Stories About Friendship

The Ottawa Public Library is back to share stories about Friendship. This month’s post is by Ann-Marie (Annie) Miller, Supervising Librarian, Children’s Department at the Ruth E. Dickinson Library.

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The world is just a better place when you have a friend.  Sometimes it is not all that easy to be a friend, or to have one.  Friendship is never instant or guaranteed.  Nevertheless, the process of becoming a friend can be rewarding.  Here are a few books celebrating the joys of friendship in its many forms.

Bear Can’t Sleep by Karma Wilson; illustrated by Jane Chapman

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1126750026

 If you have yet to meet up with Bear and his circle of friends, this latest book is a great introduction to the series.  Bear should hibernate, but he just cannot get to sleep.  This is when his friends -  Mouse, Hare, Badger, Gopher, Mole, Raven and Wren -  all gather round to help out.  In rhyming text and luscious illustrations, we read about the friends making hot milk and singing lullabies.  When Bear sits up and begins to tell a story for his friends, he finally puts himself to sleep.  There are lots of books about Bear and his friends and you can read these stories to children from newborn to 5 years old.

Giraffe and Bird by Rebecca Bender

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/617329026

 Giraffe and Bird annoy each other all the time.  Bird makes faces at Giraffe; Giraffe sticks his tongue out at Bird; Bird tweets in Giraffe’s ear; and Giraffe glares back at Bird.  So it goes all day long each one annoying the other until finally they just walk away.  When the big storm comes in at night, though, each one wishes the other was close by.  So, in the lonely light of day, they seek out one another once again.  Giraffe and Bird are the most annoying of friends but they just cannot abide being apart. This is only the first of four Gerald and bird stories each one illustrated with Rebecca’s expressive drawings.   They will help to shed a little light on sibling struggles for those two to five years old in your household.

Poetree by Shauna LaVoy Reynolds; illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1174168026

 Shy Sylvia delights in writing poetry for her favourite tree.  She hides her poems in the tree’s branches and one day a new poem falls out of the tree landing at her feet.   Someone else is writing poems. At first Sylvia believes that the tree is writing back to her;  that the tree is a new friend.  Then Sylvia finds out that it is Walt, a classmate, who is writing the poems.  Sylvia and Walt form a new friendship composing poems for their tree and for one another while sitting together under the branches.  Their poems are a delight to read.  This is a lovely, rich story joyfully illustrated for those 5 to 7 years old.

Harold and Hog Pretend For Real! by Dan Santat

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1167672026

Every Grade One child loves to read about Mo Willem’s Elephant and Piggie.  Harold and Hog idolize them, too, and do their best to pretend to be Elephant and Piggie.  They discover that Hog is too careful to be Piggie and Harold is too carefree to be Elephant.  However, it is still fun to pretend to be best friends when you actually are best friends. A great addition to the early reading shelf for children 5 to 7 years old.

 Come Over to My House by Dr. Seuss; illustrated by Katie Kath

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/983845026

 If your child started out reading with Hop on Pop and The Cat in the Hat, they will dive into this slightly more advanced reader with enthusiasm.  In finely crafted rhyming text, Dr. Seuss takes us on a worldwide adventure exploring houses and customs on every continent.  It doesn’t matter where you are in the world the reader is invited to ‘come over and play’.  We find that all houses all over the world are alike ‘when a friend asks you in’.  This book will expand your child’s world and keep those 6 and 7 years old reading.

Wolfie & Fly Band on the Run by Cary Fagan; illustrated by Zoe Si

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1078918026

Renata Wolfman is always called Wolfie by her neighbour, Livingston Flott.  Wolfie calls Livingston, Fly. Wolfie likes to read and learn new things; Fly likes to have imaginative adventures.  There is a talent show coming up at school and Wolfie’s parents are encouraging her to enter.  Wolfie is happier just learning about her interest of the day – helicopters.  That is all before Fly comes in through the window with his guitar and gets Wolfie drumming along with to his new song.  Fly’s imagination takes off and before long it’s like the two of them are on stage in a stadium performing before thousands of screaming fans.  When they come back to the kitchen, they are ready to take on the annual Talent Show.  An entertaining story for those 7 or 8 years old.

Tom Swift Inventor’s Academy: the Drone Pursuit  by Victor Appleton https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1167734026

Tom and Noah have spent the weekend building a surveillance drone and now they want to test it out in the hallways of their school, the prestigious Swift Academy.  When their drone is spotted, they park it unobtrusively in the ceiling just outside a classroom.  When they go to retrieve the drone after class, it is gone.  So, begins the mystery.  Who has taken the drone, where is it now and why was it taken?  Tom and his friends worry that the theft is mixed up with an attempt to hack into the high tech company next door – the company owned by Tom’s father.  It takes quite a lot of adventuresome sleuthing to uncover the truth.  This is an exciting early novel for children 9 to 12 years old.  There are more mysteries to come in this series.

