Turning the television off and cracking open a book for just one hour each night is one of the best gifts parents can give to their kids, says Canadian author Robert Munsch.

This year, Munsch is serving as honorary chair for the 10th annual Family Literacy Day, a cross-Canada initiative held on Jan. 27 to promote the importance of reading and learning among families.

Renowned Canadian children's author Robert Munsch tells stories at Nelson Mandela Park School in Toronto in January 2006. He is working to promote literacy.
(ABC Canada Literacy Foundation)

Children "catch" a love of reading from their parents and elders, the hit author behind children's bestsellers like The Paper Bag Princess, Love You Forever and Mortimer told CBC News on Friday.

"It's transferred in families because parents who like books, like reading, they read to their kids and the kids don't think a thing about it."

However, "if the family doesn't have literacy skills or isn't big on reading, the kids don't get it."

In today's world of multiple distractions, families can spark an interest in reading by carving out just one hour a day for it, he said.

"When the kids are little, you can literally sit them on your lap. They like it. It works out. When they get more independent and the TV becomes the competing thing, some kids will read no matter what, [while] some kids switch over to TV," Munsch said.

"If the family can say, 'An hour a night, the TV is off. No TV in this house for an hour a night,' that is one of biggest gifts you can give your kids."

Munsch also pointed out the importance of literacy for adults, sharing a story about having stayed with a family for several days before discovering that the father couldn't read.

According to ABC Canada Literacy Foundation, the organization behind Family Literacy Day, nine million Canadians currently struggle with reading or have low literacy skills.

Families of immigrants who might read fluently in other languages can also face struggles with reading in English, Munsch added, saying that parents can set a good example for the family by regularly devoting time to reading.

As part of Family Literacy Day on Sunday, hundreds of literacy-related events, including writing contests, readings, book drives, workshops and seminars, will be held across the country, organized by community groups, schools and libraries.

In the past, Munsch has also been involved in UNESCO's International Literacy Day, held each year on Sept. 8.