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YORKTON – Students at St. Michael's Elementary and M.C. Knoll Elementary began a reading endeavour Jan. 4.

The two schools are participating in the "One School One Book" project, which aims to promote family literacy and the joy of reading. The chosen book for this year is "Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein, a fun and engaging story about a group of kids who have to solve puzzles and riddles to escape from a library.

Tammi Latimer, teacher at St. Michael's, is the organizer of the project. She said she has been doing it for 15 years, starting at St. Paul's Elementary before moving to St. Michael's last year.

"Last year we did Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and this year we're doing it along with M.C. Knoll," said Latimer, adding, "this year we decided to come together and kick it off together."

Latimer said the project involves sending a copy of the book to every family in both schools, along with a reading schedule and some activities. The families are encouraged to read the book together and discuss it at home.

"The whole thing is to build family literacy skills and the enjoyment of reading," said Latimer, adding, "the whole point is family is where literacy begins..

The project will culminate with a family literacy night on Jan. 30, where the schools will host a variety of games and activities related to the book. Latimer said the date coincides with the International Family Literacy Day, which is on Jan. 27.

"Most of the province takes a whole week to celebrate and do different things. The libraries will do things. Most of the schools will do things," said Latimer.

Latimer said the project has a positive impact on the families and the students, who get to experience the fun and joy of reading.

"I think if people don't understand how fun reading is you don't read," said Latimer, "sadly more and more people are reading on their phone but they don't read anything beyond that. Our stamina is not what it used to be so it's important that we continue to read chapter books and to build that love within our children and to understand how much fun it is and how joyful books can be and how it's a good time to spend with your family — which is really critical these days."

She added that the book also encourages families to play games together, which is another way to bond and have fun.

"This particular book is all about playing games with your family — solving puzzles," said Latimer, "it's a great way to spend time with your family and to challenge your brain and to have fun."

Latimer said this is the first time the two schools have done the project together, which makes it even more special.

"It's not been done before where both schools actually come together and read it together," said Latimer, "we're really trying to bring both the reading in but also just that game idea of sit down and play a board game with your family — play some cards with your family — we have Rebus puzzles that are going home each night to solves with your family."

She said the project also has the support of the author, who made a video for the schools reading of the first chapter of the book.

"We actually had the author Chris Grabenstein — he lives in New York — but he made a video for us reading aloud the first chapter."

Latimer said she hopes the project will inspire more families to read and play together, and to discover new books and genres.

"It's really trying to build quality time with your family and it's also trying to expose them to different types of books that they might not normally pick up."