Families in Whitby, Ontario can meet beloved children’s TV characters at a free reading celebration at the Whitby Central Library on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
CBC Kids Reads Live! will bring Gary the Unicorn, Cottonball, Daniel Tiger, and Paw Patrol’s Chase to the library’s First Floor Fireplace Area. Children will hear five Canadian picture books, then vote for their favourite. The winning book will be announced at the event.
Meet-and-greet times are staggered. Chase appears at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. for 30 minutes each. Daniel Tiger appears at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. No registration is required; families can drop in.
“We’re excited to welcome CBC Kids Reads Live! to Whitby and to share this incredible experience with our community,” said Rhonda Jessup, Whitby Public Library CEO. “This event is all about celebrating reading, imagination, and the joy that books bring to our lives.”
The library’s south parking lot will be closed from Thursday, September 10 through Sunday, September 13 for event setup. Overflow parking is available at Municipal Lot 7 east of the library, which has accessible spaces.
