ACHO DENE KOE/FORT LIARD - A sea of smiling dragons and princesses greeted Christine Abela as she stood on a chair to get a better vantage point in the Fort Liard Aurora College Community Learning Centre on Jan. 28.

The centre was the site not of a fairy tale conference but rather a celebration of Family Literacy Day. A total of 32 children and eight parents packed into the centre to participate in the event themed around The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch.

Jordan Nelson, left, and Hailey Sassie try out the paper bag puppets of a princess and a dragon they made during a Family Literacy Day event in Fort Liard. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

When they arrived the youths divided into two groups based on whether they wanted to be dragons or princesses. One group made dragon masks while the other decorated paper tiaras.

Members of both sides held up or wore their creations as Abela, a community adult educator, read the book while perched on top of a chair.

At the appropriate part in the story the dragon children did their best imitation of lighting 50 forests on fire and everyone, dragons and princesses alike, laughed when Princess Elizabeth called Ronald - the awful prince - a bum.

After the story the participants polished off a table of snacks, much like hungry dragons would, and launched into making paper bag princess and dragon puppets.

While colouring his puppet Tyrone McLeod, 9, said he was enjoying the event.

McLeod, who'd never heard the story before, said the dragon was definitely the best part. McLeod said he practises literacy at home by reading scary books.

"I think it's fun," said Darla Sassie, 13, as she put the finishing touches on her princess puppet.

Literacy is important because otherwise you couldn't read books, she said. Sassie likes reading books that are funny or are about animals. Her all time favourite is Clifford's First Valentine's Day by Norman Bridwell.

The event was far more popular than expected, said Abela.

Starting in November Abela began hosting family literacy nights one Thursday a month using funding from the NWT Literacy Council. Approximately 15 people attended the first night, a number that grew to 25 in December before the record breaking 40 for this month's special edition.

The purpose of the nights is to get parents and children interested in literacy together and to provide activities to do at home, Abela said. Each child left the event with a book and take home activities that expanded on the night's theme.

"It's really important for kids to learn in the home," she said.

The monthly events are also about making literacy, in all its forms, fun.

"It's almost learning without knowing you're doing it. You're having too much fun," Abela said.

After observing the uneven ratio of parents to children at the event Abela said she will focus more on getting parents, adults or guardians to attend the nights.

Shirley Jooris and her two foster children have attended all three family literacy nights.

"I think the kids really enjoy it," said Jooris.

"It's a good way to teach children that learning can be fun."