Jumpstart’s Read for the Record is a campaign designed to bring attention to the importance of early education. By encouraging hundreds of thousands of children and adults to read the same book on the same day, Jumpstart aims to break a world record and to make early education a national priority.

Children and adults will read together at events nationwide on October 2, in schools, libraries, stores, hotels, playgrounds, offices, and homes. This year’s book is Corduroy, by Don Freeman.

Proceeds from the sales of the book will benefit Jumpstart, a mentoring program that helps at-risk preschool children build vital literacy, social, and emotional skills. Jumpstart delivers a research-based, best practice curriculum to nearly 13,000 preschoolers in close to 70 communities across 20 states in America.

Learn more at http://www.readfortherecord.org

Reading is Fundamental Seeks Help

From Carol H. Rasco, president and CEO, of Reading Is Fundamental (RIF):

“President Bush’s proposed budget calling for the elimination of Reading Is Fundamental’s (RIF) Inexpensive Book Distribution program would be devastating to the 4.6 million children and their families who receive free books and reading encouragement from RIF programs at nearly 20,000 locations throughout the U.S.”

“Unless Congress reinstates $26 million in funding for this program, RIF will not be able to distribute 16 million books annually to the nation’s youngest and most at-risk children. RIF programs in schools, childcare centers, migrant programs, military bases, and other locations serve children from low-income families, children with disabilities, foster and homeless children, and children without access to libraries.”

To find out how you can help, visit http://www.rif.org/get-involved/advocate/what/