Wandering WIllie has been given new life through a computer animated makeover. (submitted image/Roseanne Dery)

By Derek Cornet

Wandering Willie

Reading program launches new website, revamped mascot

Jan 8, 2024 | 3:36 PM

It’s been 32 years since the Northern Reading Program was launched in 1992 and the Pahkisimon Nuye?áh Library System (PNLS) is celebrating with a new website and updated mascot.

“We just today went live with a brand new SaskPower Northern Reading Program website, so anybody can go to it and that’s where [people] can register,” said PNLS teacher librarian Roseanne Dery.

“It runs throughout January and February and it’s open to schools, libraries and it is also open to the public. Anyone from the Northern Saskatchewan Administrative District is welcome to register and participate in the reading program.”

The program is meant to improve the literacy rates in northern Saskatchewan by creating an interactive contest. It’s designed so northerners can challenge each other by reading the most. Prizes include free books and other items that have been either donated by publishers or purchased through sponsorship funding.

The contest is open to northerners of all ages. There are three categories including adventurer (Kindergarten to Grade 6), pathfinder (Grade 7 to 12) and voyager (adults).

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“There’s actually a few different contests,” Dery said.

“There’s a bulletin board contest for libraries, there’s a writing contest that is open to schools or even homeschoolers and online schools, students, and then there’s an adult component to the writing contest. Anybody from the northern communities can enter the writing contest. The guidelines are on the new website. There’s also a colouring contest for schools and libraries to win books. There’s lots of opportunities.”

The new website also includes the history of the Northern Reading Program, frequently asked questions, reading passports, and downloadable materials like bookmarks in Cree, Dene, English and French.

Another change from previous years is a revamped Wandering Willie to a computer-generated image.

“Wandering Willie has been the same for 32 years. It’s a JPEG of a worm and, this year, we have a brand new Wandering Willie mascot,” Dery said.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com