Toronto, ON, Jan. 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Saturday, January 27, ABC Life Literacy Canada (ABC) will celebrate the 19th anniversary of Family Literacy Day® (FLD) with community organizations, schools, libraries, learning centres and families across the country. Family Literacy Day raises awareness of the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family.
“Parents are our first and best teachers,” said Mack Rogers, ABC Life Literacy Canada’s Executive Director. “Improving literacy skills and inspiring a love of lifelong learning is what Family Literacy Day is all about. We’re so pleased to see the enthusiasm with which Canada supports Family Literacy Day year after year and from coast to coast to coast.”
Family Literacy Day was launched in 1999 by ABC and takes place on January 27 every year with family-friendly literacy and learning events across the country. Since 2016, ABC has been honoured to work with award-winning Canadian author and illustrator Barbara Reid as the Honourary Chair of Family Literacy Day. This year, Reid attended ABC’s flagship event leading up to FLD at the Native Child and Family Services of Toronto, where she taught families how to create pictures in her signature modelling clay style. She also created a special FLD activity sheet using modelling clay illustrations.
“I’m proud to be the Honourary Chair of Family Literacy Day,” said Reid. “I’m inspired by seeing families bond and share at FLD events and honoured to be part of this very important national celebration of family learning.”
Family Literacy Day events are taking place across the country. Here is how a few community organizations are celebrating. You can find a complete listing of FLD events across Canada at FamilyLiteracyDay.ca:
Alberta: The Red Deer Public Library will host a Where the Wild Things Are story mob and movie event. Participants will be encouraged to create props for the story mob.
British Columbia: The Terrace Women’s Resource Society in Terrace will host a literacy fair with books, activities and exhibit tables. A Family Literacy Week is also celebrated by Decoda Literacy Solutions.
Manitoba: The Jake Epp Library in Steinbach will host a pajama party featuring local celebrity and author guest readers.
New Brunswick: The West Branch Library in Saint John will host a Barbara Reid books reading and a plasticine picture station.
Newfoundland and Labrador: The Marjorie Mews Public Library in St. John’s will host an International Family Storytime with rhymes, songs and stories from all around the world.
Nova Scotia: The Stellarton Library will host a pajama party and family story time with stuffies.
Northwest Territories: The NWT Literacy Council will be attending the Festival of Silliness at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC) in Yellowknife, where participants will be making no cook play dough and lemonade.
Ontario: Perth Care For Kids/ Perth Middlesex Early Years in Mitchell will host a community book exchange, encouraging participants to bring their old books and choose a new-to-them book.
Prince Edward Island: The PEI Public Library Service in Summerside will host story times, puppet shows, live music and book giveaways.
Quebec: The Pointe-Claire Public Library, Valois Branch will host a pajama story hour and slumber party for teddy bears. Children will be encouraged to leave their stuffed animals at the library overnight and pick them up in the morning.
Saskatchewan: The North Battleford Library will host a STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, Math) story time with a learning theme and then allow kids to play with their Makerspace products.
Yukon: The Yukon Literacy Coalition in Whitehorse will host a Family Literacy Day event with kicksleds, weenie roasts, ice skating, fire dancing and crafts.
For more information about Family Literacy Day and to download free family literacy tips and activities for your celebration, visit FamilyLiteracyDay.ca.
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About ABC Life Literacy Canada
ABC Life Literacy Canada is a non-profit organization that inspires Canadians to increase their literacy and essential skills. We mobilize business, government and communities to support lifelong learning and achieve our goals through leadership in programs, communications and partnerships. We envision a Canada where everyone has the skills they need to live a fully engaged life. For the latest news and information on adult literacy please visit www.abclifeliteracy.ca, follow us on Twitter or join our Facebook page.
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