Celebrating Family Literacy Day 2026 with Barbara Reid: “Making Mealtime Family Learning Time”

Family Literacy Day returns on January 27, 2026, continuing a long loved annual tradition of bringing families across Canada together to learn, talk and create through simple everyday activities. Since it began in 1999 with ABC Life Literacy Canada, the day has reminded us that small moments, like reading a book together or sharing stories at the dinner table, help build strong literacy skills and lasting memories. Each year celebrates a new theme for learning at home, and this year’s theme, “Make mealtime family learning time,” shines a light on the natural conversations and connections that happen when families gather around food. Keep reading for an exclusive interview with Honorary Chair Barbara Reid, who shares her inspiring thoughts on creativity, connection and mealtime learning.

Award winning Canadian author and illustrator Barbara Reid has been a beloved part of Family Literacy Day for many years, captivating readers with her iconic plasticine artwork and meaningful storytelling. She returns again as Honorary Chair, offering encouragement and creativity to families, educators and young artists. For more background on her work and past reflections, revisit last year’s blog on “Learning to be Green, Together” taking a look at Family Literacy Day 2025.

The online and in person tutoring team at Teachers on Call is also supportive of making reading a priority at home, especially as families begin the new year. Mealtimes can be a wonderful part of that routine, since sitting together, talking about the day and sharing stories helps build resilience, confidence and strong communication skills. 

ABC Life Literacy Canada is a national charity that champions literacy by empowering adult learners, raising awareness about the importance of reading and learning, and supporting community literacy programs. They work with partners across the country to provide free resources and opportunities that help people build skills for life, work and learning. “Family literacy starts with the understanding that learning happens naturally through everyday life, and that's what Family Literacy Day celebrates," says Alison Howard, Executive Director of ABC Life Literacy Canada. “Whether families are cooking, telling stories while making clay art as Barbara Reid suggests, or simply talking together, these shared moments help lay the foundation for lifelong learning — supporting not only children’s development, but adults’ confidence and skills as well.”

Family Literacy Day Interview with Barbara Reid

This year’s Family Literacy Day theme is “Make Mealtime Family Learning Time.” Why do you think the kitchen or dinner table is such a powerful place for learning, conversation, and literacy development?

Conversation happens easily around food! Sharing a story about something that happened during the day, events happening in the community, even planning the next meal, are all ways to practice communicating and listening in a casual and spontaneous way. Playing with the theme of food, maybe I would call it “Organic Learning”! And that learning happens across generations.

Last year’s Family Literacy Day theme was “Learning to Be Green, Together,” which encouraged families to think about sustainability and caring for the planet. How do you see this year’s theme building on that same idea of learning together through everyday family moments?

Meal planning and food sources have a direct connection with sustainability and caring for the planet. Where our food comes from, nutritional information, and working with a budget can all be part of the conversation around mealtime planning and preparation.

Many families are looking for meaningful ways to connect. From your perspective as an artist and storyteller, why are shared activities like cooking, talking, creating, or reading together so important for children’s development and family connection?

I have a favourite quote “we have a different kind of conversation when our hands are busy”. I’ve heard many amazing conversations while at clay workshops. Kids chat about day to day things, share their thoughts, exchange tips and ideas about what they are working on, and the activity removes barriers and makes connections. Those are the same kind of conversations we can have around mealtimes and meal preparation. The connection is the most important part. Connecting with family through reading together or eating together teaches kids to associate those things with love and affection.

You’re hosting a free virtual workshop for Family Literacy Day where you’ll demonstrate how to use clay to create a picture. What can families expect from this hands-on session, and how does creative art help strengthen literacy skills at home?

On Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 4:30 PM Eastern Time, I will be celebrating Family Literacy Day with a free live virtual presentation. I’ll read I Love You More, written by Emil Sher and illustrated by me. After the reading I will create a clay picture that kids can follow along with, followed by a Q and A. Materials to have ready: modelling clay; a paper plate, recycled cardboard or yogurt lid for a base; and simple tools like a sharp pencil, toothpick, plastic knife. Young artists are invited to submit a photo of their art for the opportunity to win a book. The session will also be recorded and available via Facebook. Families, schools and libraries are invited! Get details here and register online here.

