YOUMedia Champion Profiled in Chicago Tribune

Library Commissioner Mary Dempsey has made huge, positive changes throughout Chicago with her support of innovative and inspiring programs, including YOUMedia.

To read a full article about Mary Dempsey and YOUMedia that was recently featured in the Chicago Tribune, visit: http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/chi-1025-dempseyoct25,0,6046846.column?page=1

See Mary Dempsey on PBS Engage:

Helping Bring a Piece of History to America's Children

Back in July (http://blog.pearsonfoundation.org/2009/07/we-underwriting-national-tour-of-rare.html) you may remember that we have underwritten a national tour of the Declaration of Independence.  Above, children in Virginia Beach were able to see the actual document at the Central Library.

To read a news piece about this historic event, visit: http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/va-beach-displays-declaration-independence

YOUMedia Breaks All the Library Rules

Our partnership with The MacArthur Foundation and the Chicago Public Library to create the YOUMedia Center - which brings digital media for wider learning to young people in Chicago - was recently featured in the Chicago Sun-Times!

Check out the article here:

http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/books/1818148,harold-washington-library-youmedia-101009.article

We encourage you to share your Read for the Record experiences with us all. Please share your voice through the "Comments" link below.

Read for the Record Receives Unprecendented Press Coverage

If you've been following us, you'll know that this year’s Read for the Record campaign has garnered unprecedented media attention. NBC’s Today Show featured Matt Lauer and crew interviewing Pearson’s Bill Barke and Jumpstart’s James Cleveland (above), while NBC also aired a local network feature 335 times on affiliate stations across the country. With hundreds of local events nationally, Senators and Congressional leaders participated in the Pearson Read for the Record event at the Capitol Building in Washington, and Numerous Governors and First Ladies were involved with events in their states, including Florida Governor Crist and Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp, and Louisiana First Lady Supriya Jindal. We can't thank you all enough for your efforts and participation.  Here are some noteworthy media links for your enjoyment:

NBC’s Today Show: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/33224048#33222368

Publishers Weekly: Going Crazy for a Caterpillar
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6701159.html

eSchool News: Thousands team up for 'Read for the Record'
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/news-by-subject/nclb---related-programs/index.cfm?i=61150

Baltimore Sun: Students share story in bid for reading record
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/bal-md.co.caterpillar09oct09,0,1972111.story

Sacramento Bee: Sacramento Mayor Johnson aids Read for the Record
http://www.sacbee.com/education/story/2241666.html

News 8 Austin: Kids across the nation read to break world record
http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=254917

The Town Talk: Louisiana's first lady reads to Tioga Elementary pupils, helps set world record
http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20091009/NEWS01/910090335/1002/NEWS01/Louisiana-s-first-lady-reads-to-Tioga-Elementary-pupils--helps-set-world-record

Gov Monitor: Florida Governor takes part in Read for the Record event to promote reading
http://thegovmonitor.com/world_news/united_states/florida-governor-takes-part-in-read-for-the-record-event-to-promote-reading-9213.html

Vince Vaughn Reads for the Record!

Watch Vince Vaughn on NBC's Today Show here:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/33224048#33222668

Nelly Furtado Joins Long List of Read for the Record Celebrities

Nelly Furtado was among a long list of celebrities who helped us in our Read for the Record efforts.  Here, she kicks off an event at The Borough of Manhattan Community College in New York.

Giada Cooks Up Treats for Hungry Caterpillars

Watch Giada De Laurentiis cook up treats for Very Hungry Caterpillars:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/33224255#33224255

Governor Crist Signs Read for the Record Proclamation

We're thrilled by all of the wonderful activity that continues to happen around Read for the Record.  In honor of this worldwide literacy campaign, Governor Crist signed a proclamation observing October 8, 2009, as Florida Read for the Record Day, encouraging Floridians to participate by reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar to a child. This year, millions participated and last year’s campaign broke the previous world record with nearly 700,000 readers from across the globe who all shared the classic children's tale, Corduroy by Don Freeman.

