Latest news with #AnneOfGreenGables
CBC
10-06-2025
- General
- CBC
Donation of Turkish-language books expands Charlottetown library's multilingual collection
Social Sharing The Charlottetown Library Learning Centre has added another language section to its multilingual collection. Dilek Yesil, a member of the Turkish community in P.E.I., donated 20 Turkish-language books of a variety of genres to the library. "It wasn't easy to choose, but there are children's books… there are fictions, poetry and there are authors who are internationally recognized Turkish authors," Yesil said. "We have been living here for five years now, and this Island gave us so many opportunities." Donating books to the library was a way to give back to the community while also honouring the memory of her father, who died of lung cancer 25 years ago. "He valued education and especially new language learning," Yesil said. "There is a saying in Turkish: to speak a new language is to gain a new soul. This is one of the reasons that we donated these books." 'Cultural richness' Before moving to P.E.I., Yesil connected with and started building what was then a rather small Turkish community. Now, there are more than 100 people who are part of that community. "Islanders are not those who [are] born here and raised here. We are also the Islanders who choose to make here as our homes, and we are proud to contribute [to] the cultural richness here," she said. "We know them, so maybe it's a good idea to know us." Yesil said three of the donated books stand out to her as being important contributions: a Turkish edition of Anne of Green Gables, a picture dictionary and a book by the founder of the modern-day republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Meeting the community's needs Until Yesil's donation, the Charlottetown library had no Turkish-language books, said Krystal Dionne, a regional librarian with the P.E.I. Public Library Service. While they've only been on the shelf for a few weeks, some of them have already been borrowed. "I think that the library — as we evolve into these community hubs as we have been doing — it just provides people with exposure to new cultures, new ideas, new information," Dionne said. "This is just another addition to that... way of interacting with our community." The library is always looking to expand its multilingual collection, which currently features about a dozen languages, Dionne said. But material in some languages is easier to access than others, she said, which can make it a bit more challenging to expand the number of multilingual titles compared to English ones. "We're definitely here to serve the entire population, and as our community grows and changes and evolves we want to meet their needs in the best way that we can." Dionne said the library benefits from donations like Yesil's. "To have this addition given to us in such a lovely way is really wonderful to see and it really helps us expand our growing collection," she said.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Opinion: Read with your child to avoid the "Summer slide"
School is out and summer is here. Parents may be seeking creative activities for their children to make the best use of their time and imagination. Let's not forget ways to encourage reading and fostering a love of books, during the school break, to slow down the 'Summer Slide.' That is where academic skills, including reading, tend to diminish during the summer months. A paper published by Home Libraries noted, '… on average, students' achievement scores decline over summer vacation by the equivalent of one month of learning.' So, what should parents and caregivers do to keep a check on that decline? One way is for parents and caregivers to try and remember being your child's age and what books you read and loved that stayed with you throughout the years. For me, it was 'I Love You, Stinky Face' by Lisa McCourt. For others, it might have been some version of Aesop's Fables, Dr. Seuss, or 'Good Night Moon.' If you take just 15-20 minutes per day to read to and with your children, you will spend quality time together while sparking a love for books and reading that will carry into continued learning as they grow older. Michelle Stantial, special education teacher in Houston, Texas, and owner of Woodland Havens Counseling, recently wrote about when she was younger and she and her mother took turns reading the 'Anne of Green Gables' series. Today? Who knows? Maybe it's Harry Potter, Pete the Cat, or some other popular book. 'Choose a chapter book that you both can enjoy — adventure stories, mysteries, or books with strong characters are great choices,' Stantial said 'Set aside 20–30 minutes a few evenings a week to read aloud together. Then, talk about the characters and what might happen next.' If you want to take it a step further, have your child dress like one of the characters in the book you are reading. Whatever you do to keep them engaged with books, it will lead to setting them up for success and offering quality time with them. This is important to know. The 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) concluded that average reading scores on the NAEP fell three points from 2019 to 2022. That was the largest decline since 1990. 'Understanding that it is in the first years of life that a child's future educational success is determined, you as a parent or caregiver are their first and most important teacher,' said Early Learning Coalition of Brevard County's Board Chair and former teacher, Alan Bergman. 