Barbara Reid on Family Literacy Day, Creativity, and ‘Learning to Be Green, Together’

Family Literacy Day is a special occasion that encourages families to come together to read, learn, and grow. Every year, on January 27th, communities across Canada celebrate this important day, shining a light on the vital role of literacy in a child's development—and how families can engage in fun, educational activities together. This year’s theme, Learn to Be Green, Together, invites families to explore ways to reduce their environmental footprint while nurturing their literacy skills. Keep reading to see our exclusive interview with Barbara Reid herself, where she shares insights into her 10 years as ABC Life Literacy Canada’s Honorary Chair, the importance of prioritizing literacy, and her thoughts on this year's Learn to Be Green, Together theme.

Our online and in-person tutoring service at Teachers on Call, which includes dedicated support from our English tutors, encourages you to find meaningful ways to incorporate literacy and foster a love for reading and writing with the students in your life. We are excited to spotlight Family Literacy Day, a special occasion that highlights the importance of engaging in literacy activities as a family to build stronger bonds and support lifelong learning. You are in luck! The 2025 celebration will be especially exciting, with renowned Canadian author and illustrator Barbara Reid serving as the Honorary Chair. Barbara will be hosting a complimentary virtual event on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 4:30 PM Eastern Time, where she’ll demonstrate her unique clay illustration techniques, offering a creative, hands-on way for families to connect through art and storytelling. This workshop is recommended for families with children in grades 1 to 6. For more details on how to prepare and register for this workshop, check out our interview below!  

About Honorary Chair Barbara Reid

Toronto-local Barbara Reid is the author and illustrator of more than a dozen award winning picture books, and the illustrator of over twenty-five including The Subway Mouse, Perfect Snow, Picture a Tree and Picture the Sky. Awards for her unique plasticine artwork include the Governor General’s Award for Illustration, and in 2013 Barbara was appointed to the Order of Canada for her contributions to children’s literature. She is busy creating the artwork for her new picture book. Story Hunter follows a prehistoric child’s first experience of seeing and creating cave art. To be published by Scholastic Canada, look for it in 2026! Want to hear more about Barbara’s creative process? Check out her website at barbarareid.ca and our previous interview to hear more about her journey as an author and artist at Hooked on Books with Author Barbara Reid.

Get the Inside Scoop on Family Literacy Day from Barbara Reid

Discover all about Family Literacy Day from Barbara Reid! Curious about how to make reading and writing fun for kids of all ages or how to keep young children engaged? What activities can families do to celebrate Family Literacy Day together? Keep reading for valuable advice on how to make the most of this opportunity to learn together as a family. Check out Barbara Reid’s answers to our questions below in an exclusive interview for Family Literacy Day!

Family Literacy Day highlights the importance of reading and literacy-related activities as a family. In your words, what is family literacy, and can you tell us more about why it is important, and the role ABC Life Literacy Canada plays in promoting and supporting this initiative?

I think of family literacy as free-range literacy. It is learning that takes place naturally, anyplace and any time. Kids love to practice new skills, help out, and they crave stories and songs. The home environment is a classroom and family are the first and best teachers. Cleaning up? Sort recycling together, make a game of flattening boxes.  Out for a walk? Count stairs. Not sleepy? Read aloud or tell a family story. Everyone needs to know how to decode information and to communicate to thrive. ABC Life Literacy encourages lifelong learning which makes it a perfect fit with family literacy. Free resources and programs are especially important for newcomer families or families with income or other challenges.

The 2025 theme is "Learn to be Green, Together." How do you feel literacy and environmental awareness connect, especially for families?

I love this theme! Environmental awareness is essential for everyone on our planet. By learning to “read” the environment, kids connect with nature and value it. Literacy skills encourage that connection, from identifying birds, to reading labels, joining local environmental initiatives, and following the news. Kids are future problem solvers and caring for the earth is the first step.

You’ve been a beloved advocate for literacy and creativity for many years as the Honorary Chair. How long have you been involved with Family Literacy Day, and what keeps you passionate about this initiative?

This year I will be celebrating my 10th year as Honorary Chair of FLD and I can’t wait for the fun to begin! I’m always impressed by the variety of amazing FLD programs and events that take place across Canada. The enthusiastic families, teachers and librarians are inspiring, and the kids are a delight.

How can families overcome challenges like limited time or resources to prioritize literacy and environmental awareness?

To boost literacy, libraries are a fantastic free resource for books, digital, and in person programs. In Ontario, EarlyON Child and Family Centres offer programs, and of course, so does ABC Life Literacy. To connect with the environment - go outside! Simple actions like going for a walk and paying attention can spark curiosity. Toddlers and small children will always find something interesting outside.

Your illustrations and stories have inspired so many readers. How do you see art and storytelling contributing to environmental awareness and literacy?

Stories and art can be a pathway to literacy for pre-readers, people with language barriers, the learning challenged, and neurodiverse.

On Thursday, January 23, 2025, you’ll be demonstrating how to use clay to create a picture and sharing unique techniques. What can participants expect to learn from this event and how do they sign up?

On Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM Eastern Time, I will be celebrating Family Literacy Day with a free live virtual presentation. I’ll read Picture a Tree and create a clay picture, followed by a Q&A. Materials to have ready: modelling clay; a paper plate, recycled cardboard or yogurt lid for a base; and simple tools like a sharp pencil or toothpick. Young artists are invited to submit a photo of their art for the opportunity to win a book. The session will also be recorded and available via Facebook. Please join the celebration! Details at the ABC Life Literacy website and register online here.

What inspired you to work with clay as a medium for storytelling, and what makes it such a unique tool for engaging with readers and families?

I began experimenting with clay illustration as a student at OCAD - Ontario College of Art & Design (located within Toronto's Grange Park and Entertainment District neighbourhoods - 100 McCaul St, Toronto, ON M5T 1G1) and it took over my life! The connection between hands and brain makes it a superb medium for expression. Clay illustrations encourage a second look and help readers dig deeper into a story. It’s a kid friendly material that encourages expression, problem solving – and fun!

Do you have any book recommendations, resources or tips that align with this year's Family Literacy Day theme?

One way that families can learn to be green together is through non-fiction books and materials. By paying attention to a child’s interests and with the help of a school or public librarian it’s easy to find enticing books and magazines. Many children love facts and there are countless books about everything from tadpoles to tornadoes to comets. Book treasures can also be found (and recycled) in Little Free Libraries, yard sales and flea markets.

How can teachers and tutors integrate this year’s theme into their lessons or activities?

I love to hear about outdoor classrooms. Head outside for a story time, a nature scavenger hunt or to do a litter cleanup. Have students choose a tree near the school and observe it through the seasons with journals, sketches, research and even poetry.

What special message would you like to share with families celebrating Family Literacy Day this year?

Go outside and play together! You will be opening a door to literacy.  

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Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or teacher, expect to find a variety of free resources to help make your Family Literacy Day celebration a memorable one. From activity sheets to event coordinators’ guides, these materials will inspire families to make reading and learning a daily habit. Mark your calendars for January 27th, and get ready to Learn to be Green, Together—while making literacy an exciting part of your family's everyday life! Looking for more book recommendations to jump-start your family literacy journey? Check out our blog 6 Classic Adventure Stories for Family Literacy Day. You also won’t want to miss our Hooked on Books series where we interview Canadian authors and illustrators - many of whom were nominated for Forest of Reading awards that inspire recreational reading for young readers at various stages.

Happy reading and writing—we hope that your family literacy journey is filled with stories, creativity, and memorable moments!