Muggins, a war hero

Muggins was a small dog with a fluffy tail. He was born in 1913 in Victoria. Muggins became a hero during the First World War. He learned to walk through the streets by himself. He had two donation boxes on his back and collected money for charities like the Canadian Red Cross that fed hungry…

National Truth and Reconciliation Day

In June 2021, the Government of Canada created a new statutory holiday.  The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is on September 30.  Why is there a new holiday?  From 1880 to 1996, Canada sent Indigenous children to residential schools.  The children were taken away from their families. Many were treated badly. Many died.  The…

Valentine’s Day

In ancient times, Romans held a feast day in February. The day brought people together as couples. Why is it called Valentine’s Day? Valentine was a Roman priest. The Roman emperor wanted young men to be soldiers and not marry. Valentine helped people marry in secret. Valentine was caught and killed on February 14. People…

Make a snowman card!

When you give someone a card, it shows you care. Here is a card you can make yourself. A homemade card can be special. What you need: white cardstock paper orange paper pink paper a black marker scissors glue stick What you do: Fold a piece of white cardstock in half. Cut out a carrot…

Prevent kitchen fires

Many people like to cook during the holidays. Fires in the kitchen often start when people leave the kitchen while cooking. Lorraine Carli, vice-president of outreach and advocacy at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says, “We know cooking fires can be prevented.” Here is how to stay safe in the kitchen: Stay in the…

George Chow remembered

Remembrance Day reminds us of those who served for Canada. When the Second World War started, Chinese Canadians did not have the right to vote. Their contribution to Canada’s war efforts helped them gain the right to vote in 1947. George Chow was one of about 600 Chinese Canadians who served in the Second World…

B.C. Day in August

B.C. Day is the first Monday in August. On this public holiday, people celebrate living in British Columbia.  Many people use the long weekend to travel, enjoy nature or relax with family and friends. According to the United Nations, “B.C. is the best place in the world to learn, live and play.” A few facts…

Build a snow person

Build a snow person this winter for outdoor family fun! What you need: mittens or gloves snow, not too wet or too dry outdoor space buttons or stones, sticks, a carrot What you do:     Make a large snowball. Roll it on the ground to pick up more snow. Pack snow around the bottom of…

Staycation vacation

This summer, take a staycation. A staycation is a stay-at-home vacation. You can do fun things in your own town or city. You don’t have to spend money on travel, airfare or hotels. What to do: Go on walking tours. Learn about history, architecture and art from a local expert. Many guided tours are free…

Neighbours decorate for Lunar New Year

Elaine Su was born in China. She lives in New Westminster. She celebrates the Lunar New Year. Elaine has a son named Ellis. He is two years old.  She wanted him to learn how Lunar New Year is celebrated in Chinese culture. But this year, there are no festivities planned due to the pandemic. Elaine…

New Year’s Eve

Canadians celebrate New Year’s Eve in many ways. Here are some of the most popular traditions. Countdown People count down to midnight. They count from 10 to zero. At midnight they wish each other “Happy New Year!” Many cities set off fireworks at the end of the countdown. People go outside and bang pots and…

“Deck the Halls”

Have you heard this Christmas song before? The song is called “Deck the Halls.” It is more than 300 years old. People sing this song to wish their friends and family a happy holiday season. Where does “Deck the Halls” come from? “Deck the Halls” is based on a Welsh song called “Nos Galan.” “Nos…

How to make the perfect snowball

A friendly snowball fight is a great way to have fun with your family in the winter. You can learn how to make the perfect snowball. Make sure the snow is wet Good snowballs need to be made from clean snow that is a little wet. Test the snow before making a snowball. Give it…

Halloween and COVID-19

This Halloween, there are new safety guidelines for trick-or-treating due to COVID-19. BC Centre for Disease Control says, “Celebrate less socially and trick-or-treat locally this Halloween.” Children need to wash their hands before going out, when they come home and before eating treats.  Carry hand sanitizer for eating treats on the go. Try to keep…

