TORONTO, ON — Members of the Blackley family of Port Moody, BC are the lucky winners who will enjoy a visit from renowned Canadian children’s author Robert Munsch during their Family Literacy Day celebration on Saturday, January 27.

The Blackleys — Douglas, Sabrina and their son Benjamin, age 7 — are the winners of the Munsch at Home contest, a national contest conducted by ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation where Canadian families from anywhere in the country can write in and tell ABC CANADA about the activities they have planned for Family Literacy Day (January 27) – all for the chance to have Robert Munsch visit their home party.

The Blackleys, as well as some neighbourhood parents and children, will participate in the party. As part of the contest prize this year, the Blackleys could choose a library or literacy organization that would also win a visit from Mr. Munsch, and the Blackleys chose Port Moody Public Library, which the author will visit following the Blackley home visit. This will provide even more members of the community the opportunity to celebrate Family Literacy Day with Mr. Munsch.

Family Literacy Day, now in its ninth year, is supported by Founding Sponsor Honda Canada Inc., and celebrates families reading, learning and playing together on a daily basis. Robert Munsch is honorary chair of the program that sees libraries, schools, literacy organizations and households across the country celebrate this special day through literacy-themed events, such as special reading circles, story-writing contests and read-a-thons.

“We had several really strong entries for the contest, but the Blackleys entry stood out as it showed a lot of creativity and energy,” says Margaret Eaton, President, ABC CANADA. “We are confident that the Blackley family, along with their friends and neighbours, are going to host a terrific Family Literacy Day party that will be memorable for all.”

“I’m so excited,” said Sabrina Fox-Blackley, upon hearing the news of being selected as the winner of the Munsch at Home contest. “We are such huge fans of Robert Munsch. We know all of his books like the back of our hand. In fact, that’s what inspired our idea to have a treasure hunt at our party, using clues from Mr. Munsch’s books. Once each word clue is found, everyone will work together to create a story using the words.”

For more information on Family Literacy Day, including family literacy tips, activity ideas and event information, visit the ABC CANADA website: www.abc-canada.org