Millions Are Reading for the Record

This year's Read for the Record has been a smashing success!  In order for you to get an idea of what's been happening across the world, we've assembled a lengthy list of news about this record-setting day.  Click the links below to see what we're talking about:

Augusta Mayor Reads for the Record:
http://www.nbcaugusta.com/news/local/63794687.html

Baltimore Students Share Bid in Reading Record:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/bal-md.co.caterpillar09oct09,0,1972111.story

Orange County Bookworms Helping Break a Reading Record:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/read-record-reading-2598343-event-children

Tuscaloosa Head Start Center Helps Break a Record:
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20091008/NEWS/910089984/1007?Title=Head-Start-celebrates-Read-for-the-Record

Charlottesville Students Read for the Record:
http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=11283053

Poquoson Students Read for the Record:
http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-local_brf-read_1009oct09,0,1657912.story

Marathon County Libraries Reading for the Record:
http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/63699007.html

Syracuse Elementary Students Read for the Record:
http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story/LeMoyne-Elementary-students-Read-for-the-Record/8-5M2nU00EmI1g2UGW2njA.cspx

Rutgers/Camden Helps Set a Record:
http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20091008/NEWS01/910080346/1006

Binghampton Students Read for the Record:
http://www.wbng.com/news/local/63761112.html

Royal Robbins and Son Read for the Record in Modesto:
http://www.modbee.com/breakingnews/story/886219.html

Irvine Kids Try to Break Reading Record:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/read-kids-irvine-2598752-record-campaign

America's Children Break Reading Record:
http://www.csrwire.com/press/press_release/17534-America-s-Children-Break-Reading-World-Record

The UK Reads for the Record

Read for the Record celebrations and events are occurring all over the world right now!  Above, students from the UK's Woodbridge Primary School, Suffolk, read the very Hungry Caterpillar together.

The Northern Territories of Australia Read for the Record

The reach of Read for the Record continues as students from the Northern Territories of Australia display their "Cover" art from Eric Carle's "The Very Hungry Caterpillar."

Watch Pearson on NBC's Today Show Tomorrow!

See Mary-Louise Parker, Eric Carle, Pearson, James Cleveland from Jumpstart, and others, tomorrow on the Today Show!  Remember to tune in or set your DVR's to record from 8:00-10:00 AM EST.

New Service Learning Pilot for Read for the Record

K-12 Curriculum Manager Shelley Pepper and her daughter Hannah were the first to pilot the new Service Learning Program for Jumpstart's Read for the Record. At the Pearson Foundation, we're very excited about this program because it draws together all parts of the school community in and ties together the broad themes of the campaign: early literacy and personal service.

Watch it here: http://www.whas11.com/video/whas11video-index.html?nvid=404932

The First Lady of Puerto Rico and Read for the Record

We've had the pleasure of working closely with the First Lady of Puerto Rico, Luce Vela, to raise awareness about the importance of literacy. Recently we visited La Fortaleza -- the old colonial fortress in San Juan -- and filmed a reading celebration that included children from all backgrounds, with many learning disabilities. The result is two public service announcements which appear in English in Spanish. At the same time, the Pearson Foundation has granted books so that children in over 1,500 classrooms across Puerto Rico can take part on October 8.

Watch the First Lady (Broadcast in Spanish) here:

Lo Bosworth Will Be Reading for the Record

The Hills' Lo Bosworth will be among the millions that will be helping us set a new World Record on Thursday. Take a look and see how you can get involved today:

Pearson people are encouraged to post their comments by clicking the "Comments" link below.

Read for the Record!

                                           

On Thursday, with record-setters everywhere, we’ll be reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle, and aiming to set a World Record! In addition to hosting reading events with friends, colleagues, and educators from around the world, our hope is to raise funds to support Jumpstart’s essential year-round work with preschool children in low-income communities across the U.S.