Winning family will receive visit from best-selling author Robert Munsch for writing original, creative story that will be illustrated and published in national magazines.

(Toronto, ON, December 16, 2009) — ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation is pleased to announce that the Jordan family of Scarborough, Ontario has won the ‘Munsch at Home Contest’ for their original story Myles the Rockstar as selected by best-selling author and Family Literacy Day Honorary Chair, Robert Munsch.

“I am honoured to have judged the ‘Munsch at Home Contest’. Each of the finalists’ stories was original, creative and compelling,” said Robert Munsch in a live media teleconference earlier today. “The Jordan family’s story was fun and inventive, and I just know that it will sound great read aloud.” Mr. Munsch will join the Jordans at their home in Scarborough, ON in January 2010 for a private reading of their story Myles the Rockstar and will also read their story to a group of students at Clairlea Public School in Scarborough.

“I grew up on Robert Munsch,” said Christine Walker-Jordan upon hearing news of being selected as the winner of the ‘Munsch at Home Contest’. “To think that Robert Munsch read our story and thought it was cool is just so amazing!” The story, co-written by Christine and her sons Aidan (age 5) and Myles (age 3), describes Myles’ aspirations to be a rock star, and his family’s eclectic musical performance style.

The Jordans’ story will be published alongside a special illustration created by Michael Martchenko, (illustrator of several Robert Munsch books) in spring 2010 issues of B-Zone and Today’s Parent magazines. The ten finalists’ stories are also published on www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca.

More than 600 stories were submitted to the ‘Munsch at Home Contest’ by families from across Canada. Qualifying story entries were less than 250 words in length, written by at least one child and one adult, and featured a singing theme to complement Sing for Literacy, the 2010 Family Literacy Day theme. Stories were judged for originality, creativity and readability.

“We commend and congratulate all families for submitting their creative ideas, and for spending time writing and learning together as a family,” said Margaret Eaton, President of ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation. “It shows just how easy and fun it can be to incorporate literacy into family time.”

The ‘Munsch at Home Contest’ is part of national celebrations to encourage Canadians to participate in Family Literacy Day on January 27, 2010. Family Literacy Day is an annual initiative developed by ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation and founding sponsor Honda Canada to celebrate parents and children reading and learning together and to encourage Canadians to spend at least 15 minutes enjoying a learning activity every day. Thousands of Canadians across the country participate in this initiative with their families, and in their communities every year.

“Honda Canada is thrilled to be a supporter of Family Literacy Day, and we congratulate the Jordan family - Christine Walker-Jordan and her sons Miles and Aidan Jordan - on their creativity and innovation in writing the winning story. We are delighted to help ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation spread the word about how important it is to read and write with your children,” said Eleanor Hendrickson of the Corporate and Environmental Affairs department of Honda Canada Inc.

To participate in Family Literacy Day on January 27, 2010, please visit: www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca

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About ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation:
ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation is Canada’s private-sector voice championing adult literacy. The national charity’s initiatives and campaigns are focused on bringing about meaningful change to raise Canadian adult literacy skills. It envisions a Canada where individuals, regardless of their circumstances, are provided the opportunities to increase those skills that prepare people for realizing their full potential at work, at home and in the community. For the latest news and information on adult literacy please visit www.abc-canada.org, follow us on Twitter <http://twitter.com/ABC_CANADA> or join our Facebook page. <http://www.facebook.com/pages/ABC-CANADA-Literacy-Foundation/75250827617?ref=s>

About Honda Canada:
Honda is the world’s pre-eminent maker of engines for automobiles, motorcycles and power equipment. With 135 manufacturing facilities in 28 countries worldwide, Honda attracts more than 23 million customers annually. Honda Canada manufactures the Honda Civic sedan and coupe, and the Acura CSX and MDX at its two assembly plants in Alliston, Ontario. Honda also manufactures engines at a third plant, also in Alliston. Now in its 40th year of operations in Canada, Honda Canada Inc. has sold more than 3,200,000 Honda and Acura passenger cars and light-duty trucks. Nearly half of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in Canada in 2008 were made in Canada – a higher percentage than any other vehicle manufacturer in Canada.

About Robert Munsch
Robert Munsch is the author of more than 50 children’s books, including the Paper Bag Princess, Thomas’s Snowsuit and Love you Forever, which has sold more than 20 million copies in North America. Also available are several anthologies of Munsch magic and a CD, Love you Forever: The Best of Robert Munsch, which includes several Munsch favourites, told by Robert himself. Munsch is the most published writer in Canada and he is the honorary chair of Family Literacy Day.

For more information, please contact:
Ashley Tilley
Communications Coordinator
ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation
Tel: (416) 218-0010, ext. 127
atilley@abc-canada.org

Nikki Luscombe
Communications Manager
ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation
Tel: (416) 218-0010, ext. 122
nluscombe@abc-canada.org