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Our View: Books are a journey for the whole family

Reading together is as essential as reading.
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This June 27 is Family Literacy Day in Canada.

We could tell you again about how important reading is, but you already know that, right?

You’re aware that literacy is necessary for pretty much every job out there. You already know how essential it is to getting along in society – from reading maps to menus, from doing taxes to getting a driver’s licence.

So when we encourage family literacy, we don’t want to dwell on those aspects.

We want to remind you how much fun reading is, and how much joy you can find in reading as a family.

From picture books to chapter books to the local paper, reading can bring a family together for some quiet time. No TV, no Netflix, no phones required.

Whether it’s creating a family book club or reading out loud, family reading time can create generational bonds.

Parents can share the books that mattered to them as children and young adults. Children can share new books that are making the rounds of their schools. (And hey, if parents and older children enjoy Harry Potter and other books intended for younger readers, that’s a nice bonus.)

If every member of a family is engaged in a story, it becomes a shared experience unlike any other.

Improving family literacy is a worthy goal for practical reasons.

The easiest way to improve literacy is to read, and the easiest way to get everyone reading is if we remember how much fun there is to be found in books. If you want to start reading with your family, your local librarian will be happy to help.

– M.C.