Get out in the community

What can you do with your family during spring break? Here are some ideas. Visit a museum Some museums have free entry for children or families during spring break. They might also have special activities for young children. Go to the library Many public libraries have free programs for children or families during spring break. Visit…

2020 Calendar

Which holidays do you celebrate? What about your family and friends? What do you do on your favourite holiday? Do you spend time with your friends or family? Do you prepare special food or give special gifts? Here is a calendar with some of Canada’s holidays. What is a statutory holiday? On a statutory holiday,…

BC Day is the first Monday in August

BC Day is the first Monday in August. On this public holiday, British Columbians relax with family and friends. Many people travel on this long weekend or camp and enjoy nature. According to the United Nations, “BC is the best place in the world to learn, live and play.” A few facts about B.C. 1. Aboriginal people have lived in the…

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Level 2 Written by Nila Gopaul. Originally posted to The Westcoast Reader, March 2015 St. Patrick’s Day is an Irish holiday. On this day, people celebrate the life of St. Patrick. St. Patrick was born in the year 387. He brought Christianity to Ireland. Experts believe St. Patrick died on March 17, 461. So this is the day…

Happy Lunar New Year!

Adapted from article written by Nila Gopaul, originally posted to The Westcoast Reader, February 2015 Every year, during Lunar New Year, many cities and towns in B.C. are filled with red banners. Sometimes there are lion dances, parades and crowds. Restaurants are filled with many people. Around the world Lunar New Year celebrations last for 15 days. Vietnamese, Chinese…

Remembrance Day

Lest we forget November 11     Remembrance Day Level 3 November 11 is Remembrance Day in Canada. On this day we honour Canadians who fought and died in wars. Many communities have special events and parades on Remembrance Day. Watch this Remembrance Day ad from the Government of Canada Red poppies Sixty thousand Canadians died…

April Fools’ Day is fun

Many countries celebrate April Fools’ Day on April 1. Sometimes the day is called All Fools’ Day. On this day people play harmless tricks or pranks. The tricks can be played on friends, family, or coworkers. Often newspapers, TV stations and websites play tricks. No one knows the exact date of the first April Fools’…

Family Day in British Columbia

Adapted from The Province by Patty Bossort Level 1 The first Family Day holiday in BC was in 2013. Family Day in BC is on the second Monday of February. Other provinces have their holiday on the third Monday of February. Change the day? A lot of people want BC to change the day. They want…

“In Flanders Fields” poem is 100 years old

“In Flanders Fields” poem is 100 years old Adapted from Canadian War Museum and Wikipedia by Patti-Lea Ryan Level 3 This year is the 100th anniversary of the writing of the poem “In Flanders Fields”. The poem was written in 1915 by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. Who was Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae? Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae was a…

Buy a poppy

People honour soldiers and veterans Adapted from The Vancouver Sun by Nila Gopaul Remembrance Day is on November 11. Every November, plastic poppies are made and sold. Canadians wear these poppies on their left lapels, close to their hearts. They wear poppies to remember Canadians who died in wars. Poppies are a symbol of Remembrance Day.

Halloween is on October 31

Halloween safety tips Adapted from The Vancouver Sun by Nila Gopaul Listen to “Halloween safety tips” Reading by Nila Gopaul Halloween is on October 31. Trick-or-treating is a Halloween custom in Canada. On this day, many children dress in costumes. In the evening, children go to houses.* They knock on doors or ring bells. Children say “trick or…

Harvest time is the right time for giving thanks

Harvest time is the right time for giving thanks Adapted from Canadian Living: “How to cook a turkey” and BC Turkey Growers by Patti-Lea Ryan Level 2 What better time to give thanks? Farmer’s markets and stores are filled with fresh vegetables. The vegetables are fresh and colourful. Carrots, brussels sprouts, broccoli, yams and corn, to…

October 1 is National Senior’s Day

A House of Baba Yagas Adapted from CBC.caradio by Nancy Carson Level 1 Thérèse Clerc is in her 60s. She lives in Paris, France. She knows she is getting old. She thinks where will I live? How will I live? Who will live with me?

