America Choosesas Campaign Book for Jumpstart’s Read for the Record 2010

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Reading Events to be Held on Thursday, October 7, 2010 in Schools and Communities Across the Country

Boston, MA – March 11 – Thousands of Americans have shown their ongoing commitment to ending the crisis in early literacy by picking up their cell phones and voting for the official book of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record campaign. Today Jumpstart, Penguin Young Readers Group, and the Pearson Foundation announced that The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats has been selected as the official book to be read by millions on Thursday, October 7, 2010.

The Snowy DayPresented in partnership with Pearson, Jumpstart’s Read for the Record has helped more than three million participants share in the power of reading since 2006 – all while setting a world record for the most children reading the same book on the same day. This annual global celebration of reading and community service highlights the importance of reading to very young children to develop crucial early language and literacy skills, and supports Jumpstart’s mission of ensuring that every child enters school prepared to succeed.

In 2009, the Read for the Record Campaign broke its own record for the world’s largest shared reading experience. More than two million adults and children read Eric Carle’s classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar at organized events across the US and around the world, starting on NBC’s TODAY Show. Hundreds of thousands of Penguin books were donated to children in need, and more than $1.4 million was raised to support Jumpstart’s work with preschool children.

A 1963 Caldecott Medal winner, The Snowy Day is the simple tale of a boy waking up to discover that snow has fallen during the night. The little boy celebrates the snow-draped city with a day of humble adventures – experimenting with footprints, knocking snow from a tree, creating snow angels, and trying to save a snowball for the next day.

From January 15 through February 28, 2010, the American public voted – at www.readfortherecord.org or by sending a text message from their mobile phones – for their favorite of four classic Penguin Young Readers Group children’s books. The Snowy Day received the most votes and will be the centerpiece of Jumpstart’s fifth annual record-breaking campaign to help combat the crisis in early literacy.

“Giving the parents, teachers, and friends who actually set the record the opportunity to choose this year’s winning book was a great way to kick off the 2010 campaign, and we thank everyone who took the time to vote,” said Jumpstart President James Cleveland. “The Snowy Day is a terrific choice.”

“Each year, Penguin Young Readers provides the classic children’s book at the heart of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record Campaign,” said Pearson Foundation President Mark Nieker. “The Snowy Day is another wonderful story – one we can’t wait to share with young people, parents, and educators everywhere as we draw attention to the important work Jumpstart does in American classrooms year around.”

About Jumpstart
Jumpstart is a national early education organization that works toward the day every child in America enters school prepared to succeed. To cultivate a child’s social, emotional and intellectual readiness, Jumpstart brings college students and community volunteers together with preschool children for year long, individualized tutoring and mentoring. Since 1993, more than 70,000 preschool children across America have benefited from millions of hours of Jumpstart service. Jumpstart’s national sponsors include American Eagle Outfitters, AmeriCorps, Pearson, Sodexo and Starbucks. Jumpstart is the five-time recipient of the Fast Company/Monitor Social Capitalist Award (2004-2008) and has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. For more information, visit the Jumpstart Web site at www.jstart.org.

About the Pearson Foundation
Pearson (NYSE: PSO), the education, services, and technology company, is the Sponsor and Founding Partner of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record. The Pearson Foundation 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.

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