Jann Arden, Barenaked Ladies’ Jim Creeggan, Catriona LeMay Doan and many others say ‘Let’s celebrate Family Literacy Day’

Toronto, ON — You may not have a million dollars — or even have the voice to sing about it — but you can, perhaps, remember curling up with a good book just like many others, including Barenaked Ladies’ bassist and vocalist Jim Creeggan. He is one of more than a dozen artists and celebrities who were willing to reveal their favourite childhood books to ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation. All were happy to come forward in support of Family Literacy Day, to be held January 27 across the country.

Barenaked Creeggan goes for Alligator Pie
“A book that resonated with me as a kid was Alligator Pie,” Creeggan says of the children’s classic by Canadian author and poet Dennis Lee. “I spent hours gazing at the pictures and wondering if I was ever going to bump into a real Mole. But maybe the best memory I have of that book was how my Mom laughed out loud whenever she read it to my brothers and me.”

Creeggan isn’t alone in thinking that the next best thing to reading a book is sharing a book with a loved one or friend. And that’s exactly the idea behind Family Literacy Day, a national initiative to promote the importance of reading and learning as a family. Created by ABC CANADA in 1999 and supported financially by Honda Canada, the national event involves literacy organizations from all corners of the country, inviting families to share the worlds they have discovered through reading.

Catriona LeMay Doan shares with daughter Greta
Canadian Olympic skating champion Catriona LeMay Doan remembers: “I was read to a lot by my Mom and Dad, and they taught me from an early age how wonderful reading is. I still love to read. Reading develops your mind, your imagination, and it is something I look forward to doing with [daughter] Greta.”

Passing along the magic of reading and the worlds it opens up is something everybody can delight in, whatever their day job might be. These book-reading celebrities range from musical artists and athletes, to dancers, comedians, actors, TV personalities, journalists and broadcasters. A full list of celebrities, with their book choices, follows.

Actor Pat Mastroianni and musical artist Jann Arden escape into books
Whether it’s science, fantasy, history, or any number of other reading passions you might have, the well-placed phrase will give you a front-row seat in the world of your choice. “I found myself getting lost in this virtual world,” actor Pat Mastroianni (he plays “Joey” on Degrassi: The Next Generation) says when speaking about David Eddings’ series The Belgariad. Jann Arden, when mentioning the “absolute classic” Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret by Judy Blume, adds that reading is “paramount to a person’s development. Reading feeds the soul — or, at least it feeds mine.”

Celebrate Family Literacy Day and share the joy of reading with your children
“This Family Literacy Day, January 27, pick up a book and share that joy of reading with your children,” says Christine Featherstone, president of ABC CANADA. “You’ll be in good company — with these artists and with all families right across the country.” The last word goes to Natalie McMaster, musical artist and fiddle dynamo, who says of her pick, Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach: “It’s a bit weird, but I loved the curiosity and imagination it provoked. I find today that much of our entertainment choices can be a waste of time. Choose entertainment that stimulates and challenges the mind and heart. Reading does that beautifully.”

[EDITORS: Please also note Celebs’ Picks, follows] For more information on Family Literacy Day, please go to: www.fld-jaf.ca

Canadian celebs’ children’s book picks

Jann Arden, musical artist
Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret by Judy Blume (Random House publishers)

Jim Creeggan of Barenaked Ladies
Alligator Pie by Dennis Lee (Key Porter Books Ltd.)

Barbara Gowdy, author
The Stream that Stood Still by Beverley Nichols (Lions)

Karen Kain, dancer
Riki Tiki Tavi by Sampurna Chatterjee (Penguin Books)

Silken Laumann, athlete
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (HarperCollins)

Dennis Lee, poet and author
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (numerous publishers)

Catriona LeMay Doan, athlete
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling (numerous publishers) Also: Amelia Bedelia books by Peggy Parish (HarperCollins) and books by Richard Scarry (Random House)

Kevin MacDonald, comedian and actor
Toby’s Tree by Marie Tenaille (Ward Lock of London, Eng.)

Mark McKinney, comedian and actor
Green Eggs and Ham and Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss (Picture Lions)

Sarah McLachlan, musical artist
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss (Picture Lions)

Natalie McMaster, musical artist
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (Penguin Books)

Pat Mastroianni, actor
The Belgariad by David Eddings (Ballantine Books)

Kenneth Oppel, author
Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl (Puffin Fiction; Scholastic)

His Excellency John Ralston Saul
Baseball Bats for Christmas by Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak (Firefly Books Ltd.)

Sugar & Carlos, hosts of YTV’s The Zone
Carlos’ picks: Mortimer by Robert Munsch (Firefly Books Ltd.); Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar (HarperCollins); and Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss (Picture Lions)

Sugar’s picks: Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman (Random House); Love You Forever by Robert Munsch (Firefly Books Ltd.); Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein (HarperCollins); and Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Huchet Bishop (Penguin Books)

David Suzuki, journalist and broadcaster
Animal Treasure and Caribbean Treasure by Ivan Terrence Sanderson (Pyramid Books).