TVO celebrates Family Literacy Day with guest host Sean Cullen

TORONTO , Jan. 14 /CNW/ - Sean Cullen , children's author, comedian, musician and live entertainer, will be TVO's special guest host for Family Literacy on Wednesday, January 27 . Cullen will be live on air with entertaining anecdotes and commentary to complement a stellar lineup of literacy-themed programming.

"Family Literacy Day is a perfect tie in to everything we do at TVO, and we're delighted that someone as talented as Sean Cullen is joining us to celebrate," says Lisa de Wilde, Chief Executive Officer at TVO. "Education isn't just an ingredient we add to the mix; it's the essence of our programming, and this season we're focused not only on supporting basic literacy, but also on building 21st century literacy skills around science and technology, digital media, politics and the environment."

TVOKids spotlights literacy with educational and entertaining programs throughout the day. A few of the shows that feature adventures in reading, writing and spelling are Charlie and Lola, George Shrinks, WordWorld, Arthur, Little Princess, and Martha Speaks . For a full schedule of kids programs airing on Family Literacy Day, please visit tvokids.com.

At 3:55 pm Cullen appears on TVOKids' "The Space," answering questions from young viewers who want to know about writing books, acting, and performing comedy. And at 6 pm he makes a big announcement about the TVOKids Reading Challenge.

Cullen will continue in his role as guest host for Family Literacy Day during primetime at TVO. Throughout the evening he will introduce literacy themed programs for adults with unique, daring, and off-the-wall performance pieces.

"I am absolutely delighted to be taking part in such an important event as Family Literacy Day," says Cullen. "And not just because if children are illiterate, they won't buy my books. And not just because if parents are illiterate they won't buy my books for their children. Both good reasons, indeed. On a serious note, I believe literacy is the greatest gift any human being can receive. Reading opens worlds of learning, opportunity and entertainment for all people. Making books and reading available to all is of the utmost urgency today. I look forward to spending the day with TVOkids and later hosting amazing literacy-themed programming for adults in the evening."

Primetime Schedule for Family Literacy Day: Wednesday January 27

    
    7 pm      The Lost Libraries of Timbuktu - North American premiere

              In a spellbinding journey, author Aminatta Forna who grew up
              in Sierra Leone travels to the beautiful landscapes of Timbuktu
              in a quest to discover Africa's oldest literary treasures and
              find out why their preservation matters.

    8 pm      The Agenda with Steve Paikin

              Steve Paikin welcomes special guests to examine issues related
              to literacy.

    9 pm      A Waste of Shame - Canadian premiere

              Starring Rupert Graves, Zoë Wanamaker and Anna Chancellor, the
              film takes its title from Shakespeare's Sonnet 129, and
              convincingly reconstructs real-life factors that could provide
              the background to the scribe's writing during his dark and
              troubled middle years.

    10:30 pm  My Different Life

              Filmmaker Karen O'Donnell explores the frustrations of Denise
              Difide, a single mother trying to get the proper care for her
              three kids, two of whom cope with a learning disability and the
              third with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
    

About TVO

TVO is Ontario's public educational media organization and a trusted source of interactive educational content that informs, inspires and stimulates curiosity and thought. TVO's vision is to empower people to be engaged citizens of Ontario through educational media. For more information, visit tvo.org.

Where to find TVO

Cable channel 2 (channel may vary in some areas), Bell TV channel 265, Shaw Direct channel 353.

For further information: Media contact: Lesley Horlick, Communications, Phone: [phone] ext. 2281, [email protected]