Literature for Life is making a difference
We were pleased to be featured on Global TV’s “Making a Difference” segment with reporter Susan Hay last week, which highlighted our reading circles and our recent partnership with The Children’s Book Bank. You can watch the video here (scroll down to see March 21 episode).
This is your brain on fiction
Credit: Benedict Campbell. Wellcome Images
From The New York Times Sunday Review:
“Brain scans are revealing what happens in our heads when we read a detailed description, an evocative metaphor or an emotional exchange between characters. Stories, this research is showing, stimulate the brain and even change how we act in life.
Researchers have long known that the “classical” language regions, like Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area, are involved in how the brain interprets written words. What scientists have come to realize in the last few years is that narratives activate many other parts of our brains as well, suggesting why the experience of reading can feel so alive. Words like “lavender,” “cinnamon” and “soap,” for example, elicit a response not only from the language-processing areas of our brains, but also those devoted to dealing with smells.”
Read the whole article here.
“The payoffs of greater inclusivity can be significant”: Literature for Life and the Royal Ontario Museum
We’re pleased to be featured in the Spring 2012 issue of ROM Magazine in the article “Breaking Down Barriers”, in which the Royal Ontario Museum outlines its improved accessibility initiative and lists Literature for Life among its ROMCAN community partners.
From the article, by Cheryl Blackman:
“The payoffs of greater inclusivity can be significant. Richard Sandell, professor of Museum Studies at the University of Leicester, has suggested that when greater inclusivity is practiced by museums it can help society achieve the goal of wider social inclusion and even combat contemporary social problems. Some museums, say Sandell, are beginning to redefine their role in society to become agents of social inclusion… [The ROM] is on a mission to build relationships with communities to reflect the interests of a diverse and continually changing population. “
Literature for Life’s International Women’s Day Celebration is 1 Night Away!
Friends and Supporters of Literature for Life!
The time has come to celebrate International Women’s Day with us during The Opening Night Party of our “Voice” art exhibit!
Tomorrow night, March 7th, 2012 from 7-11pm at Steam Whistle Gallery you will not only have the opportunity to view our mixed media art exhibit that has been fused with the spoken word poetry of our programming participants.
In addition to the art, other event features will include live spoken word poetry readings from Literature for Life’s publication “Holla! “; a collection of poetry written by program participants AND a screening of “Women with Wordz” a documentary by Anna Piszczkiewicz about our missions, visions and values and the unique reading circles we facilitate with teenage mothers in the GTA, empowering them to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
Take a minute to view the “Women with Wordz” documentary trailer:
“Holla” Anthologies will be on sale for $10 and each attendee will receive a FREE Literature for Life bookmark.
Dress Code: Casual
Admission: FREE with complimentary hors d’oeuvres. All ages are welcome. Donations will be accepted.
Address: Steam Whistle Brewing, The Roundhouse, 255 Bremner Blvd. Toronto, ON
Event links:
Literature for Life: www.literatureforlife.org
Women with Wordz: http://womenzwordz.wordpress.com
Steam Whistle Event Page: www.steamwhistle.ca/events/eventdetail.php?id=646
“There is something other worldly about what books do to us”: Guest Post by LFL Facilitator Teneile Warren
We have all seen that moment in the cartoon where Wiley Coyote is going full speed ahead across the mountain because he has somewhere to be. On the first day of my LFL journey I was Wiley Coyote. Or so I thought. In the cartoon, Wiley’s speed is in his legs, a completely self-sufficient, super fast coyote. My speed of movement is dependent on the efficiency of the TTC. Sigh! My speedy feet were now hoping to at least be equated with ‘the little engine that could’. But where there is determination and perseverance, there is success. I arrive at Women Moving Forward with five minutes to spare.
There is a room bursting at the seams with energy, active voices and infectious anticipation. This helps to immediately cut the nerves one carries with them into a first time meeting. There are few moments in life as unsettling as making a first impression. However, the beautiful impression that was made on me washed away my fears and opened the door for calm and collected communication. As a keen observer, my eyes move through the room, tracing the faces, the movements, trying to see the thoughts ruminating in their minds. I witness trepidation, excitement, neutrality and uncertainty.
