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Prescription for Reading-Read to Your Bunny/Read Across America [2]
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02/25/1998 15:47
=== COVER PAGE ===
nine
TO:
FAX: 912024562878
FROM:
SCHOLASTIC INC
FAX: 2123437734
TEL: 2123437627
COMMENT:
102/25/1998 15:47
2123437734
SCHOLASTIC INC
PAGE 01
MEMORANDUM
February 25, 1998
TO: Nicole Rabner
Jennifer Klein
FR: Alan Cohen ass
Scholastic (ph: 212-343-7706)
RE: Monday, March 2 Event
READ TO YOUR BUNNY
VIA FAX (202) 456-2878
As per your request, the following Scholastic guests will be attending the March 2nd
READ TO YOUR BUNNY event with Mrs. Clinton:
Kris Moran, Scholastic
Adam Hirschfelder, Scholastic
Steve Cohen, Scholastic
Rosemary Wells, author
Robert Giroux, photographer
Please call if you have any questions.
ABA
AMERICAN
BOOKSELLERS
ASSOCIATION
EST. 1900
11/21
Melanne
/
am pleased to enclose a
copy of a Prescription For Ready
matrials - I hope you'll pass it
on to n. First LADY so she can
Ser what her efforts /ed to
we Monun Lopeful we will be ab/2
to work out Some opportunity for Th
FIRST LADY'S protecyction is The books set
Brt.
One
FOSTERING ECONOMIC. POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ACTION SUPPORTIVE OF A DIVERSE AND COMPETITIVE BOOKSELLING ENVIRONMENT
828 SOUTH BROADWAY
TARRYTOWN, NY 10591
914-591-BOOK (2665) 800-637-0037 FAX 914-591-2720 INTERNET:www.BOOKWEB.ORG
Com, up w/ one
proposal
Carol Rasco @ ed.gov
- Chicago
10/17/97 04:48:00 PM
- Read to Your Bunny
Record Type: Record
To:
Jennifer L. Klein
CC:
Subject: A scheduling request for Mrs. Clinton
I was forwarded the following letter today by Oren Teicher which he
said he has sent to Melanne. If you need more detail about this
promotion which I think is a terrific one let me know.
Thinking about you, know it must be wild getting ready for next week.
Hope all is well with you.
>
October 17, 1997
>
>
Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton
> The First Lady
>
The White House
>
Washington, D.C. 20500
>
>
Dear Ms. Clinton:
>
> Thank you very much for your letter of October 3rd with regard to our
Prescription for Reading initiative.
>
> I am pleased to report that the response of the bookselling community has
been superlative - and we are now anticipating that prescriptions/coupons
for over 200,000 copies of Rosemary Wells' new book, Read-To-Your-Bunny,
will be distributed by health care professionals for redemption at almost
1500 participating bookstores in virtually every part of the United States!
>
> I am enclosing copies of some of the material we are in the process of
creating that will accompany the actual books when they are shipped to
bookstores in mid-November. Please understand that these enclosures are only
working copies - and the actual final versions will feature Rosemary's very
colorful artwork. As you'll see, we are relying heavily on information
garnered from Reach Out and Read, the Prescription for Reading Partnership
announcement at the White House in April, and your comments as reported in
Time magazine last year.
>
> As this campaign unfolds, we would welcome an opportunity for you "to
11
redeem" a symbolic first prescription/coupon either at The White House or
at an actual participating bookstore. As mentioned above, since there are
participating stores in virtually every part of the country, a symbolic
"redemption" could take place almost anytime or anywhere over the next
months that fits your schedule. As the country's most prominent advocate
"prescribing" reading, obviously, having your further identification with
this effort would be greatly appreciated by all the participants.
>
> On behalf of our colleagues at the Association of Booksellers for Children
and Scholastic, Inc., thank you for your superb leadership on this
critically important effort. We look forward to continue working with you to
insure that reading to very young children does, in fact, become a regular
and routine part of well-baby care.
>
> Thanks again.
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
> Oren J. Teicher
>
Oren J. Teicher
President, American Booksellers
Director, Government Affairs
Foundation for Free Expression
American Booksellers Association
[email protected]
828 S Broadway
914-591-2665, ext. 267
Tarrytown, NY 10591
800-637-0037
http://www.bookweb.org/
Fax: 914-591-2716
ABA
AMERICAN
BOOKSELLERS
ASSOCIATION
EST.1900
October 17, 1997
Ms. Melanne Verveer
Chief of Staff
The First Lady's Office
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Melanne:
Knowing of your special interest in the Prescription for Reading
Partnership, I would be most grateful for your help to insure
that the enclosed request is properly routed through The First
Lady's office.
