Reading Can Connect Us #NowMoreThanEver
I Read Canadian Day is a national celebration of Canadian books for young people, with the goal of elevating the genre and celebrating the breadth and diversity of these books. The second annual event will take place in homes, schools, libraries and bookstores all across the country. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us will be participating in this national event virtually from our own homes.
The goal of I Read Canadian Day 2021 is for kids and teens nationwide to read a Canadian book for 15 minutes on February 17, 2021. The inaugural event in 2020 had over 1,650 schools registered to participate. This year, all registrants will be entered to win prizes: 50 award-winning Canadian books and free virtual visits from Canadian authors, including Melanie Florence, Kevin Sylvester and Teresa Toten. Register today at ireadcanadian.com/day for a chance to win.
Key activities will take place February 13 to February 21, with February 17 as the official I Read Canadian Day. On that day at noon EST, a series of videos called I Write Canadian will premiere on the CCBC’s YouTube channel, Bibliovideo. Presentations from an amazing roster of authors and illustrators will be featured to celebrate I Read Canadian.
How You Can Participate
- Register your class or schools to participate on February 17
- Download our educator’s toolkit for activity ideas and more
- Looking for I Read Canadian merchandise to wear or share with your students? Check out the store and get it in time for your event in person or virtually.
- Share photos with us on social media by tagging @IReadCanadian and using the hashtag #IReadCanadian
- Watch 20 Canadian authors and illustrators speak on February 17 on Bibliovideo
For questions, please contact:
Emma Hunter
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Canadian Children’s Book Centre
416-975-0010 ext. 221
ireadcanadian@bookcentre.ca
About the CCBC: The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) is a national, not- for-profit organization founded in 1976. We are dedicated to encouraging, promoting and supporting the reading, writing, illustrating and publishing of Canadian books for young readers. Our programs, publications, and resources help teachers, librarians, booksellers and parents select the very best for young readers. See more at bookcentre.ca.
About Eric Walters: It all began in 1993 when Eric was teaching a Grade 5 class. His students were reluctant readers and writers and Eric began to write to encourage them to become more involved in literature. Since his first novel Eric has exploded on the children’s and young adult scene. Over the following years he has published over 114 more novels and picture books with 8 more scheduled in the coming years. Eric is the recipient of The Order of Canada for his contribution to literature. See more at ericwalters.net.
About Canadian School Libraries: Canadian School Libraries (CSL) is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to professional research and education in the field of the school library learning commons in Canada. CSL connects school library practitioners and educators across Canada in the collaborative pursuit of delivering exemplary practices reflective of current professional school library learning commons standards. See more at canadianschoollibraries.ca.
About CANSCAIP: CANSCAIP is dedicated to Canadian children’s authors, illustrators and performers and their work. We provide promotional and networking opportunities to over 400 professional Members and 600 Friends, making us the largest organization in Canada supporting creative work for children and teens. Canada’s creators for young people have achieved great success here and around the world, and CANSCAIP has been an important part of encouraging that success. See more at canscaip.org.
About Communication-Jeunesse: Communication-Jeunesse is a national non-profit cultural organization that was founded in 1971 to promote and appreciate Quebec and Franco-Canadian literature aimed at young people age 0 to 17. The vitality of the organization is largely based on the quality of its associative life and the commitment of its members has been at the heart of its operations since its creation. The members of Communication-Jeunesse enrich its actions and promote its development with as much rigor as energy. For more information, please visit communication-jeunesse.qc.ca.
About the Forest of Reading: The Forest of Reading® is Canada’s largest recreational reading program! This initiative of the Ontario Library Association (OLA) offers ten reading programs to encourage a love of reading in people of all ages. The Forest helps celebrate Canadian books, publishers, authors and illustrators. More than 270,000 readers participate annually from their school and/or public library. All Canadians are invited to participate via their local public library, school library, or individually. See more at accessola.com/forest.
About the Ontario Library Association: Founded in 1900, the OLA is the oldest continually operating non-profit library association in Canada. With more than 5,000 members, the OLA is the largest library association in the country. We provide the chance for library staff and supporters to share experience and expertise while creating innovative solutions in a constant changing environment. We offer opportunities for learning, networking, recognizing, influencing and celebrating within the library world. See more at accessola.org.