Literacy Merritt & Nicola Valley Society

10/02/2026

Introducing our newest community Bright Red Bookshelf! You can find it nestled at Smith Pioneer Park in Lower Nicola. Enjoy reading donated books - borrow them, swap them, or keep them if you super like your selections!

09/29/2026

Go analog

Create some screen-free time while building literacy skills, creativity, concentration, and connection. Make space for an activity that doesn’t need to be charged, plugged in, or connected to Wi-Fi.

Have a family board game night. Reading cards or instructions, learning new vocabulary, explaining strategies, and talking with other players helps children practise language skills.

09/25/2026

Build reading stamina

Reading stamina is the ability to stay engaged with a text for longer. Try building stamina in small, positive steps.

Build gradually. Read for as long as your child can comfortably manage, then gradually add a few minutes.
Let children choose books. Sustained attention is much easier when books interest them and they want to know what happens next.

09/24/2026

Oct 3,17, 31
Nov 7,14,21,28
Dec 5,12,19 2026

09/22/2026

Go analog

Create some screen-free time while building literacy skills, creativity, concentration, and connection. Make space for an activity that doesn’t need to be charged, plugged in, or connected to Wi-Fi.

Rediscover activity books. Mazes, word searches, crosswords, hidden pictures, logic puzzles, and other activity books are easy screen-free options. Let your child choose something that matches their interests and age. For older kids, puzzle and mystery books can be engaging - try Murdle Jr. mystery puzzle books, for example.

09/08/2026

Sept 8, 2026 is international Literacy Day.

Find your favorite purple socks, shirt or just add a splash of it in your outfit. Keep a eye out for purple for other that support literacy.

09/08/2026

September is Literacy Month: Make a donation today to support September is Literacy Month

04/14/2026

Bright Red Bookshelves
FREE BOOKS!

Pick a book you think is fun – Take it home until you’re done – Bring it back when you are through – So someone else can enjoy it too! Choose your book from one of over 40 Bright Red Bookshelves located in the Nicola Valley.

RETURNS & DONATIONS

Book donations are accepted at Earthwalker (2090 Granite Avenue) during regular business hours, Tuesday through Friday, 10AM to 4PM, and Saturdays 10AM to 2PM.

02/04/2026

https://thewalrus.ca/afna

Youth Short Story Category

Deadline to submit is Sunday, February 8, 2026

2026 Amazon Canada First Novel Award is now open for submissions Established in 1976, the First Novel Award program has launched the careers of some of Canada’s most beloved novelists. Previous winners include Michael Ondaatje, Joan Barfoot, Joy Kogawa, W. P. Kinsella, Nino Ricci, Rohinton Mistry,...

02/04/2026

Literacy Merritt & Nicola Valley Society would like to thank our local community for participating in Family Literacy Week events, making it engaging and interesting with a wider variety of activities this year for our children and youth.

The main sponsors for the week's events that helped Merritt unplug and play include Beem Credit Union and School District #58, with additional support from the Merritt Public Library and YMCA BC Child Care Resource Referral at Crossroads Community Church. Thank you to the Merritt Centennials for helping us open the week's activities with two hockey games where Bright Red Bookshelf book donations were collected. Support from the City of Merritt and our local media including Q101 FM, the Merritt Herald, and the Merritt Morning Market helped us promote the events.

The Creative Playground rounded out the week with multiple literacy-based activities and a dance party for children of all ages to enjoy. Thank you to NVIT for the use of their gym and HUGE thanks to the organizations that gave their time and energy to provide free activities and treats including Love To Dance Academy, Kekuli Cafe, Nicola Naturalist Society, Girl Guides, the City of Merritt Recreation Services, Nicola Valley Community Arts Council, Merritt Public Library, and YMCA BC-Merritt.

Toni Stewart, Literacy Outreach Coordinator
Literacy Merritt & Nicola Valley Society