- 700,000 children to benefit from free programming and resources this summer at more than 2,000 public libraries across Canada and tdsummerreadingclub.ca -

• TD Summer Reading Club is back! @TDNews_Canada shares all the details at http://bit.ly/1xKEVNK (Tweet this)
• @TDNews_Canada shares the Top 20 Recommended Reads for Summertime Play as part of the TD Summer Reading Club. http://bit.ly/1xKEVNK (Tweet this)

TORONTO, June 16, 2015 /CNW/ - For 18 years, TD Bank Group has encouraged millions of children to visit their local library to experience the joy of reading through the TD Summer Reading Club. In partnership with the Toronto Public Library and Library and Archives Canada, the program is designed to help children develop a passion for reading, while helping maintain their literacy skills during the summer. This year's TD Summer Reading Club launches today in Montreal and Edmonton with the unveiling of the Top 20 Recommended Reads for Summertime Play.

"Summer is a time when fun, play and imagination know no bounds and we believe that reading should be an essential part of this experience. Through the TD Summer Reading Club we encourage kids to see reading as play and discover the joy that can be found in a great book," said Frank McKenna, Deputy Chair, TD Bank Group. "Public libraries are at the heart of the program and integral to shaping kids' love of reading. TD is proud to support reading and literacy programs that foster a joy of reading, while building crucial literacy skills to help children succeed at school and beyond."

TD Summer Reading Club is a free and inclusive bilingual program that strives to engage all children in the joy of reading during the summer months. Developed by Toronto Public Library, it is embraced by public libraries nationwide with the support of Library and Archives Canada and TD Bank Group. More than 2,000 public libraries across Canadawill offer family-friendly programs to help 700,000 children continue to read throughout the summer. In 2014, TD earmarked an additional $5 million to support the TD Summer Reading Program until 2017.

"Reading is a doorway to so many worlds. Library and Archives Canada is proud to support programs in Canadian libraries that encourage reading, especially among children," said Dr. Guy Berthiaume, Librarian and Archivist ofCanada, Library and Archives Canada. "The TD Summer Reading Club engages hundreds of thousands of young readers every summer. I can't think of a better introduction to the world of libraries, learning, and literacy."

Benefits of summertime reading
According to a recent poll by TD Bank Group, 66 per cent of Canadian parents feel summer reading is extremely important, but 37 per cent do not believe their children read enough during the summer.

Not only is it important to encourage children to continue to read during the summer months, research indicates that summer reading clubs can have a positive impact on children. For example, evidence suggests that summer reading clubs are effective tools for keeping summer learning loss at bay and improving children's reading performance, while contributing to increased reading and to reading more widely. Summer reading research also generally supports the hypothesis that involvement in summer reading programs increases reading enjoyment.¹

"Reading is a great way to enjoy many quintessential summer moments and studies show that children who keep reading during the summer do better when they return to school in the fall," said Lisa Heggum, Child & Youth Advocate, Toronto Public Library. "We are proud to bring back the TD Summer Reading Club to libraries across the country. Having kids continue to read throughout the summer can fuel creativity and stimulate a child's vocabulary and imagination."

2015 TD Summer Reading Club
The TD Summer Reading Club makes it easy for kids to keep reading all summer long by connecting families with books, inspiring a sense of play through reading, building confidence and celebrating accomplishments. Parents can simply register their child at their local library to get access to free incentives and resources, including:  

• a summer reading kit including a reading notebook and 12 collectable stickers to help kids set their reading goals, track their progress and explore the benefits of reading 
• programs and activities organized at their local library
• access to tdsummerreadingclub.ca where kids can discover new books to read, write book reviews, enjoy e-books, share jokes, write stories, learn how to draw, track their reading and connect with kids across the country
• an introduction to the Top 20 Recommended Reads for Summertime Play which were selected by children's librarians and include 10 English and 10 French books by Canadian authors and illustrators to help kids of any age or reading ability get started on their summer reading adventures

As part of this year's launch, the Edmonton Public Library also invited 35 local kids to tap into their inner artist by creating a mural out of recycled paper along with Josée Bisaillon, the 2015 TD Summer Reading Club's award-winning illustrator.

"As a longtime participant of the TD Summer Reading Club and advocate for early literacy from a young age throughout the school years, the Edmonton Public Library is thrilled to help launch the 2015 program," said Pilar Martinez, Deputy CEO, Edmonton Public Library. "Play is a great theme as summer is a time of play, which also means learning, creating and discovering."

To learn more about the 2015 TD Summer Reading Club, visit tdsummerreadingclub.ca and tdreads.com.

About the TD Summer Reading Poll
TD Bank Group commissioned Research House Inc. to conduct an online survey of Canadian parents 18 years of age or older with a child 3 to 12 years of age. Responses were collected between May 25 and June 1, 2015.

About TD's Commitment to Children's Literature 
The ability to read is often taken for granted. This skill is paramount to success during school years and beyond, which is why TD believes it's important to get children reading and to foster a lifelong joy of reading. Since 2000, TD has invested more than $30 million to support literacy and reading programs at local schools and public libraries across Canada.

¹http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/009003/f2/009003-06-040-e.pdf 

SOURCE TD Bank Group

Image with caption: "Students from McKernan School joined Lisa Colangelo, Vice-President, Edmonton District, TD Bank Group; Dr. Guy Berthiaume, Librarian and Archivist of Canada, Library and Archives Canada; Josée Bisaillon, award-winning illustrator; and, Lisa Heggum, Child and Youth Advocate, Toronto Public Library, to launch the 2015 TD Summer Reading Club event at the Edmonton Public Library (CNW Group/TD Bank Group)". Image available at:http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150616_C5760_PHOTO_EN_18138.jpg