'It is our passion and our mission to celebrate literacy efforts across the County.' As you think about this, keep the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard in mind. We have several reading opportunities and events for your child, so let's not have this summer be a forgotten chapter in their learning progression. Laura Gambino is the Chief Executive Officer of the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard Here are Summer reading events and activities sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard County: sponsored programs (open to the public) include: locations at Taylor Park (Cocoa), Orchid Lake Housing (Cocoa), The HUB at Endeavor Elementary School (Cocoa), Coastal Health Systems (Rockledge), Lutheran Church of the Resurrection (Cocoa Beach), United Methodist Church (Mims), Just for Kids (Titusville), Neighbor Up – The Dock (Melbourne), Boys & Girls Club (Melbourne), and the ELCB office (Melbourne) story time sessions are held at various locations throughout Brevard County with themes that include Healthcare Heroes, a space-themed Soaring into Summer, and the Dog Days of Summer. Click to view our upcoming events: – register your child, aged 0-5, for a free book each month delivered to your home. Register here: – the first in Brevard County will open in Provost Park, Cocoa, in late July. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Spark a love of reading ib your children by reading with them
CBC
03-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Is your favourite show CanCon enough? Here's why the definition of Canadian content may get a reboot
What's your favourite bit of CanCon? Maybe Schitt's Creek, which aired on CBC but also streamed on Netflix, comes to mind. Perhaps some iteration of Anne of Green Gables. Or maybe a classic David Cronenberg flick like Dead Ringers? These are all considered to be CanCon — shorthand for Canadian content, it refers to film and television productions made in Canada by Canadians. But maybe you have a favourite show like CBS's Tracker, which airs on Global TV in Canada. It's one of the most watched shows on broadcast and streaming according to the Nielsen ratings, a U.S.-based audience measurement system. It's filmed in British Columbia and employs Canadians, but it's not considered CanCon. That matters because broadcasters in this country have obligations to ensure that a minimum percentage of the content they distribute to viewers meets government CanCon requirements to ensure Canadian stories are available on Canadian TV screens or streaming devices. On-demand streaming changed the game, with global companies like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+ dominating the market. But they haven't been held to the same CanCon standards as traditional Canadian broadcasters, and the streaming companies say it's not realistic to expect them to do so. That's not necessarily something that's on the minds of viewers when they settle into the couch and reach for the remote or the laptop. So here's what you need to know about CanCon and the challenge of getting Canadian eyes on it. I just want to watch my shows. What do I care? Canada's broadcasting regulator, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), is at a bit of a fork in the road when it comes to CanCon. The reason there are CanCon requirements is to ensure that Canadian stories and points of view don't get drowned out by the flood of content flowing in from the U.S. "We are a small market in a big world and we sit next to a very experienced, prolific producer of content," said Dave Forget, executive director of the Directors Guild of Canada. "There should be some shelf space for the Canadian stories so that Canadians can also see themselves in their own experience." In 2023, Canada's Online Streaming Act came into effect, updating broadcasting laws to include content streaming services. It meant that foreign streaming companies would not only have to promote or recommend Canadian programming on their platforms, but streamers making $25 million or more in Canada will have to start paying five per cent of their domestic revenue to support the production of Canadian media content. The CRTC estimates that the levy would raise around $200 million a year and said the funding would be used to boost local and Indigenous broadcasting. But now the CRTC is also looking into updating what it considers to be Canadian content. "Our goal is clear: to modernize the definition of Canadian content to reflect today's reality," said Vicky Eatrides, the CRTC's CEO and chairperson, during the start of public consultations last month aimed at reviewing what exactly constitutes CanCon, and to determine whether foreign streamers should be held to the same standards as traditional broadcasters in Canada. The public hearings in Gatineau, Que., spanned two weeks and wrapped up on May 27. WATCH | Breaking down the existing definition of CanCon and how it might change: Why the definition of CanCon might get a reboot 3 days ago Duration 3:57 So, how Canadian do series and movies have to be? While many south-of-the-border movies and shows may have been filmed in Canada, with Canadian crews and talent, it's not enough to be considered CanCon in the eyes of the CRTC. First, the film or show's producer has to be Canadian. Then, there's a 10-point system for key creative roles, and six out of 10 points are needed to meet the bar to be considered CanCon. For example, if the director or writer is Canadian, that gets you two points. But, between the director and the writer, at least one must be Canadian. That also goes for the top performers; one of the two leads must be Canadian. That counts for one point each. Other crew roles such as production designer, director of photography, editor and music composer count for one point each. Other rules apply for animated productions. On top of the point system, Cancon rules state that 75 per cent of production and post-production