Books for Babies® Chapter Events and News     

Family Literacy Day Events

Family literacy is about how families (parents, children, and extended family members) use literacy skills to accomplish everyday tasks in the home and community. This special day communicated the important message to children and parents in our community that the reading and learning habits we develop at an early age set the stage for our success later in life.

The Long Range and Bonne Bay Literacy Councils, with assistance from the Literacy Coordinator, Cara Welsh, and Cow Head School Complex, Holy Cross All Grade, and Gros Morne Academy organized Family Literacy Bingo. Family Literacy Bingo was also offered to families of the Tree House Family Resource Centres in St. Paul’s and Woody Point, as well as families involved in the Cow Head Reading Circle.

In addition to these events, families participated in Reading Circles to celebrate Family Literacy Day 2004. Again, the Literacy Coordinator was on hand to assist with Reading Circles that took place at the Family Resource Centre in St. Paul’s and in Woody Point.

Winners included: Carlie Verge at Cow Head School Complex, Danielle Biggin at Holy Cross All Grade, Jonah Reid at Gros Morne Academy, Katie Payne at the Family Resource Centre in St. Paul’s, Taylor Hann at the Family Resource Centre in Woody Point, and Janine Payne at the Cow Head Reading Circle.

Family Literacy is for everyone. Sisters, brothers, families, friends, and the whole community! Learning is a family affair! (Cara Welsh)

Family Literacy Day Events

Ms. Linda Roche reads during Books at Breakfast, Family Outreach Resource Ctr.

Corner Brook held three events at three different venues for Family Literacy Day - Books at Breakfast, Books before Supper and Books at Bedtime.

In partnership with the Family Outreach Resource Centre, a large group of volunteers served breakfast to parents and 21 children before two special guests read stories to everyone.

Ms. Wendy Woodland reads The Mitten.

The Humber Community YMCA’s After-School Program at J. J. Curling Elementary School was the site for Books before Supper. Professional story-teller, Ms. Elinor Benjamin, kept both adults and children motionless as they listened to three wonderful stories.

At both these events, the children received books and prize packs containing stickers, a t-shirt, pen, bookmark, literacy materials and teddy bear. Books at Bedtime was a special segment on the Rogers Cable television program, Corner Brook Café. Host, Wendy Woodland, dressed in pajamas and fuzzy slippers, ended the day’s events by reading one of her favourite books, The Newf (about a Newfoundland dog).

Leaders Penny and Stephanie with Prize Pack Winners Megan Dean and Kyle Power, J. J. Curling Elementary School

Books for Babies® thanks Fairway Honda, ABC-CANADA and the Family Outreach Resource Centre for their support with books, literacy materials, prize packs, staff and volunteers. Despite weather hassles, everyone had a great time and is eagerly awaiting next year’s events. (Linda Stonehouse & Tina Stewart)