You’re from Toronto and have lived and worked here throughout your career. Are there any favourite places in the city, libraries, neighbourhoods, markets, or quiet corners that inspire your creativity and your work with families and educators?

I live on the east side of Toronto, and I love to walk in the Don Valley on various trails and in the Evergreen Brickworks (550 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4W 3X8). Walking in nature frees up my brain and lets ideas come in. I also enjoy writing at the Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W 2G8), and if I have time, the Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5T 1G4), two of my favourite spaces. I also get a lot of ideas when I’m stuck in a boring place like a waiting room. It’s always good to skip scrolling and carry a notebook and pencil.

Family Literacy Day has been celebrated for decades, and you’ve been closely involved over the years. Are there any success stories or moments from past events that really capture the impact this day has had on families, educators, or communities?

At one of my first Family Literacy Day events, we had an in person clay workshop at a school. After the event a mum approached and introduced her son, who had brought some clay art he had done at home and a picture book he had made. It was lovely to chat with a keen young creator. The family kept in touch, the artist went on to win two TPL Bookmark contests and has continued to grow as an artist. He is now looking to attend an arts school for grade 8. This is just one of many wonderful moments. I love the connections that are made through books, art and reading!

Mealtime can be busy for many families. What are some simple, realistic ways parents and caregivers can turn everyday meals into learning moments without adding pressure?

For me, just spending mealtime together, without screens, is enough. Talking and listening establishes bonds and increases vocabulary and communication skills naturally, no lesson plan needed! However, you can find some great printable tips and activities for this year’s theme on the ABC Life Literacy and Family Literacy Day website page.

Looking ahead, what excites you most about this year’s Family Literacy Day, and what do you hope families take away from participating, whether through your workshop, a shared meal, or a story read together?

I’m always inspired by the ways FLD is celebrated in homes, schools and libraries across Canada. I hope that families and caregivers feel empowered and encouraged by highlighting how much learning happens at home through shared experiences. As said on the FLD site, the kitchen is the best classroom in the house!

Spotlight on Barbara Reid’s New Picture Book: The Story Hunter

This year brings the exciting release of The Story Hunter, Barbara Reid’s newest picture book. Here is how Barbara describes her book in her own words:

“In my new picture book, The Story Hunter, a curious stone age hunter gatherer child follows Grandmother on an unusual hunting expedition into a deep cave where painted animals spring to life. I’ve been interested in cave painting for many years and when I learned that children had sometimes been present and took part in the art making, I was inspired to imagine what that experience would be like for a child. Cave paintings are the earliest form of visual storytelling; rock and cave art is found everywhere that early humans lived. I travelled to France to experience painted caves in person. Seeing a child’s handprint from 20,000 years ago that looked as fresh as if it was made by a child today was thrilling. I hope readers can make connections with those ancient storytellers and be encouraged to express their own stories. And I hope they enjoy following my young hero on his journey.”

For families who love Barbara’s work, or those looking to learn more, you can also explore our earlier Hooked on Books feature where we dive into her popular children’s books.

Looking for more inspiration from Barbara Reid? Check out her 10 tips for making mealtime family learning time.

Extra Tips from Teachers on Call to “Make Mealtime Family Learning Time”

Whether sharing a favourite dinner, preparing a recipe together, or taking time to talk, mealtimes offer simple and meaningful ways to build literacy at home. Here are a few additional tips from Teachers on Call’s elementary and high school tutors to enrich Family Literacy Day, from mixing and matching cooking and baking books with fun, wacky recipes, to cooking together in the kitchen, choosing food-inspired stories, and, as always, recommending Canadian reads.