expenses have to go to Canadians or Canadian companies. The requirements have been loosened before. The CRTC reduced the minimum number of points needed from eight to six in 2016, something the commission said would allow more films to become eligible for certain funding programs. At last month's hearings, there was talk of actually increasing the number of points needed to 15, as well as whether a requirement to reflect Canadian cultural elements should be introduced. WATCH | Why Canadian films struggle at the box office despite international acclaim: Canadian films win awards but struggle at the box office 1 year ago Duration 2:03 So, what do Netflix, Disney+ and other streamers want? Canadian broadcasters, producers — and even artists — want the foreign streaming services, primarily the big U.S. ones many Canadians use, to meet minimum CanCon requirements like they do in order to maintain broadcasting licences and qualify for subsidies. Anthony Shim, a director whose credits include the critically-acclaimed 2022 independent film Riceboy Sleeps, admits it's a challenge to balance the freedom of creativity with the need to protect Canadian artists and storytelling — a goal he says should always be top of mind. Toronto-born writer, producer and director Anthony Q. Farrell, who has worked on series including The Office, the British series The Secret Life of Boys and CTV's Shelved, says the definition of CanCon is more important than ever. "Especially in a time where we're really focusing in on buying Canadian and taking care of our national voice, I think it's important that we … use our Canadian creatives to tell our stories," said Farrell, who provided recommendations at the CRTC consultations on behalf of the Writers Guild of Canada. He agrees that streaming companies "making money off Canadians" should be putting some of their profits back into distinctly Canadian film and television production. The streaming companies, however, don't see it quite the same way. They were collectively represented at the consultations by the Motion Picture Association of Canada, which argued that they're already an integral part of Canada's film and television production sector but that they shouldn't be held to the same content requirements as traditional broadcasters. Wendy Noss, the association's president, appeared at the hearings on May 16 and said the CRTC should make changes to its CanCon policies, including reassessing the number of points required in the 41-year-old CanCon points system, as well as re-evaluating which roles qualify for points. She said that before the CRTC imposes Canadian content requirements on foreign streamers, they need to "introduce meaningful flexibility in modernizing the definition of Canadian programs." "Broadcasting policies should be straightforward, sustainable and flexible to enable global producers to do what they do best: creating entertainment for audiences at home and worldwide," said Noss. The CRTC will hold further CanCon consultation hearings at a later date. But the big streaming companies are also set to battle the CRTC in court over the implementation of the Online Streaming Act. They filed an appeal last year, after the commission ordered global online streaming services to fork over five per cent of their domestic revenues to support the production of Canadian content. WATCH | Why some Canadian content creators are upset about the Online Streaming Act:
Globe and Mail
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
Kat Sandler's fresh take on Anne of Green Gables is a standout at the Stratford Festival
Title: Anne of Green Gables Written and directed by: Kat Sandler Performed by: Caroline Toal, Tim Campbell, Sarah Dodd, Maev Beaty, Helen Belay, Jordin Hall, Steven Hao, Josue Laboucane, Julie Lumsden, Jennifer Villaverde Company: Stratford Festival Venue: Avon Theatre City: Stratford Year: Until Oct. 25, 2025 Critic's Pick For perhaps the first time in the Stratford Festival's history, the show you absolutely, categorically cannot miss this summer was not written by William Shakespeare. It's not a musical, either, or even a restoration comedy. No – the play you'd be doing yourself an enormous disservice to skip is Anne of Green Gables, adapted and directed in a heartwarming, gut-wrenching, life-affirming production by Kat Sandler. The show, which opened on Saturday afternoon at the end of an unusually strong week of openings for the Stratford Festival, wasn't on my list of most anticipated productions in 2025. To be honest, it was barely on the list of my most anticipated productions last week. But Sandler's adaptation – some of her best writing in recent years – manages to have its cake and eat it, too, with a script that welcomes children and adults alike into its care from the very first line. It's both funny and achingly sad; straightforward yet nuanced and supple. Like Anne herself, Sandler's treatment of her is one of gripping contradictions that stretch the imagination and satisfy the soul. For the Anne purists in attendance, don't worry: The first act is a faithful adaptation of Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic tale about a gregarious young orphan living on Prince Edward Island in the 1890s. Anne is loquacious, adventurous and headstrong; she hates her red hair; she possesses a moral code comparable to that of a medieval knight. Behind the scenes with the Stratford Festival's artisans But Sandler's script is so much more than a one-to-one transcription of the classic stories. When she updates the story to a time that approximates now in the second act, the choice seems as obvious as a bottle of raspberry cordial on a hot summer day, the story as charming and timeless in modern dress as it is in bloomers and puffed