First Book Canada is spreading the magic of reading by providing new books to children who need them the most.
Nine million Canadians are struggling with low literacy due to no access to books.
Tom Best, executive director of First Book Canada, finds this to be a shocking reality.
“It is and the other statistic that I find very staggering is they’re now estimating that as many as 25 per cent of all Canadian households don’t have a single book in them.”
First Book Canada works with publishing partners and volunteers to provide educators and community program leaders in high-need areas with an ongoing supply of new books and reading materials.
Get breaking National news
Mei Rideout, Principal of Eastbourne Public School in Brampton, is very appreciative of the work this organization offers.
“We are very, very grateful. Kids are very excited to receive new books,” said Rideout. “We’re in a community with no library close by so these books are just an amazing addition to boost the literacy for the children.”
Elaine Christian, a grade one student at Eastbourne Public School, explains why she enjoys reading.
“It’s fun and when we get bored, we can read books instead of tv,” said Christian.
Improving test scores is some of the concerns when it comes to reading, but it isn’t the only important aspect of literacy.
Kevin Sylvester, an Author and Illustrator who volunteers with First Book Canada, shows other areas reading helps children.
“It’s because reading creates, it opens up worlds,” said Sylvester. “It opens up different ideas, different thought processes.”
By the end of this year, First Book Canada will have distributed more than one-million free books to children from low-income families.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.