From The Little Blue Truck and The Wolf's Chicken Stew, to hot new titles such as Scaredy Squirrel and Bad Kitty Gets a Bath, children's books are keeping young learners entertained and excited about reading all over British Columbia.

To help celebrate the joys and benefits of reading, this coming Sunday is Family Literacy Day in British Columbia. On behalf of Education Minister Don McRae, the official proclamation was made today at the Richmond Public Library by John Yap, Richmond-Steveston MLA and Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology.

In preparation for the big day, the Richmond Library has been celebrating family literacy with special events all week. Today, approximately 40 kindergarten and Grade 1 students helped open the library's collection of 3,216 new children's books.

The collection was developed in support of BC's Education Plan and the Ministry's Changing Results for Young Readers initiative, which is focused on kindergarten-to-Grade 3 students. A wide variety of books were chosen -- from classics and award winners -- to new favourites by newer authors and illustrators. All of the titles are tried and true read-along books for kids and their families, and are freely available to the community through four library branches.

As part of BC's Education Plan, the ministry has dedicated an additional $10.7 million to advance early reading strategies and practices for kindergarten-to-Grade 3 students. A recent international study has shown that B.C.'s Grade 4 students are among the world's top readers at their grade level and had the highest average score in Canada.

Family Literacy Day is the largest national family literacy initiative in Canada. Every year on Jan. 27, and during the week leading up to it -- families and communities across the country and throughout B.C. celebrate this special day at literacy-themed events co-ordinated by literacy organizations, schools, public libraries and families.

(flickr.com)

Don McRae, Minister of Education -

"Reading together as a family is both enjoyable and beneficial in so many ways. Parents and caregivers are a child's first teachers and by fostering literacy activities in the home, they help shape the future success and quality of life for their children. "

John Yap, Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology -

"Family Literacy Day in British Columbia is a wonderful event and a great reminder of the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family. We are delighted to proclaim January 27th as Family Literacy Day in British Columbia."

Pat Watson, Richmond Public Library board chair -

"As a lifelong reader, I value the benefits of reading. Reading to children helps them to succeed in school and fosters their creativity and imagination."

Quick Facts:

• Family Literacy Day is a national awareness initiative created in 1999 by ABC Life Literacy Canada. In 2000, the B.C. government first proclaimed Jan. 27 as Family Literacy Day.

• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested more than $1.5 billion in literacy and literacy-related initiatives to support preschool-aged children, K-12 students and adult learners.

Learn More:

For tips on how to enhance family literacy into your life, visit: http://abclifeliteracy.ca/family-literacy

For information on literacy initiatives in the province, visit Decoda Literacy Solutions: http://decoda.ca/

To read about the Community Adult Literacy Program, visit: http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/literacy/calp.htm

To find a public library near you, visit: http://www.bclibraries.ca/home/bc-libraries

What's new at the Richmond Library, visit: http://www.yourlibrary.ca/family-literacy/

To learn about BC's Education Plan, visit: www.bcedplan.ca

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963