As indicated in the attached material, with almost 1500
participating bookstores, I am certain we could find an
appropriate store that could fit the understandably tight
constraints on The First Lady's schedule.
Thanks for your help.
Sincerely,
Oren One J. Teicher
FOSTERING ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ACTION SUPPORTIVE OF A DIVERSE AND COMPETITIVE BOOKSELLING ENVIRONMENT
828 SOUTH BROADWAY TARRYTOWN, NY 10591
914-591-BOOK (2665) . 800-637-0037 FAX 914-591-2720 . INTERNET:www.BOOKWEB.ORG
ABA
AMERICAN
BOOKSELLERS
ASSOCIATION
EST.1900
October 17, 1997
Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton
The First Lady
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Ms. Clinton:
Thank you very much for your letter of October 3rd with regard to our Prescription for
Reading initiative.
I am pleased to report that the response of the bookselling community has been
superlative - and we are now anticipating that prescriptions/coupons for over 200,000
copies of Rosemary Wells' new book, Read-To-Your-Bunny, will be distributed by health
care professionals for redemption at almost 1500 participating bookstores in virtually
every part of the United States!
I am enclosing copies of some of the material we are in the process of creating that will
accompany the actual books when they are shipped to bookstores in mid-November.
Please understand that these enclosures are only working copies, and the actual final
versions will feature Rosemary's very colorful aftwork. As you'll see, we are relying
heavily on information garnered from Reach Out and Read, the Prescription for Reading
Partnership announcement at the White House in April, and your comments as reported in
Time magazine last year.
As this campaign unfolds, we would welcome an opportunity for you "to redeem" a
symbolic first prescription/coupon - either at The White House or at an actual
participating bookstore. As mentioned above, since there are participating stores in
virtually every part of the country, a symbolic "redemption" could take place almost
anytime or anywhere over the next months that fits your schedule. As the country's most
prominent advocate "prescribing" reading, obviously, having your further identification
with this effort would be greatly appreciated by all the participants.
On behalf of our colleagues at the Association of Booksellers for Children and Scholastic,
Inc., thank you for your superb leadership on this critically important effort. We look
forward to continue working with you to insure that reading to very young children does,
in fact, become a regular and routine part of well-baby care.
Thanks again.
Sincerely,
Oren I J. Teicher
FOSTERING ECONOMIC. POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ACTION SUPPORTIVE OF A DIVERSE AND COMPETITIVE BOOKSELLING ENVIRONMENT
828 SOUTH BROADWAY
TARRYTOWN, NY 10591
914-591-BOOK (2665) 800-637-0037 FAX 914-591-2720 INTERNET:www.BOOKWEB.ORG
FEB. 9. 1998 11:28AM
OFFICE OF SECRETARY
NO. 6703
P. 1
FAX TRANSMISSION
Call Ann
AMERICA READS CHALLENGE, U.S. DEPT. OF ED
600 INDEPENDENCE AVE. SW, #6132
WASHINGTON, DC 20202
202/401-2993
FAX: 202/401-0596
To:
Jennifer Klein
Date:
February 9, 1998
Fax #:
202/456-2878
Pages:
3, including this cover sheet.
From:
Ann M. O'Leary
Subject:
Read Across America
COMMENTS:
Jenniver-
Please let me know if you would line
us to pursue any wf these ideas.
Thank!
- -Ann O'L.
(202/401-2993)
Cornell - NY Hospital Dediatrician who
does reading
FEB. 9. 1998 28AM
OFFICE OF SECRETARY
NO. 6703
P. 2
OF
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
UNITED STATES of AMERICA
February 6, 1998
MEMORANDUM FOR JENNIFER KLEIN
FROM:
Carol H. Rasco
CHR
SUBJECT:
Read Across America Event on March 2, 1998
On March 2, 1998, the National Education Association (NEA) is conducting "Read Across
America" day to raise public awareness and generate enthusiasm for reading. The intention of
the day, the late Dr. Seuss' birthday, is to have every child in America in the company of a book.
It is my hope that the Administration can use this day to promote the important work the First
Lady and the President have been doing through the Prescription for Reading and the America
Reads Challenge to raise awareness about the importance of building literacy skills during early
childhood.
