The P.E.I. Writers’ Guild has awarded micro-grants to 10 community groups for projects that will celebrate and promote family literacy in October.
While previous years brought authors and readers together in a one-day event, this year the Reading Initiative is working with community partners to host their own events. Grants were awarded to the following:
- Camp Awesome: Author reading from Sarah Dykeman, Oct. 3;
- Confederation Centre Public Library: creation and distribution of 500 bilingual early literacy and numeracy kits for toddlers and preschoolers. The activity kits include a simple craft, a book recommendation and a literacy tip for caregivers, available Oct. 5;
- Julie Pellissier-Lush and the Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors: Storytellers, poets and published authors gathering, Oct. 11;
- Friends of the Rotary Regional Library, Summerside: Creation of two reusable, pop-up StoryWalks, one in English and another in French, to encourage families to enjoy reading and the outdoors by displaying laminated pages from a children’s book along an outdoor path, Oct. 12;
- Mi’kmaq Family Resource Centre: Indigenous storyteller/elder will share an Indigenous story with off-reserve Indigenous families at the centre, Oct. 22;
- Mi’kmaw Confederacy: Writing workshop for Indigenous youth, ages 18 to 30. Participants will receive kits that include a book of Indigenous culture, traditions or a children’s book written by an Indigenous author, along with a scribbler and pencil to write their own story and some information on literacy, Oct. 23;
- Patsy Dingwell: Launch and reading of Dingwell’s new book, Broken Crayons, along with a slideshow of Farmers Helping Farmers School Twinning Project, which provided inspiration for the book, Oct. 24;
- P.E.I. Association for Newcomers to Canada: Engaging newcomer youth in literacy by recording reading excerpts from Anne of Green Gables in their original language, Oct. 25;
- Canadian Parents for French: Virtual and in-person readings of Anna’s Pink and Purple Glasses to Grades 1-4 French immersion classrooms;
- Girl Guides of Canada, Summerside Sparks: P.E.I. author Marlene Bryenton will read her book, Jaya’s Magic Wheelchair to the Sparks, opening discussion around disabilities and inclusion.
The guild is also hosting an Island-wide read-a-thon. More details will be announced but this online event, which will take place at the end of the month, will encourage all Islanders to stop what they are doing to participate in an afternoon of reading.
For more information, visit peiwritersguild.com.
