TORONTO, ON — Members of the Lee family of Calgary and their neighbours are the lucky winners who will enjoy a personal visit from Canadian children’s author Robert Munsch during their own ABC CANADA Family Literacy Day™ party on Saturday, January 21.

The Lees — Trevor and Rachelle and their children Nicholas (age 9), Kieran (6) and Simon (1) — were the winners in a national contest conducted by ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation where Canadian families from anywhere in the country could write in and tell ABC CANADA about the party they had planned to kick off the week in which Family Literacy Day™ (January 27) occurs.

Family Literacy Day™, now in its eighth year, is supported by Founding Sponsor Honda Canada Inc., and celebrates parents and their children reading and learning together on a daily basis. Robert Munsch is honorary chair of the program that sees libraries, schools, literacy organizations and families across the country having special reading circles and parties in support of Family Literacy Day™. The original date for Robert Munsch’s visit was January 23 but when the federal election was called for that date, Robert’s visiting date moved to the previous Saturday.

“The inventiveness and creativity shown in the party entries were big factors in our deciding a winner, and we certainly feel that the Lees will put on a memorable party for their children, their friends’ children and, of course, Robert himself,” says Christine Featherstone, President and CEO, ABC CANADA.

“This is wonderful news,” says Rachelle Lee. “Having Robert Munsch visit our children is very exciting. They hope to create their own story, and I think Robert’s imagination and enthusiasm help children realize their own abilities to dream and to be creative.”

“ABC CANADA knows that many, many families across the country celebrate Family Literacy Day™, and we felt this was a great way to acknowledge that at-home activity by having Robert join in their fun,” adds Featherstone.

For more information on Family Literacy Day™, including special reading tips and games, visit the ABC CANADA website: www.abc-canada.org.