Secretary Riley has agreed to participate in Read Across America Day and I have suggested that
the Secretary conduct a roundtable with the First Lady on how to better educate parents and child
care providers on the importance of literacy building skills in early childhood. Potential
participants could include: parents, child care providers, in-home child care providers,
representative from a local "Reach Out and Read" program, church leaders, local Head Start
employees, librarians, homeless shelter employees, etc.
After the roundtable discussion, the First Lady and the Secretary could visit a local site to read
with children and talk further with parents and employees. Several options for visiting children
include:
Federal Child Care Center
The First Lady and the Secretary could visit the child care center for Federal employees
located at the Treasury Department. This type of event would show support for our
"Federal family" and encourage Federal employees to learn more about what they can do
to help their young children build literacy skills. They could visit US Kids, a high-
quality child care center jointly sponsored by EOP and Treasury. It has a strong staff
development component and high parental involvement. The Secretary and First Lady
could conduct the roundtable at the White House or the Treasury and then walk to the
child care center to talk to parents and read to children.
Housing Project program
The First Lady and the Secretary could visit a housing project where mothers are staffing
a child care center or an aftershool program. The First Lady and Secretary could talk to
the mothers and read to the children.
600 INDEPENDENCE AVE., S.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20202
Our mission is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the Nation.
FEB. 9. 1998 11:29AM
OFFICE OF SECRETARY
NO. 6703 P. 3
Community Health Center
The National Association of Community Health Centers is part of the President's
Coalition for the America Reads Challenge. Phil Johnston (former HHS Regional Rep
for New England) has been working with Senator Kennedy's staff to put on a reading
event at a local D.C. community health center. The First Lady and the Secretary could
join Senator Kennedy at a local community health center that has been distributing books
and working to educate parents about the importance of reading to their children.
If the First Lady and Secretary were able to travel to New York City, an additional option would
be holding a similar roundtable in New York City at the Children's Museum and then
participating in the Children's Museum program where staff teach teen mothers about the
importance of reading to their children. The backdrop for this event would be the Dr. Seuss
exhibit at the Children's Museum.
Please let me know if one of these ideas fits into your plans and we will work with you to plan
the event.
cc:
Melanne Verveer
THE FIRST
PLEASE DELIVER TO:
LADY'S
Ask Metaxine,
1.) Jen Klein
2.) Nicole Rabner
SCHEDULING
3.) return original to Julu
OFFICE
4.)
ORGANIZATION
National Education Association
EVENT
Read Across America /
DATE OF EVENT
March 2, 1998
LOCATION
New York, D.C., or Arlington
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Reading event for nationwide program
CONTACT
Bob Chase
RECOMMENDED BY
STATUS
ACCEPT
LETTER
REGRET
VIDEO
PENDING
NOTES
Patti-
I Thank This one foods
interesting you haights?
Jen please Nicole call Thanghts. me
julie
1-8-97
with you Thaks,
querie
Julie
Nicolle tsedhey a Jen what think Patti
NEA
12/04/97 15:52
:04/05 NO: 022
nea
NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
Robert 1: Chase,
1201 16th Street, N.W.
Reg Weaver,
Washington, D.C. 20036-3290
Dennis Vill Rockel. beasures
(202) 822-7000 Fax (202) 822-7974
Don't
ameron.
Executive Office
December 2, 1997
Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton
Office of the First Lady
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mrs. Clinton:
On behalf of the National Education Association (NF.A), thank you for continuing to focus the
nation's attention on the needs of young children. In recognition of your enduring commitment to
children, we want to invite your participation in Read Across America, a national reading
celebration that NFA is planning in partnership with the nation's leading education, literacy, and
community organizations.
On the evening of Monday, March 2, Dr. Scuss' birthday, we are calling for every child in every
school and community in the country to be in the company of a book. When children read outside
of school, they perform better in school. Read Across America is a national effort to generate
enthusiasm and commitment nationwide for reading.
We are mounting an broad organizing effort to engage our members and their communities in
support of the campaign and to capture the imagination of children across the country. Among the
planned events:
Cal Ripken will throw the "first book" during Orioles' spring training and go into the stands to
read with children. (To be confirmed by December 15.)
Celebrities, organized by the Screen Actors Guild Foundation's Book Pals program, will take
part in a choral reading of Scuss works at the Greek Theater outside of Hollywood.
The North Carolina Association of Educators will donate 10,000 books to needy children, SO
that they can participate in this national celebration.
