One book. One day. For children everywhere.
October 2, 2008.

The International Reading Association and the Pearson Foundation invite you to join Jumpstart’s Read for the Record Campaign. Start planning now for October 2, 2008, when adults and children around the world will gather together to break the record for the largest shared reading experience ever.

By sharing the official campaign book, Corduroy by Don Freeman, you can raise public awareness about significant disparities in early education the kind that contribute to our country’s persistent educational achievement gap. Last year’s campaign was a spectacular success, with more than 400,000 people involved. With the help of IRA and its membership, we’re working to top that in 2008.

Make a difference in the life of a child by getting involved in one of three ways:

• Join Jumpstart’s Read for the Record now and read Corduroy to a child in your life on October 2!
• Buy your copy of Corduroy.
• Host your very own Read for the Record Event.

In America today, one in three children arrives on the first day of school unprepared to learn because of economic inequality. By sharing the power of reading, you underscore the importance of early literacy in the lives of young children, and help raise funds to support Jumpstart’s work with at-risk preschoolers across the country. Please join us on October 2.