Literacy Day encourages stirring fun into reading
Drew Lorimer spends his work day surrounded by books.
But he and his wife Kate don’t have time to pick out a spellbinding tome or two from their bookstore shelves and kick back.
At the end of the work day, when it’s time to tuck their daughter Emma, two and a half, in for the night, that’s when the books come out. First it’s Kate’s turn to read, then Drew’s, followed by one last read by Kate again.
“That’s my daughter’s system,” Drew chuckled. “Obviously, growing up in a book store, she’s going to be immersed in it.”
The owners of Tall Tales Books in Victoria know there can be more to reading than just sitting down with a good book.
The theme of the annual Family Literacy Day in Canada this year is Play for Literacy, which encourages reading, writing, math and comprehension skills through games.
Tall Tales Books, which specializes in children’s and young adult books, will mark the occasion with a scavenger hunt, activity tables, and storytelling sessions.
“I believe any way your child is reading is a good thing,” Drew explained. “Games are a good way to do that.”
Inspired by a similar event in Nanaimo, Victoria resident Janis La Couvée organized a Family Literacy Day event in Victoria via Twitter. She approached the Lorimers with the idea of hosting the #ReadUp Tweetup event, knowing Tall Tales is on the micro-blogging site.
“Fundamentally, it’s people’s participation in society that depends on people’s ability to read,” La Couvée said. “Literacy opens up entire worlds than what you (already) know.”
The free event is Jan. 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tall Tales Books, 795 Fort St. Please bring gently used books that will go to charities such as the Victoria Read Society.
emccracken@vicnews.com
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