By David W. Burns, USCM Intern
July 3, 2006

Mayors visit schools, after school programs, and community and day care centers regularly to read to students and find out what is happening in their program. Reading to children is one of the most important things an adult can do, especially for younger children. August 24 is Read for the Record Day. Mayors across the country are being asked to join this record breaking effort by reading The Little Engine That Could to children in an effort to combat childhood illiteracy.

This endeavor is co-sponsored by two Conference of Mayors Business Council Members: Pearson Education and Starbucks. They have joined Jumpstart’s Read for the Record Day campaign designed around a “shared-reading experience” where parents, educators, businesses, and community leaders partner together to fight one of the largest problems in education — illiteracy. The goal is to ensure that all children can have an equal footing once they start school and to increase the number of kids that can read at or above their grade level by third grade.

Mayors from across the country are encouraged to participate in this day event. As the chief local elected official, mayors are the perfect leader to engage and encourage adults across the city to take time to read The Little Engine That Could to a child August 24. Other things mayors can do include: proclaim August 24 the “Read for the Record Day”; organize events in parks and libraries; and challenge the business community to read to children.

Key to success of Read for the Record will be the availability of a limited edition of The Little Engine That Could, published by Pearson’s Penguin Books. You will be able to purchase the book at most Starbucks Coffee locations in the United States for the month of August. The book is being brought back into print by Pearson only for “Read for the Record.”

Also, on August 24, Matt Lauer will feature “Read for the Record Day” on the TODAY Show. Mayors can be champions in their cities by setting a good example to help drive illiteracy out of their city.

For more information how to become involved and have your city participate go to the Read for the Record Day web site at www.ReadForTheRecord.org or contact Kate Miller at kate.miller@pearson.com.