Llama Llama Red Pajama Announced as Official Campaign Book for Jumpstart’s Read for the Record
Americans will read to demand that all children receive the quality early education they deserve
BOSTON, MA, MAY 19, 2011 – Jumpstart’s Read for the Record®, presented in partnership with the Pearson Foundation is a national campaign that mobilizes adults and children to close the early education achievement gap by setting a reading world record. This year, on October 6, people across the country will read the children’s book Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney.
Millions of children are currently at risk of school failure because they are growing up in a low-income neighborhood. Jumpstart’s Read for the Record allows Americans to demand that all children receive the quality early education they deserve. For the past five years the campaign has focused on setting a new world record and this year is no different. However, Jumpstart’s Read for the Record also aims to raise more awareness of America’s achievement gap and allows all Americans to be an advocate for these children in need. By pledging to read at www.readfortherecord.org anyone can become a part of this movement.
”By participating in Jumpstart’s Read for the Record millions of adults and children voice their concern about the ever widening achievement gap that effects children in low-income neighborhoods,” said Jumpstart’s CEO, James Cleveland. “Early language and literacy skills help set children on the path to school success; when children don’t have these, they fall behind and stay behind. Jumpstart helps preschool children develop these skills year-round. You can help too: read with us on October 6.”
In low-income neighborhoods, children start kindergarten 60% behind their wealthier peers, and likely will never catch up. Studies show that a quality early education can set children on a path for success, helping to close this achievement gap. Jumpstart is a national early education organization that recruits and trains college students and community volunteers to work with preschool children in low-income neighborhoods. Through a proven curriculum, these children develop the language and literacy skills they need to be ready for school, setting them on a path to close the achievement gap before it is too late. Pledge to Read at www.readfortherecord.org and help Jumpstart close the early education achievement gap.
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ABOUT JUMPSTART
Every child deserves the chance to succeed, yet studies show that children from low-income neighborhoods are at a greater risk of school failure. Jumpstart is a national early education organization that helps these children develop the language and literacy skills they need for school, setting them on a path to close the achievement gap before it is too late. Since 1993, Jumpstart has trained more than 20,000 college students and community volunteers to deliver its program to more than 90,000 preschool children nationwide. Jumpstart will reach 9,000 children during the 2010-2011 school year. Jumpstart’s award-winning program holds a “Best in America” seal from Independent Charities of America. Join us to work toward the day every child in America enters school prepared to succeed. Learn more at jstart.org.
About the Pearson Foundation
The Pearson Foundation, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, extends Pearson’s commitment to education by partnering with leading nonprofit, civic, and business organizations to provide financial, organizational, and publishing assistance across the globe. The foundation aims to make a difference by sponsoring innovative educational programs and extending its educational expertise to help in classrooms and in local communities. More information on the Pearson Foundation can be found at www.pearsonfoundation.org.
About We Give Books
We Give Books is a philanthropic program from the Penguin Group and the Pearson Foundation that helps children become lifelong readers and givers. Together, Penguin and the Pearson Foundation support literacy through programs that engage entire communities. Working around the world through programs like Booktime, We Give Books, and Jumpstart’s Read for the Record, Penguin and the Pearson Foundation have touched millions of lives in thousands of communities. To learn more about the We Give Books program and our nonprofit partners, go to www.wegivebooks.org.
About Penguin Young Readers Group
Penguin Young Readers Group is one of the leading children's book publishers in the United States. The company owns a wide range of imprints and trademarks including Dial Books, Dutton, Grosset & Dunlap, Philomel, Puffin, Speak, Firebird, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, Viking, Razorbill, and Frederick Warne. These imprints are home to such award-winning, New York Times- bestselling authors as Laurie Halse Anderson, Jay Asher, Judy Blume, Jan Brett, Eric
Carle, Roald Dahl, Tomie dePaola, Sarah Dessen, John Green, Eric Hill, Anthony Horowitz, Brian Jacques, Mike Lupica, Richelle Mead, Richard Peck, Patricia Polacco, and dozens of other popular authors. Penguin Young Readers Group is also the proud publisher of perennial brand franchises such as The Little Engine That Could, the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series, Peter Rabbit, Spot, the Classic Winnie the Pooh, the Very Hungry Caterpillar, Strega Nona, Madeline, Mad Libs, Alex Rider, the Rangers Apprentice, Skippyjon Jones, Flower Fairies, and Pippi Longstocking, among many others. Penguin Young Readers Group is a division of Penguin Group (USA), the U.S. member of the internationally renowned Penguin Group, one of the largest English-language trade book publishers in the world. The Penguin Group is owned by Pearson plc, the international media group.
Press Contact: Jessica Weed
857-413-4563
jessica.weed@jstart.org
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