NOVEMBER 21, 2025 HIGHLIGHTS: MUNSCH AND OTHER FAVOURITES…MANAGING ‘CELEBRITY’ STATUS…WINTER TERM…HEALTH FIRST…

MUNSCH AND OTHER FAVOURITES

Many of us have favourite storybooks that we never outgrow.  Robert Munsch’s books are definitely on that list!  While his books are often beyond the reading level of the children in VRP they are wonderful read-alouds.  Their rhythm, humour and predictable repetition invite children to join in and help them gain reading confidence. 

Robert Munsch recently announced that he is donating his entire personal archive to the Guelph Public Library.  He has a long history of sharing early drafts of his work through live readings there.  Check out this recent CBC feature. (you can read the article as well as watch an interview with Dan Atkins the CEO of Guelph Public Library).  Let Kristina know who you want to add to the list of VRP FAVOURITE AUTHORS AND STORYBOOKS.

MANAGING ‘CELEBRITY’ STATUS

A fun situation popped up recently when some former VRP participants, now in grade 2, enthusiastically tried to ‘invite themselves’ into a current reading session.  While it is heartwarming to see how loved volunteers are it also means setting gentle boundaries.  Kudos to the volunteer who handled it perfectly by being warm, friendly and firm when they redirected these students back to their class.  Consider this a charming side effect of VRPs growing ‘celebrity status’.  If you encounter similar situations, please reach out to your SC.

WINTER TERM

The Winter Term is Monday, January 6 to Friday, March 13.  Your Winter Volunteer Schedules are in the works.  If you haven’t already heard from your SC or Kristina – you will soon!  Thank you for your flexibility and continued dedication to your weekly/biweekly VRP days and times.  Your consistency makes an enormous difference to the little readers.

HEALTH FIRST

Cold and flu season is here so please take care of yourself.  If you’re feeling under the weather don’t hesitate to reach out to your reading team to try and arrange for a sub.  And, if you need hand sanitizer in your VRP bins there is always more available!