World Peace Day is September 21

Watch the full film The Day After Peace below. The International Day of Peace is sometimes called World Peace Day. It is celebrated on September 21 every year. This special day is dedicated to world peace. The UN* General Assembly started the International Day of Peace in 1981. “On this day, in the lead-up to the Day of Peace, I am asking…

Rosh Hashanah begins

We wish a happy Rosh Hashanah to our readers and their families! Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year. It is a special occasion for prayer and reflection. It is also a day of celebration. Links: Learn more about Rosh Hashanah here. Read about how Rosh Hashanah is celebrated in Canada.

About birthday cakes

Adapted from cbc.ca by Nila Gopaul Level 3 Birthday cakes are delicious, say children. They are sweet and rich. Why do we celebrate birthdays with cake? Why do we put candles on birthday cakes? And why do we sing over these cakes? History During the 8th century, the people in Rome, Italy, celebrated birthdays with cake. Cakes were…

Festival of Eid al-Fitr

Festival of Eid al-Fitr  Adapted from The Province by Nila Gopaul More than 85,000 Muslims in B.C. will start to celebrate the end of Ramadan today, July 17, 2015. Ramadan is a month-long holy time, where Muslims get closer to God. Mohd Adli Bin Abdullah, Consul General of Malaysia in Vancouver, says Ramadan is a “joyous…

Pysanky (peh-SAHN-kee)

Pysanky (peh-SAHN-kee) Level 2 Pysanky* is a special way to make Easter eggs. This art has been around for hundreds of years. It started in Eastern Europe. *Pysanky means “to write”.

Norooz with Saha

Submission by Saha Mousavi  Saha is now in Grade 8 at Magee Secondary School in Vancouver. She wrote this story while she was a Grade 6 student at Vancouver’s Lord Roberts School in 2013. The word Norooz means “the new day” in the Persian language. Norooz is the name of the important Iranian or Persian New…

February is Black History Month

Canada Post has issued this special stamp to acknowledge the history of Vancouver’s Hogan’s Alley. What is Black History Month? During this month, we honour the achievements and contributions of black people, past and present. Many of these men and women have fought for equal rights.

Today is Family Literacy Day

Adapted from The Vancouver Sun by Nila Gopaul Find a fun way or fun ways to learn with your children. You can read together for 15 minutes every day. You can make a grocery list together or write a letter to a grandparent or grandparents. See links and video on the next page.

Christmas in Canada

A special thanks to Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC)

Halloween costumes … for your dog

This Halloween, man’s best friend, the dog, can dress up, too. Once there were four costumes for pets. Now there are over 20 costumes.

October is Foster Family Month

Adapted from The Province by Nila Gopaul October is Foster Family Month in B.C. Foster care is a way to give a family life to children and teens who cannot live with their own parents. There are about 3,200 foster parents in B.C. They care for 5,900 children and teens in B.C. Many of these parents are reaching…

Celebrate International Literacy Day

[pullquote]September 8 is International Literacy Day. Learn more at UNESCO.org[/pullquote] This story, “Family, the first school for young children,” first appeared on WCR online in January, 2013. Adapted from The Vancouver Sun Level 2 How does a child become a good reader? How does a child become a good speaker? The answer is simple. The…

Valentine’s Day

Adapted from Best of the Reader Level 1 Valentine’s Day is on February 14. It is a romantic day for many adults. They buy cards, chocolates or flowers for each other. They say, “I love you.” Visit the link: Make your own Valentine’s Day card. See the seven steps to make a simple Valentine card. How…

My first Christmas in Denver

My First Christmas in Denver Reader submission from Dorsa Ghiassi (age 11) from Denver, CO My name is Dorsa. I am Iranian. I am now living in Colorado, Denver. I had already lived in Vancouver for 2 years. This is my first Christmas in Denver, Colorado. I decided to make a Christmas dinner all by…