Family Literacy Day is a national celebration with literacy-themed events coordinated by literacy organizations, schools, public libraries and families. It is held on January 27 each year.

This year, Family Literacy Day organizers are inviting Canadians to help break the Guinness World Record for “Most Children Reading With an Adult, Multiple Locations.” The current record is 78, 791, set by the U.S. in 2006.

Hon. Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour is encouraging Islanders to join the fun this Saturday and Sunday at public libraries.

“Parents and caregivers play an important role in teaching by example and engaging children in fun learning activities,” she said. “I hope everyone will take time this weekend to visit a local public library, enjoy the Family Literacy Day celebrations and discover some exciting new books or hidden treasures.”

As part of the Guinness challenge, adults and children will be reading Munschworks 2 by Canadian children’s author Robert Munsch. The compilation contains five stories and will be online, at www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca, in both English and French, from January 21 until January 24, 2009.

Family Literacy Day® (FLD) was created by ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation and Honda Canada in 1999 to promote the importance of reading and learning together as a family all year round.

BACKGROUNDER:

The following public libraries are hosting events in association with the record attempt:

Confederation Centre Public Library - Friday 3 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.

Summerside Rotary Library - Saturday 10:30 a.m.

Cornwall Public Library - Saturday 10:30 a.m.

Stratford Public Library - Saturday 1 p.m.

St. Peter’s Public Library - Saturday 10 a.m.

In addition, various public libraries will be celebrating Family Literacy Day, Tuesday, January 27, with the following events:

Alberton Public Library - Family Fun Word Games, 7 p.m.

Hunter River Memorial Library - Take 30 for the Family and Story tent, 4 - 8 p.m.

Kensington Heritage Library - Family Literacy Day Storytime, 10:30 a.m.

Summerside Rotary Library - Family Scrabble, 6:30 p.m., and Aliant Stories on the Phone Family Literacy Day Program, 7 p.m.

The following French branches will each be holding a read-a-thon on Tuesday, January 27:

Bibliotheque publique d’Abram Village - 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Bibliotheque J.-Henri Blanchard - 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Bibliotheque Dr.-J-.Edmonds Arsenault - 11:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.