“Developing literacy skills at an early age creates life-long benefits,” said the minister. “Our libraries play an important role in promoting literacy and are pleased to ensure this generous donation is distributed to Island children.”

Each fall TD Bank partners with the Canadian Children’s Book Centre to give every Grade 1 student in Canada a free paperback picture book, available in English and French.

This year each child will receive a copy of Gifts – or Cadeaux – written by Jo Ellen Bogart and illustrated by Barbara Reid.

Written in verse, the story tells the tale of a grandmother travelling around the globe and searching for the unusual gifts her granddaughter has requested, including a piece of the sky and an iceberg on a string.