BCLCIRA Cookbook

Following the Literacy 2004 Fall Conference, BCLCIRA hosted a reception to officially launch their cookbook, Readers, Writers, and Recipes (order here). The book was compiled by the BCLCIRA to promote literacy throughout BC by showcasing some of our province’s very talented children’s book authors and illustrators. Those who contributed, not only donated their favourite recipe but also shared their biography, a list of their published works and personal stories about their literacy experiences which they thought would be of interest to teachers, parents and children.

Using the cookbook at home and in the classroom

As well as sharing stories and books, there are many other ways in which teachers and parents can help children to learn about reading and writing. Every day, without realizing it, we use “acts of literacy” to get things done. It is very motivating to involve children in using reading and writing skills in a fun way. The Readers, Writers and Recipes cookbook can be used to involve children in a fun literacy activity in the following ways:

• Use the background information provided in the cookbook for pre-reading activities
• Read and discuss the books written or illustrated by the contributors
• Use the email addresses provided to make personal contact with a favourite author or illustrator and send an email that includes some questions and compliments
• Find out if the author or illustrator has a website which may include current information
• Create a response bulletin board for the classroom
• Invite one or more of the contributors to visit your school
• Make a trip to the library to find and read other books written by BC authors and illustrators
• Attend local author events commonly sponsored by libraries and bookstores
• Consider attending LOMCIRA’s annual Write On event during BC Literacy week
• Involve children in making one or more of the recipes either at home or at school. This is a great way to help children learn to follow directions, take a task to completion, and take pride in a job well done
• Bring a copy of a favourite family recipe to school and publish a classroom or school wide cookbook

The cookbook is a wonderful resource to help children foster real and personal connections with BC authors and illustrators and to promote enthusiasm for literature in a meaningful and authentic way. All proceeds from the sale of the cookbook will be used to purchase books written by B.C. children’s book authors and illustrators and donated to schools throughout B.C.

To order the cookbook, which will be sent to you by postal mail, please download and mail the order form (PDF). For other questions, email jcarlton(AT)vsb.bc.ca.