From Author Readings to Literacy Parades, the 39th Annual TD Canadian Children's Book Week and Reading Town Canada Cultivates a Joy of Reading

• 29 Canadian authors, illustrators and storytellers hit the road for TD Canadian Children's Book Week http://go.td.com/1zXcOIr @TDNews_Canada (Tweet this)
• TD helps bring Reading Town Canada to Sudbury, ON, April 30 to May 8. Learn more from @TDNews_Canada: http://go.td.com/1zXcOIr (Tweet this)

TORONTO, April 28, 2016 /CNW/ - Twenty-nine of the country's most celebrated children's authors, illustrators and storytellers will visit libraries, schools, community centres and bookstores across Canada from May 7^th to May 14^th as part of the 39^th annual TD Canadian Children's Book Week. Sponsored by TD Bank Group in collaboration with the Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC), TD Canadian Children's Book Week is the largest national event celebrating Canadian children's books and the importance of reading. Each May, during the week-long event, more than 400 live book readings and activities are provided for 28,000 children in every province and territory across Canada.

"The books we read as children have a profound impact on how we see the world, shaping the ideas and attitudes we have toward reading and beyond," says Charlotte Teeple, Executive Director, Canadian Children's Book Centre. "TD Canadian Children's Book Week brings the magic of books and reading to children in communities across Canada and we are delighted to work with TD to deliver such an important program."

Also sponsored by TD and in collaboration with the National Reading Campaign, Reading Town Canada/Ville Lecture will take place from April 30^th to May 8^th in Sudbury, Ontario and across PEI. Each year, different cities are chosen to host a Reading Town and showcase how the joy of reading is woven into every aspect of daily life in the community. This year, more than 90 events will celebrate reading in Sudbury and PEI, including literacy parades, classes on aboriginal writing and more.

"Creating a lifelong joy of reading goes beyond the words in a book. It's about finding unique and engaging ways to inspire Canadians to make reading an important part of their lives each and every day," says Frank McKenna, Deputy Chair, TD Bank Group. "As a long-time champion of children's literacy, TD is proud to connect readers of all ages with great Canadian books, authors and illustrators through programs like TD Canadian Children's Book Week and Reading Town Canada."

This year's theme, 40 Years of Great Books, celebrates four decades of the CCBC's commitment to Canadian Literature. For a full tour schedule, interviews from some of Canada's most iconic children's authors and illustrators from the past 40 years, and a list of 100 of the most beloved Canadian children's books, visit www.bookweek.ca or www.tdreads.com.

2016 TD Canadian Children's Book Week – Who's on Tour?

British Columbia Lisa Dalrymple, author Graham Ross, illustrator Wesley King, author Rebecca Bender, author & illustrator   Saskatchewan Donna Dudinsky, storyteller Sarah Ellis, author   Quebec (English-language tour) LM Falcone, author Simon Rose, author Kean Soo, author & illustrator Robin Stevenson, author Tiffany Stone, author/poet   New Brunswick Mary Ann Lippiatt, storyteller   Prince Edward Island Wallace Edwards, author & illustrator   Northwest Territories Geneviève Després, illustrator   Nunavut Gabrielle Grimard, illustrator

Alberta Bob Graham, storyteller Kate Jaimet, author   Manitoba Angela Misri, author Allison Van Diepen, author   Ontario Karen Autio, author Marty Chan, author Danika Dinsmore, author Kallie George, author Doretta Groenendyk, author & illustrator Margriet Ruurs, author   Nova Scotia Judith Graves, author   Newfoundland Maureen Fergus, author   Labrador Sharon Jennings, author   Yukon Vicki Grant, author

About TD's Commitment to Children's Literacy
The ability to read is often taken for granted. This skill is paramount to success during school years and beyond, which is why TD believes it's important to get children reading and to foster a lifelong joy of reading. Since 2000, TD has invested more than $35 million to support children's literacy and reading programs at local schools and public libraries across Canada.

About The Canadian Children's Book Centre
The Canadian Children's Book Centre is a national, not-for-profit organization founded in 1976. We are dedicated to encouraging, promoting and supporting the reading, writing and illustrating of Canadian books for young readers. Our programs, publications, and resources help teachers, librarians, booksellers and parents select the very best for young readers. For more information, please visit www.bookcentre.ca.

SOURCE TD Community, Environment and Music

or to arrange an interview, please contact: Sheri Papps / Nicole McRonney-Apaw, Paradigm Public Relations, 416-413-5207 / 416-413-5114, [email protected] / [email protected]; Natasha Ferrari, TD Bank Group, 416-983-7180, [email protected]