To convey the bipartisan spirit of this celebration. we would be honored if you would join with
Barbara Bush on March 2 to host a reading event for children. We have contacted Mrs. Bush this
week to request her participation.
NEA
12/04/97 15:52
:05/05 NO: 022
December 2, 1997
Read Across America
For your joint consideration, we have identified several possible venues for this reading event:
The Children's Museum in New York, where staff teach teenage mothers about the importance
of reading to their children. You could laud this effort while reading with children at the
museum's colorful and photogenic Dr. Seuss exhibit.
The Library of Congress.
Mount Vernon Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia, where a group of high school
students will gather to read to first- and second-graders.
With your support and participation, wc believe Read Across America will be a wonderful
celebration of reading and a day to focus national attention on our ultimate goal: making our
children the best readers in the world. Dave McGloin and Mary Elizabeth Teasley of my staff will
contact your office regarding this request and to solicit your suggestions for this event. We hope
you can join us in this celebration of reading.
Sincerely,
Bob
Bob Chase
President
cc:
Barbara Bush
Milan Verveer
Carol Rasco
Ann O'Leary
Bob Shireman
Michael Cohen
Bill Kincaid
Mickey Ibarra
NEA
12/04/97 15:52
:02/05 NO:022
nea
NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
Robert I: hase. Presulent
1201 16th Street, N.W.
Reg Wancer. in Desident
Washington, D.C. 20036-3290
Dennis Van Rockel, beasure
(202) 822-7000 Tax (202) 822-7974
Don ameron. Director
Executive Office
December 2, 1997
Mrs. Barbara Bush
c/o Ms. Quincy Hicks
Office of President George Bush
10000 Memorial Drive, Ninth Floor
Houston, TX 77024
VIA FAX: 713-683-0801
Dear Mrs. Bush:
On behalf of the 2.3 million members of the National Education Association (NEA). it is my pleasure
to invite you to participate in a national reading celebration that NEA is planning in partnership with
the nation's leading education, literacy, and community organizations. This event, Read Across
America, will focus national attention on children and literacy, two issues that you have devoted
significant time and attention to over the years.
On the evening of Monday, March 2, Dr. Scuss' birthday, we are calling for every child, in every
school and community in the country to be in the company of a book. When children read outside of
school, they perform better in school. Read Across America is it national effort to generate
enthusiasm and commitment nationwide for reading.
To convey the bipartisan spirit of this national celebration, we would be honored if you would join
with Hillary Rodham Clinton on March 2 to host a reading event for children. We have contacted
Mrs. Clinton this week to request her participation. For your joint consideration. listed below are
several possible venues for this event:
The Children's Muscum in New York, where staff teach tcenage mothers about the importance
of reading to their children. You could laud this effort while reading with children at the
muscum's colorful and photogenic Dr. Seuss exhibit.
The Library of Congress.
Mount Vernon Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia, where a group of high school
students will gather to read to first- and second-graders.
With your support and participation, WC believe Read Across America will be a wonderful
celebration of reading and a day to focus national attention on the goal of making our children the
best readers in the world. Dave McGloin of my staff will contact your office regarding this request
and to solicit your suggestions for the event. He can be reached at 202-822-7373.
NEA
12/04/97 15:52
:03/05 NO:022
December 2, 1997
Read Across America
For many years, you have encouraged the American people to make children our highest national
priority. This year, the NEA is taking some important strides to help fulfill this commitment. We
hope you will join us in this celebration of children and reading.
Sincerely,
3ob
Bob Chase
President
cc:
Carol Rasco
Hillary Clinton
Milan Verveer, Chief of Staff to Mrs. Clinton
02/24/1998 16:09
9145912720
PAGE 01
ABA
828 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591
FAX
Date: 2/24/98
Number of pages including cover sheet:
7
To:
From:
Jennifer Klein
Jill Perlstein
ABA
Phone: 202-456-2599
Phone:
(800) 637-0037, ext. 283
Fax:
202-456-2878
Fax:
(914) 591-2720
cc:
REMARKS:
Urgent
For your review
Reply ASAP
Please comment
Dear Jennifer,
Per your request, here are some additional articles and information regarding the Prescription for Reading
partnership and our program.