Journey of the Pale Bear by Susan Fletcher

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1145907026

A fatherless boy and a newly captured polar bear are an unlikely pair to form the bonds of lifelong friendship yet this is exactly what happens when they meet.  The boy, Arthur, is a runaway looking for his Father’s family and hoping to obtain his inheritance.  The bear is a gift from the King of Norway to the King of England and the year is 1252.  Arthur’s only hope of gaining passage to England is to sign onto the ship transporting the bear and to become the bear’s caregiver.  As it turns out, Arthur has a way with animals and the pair develops a true understanding of one another.  Whether they are dealing with the bullies on board ship, a pirate attack, a shipwreck or their run through the countryside, Arthur and the bear stick together. This novel is based on the true story of a pale bear kept in the menagerie at the Tower of London by King Henry III.  The bear lived for many years and this version suggests it was because of the gentle care given to it by his friend, Arthur. A unique plotline for this age group but there is enough adventure here to engage those 10 to 12 years old.

Hidden Gem 

Gus & Me: The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar by Keith Richards; illustrated by Theodora Richards

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/item/show/792141026

 Yes, this is a picture book by that Keith Richards and it is illustrated by his daughter, Theodora.  The book recounts Keith’s close relationship with his Grandfather formed during their long walks together throughout Keith’s childhood.  Grandfather Gus lived in a ‘house full of instruments and cake’ and had been a ‘soldier, a baker and the leader of a dance band’.  It was Gus who handed Keith his first guitar and challenged him to learn how to play it.  Each double page spread is illustrated with Theodora’s fanciful drawings. This is a book and CD set which means you can have the text read to you by Keith himself.  The back matter includes a set of family photos.  This is what I call a picture book for adults.  Keep the tissues close at hand.

Water Safety Tips with KidsCanSwim Canada

Drowning can happen very quickly. Families and caregivers play a vital role in teaching kids to learn to swim and behave safely in and around water. Joining us on the blog today is locally-owned swim school, KidsCanSwim Canada.

Located in Ottawa’s West End, KidsCanSwim boutique facility specializes in small class sizes and science-based learning. Their personalized approach, sparkling clean pools, and commitment to delivering an exceptional experience to you and your child makes for an enjoyable swimming lesson for all. AND you don’t have to worry about cold water! Their pool is a constant 32°C warm, with UV-filtered water and sparkling clean change rooms.

We asked the team at KidsCanSwim to share with us some important tips that everyone should be familiar with when it comes to water safety:

Never swim alone

Consider bringing a buddy or two with you while you swim. If someone gets in trouble the other can call for help! Never grab on to your buddy to save them, use a rescue aid such as a lifejacket or a noodle to reach for them from a safe stable distance.

Always wear a lifejacket or PFD

This applies to more than just boating! Any sort of activity where there is a risk of falling in the water either from a great height or a great speed is a major risk for even the best of swimmers. Did you know there is a difference between lifejackets and PFD’s? A lifejacket is an emergency device designed to keep its occupants head upright and provide buoyancy while a PFD (Personal Floatation Device) is simply designed for buoyancy. When choosing your lifejacket or PFD consider a bright colour so you can stand out in a body of water.

Take swimming lessons

While this might be obvious, swimming lessons are a very powerful defence against accidental drownings. Consider a program such as KidsCanSwim that will focus on fast progression of swimmer’s swimming abilities and water safety elements.

Take a lifesaving course

If you are passionate about water and want to learn lifesaving skills that can be applied in everyday life consider registering for a bronze medallion or bronze cross course. These courses are specifically designed to equip candidates with skills to perform various rescues in a variety of different scenarios. First aid courses are also an option, they are short and provide a wide variety of tools for anyone!

Watch your kids while swimming

The majority of accidental drownings happen when kids are swimming unsupervised and an accidental drowning can happen in as little as 30 seconds or roughly 2 Instagram stories. Always watch your kids when they are swimming,  even when there are lifeguards around. Lifeguards are there to respond in emergency situations – you are always responsible for your child’s safety in and around water.

To keep your kids safe around the water visit KidsCanSwim’s website and register for one of their private or semi-private classes, which have recently re-opened with safety measures in place to keep families safe.  Find out more by visiting them online at https://www.kidscanswimcanada.ca, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram!