Explore Cooking and Baking Books for Kids

Sweet Inspiration from Baking Wonderland and The Baker Sisters

For families looking to bring more fun into the kitchen, Baking Wonderland by The Baker Sisters is a wonderful pick. Sisters Jean Parker and Rachel Smith, who live in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in Northumberland County and Durham, and are known for their Food Network Canada show The Baker Sisters, bring their love of baking, creativity and family traditions to every page. Although, they are originally from Bayside, Ontario (a community within Quinte West, near Belleville).

Their kid-friendly cookbook invites young chefs to mix and match recipes for cookies, cupcakes and cakes, encouraging confidence, imagination and hands-on learning. It is a great way to blend mealtime fun with reading and following step by step instructions.

For families looking to bring more creativity into the kitchen, you may also enjoy our Hooked on Books interview with The Baker Sisters about Baking Wonderland, a delightful resource full of kid friendly inspiration.

More Family Fun with My First Recipe Book by Ricardo Larrivée

Another excellent kitchen companion for young learners is My First Recipe Book by celebrated Canadian chef Ricardo Larrivée. Based in Montreal, Québec Ricardo is a beloved television personality, cookbook author and food expert known for making cooking approachable and fun for home cooks of all ages. Ricardo has 13 bestselling books in French and 6 books in English. 

This children’s cookbook is much more than just a collection of recipes. Along with fresh and delicious ideas to try with family and friends, the book offers helpful tips on becoming a skilled cook, choosing the right ingredients at the grocery store and always keeping the environment in mind. In this first English-language Ricardo book for kids, young chefs are encouraged to stay curious, enjoy the process and learn useful life skills in the kitchen.

Learn with Kitchen Tools and Cooking Gear

Measuring cups and spoons are simple but powerful tools for enhancing learning during Family Literacy Day, helping kids practice early math and numeracy skills like counting, fractions, volume, and comparison while following a new recipe. Reading ingredient lists and step-by-step instructions strengthens literacy, sequencing, and comprehension, while hands-on measuring builds confidence and reinforces real-world problem-solving. 

For some extra learning, families can layer in playful kitchen gear and gadgets such as blenders, air fryers, ice cream makers, or slushie machines (with parental supervision, of course, for the little ones). Our team loves Ninja as a teacher favourite for turning everyday cooking into hands-on learning, whether that means using blenders to make breakfast smoothies or afternoon snacks, cooking simple family favourites like French fries or chicken fingers together in an air fryer, or following a recipe to learn how to make favourite desserts like ice cream or slushies, which are always a hit with kids.

Read Food-Inspired Children’s Books for Family Literacy Day

Picture and chapter books with food at the centre are a wonderful way to celebrate Family Literacy Day, sparking conversations about culture, identity, and togetherness around the table. It’s no secret that our online and in-home tutoring team loves the Forest of Reading, and many nominated titles use food as a familiar and engaging entry point for young readers, making stories more accessible and meaningful for families reading together. In our Hooked on Books series, we’ve had the pleasure of spotlighting food-inspired picture books such as The Blue Bowl by Toronto author Flo Leung, which explores identity, heritage, and family through a shared meal, and Are You a Cheeseburger? by Montréal creator Monica Arnaldo, a playful and thought-provoking story that invites curiosity and conversation. Reading these books together adds a rich visual and emotional dimension to literacy, helping children connect words, images, and real-life family experiences in a joyful and age-appropriate way.

As families celebrate Family Literacy Day, we hope these ideas spark meaningful moments of learning, conversation, and connection at home. This year’s theme also aligns beautifully with Goal #6 from our  blog, New Year’s Learning Resolutions for Students: A Family Guide to Setting Meaningful Goals, highlighting how shared meals, cooking together, and food-inspired stories can support both literacy and healthy habits. If you are seeking additional inspiration  or tutoring support from provincially certified teachers across Canada, Teachers on Call is always here to help as families build strong learning routines that extend well beyond the page.

Happy Family Literacy Day and bon appétit!