Island Children to Receive Free Book

Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Elmer MacFadyen today invited grade one children across the province to visit their community public library to receive a free book. The gift of the volume is a special project to promote the Canada-Wide TD Canadian Children's Book Week. In a partnership between the Provincial Library Service, TD Financial Group and the Canadian Children's Book Centre, a copy of a book by Canadian Author Sharon Jennings will be presented to all grade one children visiting their public library during the week.

Minister MacFadyen noted the significant role that libraries play in promoting early literacy. "Developing a love of reading at an early age is the key to a life of pleasure and information. Parents can give no better gift to a child than a library card which will help open a world of imagination."

Barb Kissick, Children's Librarian at Confederation Centre Public Library, said the book chosen this year, When Jeremiah Found Mrs. Ming, is one of her favourites. "It's a very cozy little book with beautiful illustrations and shows that reading is an activity that can be shared between children and adults." The book is available in both English and French, and library staff will be putting out a special welcome mat for young readers this week.

Arrangements to get the book for children who are not able to go to their local public library can be made by contacting the Provincial Library Service at (902) 961-7320.