Sincerely,
Jull Jill Perlstein
02/24/1998 16:09
9145912720
PAGE 02
ABA
AMERICAN
BOOKSELLERS
ASSOCIATION
151.000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ABA contact: Jill Perlstein
(914) 591-2665, ext. 283
Scholastic contact: Alan Cohen
(212) 343-7706
READ TO YOUR BUNNY BY ROSEMARY WELLS
INSPIRES MAJOR READING PROGRAM, SPONSORED BY ABA
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCHOLASTIC AND
ASSOCIATION OF BOOKSELLERS FOR CHILDREN
(Tarrytown, NY-August 21) In response to President Clinton's America Reads Challenge, the
American Booksellers Association (ABA), in partnership with Scholastic, Inc., and the Association of
Booksellers for Children (ABC), will distribute approximately one-hundred thousand free copies of
Rosemary Wells's new book Read to Your Bunny. The books will be distributed at participating
bookstores to parents and guardians of young children through the Prescription for Reading
Partnership. The goal of the America Reads Challenge, to be met by the year 2000, is to ensure that all
children learn to read well and independently by the time they enter third grade.
The Prescription for Reading Partnership, an integral component of the America Reads Challenge, was
launched in April 1997 by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton on the eve of the White House
Conference on Early Childhood and Brain Development. The partnership encourages businesses,
community organizations, and others to work with health-care providers to prescribe reading during
"well-baby" checkups. This program is based on the successful work of a Boston-based organization,
Reach Out and Read, which corroborates that reading to very young children enhances the child's
overall intellectual, emotional, and physical development.
This fall, ABA will offer to interested bookstores promotional preview paperback copies of Read to
Your Bunny at no charge. Read to Your Bunny, a new Scholastic picture book by acclaimed author and
illustrator Rosemary Wells, is a colorful, vibrant book that delivers the simple message that reading to
a child is an important part of daily activities. The book is to be published in March 1998 (U.S. price
$7.95). In addition, the accompanying information kit sent to booksellers will contain "prescription"
coupons for Read to Your Bunny which are redeemable at specified bookstores, as well as promotional
suggestions, a list of Reach Out and Read centers, and a suggested reading list for babies, toddlers, and
pre-schoolers. Bookstores will provide the "prescription coupons" to pediatricians, well-baby clinics,
etc., where they will be given to individual parents and guardians to be redeemed at participating
bookstores. The promotion will run from November 1997 through March 1, 1998.
-More-
02/24/1998 16:09
9145912720
PAGE 03
ABA/Page 2
"This is an extraordinary opportunity for bookstores to build and expand upon their numerous efforts
to promote reading to children," said Valerie Lewis, chair of the ABA Children's Issues Committee,
member of the ABA Board of Directors, and owner of the celebrated children's bookstore, Hicklebee's
in San Jose, CA. ABA Director of Government Affairs, Oren Teicher, added, "This collaborative
private sector effort by ABA, ABC, and Scholastic is precisely the kind of program the First Lady
envisioned when we met with her at the White House this past Spring and ABA is delighted to have
played an instrumental role in making it happen."
The American Booksellers Association, founded in 1900, is a not-for-profit trade organization
headquartered in Tarrytown, New York, and on the Internet at http://www.bookweb.org/ Its mission
includes protecting the well-being of retail bookstores and promoting the availability of books. The
ABA supports its members through education, research, and the dissemination of information.
For more than 75 years, Scholastic, Inc., has been committed to creating quality educational materials
for students, teachers and families. The company is one of the leading publishers and distributors of
children's books, magazines, and core curriculum materials. Scholastic also publishes educational
software products and produces children-and family-oriented vídeos and television programs. The
company's international operations include Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and
Mexico.
ABC (Association of Booksellers for Children) is a national membership association that offers a
support network for professional children's booksellers who share the goal of encouraging quality and
service within the children's book industry.
For further information about the Prescription for Reading Program, contact Jill Perlstein at (914) 591-
2665, ext. 283. For information about Read to Your Bunny, contact Alan Cohen at (212) 343-7706.
###
828 South Broadway Tarrytown, NY 10591
914.591.BOOK 800.637.0037 FAX 914.591.2720 INTERNET http://www.bookweb.org
02/24/1998 16:09
9145912720
PAGE
04
In partnership of
with Scholastic Inc. and the
reading to a child and the child's overall
Booksellers for
intellectual, emotional, and physical devel-
Children (ABC), ABA is prepar-
opment) The promotion will run
ing to distribute some
ABA,
from November, 1997
100,000 free copies of
through March 1, 1998.
