
February is a very exciting month for Friesens. It’s I Love To Read Month, an annual celebration of literacy in Manitoba! As we are in the business of making books, it’s our responsibility and honour to be part of this campaign with our friends at Golden West every year. We believe that it’s important to foster a love of reading in children, especially these days when digital and social media monopolize the majority of their free time.
As in past years, Friesens employee-owners are teaming up with Golden West to read to hundreds of Grade 2 students across the Pembina Valley. Not only that, but all students will receive a copy of this year’s book “We Need Everyone” by Michael Redhead Champagne and illustrated by Tiff Bartel (published by HighWater Press, an imprint of Portage & Main Press).
“We Need Everyone” is a vibrant picture book that encourages children to discover and celebrate their unique talents. Through colourful illustrations, it shows how everyone’s gifts are essential to overcoming challenges and building strong communities.
We’re excited to get into the classrooms and bring such an important book to the students!

Michael Redhead Champagne is an Ininew public speaker, writer, community advocate, on-screen personality, and a champion for belonging. He was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba’s North End with family from Shamattawa First Nation. “We Need Everyone” is his first-ever children’s book.