sleeves. As if refurbishing those fabled gables by hand, Sandler builds a careful frame around Anne's story that lets the audience know what's what. When we meet the first-rate ensemble cast, they're not residents of Avonlea, but members of a book club eager to discuss the story's finer plot points. It's through this lens that Sandler is able to anticipate and reject the idea that Anne is untouchable – that she can't be reimagined by anyone with a big enough heart and a sharp enough pen. When actor Maev Beaty, novel in hand, chortles, 'That's not in the book!,' the laughs come easily: Superfans, it turns out, transcend centuries. (Beaty, as ever, is a treasure of the Stratford Festival stage, a joy to watch as she shape-shifts from concerned Anne stan to next-door neighbour Rachel Lynde.) And what's an adaptation without a spitfire Anne leading the way? Caroline Toal is that and more, spunky and sprightly as Canada's favourite redhead, as convincing in the play's darker moments as in its more lighthearted tales of tweenage girlhood. Watching Anne become bosom friends with Diana (Julie Lumsden) feels like watching a home movie, their love for one another timeless and sweet. Diana is the one person in Avonlea for whom Anne never needs to shrink herself or her heart, and Lumsden ably captures the child's sense of good humour. Two other important performances make this Anne sing: Sarah Dodd as Marilla, the woman who, after some prodding, accepts Anne into her home, and Tim Campbell as Matthew, Marilla's brother. Dodd and Campbell both possess the emotional dexterity these parts demand, the ability to convey complicated feelings of justice, pride and anxiety in a way that's accessible to the kids in the audience while also being deeply relatable to the guardians who bought their tickets. Campbell, in particular, is astounding – I'm certain his sensitive, iridescent portrayal of Anne's de facto father figure will stay with me for years. There are no weak links in the rest of Sandler's cast: Steven Hao, Jordin Hall, Jennifer Villaverde, Josue Laboucane and Helen Belay are phenomenal chess pieces in Sandler's vision, relentlessly believable and sweet as they weave in and out of Anne's orbit. One of the most poignant aspects of this production is Joanna Yu's set, complete with a peeling, emerald-green roof. It's easy to see how Anne falls in love with her home, the mismatched furniture pieces in her bedroom and kitchen that accompany her first experiences of family. Yu's costumes, too, conjure a universal childhood unconstrained by era – give or take a bad wig or two, the clothes themselves are nostalgic and sleek. (Fret not: The most important wig, with its iconic red braids, looks just fine on Toal's head.) 'I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers,' Anne memorably quips as the seasons turn cool in Avonlea. As summer descends upon Southwestern Ontario, I'm right there with her – but I'm equally glad I live in a world where there exists this gorgeous piece of theatre, the irrefutable standout of this year's Stratford Festival. Go see it.
Forbes
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
How To Plan An ‘Anne Of Green Gables'-Inspired Trip To Prince Edward Island
House from Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables located in P.E.I, Canada. Prince Edward Island has a lot to offer travelers—especially come summertime. The fresh seafood, the stunning red-sand beaches, and of course, the magic of Anne of Green Gables. If you're planning an escape to this Atlantic Canadian island and want to channel your inner whimsical ginger, these are some of the best things to see and do while following the path of L.M. Montgomery's Anne Shirley: There are a lot of hotels and inns on the island—but fans of Anne of Green Gables should consider checking into the Shining Waters Country Inn. The Hunter River property dates back to the 1850s and was owned by Pierce and Rachael MacNeill, L.M. Montgomery's grandfather's cousin and the couple who inspired the original novel. The Montgomery Inn at Ingleside is another great option for literature lovers. The property was originally the home of Senator Donald Montgomery, L.M. Montgomery's grandfather, and where she spent many of her summers in PEI. The Green Gables Heritage Place is a must-visit on your Anne of Green Gables tour. The home was originally owned by relatives of L.M. Montgomery and served as inspiration for Anne Shirley's home. There are even rooms stylized to look as they would have in the novel. The Anne of Green Gables Museum in Kensington is another must-visit—it's packed with artifacts from Montgomery herself as well as beautiful grounds and seasonal carriage rides. Moving on to the Lucy Maud Montgomery Lower Bedeque School, this schoolhouse has been carefully preserved since Montgomery taught here in 1897 and showcases her ties to the Bedeque area. It's also worth paying a visit to the Cavendish Community Cemetery. Located at the intersection of Highways 6 and 13, this cemetery is the final resting place of L.M. Montgomery. Cavendish, Canada: Buildings in Avonlea Village have been converted into restaurants. Walking around Avonlea Village—named for the fictional town in Anne of Green Gables—feels like being transported right into the pages of L.M. Montgomery's world. It boasts replications of houses and shops from the Anne of Green Gables era and has a variety of restaurants, from east coast seafood to burgers and pizza. Looking for something a little more formal? Dalvay by the Sea is believed to have served as inspiration for the White Sands Hotel in L.M. Montgomery's books. The MacMillan Dining Room has an excellent dinner menu with farm-to-table ingredients, including a variety of produce grown directly on-site.
