Literacy Merritt & Nicola Valley Society

08/28/2026

07/23/2026

Get out and active this summer, check out these great activities and grab some books.

04/14/2026

Bright Red Bookshelves
FREE BOOKS!

Pick a book you think is fun – Take it home until you’re done – Bring it back when you are through – So someone else can enjoy it too! Choose your book from one of over 40 Bright Red Bookshelves located in the Nicola Valley.

RETURNS & DONATIONS

Book donations are accepted at Earthwalker (2090 Granite Avenue) during regular business hours, Tuesday through Friday, 10AM to 4PM, and Saturdays 10AM to 2PM.

02/04/2026

https://thewalrus.ca/afna

Youth Short Story Category

Deadline to submit is Sunday, February 8, 2026

2026 Amazon Canada First Novel Award is now open for submissions Established in 1976, the First Novel Award program has launched the careers of some of Canada’s most beloved novelists. Previous winners include Michael Ondaatje, Joan Barfoot, Joy Kogawa, W. P. Kinsella, Nino Ricci, Rohinton Mistry,...

02/04/2026

Literacy Merritt & Nicola Valley Society would like to thank our local community for participating in Family Literacy Week events, making it engaging and interesting with a wider variety of activities this year for our children and youth.

The main sponsors for the week's events that helped Merritt unplug and play include Beem Credit Union and School District #58, with additional support from the Merritt Public Library and YMCA BC Child Care Resource Referral at Crossroads Community Church. Thank you to the Merritt Centennials for helping us open the week's activities with two hockey games where Bright Red Bookshelf book donations were collected. Support from the City of Merritt and our local media including Q101 FM, the Merritt Herald, and the Merritt Morning Market helped us promote the events.

The Creative Playground rounded out the week with multiple literacy-based activities and a dance party for children of all ages to enjoy. Thank you to NVIT for the use of their gym and HUGE thanks to the organizations that gave their time and energy to provide free activities and treats including Love To Dance Academy, Kekuli Cafe, Nicola Naturalist Society, Girl Guides, the City of Merritt Recreation Services, Nicola Valley Community Arts Council, Merritt Public Library, and YMCA BC-Merritt.

Toni Stewart, Literacy Outreach Coordinator
Literacy Merritt & Nicola Valley Society

02/04/2026

There’s still time to submit your short story to the Youth Short Story category, but the deadline is less than two weeks away.

Competition Details:
• Deadline to submit is Sunday, February 8, 2026
• $5,000 prize
• Applicants must be older than 13 and under 18 at the time of entry
• Submit an original short story under 3,000 words (a school assignment you’ve already written is totally fine)
• Full instructions on how to submit are at thewalrus.ca/afna

The shortlist will be announced in early May 2026, and the winner will be named on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at an award ceremony in Toronto.

If you'd like some inspiration, check out last year's winning entry, "Suzanne" by Vicky Zhu, as well as the five finalist stories.

For any questions, please contact us: [email protected].

Sincerely,
Amazon Canada First Novel Award and The Walrus

01/28/2026

Happy Unplug and Play Family Literacy Week!📚

This week is all about giving families a chance to step away from screens and enjoy fun, creative, and learning-filled activities together.

To celebrate, we’re giving 3 families a $50 Indigo gift card each. Enter by commenting your child’s favourite book title below.

Make sure to comment by the end of the day on February 6th. Winners will be randomly chosen and announced shortly after.

Let’s make this week about fun, family, and a little screen-free magic 💜

01/18/2026

Volunteers needed for One-to-One reading program English and French. Training will be provided. Support local elementary students learning to read. For more information, [email protected] or 250.378.7844.