Disclosure: This is a paid, sponsored blog post with KidsCanSwim.

Bonding over video games

If you asked me if I would have spent an enormous amount of my time this spring and summer playing a game called Animal Crossing, I definitely wouldn’t have thought the answer would be yes.

But several months ago, my teen asked me if I wanted to play, and when I said yes, we proceeded to spend more time talking and having something in common to bond over then we have in a long time.

Animal Crossing

Photo of Nintendo Switch with Animal Crossing Game

Animal Crossing has a lot of fun ways that you can have special moments with folks. If you’re playing with people on a different island, you can go for visits and you can mail them presents. If you’re in the same family/playing on the same Nintendo Switch you can also send mail or do what I do and drop off gifts in front of the kids’ houses.

We’ve been able to plan out parts of the islands and figure out how to create hybrid flowers together, making for lots of opportunities for great conversations and time spent together.

It’s not really about the game

The thing is, the video game was the topic, but it’s really about meeting them where they’re at. We don’t have a lot we both want to do any more. Animal Crossing turned out to be a blessing because I really do enjoy the game. And since then I’ve been introduced to quite a few other games (most of which I am not particularly interested in ) and the kids get really invested in trying to show me how to play or being amused at just how many times I can NOT land that jump in Celeste or at how confused I am about what I’m supposed to be doing in Paper Mario or trying to get me to take on my Rhythm Heaven Fever challenges with them. ;)

It works beyond video games too

My husband has been watching a lot of anime with our teen lately on Crunchyroll (and Netflix has many of the Studio Ghibli films available). He enjoys Anime but hasn’t really spent time watching any since he was in his twenties. This gives them something that is for them and gives them a reason to hang out together.

I have another friend who chooses and watches a show regularly with their teen - it’s not always a show they particularly want to watch, but it’s really not about that, and we need to remember that when saying yay or nay.

Next time you see an opportunity to connect on something, even if it wouldn’t be YOUR choice of things, it may make for the perfect chance to bond with a kid who seems more inclined to hang out by themselves in their room than with you any more.

In case you’re here for the Animal Crossing part, I want to share a few of my tips for the game ;):

• There is a money rock on your island every day. Hit it with your shovel (not your axe) as fast as you can after creating a way to not bounce away (I dig holes or bounce against a flat surface) and you’ll get more bells (this works for getting more resources too - you can get up to eight).

• Save all the fish and bugs in your storage for the days that Flick and CJ come to buy them from you. You’ll get more bells that way.

• You can catch the wasps almost every time if you’re holding your net when you’re shaking a tree, facing the tree from the front and immediately turn in the directly the nest falls and swing. The wasps are worth at least 2500 bells so it’s worth it.

• There is at least one item hiding in a tree on your island every day, sometimes more. I like to shake the trees looking for items and wasps.

The Importance of Having a Legal Will

When was the last time you updated your Will? Do you even have a Will? Did you know that without a Will, if you and your child’s other parent were to die, who they would live with is uncertain?

I wanted to learn more about the importance of having a Will and if having one made with a lawyer was important or just something some people do. To get the answers I wanted, I spoke with Vinayak Ethiraju from Ottawa law firm, Fresh Legal.

I will start by saying this – prior to writing this blog post, I thought printing a Will kit off the Internet, filling in the blanks and safely filing it in a drawer was all I needed to do to make sure my child and my assets were covered should my husband I pass away. Suffice to say, I was wrong and my husband and I have since booked a call to have a written Legal Will made.

Why it’s important to have a Will

Having a Will provides certainty. When you pass away, you want certainty of knowing how your estate is going to be distributed; who’s in charge of your estate and also, depending on your current life situation, that your kids, other assets, funeral arrangements, and religious beliefs are addressed in accordance to what you want and believe in.

If you die without a Will, the law says that you have died “intestate,” which means that you left no instructions as to how your property is to be divided and distributed and so a provincial act will govern how your property will be distributed to your surviving relatives. If you are married, this will probably mean a spouse gets everything. If a spouse and kids are left behind then your estate would generally be divided between them. Most people are okay with that, but you may still want specific arrangements for say a godchild or special needs sibling, etc. Having a Will makes sure you’re taking care of all those people the best way you can – with certainty.

What happens if parents die and children are left behind – and there’s no Will?

When one parent dies and the parents are married or separated, the surviving child(ren) go to the surviving parent, unless there is just cause as to why this should not happen. If both parents die and kids are left without a Will stating who they will live with, then it is considered a live issue. A Will can assign a person(s) to be guardian(s) of children as well as assign a guardian of their property. A Will makes it certain of who is responsible otherwise it is up to the state to figure that out and that can be messy and put children in what is already an awful situation.

