Toronto, ON — Best-selling children’s author Robert Munsch helped celebrate Family Literacy Day with a Grade One class from a local inner-city school at a special story reading held in Toronto today. Next Monday, January 27, families across Canada will participate in Family Literacy Day, a national initiative created by ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation that promotes the importance of engaging in literacy-related activities as a family.

“There is considerable research that confirms the importance of the literacy and learning activities that take place within the home,” explains Christine Featherstone, president of ABC CANADA. “Family Literacy Day serves as a reminder to spend time reading and learning as a family as a means of reinforcing literacy skills, not only in children, but in adults as well.”

This year, thanks to a growing list of media supporters, Family Literacy Day will be promoted through both traditional and non-traditional communications vehicles. In addition to the distribution of over half a million promotional materials by literacy organizations, schools and libraries, special ads will run in numerous magazines and newspapers, and on high-traffic Web sites. TV, radio, and outdoor advertising have also been secured, ensuring the literacy and learning messages will reach millions of Canadian families.

This initiative has also seen its share of corporate support. For several years, retailers like Indigo and Basics Office Products have distributed promotional materials in their stores across Canada. And, since its inception five years ago, Family Literacy Day has been supported financially by Honda Canada.

“Honda and its dealers are very proud to be associated with this important initiative,” confirms Jim Miller, senior vp, corporate affairs at Honda Canada. “Programs like Family Literacy Day exemplify Honda’s commitment to families, and giving back to the communities where we live, work and learn.”

Family Literacy Day features hundreds of events organized by family literacy providers, schools, libraries and local sponsors in communities across Canada. These events include:

• Write On, a festival for readers and writers of all ages, featuring several well-known local authors, in Vancouver, British Columbia;
• A conference in Calgary, Alberta featuring family literacy program information and guest speakers, including Senator Joyce Fairbairn;
• A breakfast reading at a local school in Regina, Saskatchewan, where parents, grandparents and caregivers will choose a book to read to or with children over breakfast
• a family pyjama party with author and children’s performer Jamie Oliveiro, in Carman, Manitoba;
• A presentation of Captain Matt’s Treasure Hunt, an interactive one-man puppet show in which the audience helps track down the elusive pirate who has stolen a treasure (a magic storybook), in Chatham, Ontario;
• A family literacy workshop for parents and families in Quebec City, Quebec, which will include musical entertainment by local artists, plus a special Poetry-In-A-Box presentation by journalist Michele Thibeau and Story Time with local radio commentator Patti Moore;
• A family sledding party, where parents and their children will enjoy sledding in the snow, followed by hot chocolate and stories, word games and reading activities, in Ingonish, Nova Scotia.

Featherstone confirms that response to Family Literacy Day has been significant this year, and attributes part of this to Munsch’s participation as the 2003 Honorary Chair. “Robert’s passion for reading and writing makes him the perfect Family Literacy Day ambassador. We know that his commitment to promoting this special day will encourage Canadians everywhere to take time out of their busy day on January 27 to share a ‘literacy moment’ together as a family.”

In addition to hosting today’s story reading, Munsch has written a special story, entitled Name Tags, in honour of Family Literacy Day. He has also lent his name to public relations and marketing initiatives, and has provided support for other Family Literacy Day activities.

View photos 1, 2, 3.

In the photos: Canada’s best-selling children’s author, Robert Munsch, captures the imagination of Grade One students from Regent Park/Duke of York school at an event in Toronto in honour of Family Literacy Day (January 27). Munsch is the Honorary Chair of this national day that promotes the importance of reading and learning as a family.