To build excitement for Scholastic Read For 2007,
Scholastic has launched the official Web site at http://www.scholastic.com/readfor2007,
which
features podcasts about reading from young celebrities,
including actressand author Masiela Lusha from the
George Lopez show, and recording artists Sabrina Bryan
of the Cheetah Girls, Kristy Frank, Tyler Hilton
and J Xavier, informs an official release.
Special
online tools have been created for students, teachers
and parents, including "Kids' Pick For 2007,"
where kids can vote for their favourite books, plus
online chats with best-selling authors, and an interactive
world map featuring classrooms participating in the
program.
The
web site also offers a selection of free resources,
including reading tips, age-appropriate book lists,
downloadable Scholastic Read For 2007 reading certificates
and bookmarks featuring children's favourite characters
including Captain Underpants, Clifford and Dragon,
adds the release.
This
year, 38 Gubernatorial Spouses -- and two "First
Sons" - have signed on to participate as Scholastic
Read For 2007 "Ambassadors of Reading."
The Governors' Spouses and First Sons will help spread
the message about the importance of reading to his/her
state and to the nation by hosting reading events
at schools, libraries or state capitals. As part of
their participation, Scholastic will donate 500 books
to a RIF site in each state that is represented by
an "Ambassador of Reading."
"The
Read For 2007: Read For Life program offers children
and the adults in their lives an opportunity to make
reading part of their busy day," said Reading
Is Fundamental president Carol H. Rasco. "At
RIF, our hope is that families, businesses and other
organizations across the nation will encourage children
to participate in Read For 2007 and make reading a
fun and fundamental part of their daily lives."
In 1999, Scholastic launched the "Read For"
campaign to commemorate the millennium and to unite
children in a global celebration of reading. "Read
For" was quickly embraced by schools around the
world and continues to bring reading and the joy of
learning into homes and classrooms. Since its inception,
the initiative has grown to unite millions of children,
parents, and teachers in each of the 50 U.S. states
and throughout 37 countries, connecting children across
cultures and continents from Iowa to India.