When deciding on who children should live with and who should manage their property, make sure you discuss it with your spouse. As well, make sure whoever is assigned to manage the property for the children is someone you trust. Deciding this and putting it into a Will offers peace of mind for all involved parties.

How often should I review my will? 

Vinayak recommends having a Will reviewed every two to three years, but other events can also trigger a Will to be void or warrant a change. For example, if you have a Will made before a marriage and then get married – your Will becomes void. Your Will should also be reviewed with every child. As well, a Will should be altered upon a separation or divorce. Unlike when you get married, a Will is not void upon separation or divorce. You always want to make sure your Will reflects your current wishes.

As well, if you are in a common-law relationship it is a good idea to have a Will if you want your common-law partner to inherit part of your assets, otherwise, they will likely get nothing – similar to how family law works.

How easy is it to change a Will?

Changing a Will is pretty straightforward. Depending on the changes sometimes a draft document with amendments (a codicil) can be made and other times the entire Will is redone to avoid multiple documents. 

Do I need to see the same lawyer who first drafted the Will when I need changes?

No, you can take your Will to any lawyer, but it may be easier to use the same lawyer since they will have the original on file. It may also cost less.

What are the benefits of having a Will made using a lawyer versus a Will kit?

Making a Will without using a lawyer will cost you far more in the long run. Most people who make a Will themselves do it wrong. Lawyers go to law school for a reason – they know the law! And lawyers also add an extra layer of protection in terms of legal capacity.

Wills are often challenged on a person’s capacity to make the choices they made, especially if someone doesn’t like something you did in your will. If a lawyer drafts the Will then there are multiple layers of protection to prove capacity, including an intake sheet, the lawyer asking the person to set out assets, and typically within the initial phone call, a lawyer can make sure a person has the capacity to assign assets, assign the powers of attorney, etc.

If a Will made with a lawyer is ever challenged, a lawyer will have notes to help in establishing your capacity. Remember, a lawyer should have no vested interest in your estate compared to a friend or family member who would.

If you do your Will wrong and your Will is not enforceable in that people can’t do anything with it, then all that effort is for nothing. If it causes more problems than it solves, you are leaving the mess of dealing with your assets and debts, and possibly your children, up to your surviving family to wade through.

You need someone objective to give you honest answers and challenge assumptions – a lawyer can do that! 

What is a Power of Attorney and why is having one important? 

There are two types of Power of Attorney:

For personal care – i.e., helps make health care decisions should you be incapable of making the decisions yourself i.e., you are in a coma. This person would take over and make decisions for you.

For property – to manage your assets. Again, if you were incapable, someone with Power of Attorney for Property will manage finances, pay your bills, etc. 

Your Power of Attorney has significant power. Make sure you choose someone you trust and knows your wishes, such as a close family member. You want to select someone you know will follow your wishes, and not abuse their power – no matter what.

If you do not have a Power of Attorney for Personal Care then the decisions can be made by certain family members listed in a provincial act called the Health Care Consent Act. In some cases, a provincial body called the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee can become involved to deal with your personal care decisions and to manage your finances. This process can be far more frustrating and less predictable for you and your family members.

When you have a legal Will made, you can also ask your lawyer to prepare Powers of Attorney in separate documents as a part of your estate planning.

Creating a Will can be difficult, but Vinayak’s personable, friendly and ability to explain legal terms in a way I could understand gave me reassurance that having a Legal Will is not only important, but it’s also necessary!

If you want to learn more or are ready to get a Will, contact Vinayak. He’s currently offering virtual appointments and is available by phone 613-627-4800 or email vinayak@freshlegal.ca

Celebrate your birthday with Dexter the Dinosaur

Because we know how important celebrating birthdays are (for the young and for the young at heart), we recently shared some Pandemic Birthday Party ideas. And while we may not be able to gather in groups right now and celebrate with big parties, there are many things we can still do to celebrate, including receiving a free special message from the City of Ottawa’s favourite dinosaur, Dexter!

Get started by messaging Ottawa Recreation and Culture on Facebook with your child’s birthday information and name to receive a personalized message from Dexter! Please give at least two days’ notice. If you're not on social media and want a birthday message from Dexter you can email rcfssocialmedia@ottawa.ca.

#DinoChallege

Not celebrating a birthday, but still want to have some dino-sized fun? Alongside the colouring pages that have been posted to their social media pages every Friday, Ottawa Recreation and Culture have also started the Dino Challenge (with more to come). Keep an eye on their page for more Dexter antics!

After all, who doesn’t love a dancing dinosaur?