Rosemary Wells's new
Scholastic, ABC
"This is an extraordi-
book Read to Your
nary opportunity for
Bunny as a way to
Join Forces,
bookstores to build
encourage parents to
and expand upon their
read to their very
Distribute 100,000
numerous efforts to
young
children..
Participating book-
Free Copies of
promote reading to
children," said book-
stores will distribute the
'Read to Your
seller Valerie Lewis of
books to parents and
Hicklebee's in San Jose,
guardians of young children
as part of the Prescription for
Bunny'
California, the chair of
ABA's Children's Issues
Reading Partnership, in response to
Committee. Lewis was one one of a
President Clinton's America Reads
group of 15 people who met with First
Challenge. The partnership encourages
Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton at the White
businesses, community organizations, and
House in March to discuss ways that book-
others to work with health-care providers to
sellers, publishers, librarians and doctors
quite literally prescribe reading to children
can work together to promote reading.
as part of regular well-baby check-ups.
"This collaborative private sector effort
Read to Your Bunny, accordingly. is a new
by ABA, ABC, and Scholastic is precisely
picture book that demonstrates the simple
the kind of program the First Lady envi-
message that reading to a child is an impor-
sioned when we met with her at the White
tant part of daily activities.
House this past Spring and ABA is
ABA member bookstores can request
delighted to have played an instrumental
100 free promotional paperback copies of
role in making it happen," said ABA
Read to Your Bunny. (See order form, page
Director of Government Affairs Oren
4.) The books will be sent out in November,
Teicher. The Prescription for Reading
along with an information kit
Partnership. an integral com-
containing "prescrip-
ponent of the America Reads
tion" coupons for Read to
Challenge, was launched in
Your Bunny. Bookstores
April by Clinton on the eve
will give the coupons to
of the White House
pediatricians, well-baby
Conference on Early
clínics, and other health
Childhood and Brain
providers, who will in turn
Development.
give them to parents and
(ABA headquarters in
guardians. Parents, finally,
Tarrytown, New York, was
will exchange the coupons
one of the sites receiving a
for copies of the book at
"downlink" of the confer-
local bookstores. The kits
ence, which considered
will also contain promotion-
new research that shows that read-
al suggestions, a reading list for babies, tod-
ing to children in their early years of
dlers, and pre-schoolers, and a list of Reach
development actually helps thir brains to
Out and Read centers. (Reach Out and
grow and lays the groundwork for later
Read is a Boston-based organization that
educational success.)
has researched the connection between
Reprinted from Bookselling This Week, August 25, 1997
02/24/1998 16:09
9145912720
PAGE 05
Bookselling This week
october 25, 1997
Booksellers Order More Than
200,000 'Bunny' Books
More than 200,000 copies of
Read to Your Bunny will be
Prescription
tomer traffic.
The Prescription for
shipped to bookstores that
Coupons Will
Reading Partnership sprang
signed onto the Prescription
from this spring's White
for Reading Partnership,
House Conference on Early
implemented by ABA as part
Promote Reading,
Childhood and Brain
of President Clinton's
Development. where new
America Reads Challenge.
Drive Traffic
research was reviewed show-
The Read to Your Bunny pro-
ing that reading to children in
gram is a collaborative effort
to Bookstores
their early years of develop-
between ABA, the
ment actually helps thir
Association of Booksellers for Children
brains to grow and lays the groundwork
(ABC), and Scholastic Inc., who had origi-
for later educational success. In a letter to
nally hoped to ship some 100,000 copies
ABA, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton
of the book along with information kits
praised ABA, ABC and Scholastic for
containing "prescription"
their efforts at following up
coupons for free copies of
on the Conference's findings.
Read to Your Bunny, a new
BUNNY Read Your
"Your program is a very
picture book by popular chil-
important step in implement-
dren's author Rosemary
ing the Prescription for
Wells. The program has been
Reading Partnership." she
lauded as a way for book-
wrote. "We all realize that
sellers to push home the
modest investments in the
importance of reading to
sound development of our
children at an early age. as
children. especially our
well as being an effective
youngest children, will lay
vehicle for driving new cus-
ROSEMARY WELLS
Continued on page 3
02/24/1998 16:09
9145912720
PAGE 06
Bunny
Books
CONTINUED FROM PAGE I
to reach a lot of people. and 1 think it's just
the groundwork for an American future
going to be the beginning."
with increased prosperity. better health.
