Haynes family, and their community, will host renowned children’s author Robert Munsch in January

(Toronto, ON – December 14, 2010) – ABC Life Literacy Canada is pleased to announce that the Haynes family of Raymond, AB has won the Munsch at Home Contest for their original and creative story E-I-E-I-NO! as selected by bestselling author and Family Literacy Day Honorary Chair, Robert Munsch, and the Munsch at Home Contest Judging Panel.

“This story was very silly and jumped off the page visually,” exclaimed Robert Munsch. “The judging panel felt, as I did, that the story appealed to both parents and children and would resonate with Canadians across the country.”

Parents Andrea and Richard Haynes along with their four children Ayrison (9), Olea (7), Eden (4) and Nathen (2) and aunt Angela Ewacha came together to create the special tale. E-I-E-I-NO! is a story about a young boy having a birthday party at Old MacDonald’s farm and the testy temperament of the animals. After a few funny missteps with regards to party games such as Duck, Duck, Goose and Pin The Tail On The Donkey, the chicken dance song was played and everyone – animals included – got down to dancing. From then on, everyone had fun.

Robert Munsch will visit the winning family’s home in January 2011 for a personal reading of their story, as well as participate in a public reading at a local public library, school or literacy organization of their choice.

“We were so excited when we got the call from Robert Munsch telling us we were the winners of the Munsch at Home Contest,” said Andrea Haynes. “Our family is really looking forward to meeting him in January.”

The Haynes’ story will be published alongside a special illustration created by Michael Martchenko, (illustrator of several Robert Munsch books and member of the judging panel) in a spring 2011 issue of Parents Canada. The ten finalists’ stories are also published online at FamilyLiteracyDay.ca.

Challenged to write a 250-word original story, using the Family Literacy Day Play for Literacy theme, over 500 entries were received from across Canada. Written by at least one adult and one child, the stories were judged on 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 Life Literacy Canada. “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 encouraging Canadians to participate in Family Literacy Day on January 27, 2011. Family Literacy Day is an annual initiative developed by ABC Life Literacy 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. Over 300,000 Canadians participated in Family Literacy Day activities with their families and in their communities last year.

To read the Top 10 stories, or to see how you can participate in Family Literacy Day, visit FamilyLiteracyDay.ca.

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About Family Literacy Day:
Family Literacy Day, held annually on January 27, was developed by ABC Life Literacy Canada in 1999 to celebrate adults and children reading and learning together, and to encourage Canadians to spend at least 15 minutes enjoying a learning activity as a family every day. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians across the country participate in this initiative in their homes and communities every year. For more information, visit www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca.

About Robert Munsch:
Robert Munsch is the author of more than 50 children’s books, including the Paper Bag Princess, Thomas’ Snowsuit and Love you Forever, which have sold more than 20 million copies in North America. Munsch and his illustrator, Michael Martchenko, have two new releases in Fall 2010: Mad About Munsch!, a collection of five favourite stories, and Too Much Stuff!, a picture book about a young girl who is determined to take all of her toys on a trip with her. Munsch is the most published writer in Canada and has been the Honorary Chair of Family Literacy Day since 2003.

Munsch at Home Contest Judging Panel includes:
Craig Battle, Editor, Owl Magazine (http://www.owlkids.com)
Tom Brown, CTV Toronto News (http://toronto.ctv.ca)
Erica Ehm, Publisher, YummyMummyClub.ca (http://www.yummymummyclub.ca)
Diane Kerner, Director of Publishing, Scholastic Canada (http://www.scholastic.ca)
Michael Martchenko, Illustrator
Mark Medley, Books Editor, National Post (http://arts.nationalpost.com/category/afterword)
Robert Munsch, Author (http://www.robertmunsch.com)
Alyson Schafer, Host, The Parenting Show (http://www.alyson.ca/the-parenting-show.html)
Jennifer Valentyne, Citytv’s Breakfast Television (http://www.bttoronto.ca)
Brandie Weikle, Editor, parentcentral.ca (www.parentcentral.ca)

About ABC Life Literacy Canada:
ABC Life Literacy Canada is a non-profit organization that inspires Canadians to increase their literacy skills. ABC Life Literacy Canada envisions a Canada where everyone has the skills they need to live a fully engaged life. For the latest news and information on adult literacy please visit abclifeliteracy.ca, follow us on Twitter (@Life_Literacy) or join our Facebook page.

For more media information, please contact:
Ashley Tilley
Communications Coordinator
ABC Life Literacy Canada
416-218-0010 ext. 127
atilley@abclifeliteracy.ca

Nadia Flaim
Communications Manager (Acting)
ABC Life Literacy Canada
416-218-0010 ext. 122 / 416-294-6795 (m)
nflaim@abclifeliteracy.ca