Family of Late Poet P.K. Page Creates Book Fund to Promote Children’s Literacy

CALGARY (July 9, 2010) – The family of the late Canadian poet, P.K. Page, has just established the “P.K. Page Irwin Book Fund for Children” at the Calgary-based Institute for Cross-cultural Exchange (ICE).  ICE will use this charitable fund to purchase books for disadvantaged children across Canada and Afghanistan.

The books, adaptations of traditional tales from the Middle East, Afghanistan and Central Asia, are purchased and distributed annually by ICE to literacy organizations that target children in need.

“We provide new books with real depth and cross-cultural content to literacy programs for children at risk,” says ICE National Director David Cottle. “The children who receive these books are those in the greatest need and who are in a position to benefit most from them. The books are given to the children to keep.”

Patricia Kathleen Page was as an award winning Canadian poet, novelist and painter. An Officer of the Order of Canada, she was a Canadian literary and artistic icon whose work has had a notable impact on the formation of the country’s cultural and artistic identity.

Page was also the Honorary Chair of ICE.  She helped to raise money in the ongoing battle against illiteracy through dramatic readings of her work in Vancouver and Victoria, and through seeking donations from Canada’s literary community.

Page passed away on January 14, 2010 at her home in Victoria, British Columbia. She was 93 years old. The family of the late poet believes the fund will be a fitting way to honor her concern for children’s literacy.

The new fund will help ICE purchase beautifully illustrated Teaching-Stories from the Middle East and Central Asia. These delightful traditional tales provoke fresh insight, and flexible thought, helping children and adults alike better understand themselves and their world (see www.hoopoekids.com).

ICE (www.iceeducation.org) is an all-volunteer Canadian charity that addresses family literacy and promotes understanding between cultures. So far, ICE has donated over 46,000 Hoopoe books Canada-wide, and with the help of the fund, will begin donating books to Afghan children in their native languages.

For more information about the P.K. Page Irwin Book Fund for Children, please contact Andrew Boden (tel. 604-421-3743), andboden@gmail.com. For information about ICE or Hoopoe Books, please contact: David Cottle (403-313-2796), director@iceeducation.org.