Canadian authors are visiting Prince Edward Island schools and libraries over the coming weeks.
“Every year, the Public Library Service helps connect children with talented authors and artists,” said Education, Early Learning and Culture Minister Doug Currie. “Great partnerships with Canadian authors, community partners, our school system, and the PEI Public Library Service can only enrich our cultural offerings for all young Islanders.”
Children across Atlantic Canada have voted for the Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award. Several French and English schools across the province have been running Hackmatack book clubs this year, and Island authors Dave Atkinson, Orysia Dawydiak, and Sharon McKay have been nominated this year. A Hackmatack nominated author, Nancy Runstedler, will be visiting the Island from April 26-28 for readings at three schools, as well as at the Stratford Public Library.
The first week of May is Reading Town week. Reading will be celebrated in Island communities through a series of educational and fun events. One such event is the Rotary Creative Writing Awards for Young People. This event, held on the afternoon of May 7, recognizes excellence in creative writing by Island youth.
TD Canadian Children's Book Week is May 7-14. Award-winning illustrator and author Wallace Edwards will be visiting four Island libraries, as well as speaking at schools across the province. Mr. Edwards is the creator of numerous picture books and his presentations describe the process of creating a picture book, encouraging students to be agents of creativity. He will also be doing live drawing of images suggested by his audience.
French author Carole Tramblay will be visiting six French Public Library Service locations and schools from May 16-18.
“Any opportunity to talk with kids about reading and writing is a good one. The Hackmatack nomination of Wereduck has kicked off a lot of these great conversations,” said Hackmatack nominated author Dave Atkinson. “Events such as Reading Town and TD Canadian Children’s Book Week are super tools to help us get kids exciting about reading.”
Nancy Runstedler’s Hackmatack tour of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick has been made possible with financial support from the Canada Council of the Arts. Learn more at http://hackmatack.ca/en/
Reading Town PEI starts April 30 to May 8, 2016. For a list of Reading Town events, visit https://readingtownpei.com/
To learn more about TD Canadian Children’s Book Week, visit http://bookweek.ca/book-week/2016