Safe Talk

Families gather to hear a story at the Steinbach Legion

Families packed into the Steinbach Legion Friday evening to help celebrate Family Literacy Day.  Jake Epp Library Spokesperson Tracey Pankratz says it was a great event.  "Lots of families here with their kids with lots of great stories." 

She notes each year they have a theme.  "It was bedtime story and pyjama party.  We want to encourage literacy through all aspects of your life.  Whether it's in the kitchen, reading the newspaper or reading signs as you go."

"Reading stories with your kids is important," Pankratz adds.  "They did a study years ago about how much better kids do in school and life if they are read to early on."

She says stories during Friday's event came from a variety of nations.  "We had a story from Columbia.  She showed us pictures and told about folklore and showed us some handmade crafts done by the natives there.  There was also a story told about Ireland.  We had another one from Russia with Anastasia, the missing royal daughter from the revolution.  There was also a story one from the Philippines."

"There were books read by morning show hosts Michelle Sawatzky and Corny Rempel about no hair, and the duck one was hilarious," she recalls.

Pankratz says the multicultural theme reflected the diversity in our community.  "We had Eastman Immigration Services joining us, and they are the ones who found our multicultural citizens to come.  And we are getting more multicultural every year and it's great.  We are traditionally Mennonite so this exposes people who have been here a long time to new cultures and make other feel more at home."