First 5 California and Scholastic Spark “Reading Power” with Book Giveaway to Schools

Program Will Distribute 30,000 Books to Kids Across California to Inspire a Lifelong Love of Learning

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First 5 California and Scholastic have joined together to place 30,000 books into the hands of some of the state’s most at-risk children in an effort to encourage a love of reading from an early age.

“With California’s literacy rate continuing to rank below the national average, ‘Reading Power!’ provides essential resources to teachers and parents, as well as inspiration to young kids, so we can accomplish this goal together.”

The “Reading Power!” program celebrated its launch today with a story time at Coldwater Canyon Elementary School in North Hollywood, California. More than 150 kindergarten students received a free copy of the children’s book “Lola Loves Stories.”

“Our mission is helping prepare young children to enter school ready to succeed,” said Renee Webster-Hawkins, First 5 California’s interim executive director. “With California’s literacy rate continuing to rank below the national average, ‘Reading Power!’ provides essential resources to teachers and parents, as well as inspiration to young kids, so we can accomplish this goal together.”

“Reading Power!” program kits are designed to enhance literacy activities in preschool and kindergarten classrooms. Each kit includes English and Spanish versions of “Lola Loves Stories,” teaching guides, a poster, and worksheets that can be incorporated into lesson plans. It also contains bilingual activities that students can take home to complete with their families.

The free kits will be distributed to 14,000 teachers across California who work at schools in primarily Latino neighborhoods that have household incomes of $50,000 or less. Materials produced for the “Reading Power!” program are available to all California teachers. To access these free resources, visit www.scholastic.com/first5CA.

”We share in the mission along with First 5 California to make sure every child has the opportunity to experience the joys of owning a book,” said Ann Amstutz-Hayes, senior vice president, Scholastic National Partnerships. “We hope this program will inform families about the importance of reading at home with their children and encouraging them to take time to read every day.”

Today’s event included representatives from First 5 California, Scholastic and the Los Angeles Unified School District, along with teachers and parents from Coldwater Canyon Elementary School. First 5 California’s Hands-On Health Express – a bilingual traveling health exhibit for young kids and their families – was also on site to reinforce the message that daily reading activities are an important part of a child’s healthy development.

“We’re pleased to be here at the launch of the ‘Reading Power!’ program in our school district and encourage families to learn together each day through books,” said Monica Carazo, LAUSD Office of the Superintendent.

About First 5 California

At First 5 California, we fund programs that educate parents, grandparents, caregivers and teachers about the critical role they play during a child's first five years. Since our creation in 1998, we've supported millions of families with programs and services designed to help more California kids grow up healthy and ready to succeed in school - and in life. For more information, please visit www.first5california.com/parents.