching. This app is also great for those long bus rides. Download an eaudiobook or ebook to enjoy anywhere - No Wifi needed! Plus they will automatically return when their due date arrives, meaning our forgetful teens have one less thing to worry about. 

2) World Book

From our littlest learners in preschool, through the elementary years and into middle school, World Book is here to help you find reliable, trustworthy information to use for school papers and projects (or even just to quench that thirst for knowledge).

It has some cool features that help make research interesting: pictures, video clips, maps, timelines, interactive games, animations, science projects, sound clips, and much more!

3) The Canadian Encyclopedia

Welcome to our own national encyclopedia. This is a 1-stop shop about all things Canadian. Engage with Canadian history and culture with over 30,000 multimedia items, including articles, videos, images, maps, and games.  Educators and Students can delve deeper into topics with education guides, curated exhibits, timelines, classroom resources, quizzes and study guides.

4) Mango Languages

This is an interactive learning tool that uses sound and visual display to help immerse users in over 40 different languages and over 15 English as a Second Language (ESL) courses taught in the native language.

5) Kanopy Kids

Stream videos from a curated selection of educational and enriching videos on Kanopy Kids with developmentally appropriate, age-based ratings from Common Sense Media.

6) Novelist K-8 Plus

Is a trusted source of read-alike recommendations specifically for younger readers and helps kids find books that are just right for their reading level and interests. Parents and teachers can also find tools to teach with books and engage young readers.

7) Phonics Kits

Each kit has a variety of books and activities to help children develop phonics skills. Many of the kits are themed around crowd-favorite characters such as Pete the Cat, Paw Patrol, Pinkalicious, and Marvel, so your little ones will be excited to learn alongside their favorite fictional friends.

8) Nature Backpacks

Learn more about nature, whether it's exploring the backyard or a local park, trail or conservation area with our Nature Backpacks. Each bilingual kit comes with 2 or more books and activities on the topic as well as equipment that enables you to get outside and delve into the wonders of the world around you.

9) Homework Helpers

Each kit provides educational support in the form of fun, informative activities and learning exercises that encourage and challenge children to develop their skills in a wide variety of subjects. Available for grades 1-6, kits are composed of print and visual elements, including textbooks, games, and worksheets. Activities combine grades that span an age range to accommodate different styles of learning and different reading/comprehension levels. Kits also include reading recommendations and rating cards to help you rate your child’s experience.

10) Books

If you've pondered it, imagined it, or needed it—your answer can be found in our collection. Our staff have created curated lists specifically geared for kids and teens. Consider these back-to-school reads or find your own by searching our catalogue.

The Crayons Go Back to School

Back to School With Bigfoot

All Are Welcome

11) Programs & Events

No matter what your child’s interests, we have lots of free events, resources and programs to fuel the imagination and encourage learning

Visit our Kids' Page to see the latest reading recommendations from our staff, check out new additions to our collection, and discover free and fun events.