Reading as a family
January 27 marked the National Family Literacy Day. The campaign encourages families to spend 15 minutes a day to learn together through reading and other literacy-related activities.
We can't think of a better excuse to slow down or even take a breather, snuggle up on the couch and open a book with your little ones for some family-friendly story time. And if you're not sure where to start, this week's CanCon recommendations can help!
Canada's history of residential schools is a difficult subject, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommends teaching children about it as early as kindergarten. So how do you approach such a difficult subject? Follow award-winning author David A. Robert as he speaks to teachers and students to see how his book, When We Were Alone is being used in classrooms to teach children about residential schools. David was also a guest on our show The Chesterfield where he discusses the importance of literary representation for Indigenous children.
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While this isn't strictly a book, Mind Me Good Now! from the NFB archives is a fun animated Caribbean folktale based on a book of the same title. In this story, Tina and Dalby disobey their mama and run intoa local "cocoya," a wicked spirit that loves to eat little boys. But through their own wit and courage, the children are able to escape their near-tragic fate. This animated short is part of NFB's Talespinners, a series of popular children's stories from a wide range of cultural communities.
CBC is always a reliable source of information and entertainment. So if you're looking for other options to read with your family, take a listen to the Children's Book Panel on The Next Chapter with Shelagh Rogers. The show's panel of experts include author and the Ontario Library Association's 2000 Librarian of the Year Ken Setterington; journalist and best-selling author Michele Landsberg; and writer and multimedia storyteller Bee Quammie. Take a listen and we're sure you'll find a book or two you'll want to add to your family's bookshelf.