Bookseller Valerie Lewis of Hicklebee's
fewer social ills. and ever greater opportu-
in San Jose, California. agrees. "ABA has
nities for our citizens to lead fulfilling lives
come upon a concept that booksellers can
Thank you for your efforts in making a
really use. and it is thrilling." said Lewis,
"prescription" for reading to our children a
who is the chair of the ABA/CBC
genuine national effort."
Children's Issues Committee. "This is
Booksellers across the country are part-
exactly the kind of program that booksellers
nering with local pediatricians and other
should respond positively to. There's no
health care providers to have the coupons
reason not to take this and run."
handed to parents during well-baby check-
At Scholastic, spirits are similarly high.
ups along with a literal prescription for
"Talking to booksellers around the country,
reading to the child. The coupons. in tum,
I find there is a tremendous level of enthusi-
are redeemable at the participating book-
asm for this," said Senior Marketing
store for a free copy of Read to Your
Manager John Mason. "This gives the
Bunny, which dramatizes the importance of
bookstore an impetus to forge a relationship
reading to children in a simple, colorful
in their community with caregivers, pedi-
story. The message of the Prescription for
atricans, doctors, hospitals clinics — wher-
Reading Partnership is that reading to a
ever there are young children receiving
very young child can contribute in impor-
pediatric care, this gives them a chance to
tant ways to the development of an infant's
have their bookstore associated, linked, and
brain and the child's capacity to learn.
connected with those organizations.
"This is the little program that could,"
Hopefully, they will derive benefit from
Wells told BTW last week. "As it happens,
that long after this is over and continue to
we're coming to a national awareness of a
foster that relationship, which is really what
crisis that a great many pediatric neurolo-
we're all aiming toward." Mason also laud-
gists can point their fingers at. but nobody
ed Wells, who be said "gave us this won-
looks at it because it involves effort. What it
derful vehicle to use, taking the idea and
is, I hope, is the beginning of the end of the
translating it into such a simple but effec-
dominance of commercial television in our
tive message."
children's lives. We have kids who don't
Mason urged booksellers to take full
even know how to play anymore. This is
advantage of all the opportunities offered
the beginning of the book seen for what it
by the program. "If they don't follow
truly is, which is a staple - like good food
through, they're not living up to the pro-
- that simply can't be ignored in people's
gram's potential." he said. "I would hope
lives."
that an enterprising bookseller will try and
It's a message, prominent booksellers
get as much publicity for this in their local
say, that needs to be propogated. "Those of
area as they can. contacting local newspa-
us who are in the book business, and people
pers, maybe staging an event where some-
who are readers, understand the importance
body redeems the coupon [as a photo
of reading to children when they are very
opportunity]. The active and energetic
young," said ABC President Diane
booksellers will, hopefully. try to do that
Etherington of The Children's Hour
and leverage the visibility of their store in
Bookstore in Salt Lake City, Utah. "But the
their community."
love of reading is definitely a learned skill.
Etherington agreed that booksellers
There is a relationship that blossoms
should throw their resources fully behind
between parent and child, but a whole
this effort. "Anyone who looks at this real-
bunch of people do not understand that at
izes what a great thing it is." she said. "All
all. and there are tons of kids who are not
the way around. it's a win-win situation.
having that experience."
It's il feel-good thing. because you feel like
Noting that ABC has for years promoted
you're really making a difference. And if
the idea of reading to your child as "the
booksellers can handsell the books and tell
most important 20 minutes of your day."
the stories and show their love of books,
Etherington said she's extremely gratified
that enthusiasm can be picked up by other
to cooperate with ABA and Scholastic on
people. When you look at this on the grand
this larger-scale effort, "This is what we
scale, it's SO exciting."
were dreaming of." she said. "This is going
3
OCTOBER 20. 1997
02/24/1998
16:09
9145912720
PAGE
07
to his picture books. When humor is
Pediatricians, ABA
Wells's book, which everyone involved felt
your forte, people often don't take your
work as seriously. It's the hardest thing
to Recommend
would be a perfect incentive because of
the story's emphasis on reading. Teicher
in the world to keep picture books light
Reading
added that Wells is so well-
and funny, and Jim had a tremendously
BUNNY Read Your
known and a favorite au-
light hand."
EGINNING THIS No.
thor of many ABA mem-
Many booksellers have already
vember, a collaboration
ber stores that the ABA
shown great enthusiasm for the title. Ac-
brings together the ABA,
considered the choice of
cording to Jennifer Roberts, marketing
Scholastic, pediatricians,
book a very attractive as-
manager for children's books at
booksellers and, most im-
pect of the program.