After completing the paperwork we dive right in to the experience of reading The Coldest Winter ever by Sister Souljah. It takes little to no time to get them involved and soon they are chomping at the bit to read. As we go through the first chapter, we laugh, we relate and we question each others interpretations of the story being told to us. There is something other worldly about what books do to us. They give us the confidence to be free with our thoughts. Books are our escape route or entry way; they are anything we want them to be. Over the next four months we will travel together on a literary journey. Sister Souljah is the pilot, I am the first captain but this group of engaging women called the Red Spotted Purples decide the final destination. Let’s go!
Teneile Warren is a Jamaica-born writer, director, poet, and all around artist. She has been writing, directing and performing in monologues and plays for almost ten years. Warren has also contributed significantly to Jamaica’s radio, television and film industries as a writer, producer and director. If she’s not writing, she’s cooking or thinking of something to write or cook and if she’s not doing either of those, she’s learning. She is a recipient of the National Honour of a Jamaica Creative Writing Award and just completed the commissioned piece Look Ahead: A Musical as a part Jamaica’s 50th year of Independence celebrations.
Family Literacy Day
When we support the young mothers taking part in our reading circle programs, we know that we’re reaching two generations at once. A 
mother empowered by her own literacy skills and with an appreciation for books is likely to pass on a love of reading to her child, giving that child the best possible chance for future success. And so we’re happy to be celebrating Family Literacy Day on January 27th, a special event to highlight what goes on in our organization all year long. Click here to learn more about the benefits of early exposure to books and reading.
And here are some excellent family literacy resources:
- Free downloads from ABC Life Literacy Canada with literacy tips and resources
- Tips for reading to babies and children
- How to choose books for babies
- Why read to my baby?
- Great Canadian book recommendations for older kids
- How to read so your kids will listen
Valerie Pringle profiled in The Women’s Post
Valerie Pringle is profiled in The Women’s Post today discussing her commitment to charities including Literature for Life:
Pringle’s involvement with Literature for Life demonstrates her prioritization of the importance of guidance, a common thread throughout her career. Just as Pringle was guided towards a career in journalism, and now mentors up-and-coming grads, she also supports the guidance Literature for Life offers teenage mothers seeking a better future for themselves and for their children.
Valerie Pringle will serve as Honorary Chair at tomorrow night’s Black White & Read All Over gala. Tickets are available here.
Literature for Life and CBC Culture Days
The Toronto TD Kids Book Club is a special project that involves Literature for Life programming , facilitated by artist and spoken word poet Jelani Nias (a.k.a. JWyze) and made up of young people from the 
Chalkfarm neighbourhood. On October 1, the club got together as part of the Culture Days Open House at CBC Toronto to discuss the book Burn by Alma Fullerton, and how it relates to their own lives and experiences. Fullerton herself took part in the discussion. Go to the TD Kids Book Corner on the CBC website for more information on the event and to listen to audio clips of the conversation.
Matt Galloway Interviews Jo Altilia on CBC’s Metro Morning
Matt Galloway Interviews Literature for Life's Jo Altilia
On Monday September 26, 2011 at 8:20am, Matt Galloway sat down with founding Executive Director of Literature for Life, Jo Altilia to discuss the charity’s involvement with the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Awards and the missions of the Literature for Life organization.
Jo discusses Literature for Life's involvement in the TD Children's Literature Awards
This Saturday, you will have a chance to meet children from the Literature for Life Chalkfarm Reading Circle. They are taking part in CBC Radio’s TD Kids Book Club. The students will be at the CBC Studios as part of this Saturday’s Open House in Glenn Gould Studio, along with children’s author, Alma Fullerton, to discuss her book, “Burn”.
Click the link to hear the interview: Jo Altilia LIVE on CBC’s Metro Morning
Children’s Story
CHILDREN’S STORY
There once was a princess named Li-Li
Princess Li-Li had a problem.
She used to cry for everything.
She cries in the morning
She cries in the night
She cries even when she’s sleeping
She cries all the time.
She cried so much her friends didn’t want to play with her anymore.
Princess Li-Li didn’t know what to do.
She went to the queen and said…
“Mommy, none of my friends want to talk to me. Why?” as she cried.
“It’s because you cry way too much. Instead of crying, use your words.”
Princess Li-Li took her advice and instead of crying she used her words
and everything was good again with Princess Li-Li.
by Makida, Literature for Life Participant 2011
From the anthology Holla