Elks launch new children's book Spike Tales ahead of Read In Week
Green and Gold players, alum, and cheer team members excited for 32 in-person readings across Edmonton next week
EDMONTON – Ever wonder how Edmonton fan-favourite Spike made his way to The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium?
The Edmonton Elks are proud to announce the launch of Spike Tales: Spike's True Colours, a children's book that follows Spike's march across vivid and colourful landscapes to find a new green and gold home.
Written by Alexandria Daum and illustrated by Margaux Claire McWatt, Spike Tales brings to life the story of Edmonton Elks mascot Spike.
Targeted at children ages four to eight, the story highlights how Spike finds a place of belonging, cheering on the Elks alongside fans of all kinds.
Copies of the book are now available for purchase ($12) exclusively in-person at the Elks Team Store inside the Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre. The book will also be available for purchase at Brickley's Knothole Corner (SW corner of the concourse) during the Elks' three remaining home games of 2022 (Oct. 1, Oct. 15, Oct. 21).
As a proud community-owned team, the Elks are showing their commitment to using the power of football to help make a difference by donating $2 from every purchase to support literacy programming in the Edmonton area.
Children across the city will get their chance to hear Spike Tales this coming week, as the Elks are excited to bring the story to life with a total of 32 in-person Read In Week appearances by players, alums, and cheer team members from October 3-7 at schools and other community locations around Edmonton. In total, more than 2,000 children are expected to hear the story this coming week.
The Elks will be reading the story at three Edmonton Public Libraries across the city (details below). Fans new and old are encouraged to bring their kids to the readings where Spike will be joined by a current Elks player.
SPIKE TALES READINGS AT EDMONTON PUBLIC LIBRARY BRANCHES
Family Storytime appearances featuring Spike and select readers
Monday, October 3
- 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. at Heritage Valley Branch (2755 119A St SW)
- Reader: Aaron Grymes
- 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. at Whitemud Crossing Branch (4211 106 St NW)
- Reader: Nyles Morgan
Tuesday, October 4
- 1:30 – 2:00 p.m. at Lois Hole Library (17650 69 Ave NW)
- Reader: Aaron Grymes
NOTE: Any media interested in attending an EPL storytime reading of Spike Tales are asked to contact Marina Afonso, EPL Communications Specialist ([email protected] | 780-819-4337).
Media are also invited to the Elks game day launch of the book at an Elks Kids Club exclusive event. Details for Saturday's event are below.
ELKS KIDS CLUB LAUNCH OF SPIKE TALES
- WHO:
- Author Alexandria Daum
- Illustrator Margaux Claire McWatt
- Elks players Aaron Grymes and Nyles Morgan
- Spike
- WHAT:
- Elks Kids Club exclusive book launch
- Book reading
- Appearance by Spike and players
- Games and activities
- Elks Kids Club exclusive book launch
- WHERE:
- Quarterback Club (East concourse at The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium)
- WHEN:
- Saturday, October 1
- 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
NOTE: Media are asked to use their Elks parking pass for the game if they plan to attend the book launch. Any media without parking passes for Saturday's game can contact Evan Daum for a pass.
Evan Daum