Media Advisory - First Book Canada, Kobo, And Bestselling Author Neil Pasricha Launch "The Awesome Project" To Give Canadian Children In Need Their Very First Books

News provided by

Kobo Inc.

Oct 22, 2015, 09:00 ET

TORONTO, Oct. 22, 2015 /CNW/ -

WHAT
First Book Canada, Rakuten Kobo and Penguin Random House Canada have partnered on "The Awesome Project" – a literacy initiative that brings 10,000 new books, educational resources, and best-selling author, Neil Pasricha, to five Southern Ontario elementary schools.

In addition, Kobo will donate $5 to First Book Canada for each new customer who signs up and makes their first eBook purchase at www.kobo.com/awesome until Nov. 30, 2015.

The face of this initiative is #1 international bestselling author and inspirational speaker, Neil Pasricha, who will present his new children's book Awesome is Everywhere to students and extol the virtues of reading. The five-school tour kicks off at Market Lane Public School in downtown Toronto.

WHO

Interview and photo opportunities:

  • Neil Pasricha – #1 international bestselling author of The Book of Awesome series
  • Michael Tamblyn – President, Rakuten Kobo
  • John Calderone – Communications and Public Affairs, Toronto District School Board
  • Kwame Lennon – Principal, Market Lane Public School
  • Amy Sisam – Librarian, Market Lane Public School
  • Tom Best – Executive Director, First Book Canada

WHEN

Mon., Oct. 26, 2015
9:15 a.m. – Members of the media to set up
9:30 a.m. – Remarks begin

WHERE

Market Lane Public School
246 The Esplanade
Toronto, ON
M5A 4J6

LITERACY STATISTICS

  • 25 per cent of all Canadian Households don't have a single book in them. (Source: First Book Canada)
  • In some of Canada's lowest-income neighborhoods there is only one book available for every 200 children. (Source: First Book Canada)
  • Research has shown that owning and reading books in the home significantly increases literacy from a young age. (Source: Annie E. Casey Foundation, Kids Count 2010 and the Alliance for Excellent Education; 2011 Report)
  • First Book Canada improves literacy in the home. With First Book's resources, families are able to create home libraries for the first time. More than 70 per cent of children who received books through First Book Canada reported increased reading at home. (Source: First Book Canada)
  • First Book Canada empowers teachers; 99.2 per cent of programs that receive books from First Book Canada are able to increase their literacy efforts and offer new curriculum activities, including parent engagement programs.

For more details about "The Awesome Project", please find the full news release here: http://goo.gl/wJKFWu  

For more information:
www.kobo.com
www.firstbookcanada.org
www.penguinrandomhouse.ca

SOURCE Kobo Inc.

Media Contacts: Tracy Nesdoly, Vice President of Communications, Rakuten Kobo, [email protected] / 416-977-8737 ext. 3598; Vikki VanSickle, Marketing & Publicity Manager, Young Readers' Program Penguin Random House, [email protected] / 416-928-2419; Tom Best, Executive Director, First Book Canada, [email protected] / 416-949-0056

Organization Profile

Kobo Inc.