Media Advisory - Read to Me! Launches First Mi'kmaq Board Book for Babies

HALIFAX, Oct. 1 /CNW/ - On October 2, Read To Me! will celebrate Mi`kmaq History Month with a special launch of the Mi'kmaq version of Sheree Fitch's popular baby book Kisses Kisses Baby O!, and the Mi'kmaq edition of the Read to Me! bag, containing books and reading resources for Mi'kmaq families.

The Mi'kmaq version of Sheree Fitch's popular baby book Kisses Kisses Baby O!, is translated by Mi'kmaq Linguist, Bernie Francis. This book is provided in the Read To Me! bag by the Nova Scotia Nurses' Union and Nova Scotia Teachers Union in English, French and now, Mi'kmaq. Weska'qelmut Apje'juanu is the very first Mi'kmaq board book for babies.

At the launch, Fitch and Francis will perform a lively reading of Weska'qelmut Apje'juanu, Kisses Kisses Baby O!, for a Grade Primary class.

Ellen Robinson, a Mi'kmaq Elder from Indian Brook, will be giving the opening prayer and Sister Dorothy Moore, a Mi'kmaq Elder from Membertou and member of the Read to Me! Mi'kmaq Advisory Committee, will present the first bag to families.

    
    WHEN:  October 2, 2009
    TIME:  10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
    WHERE: L'nu sipuk Kina'muokuom (Indian Brook House of Learning)
           579 Church Street, Indian Brook, Nova Scotia
    WHO:   Sheree Fitch, author
           Bernie Francis, Mi'kmaq Linguist
           Sister Dorothy Moore, Read to Me! Mi'kmaq Advisory Committee
           Carol McDougall, Program Director, Read To Me!
           Janet Hazelton, NSNU president
           Alexis Allen, NSTU president
           Local students and families
    

Read To Me! presents a gift bag of books to the family of every newborn in the province at the hospital bedside to promote reading together from birth. After launching eight years ago, the program has delivered over 57,000 bags to families, containing over 143,000 high quality baby books.

For further information: Shanda LaRamee-Jones, Provincial Coordinator, Read To Me! Program, [phone]; www.readtome.ca