Children get more than just Stories out of Books #TDBookWeek

Celebrate TD Canadian Children's Book Week by introducing children to their favourite authors, illustrators and storytellers

TORONTO, April 30, 2013 /CNW/ - It's more than just entertainment for children when they get lost in the pages of a book. Reading can bring out creativity, imagination and even courage among children who are inspired by their favourite author's words or illustrations. This year, TD Canadian Children's Book Week celebrates the theme -All the Bookshelf's a Stage: Celebrating the Performing Arts from May 4 - May 11, 2013 to highlight the joy of reading.

TD Canadian Children's Book Week is a program of The Canadian Children's Book Centre and throughout the week, over 35 authors, illustrators and storytellers will be visiting schools, libraries, bookstores and community centres across the country. Book Week tour participants will also be speaking about the pleasures of reading, writing and illustrating books for children and teens, reading excerpts from their books, as well as meeting the families and children who have supported their work.

"Finding books that I loved brought me out of my shell when I was a child and that's exactly why I became an author - I wanted to create stories that I knew children would enjoy," says Alma Fullerton, Author of Community Soup.  "TD Canadian Children's Book Week celebrates the self-esteem and values that children can get from reading which will shape them into happy adults."

For more than 35 years, TD Canadian Children's Book Week has been highlighting the importance of reading and has been introducing Canadian children and youth to their favourite authors, poets, storytellers and illustrators. This year, over 25,000 children are expected to participate in events all across the country.

"Every year we see thousands of smiles fill community centres, schools and libraries when a child's favourite author reads from their most beloved book," says Frank McKenna, TD's Deputy Chair and Literacy Champion.  "We're extremely proud to support TD's Canadian Children's Book Week where Canadian authors visit communities across the country and inspire children to get involved and spread the joy of reading."

Dedicated to raising awareness of the many Canadian books available to young readers, The Canadian Children's Book Centre helps educators and parents select the best for their young readers. In addition, they have selected this year's list of authors, illustrators and storytellers that will be on tour this spring.

"Canada has so many influential authors, illustrators, and storytellers to showcase and TD Canadian Children's Book Week is the perfect opportunity to connect more young people with books", says Charlotte Teeple, Executive Director of the Canadian Children's Book Centre.  "With communities all across Canada participating, it's a great way to encourage children to explore the treasures to be found when they spend time with a good book."

TD Canadian Children's Book Week is the largest celebration of Canadian books for young people in Canada. For more information please visit www.tdreads.com and to see a full tour schedule, please visit www.bookweek.ca/

TD Canadian Children's Book Week 2013

May 4 - 11, 2013 | Tour Roster

TD Community Giving
TD Bank Group invests in communities in order to effect positive change in the places where it operates and where its clients and employees live and work. In 2012, TD donated over $65 million to support community organizations in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. In Canada, TD focuses on education and financial literacy, creating opportunities for young people and the environment. For further information, please visit www.td.com/corporate-responsibility.

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

Image with caption: "#TDBookWeek authors celebrate before embarking on cross Canada tour with Alan Convery, Senior Community Relations Manager, TD Bank Group. From left to right: Catherine Rondina, Adrienne Kress, Helene Boudreau, Marthe Jocelyn, Wallace Edwards, Sylvia McNicoll, Alan Convery, Lizann Flatt, Sarah Tsiang, Jennifer Lanthier, Patricia Storms. (CNW Group/TD Bank Group)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130430_C9627_PHOTO_EN_26139.jpg

Image with caption: "#TDBookWeek authors, illustrators and storytellers celebrate this year's TD Canadian Children's Book Week theme - All the Bookshelf's a Stage: Celebrating the Performing Arts. From left to right: Catherine Rondina, Adrienne Kress, Helene Boudreau, Marthe Jocelyn, Wallace Edwards, Sylvia McNicoll, Lizann Flatt, Sarah Tsiang, Jennifer Lanthier, Patricia Storms. (CNW Group/TD Bank Group)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130430_C9627_PHOTO_EN_26140.jpg

Image with caption: "From left to right: Alan Convery, Senior Community Relations Manager, TD Bank Group, Catherine Montgomery, Program Officer, Canada Council for the Arts, Patricia Storms, Illustrator and Author, and Todd Kyle, President of the Board, The Canadian Children's Centre and CEO, Newmarket Public Library (CNW Group/TD Bank Group)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130430_C9627_PHOTO_EN_26141.jpg

SOURCE: TD Bank Group