TORONTO, ON — On Friday, January 27, renowned Canadian children’s author Robert Munsch will talk to his avid young fans across the country in a live online hook-up through www.YTV.com. The event, to be held 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. ET, is one of thousands of activities and special events happening throughout Canada to celebrate Family Literacy Day.

Family Literacy Day™ (FLD), held every January 27, is the national initiative created by ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation that promotes the importance of reading and learning as a family. This is its eighth year, and literacy organizations, schools, libraries, neighbourhood centres and families have many events planned to celebrate this special day — from public story readings and read-a-thons, to book drives, reading circles and “pyjama parties” where parents and children get together to share stories, sing songs and play puzzle and word games. Made possible by Founding Sponsor Honda Canada Inc. and supported by numerous organizations, FLD will see events happening both on the day and during the week leading up to January 27.

Robert Munsch rallies families to ‘read, write, surf, sing’

“Robert’s online chat with children and their parents across Canada was so popular last year, we just had to do it again in 2006,” says Christine Featherstone, President and CEO of ABC CANADA. “In a fun-packed hour, Robert interacts directly with families. It’s the closest thing to him being with them.”

And, new this year, a national contest actually gave Canadian families a chance to have Robert visit them at their home for their Family Literacy Day™ party. Families wrote in, describing their events, and a winner was chosen: The Lee family of Calgary. On Saturday, January 21, Robert will join the Lees and their neighbours’ children in a party to kick off the celebrations leading up to January 27.

In support of Family Literacy Day™, Robert Munsch also appears in a television Public Service Announcement (PSA) aimed at encouraging kids and parents to read, write, surf (the net), sing and engage in all sorts of activities that promote literacy. He will also lead public-school children in Toronto in a story-telling time on January 26. “I’ve really enjoyed being a part of Family Literacy Day™ over the past few years,” says Robert. “I invite families everywhere to take a seat and spend some time on a regular basis having fun and learning new things.”

Reading can take many forms — curling up with favourite books, singing songs, sharing real and made-up stories, following a recipe and baking cookies, playing word games and surfing the Internet. “We encourage all families to read and learn together,” says Featherstone. “The 15 minutes or so that you take each day to read go a long way to preparing your child for the challenges ahead, and for a lifetime of reading enjoyment.”

For details on Robert Munsch’s online live chat:

Beginning January 23, go to the ABC CANADA Home Page (www.abc-canada.org) and click on “Robert Munsch online live chat.”

For information on FLD events in your area:

Check with your local library, school or literacy organization for events in your area. There are also a number of events posted at www.abc-canada.org/family_literacy

Thanks to our many supporters

Fundamental to FLD’s success is the financial contribution made by its Founding Sponsor, Honda Canada Inc. “As a caring Canadian company, Honda values the opportunity to give in the communities where we live, work and play,” said Jim Miller, Executive Vice-President, Honda Canada. “As the founding sponsor of Family Literacy Day, we raise awareness of the importance in nurturing literacy skills in our children and of the availability of literacy resources in communities across the country.”

To help promote Family Literacy Day™, ABC CANADA relies on an extended group of supporters - and every year the list of supporters continues to grow. This year, FLD is being promoted through the distribution of close to one million promotional materials by literacy organizations, schools and libraries. Special ads are running in numerous magazines and newspapers, and on high-traffic websites. Media have also been generous in making available time and space for TV, radio, online and out-of-home advertising, ensuring that the literacy and learning messages will reach millions of Canadian families.

Consult our website for a full list of Family Literacy Day supporters.