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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Children and parents cosied together at Bompas Elementary School to read together last month.

Mike Jr. Lafferty, 5, enjoys a book read by his mom, Teena Lafferty, during the Family Literacy Day celebration in Fort Simpson. Books about Lego characters are Mike's favourites. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The Open Doors Society organized a family literacy event on Jan. 31. Approximately 45 youth and 12 adults participated in the evening.

Around the Bompas Elementary School library, where the event was held, children snuggled in by their parents' sides or perched on their laps for storytime.

In between reading books that her daughter Gombee Jose, 4, was bringing her, Leanne Jose said she reads to her children every night.

Dora the Explorer books are among Gombee's favourites along with anything involving princesses, said Leanne. Both Gombee and her younger brother Taggacho, 2, like the Clifford the Big Red Dog series.

Many books to choose from

Although they have many books to choose from at their house, they ask for the same ones over and over again.

Leanne said she enjoys when, after having a story read to her, Gombee retells it in her own words.

Taking a break from one of the board games that were set up on tables around the library, Tanner Isaiah, 7, said his favourite books are Mortimer and Murmel, Murmel, Murmel, both by Robert Munsch. Tanner said he likes "every part" of the two books.

Tanner's mom, Miranda Isaiah, has read to him since he was a baby. They now read together every night before Tanner goes to bed. Miranda said she enjoys the quality time that the reading creates.

"I like when he helps me read," she said.

Reading is also a family affair for Allyson Skinner, James Erasmus and their children Ava, 8, and Addyson, 3, Erasmus. Every night just before bed either Skinner or James reads to the girls and sometimes Ava joins in.

Chapter books such as The Little Rescued Puppy, are Ava's favourites. She reads to herself, but still likes when her parents read to her as well. Addyson prefers pictures books such as What Santa Can't Do.

"It's just a nice way to calm everybody down," said Skinner about the nightly reading.

"It's a nice way to end the night," she said.

Literacy needs to be supported by everyone, not just teachers and schools, said Val Gendron, the Open Doors Society's chairperson.

Children come to preschool and kindergarten with their literacy base already established from what their parents have taught them, she said. Reading books isn't the only way to build literacy.

Children as young as two can be included in family grocery shopping trips if parents draw them pictures of a few items to pick up. When they are four a word can be added to the photo and by the time they are six just the word, such as milk, should be enough, said Gendron.

Including children in cooking and baking also promotes both reading and numerical literacy. Literacy-based games are also a good tool, she said.

"Literacy is a skill you need your entire life," said Gendron.

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