If you’re looking for things to do with the family during the middle of this January deep-freeze, ABC Life Literacy Canada is hosting a Family Literacy Day on Sun., Jan. 27, 2013 at the Ontario Science Centre. The day will be filled with author readings (both adult and children’s), book signings, hands-on workshops, games and science activities to highlight the importance of literacy.
According to Statistics Canada, the literacy level of four out of ten adult Canadians falls below high school completion levels, which leaves them ill-prepared to succeed in our knowledge-based economy. Since researchers state that literacy development begins in the first three years of a child’s life,
Participants at Family Literacy Day include the following authors and TV personalities:
- Robert Munsch, author of children’s books Love You Forever, The Paper Bag Princess, Finding Christmas
- Barbara Reid, author of Zoe’s Year, Picture a Tree – plasticine artist
- Aaron Bell, Ojibway storyteller
- Wayson Choy, author of The Jade Peony
- Marina Nemat, author of Prisoner of Tehran
- Helaine Becker, author of AlphaBest, The Quiz Book for Spies
- Susan Hughes, author of Off to Class: Incredible and Unusual Schools
- Kara Harun, host of TVOKids’ afterschool block The Space.
Special appearances will be made by Chirp Mascot, Gruffalo, and Captain Underpants.
The tentative schedule is below (please call to confirm):
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Barbara Reid plasticine workshop
11:30 a.m. – 12 noon: Robert Munsch performance
12:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Wayson Choy reading
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Aaron Bell storytelling
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Robert Munsch performance
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: OWLKids Interactive Game Show
Entrance to Family Literacy Day is included with Ontario4-12) $13 and Science Centre admission which is Adult (18-64) $22, Youth (13-17)/Student with ID/Senior (65+) $16, Child (4-12) $13. Parking is $10 per vehicle.
Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