Houghton, "The book has been advanc-
portantly, young readers
Since many stores will be
ing wonderfully well. Booksellers have
with a national Read to
able to sell more than the
been delighted to see it. They've always
Your Bunny program.
100 free copies, additional
loved George and Martha." Roberts said
Prior to kickoff, ABA
books will be available at
that Houghton's first printing was
member bookstores are
A NEW picture book extols
cost. The ABA has also
30,000 copies and that preparations to
being offered, through
the pleasures of reading aloud.
compiled a list of sugges-
go back to press this month were under-
the ABA, promotional
tions for further read-
way. Support for the anthology includes
preview paperback copies of bestselling
aloud sessions, which includes 19 best-
a number of in-store Christmas promo-
author Rosemary Wells's upcoming Read
selling and classic titles such as Chicka
tions, placement of the book in several
to Your Bunny (Scholastic). When book-
Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.,
regional Christmas catalogues and a
sellers sign up for the program, they will
illus. by Lois Ehlert (S&S), and More More
friendship-themed writing contest on
receive 100 free books, two free posters
More, Said the Baby by Vera B. Williams
Houghton's Web site (www.hmco.com).
and an information kit. The kit contains
(Greenwillow), divided into three cate-
The New York Times Book Review will
"prescription" coupons, which in turn
gories: baby, toddler and preschool.
reprint the Sendak foreword in its en-
get passed on to nearby pediatricians,
The ABA, which is doing the program's
tirety next month, in its November chil-
well-baby clinics and other child-care
fulfillment, has received orders for over
dren's books issue. Roberts added that
centers. These health-care professionals
200,000 copies of Read to Your Bunny
two newly refurbished sets of George
are asked to distribute them to parents
from participating stores. The cutoff date
and Martha costumes have been booked
and guardians, who can redeem the
for joining the print run, which will not be
solid for months and that a third set of
coupons for free copies of Read to Your
repeated, was October 10.
-C.D.M.
costumes had just become available to
Bunny at the participating stores up
bookstores.
until March 1998, when Wells's book of-
New Marshall works beyond the an-
ficially hits the stores in hardcover.
Lotz Replaces
thology have also been scheduled.
According to Oren Teicher at the
Franceschelli at Dutton
"HarperCollins will be publishing Jim's
ABA, a number of separate initiatives, as
last book, The Owl and the Pussycat,
well as serendipity, went into the forma-
K
AREN LOTZ has been appointed to
and I've been consulting on that as I
tion of this program. Teicher explained
take over as president and publisher
promised Jim I would," Sendak said. "I
that last winter, First Lady Hillary Clin-
of Dutton Children's Books, a position
will also be illustrating a manuscript
ton held a meeting at the White House
recently vacated by Christopher
that Jim had to leave behind, called
that was attended by members of the As-
Franceschelli (News, Sept. 22).
Swine Lake [also HarperCollins]. It's a
sociation of American Publishers, the
Lotz began her publishing career in
typical Marshall book, full of tremu-
National Academy of Pediatricians, the
1988 at Dutton, now part of the com-
lous and delicate pigs. I'm really look-
American Library Association and the
bined Penguin Putnam children's divi-
ing forward to doing that this winter.
Boston-based literacy organization,
sion. She rose from her initial position as
Jim's ghost will hover OVET me and say
Reach Out and Read. This meeting led
assistant to the publisher to her most re-
'Oh God, Maurice, can't you do better
to the formation of the national Pre-
cent title, associate publisher, working
than that?' and I'll just have to live with
scription for Reading Partnership pro-
closely with Franceschelli for nine years.
it," Sendak said with a laugh.
gram (News, May 12).
Lotz, who is also an author, has
Though there will be a bit of a wait
President Clinton had previously an-
worked with a list of authors that include
for those newest Marshall titles, book-
nounced his America Reads Challenge as
former president Jimmy Carter, William
sellers have already begun to enjoy the
a major component of his presidential
Sleator and Nancy Wood.
George and Martha resurgence. The
campaign last fall. A number of publish-
"I look forward to helping my won-
anthology project has been especially
ers signed on as sponsors to this chal-
derful creative team bring out Dutton's
gratifying for Silvey. "I had wanted
lenge, including Scholastic
broad-based program of books for chil-
Maurice to do a tribute and he did a
These two strands came together in a
dren of all ages, and plan to continue
beautiful job," she noted. "I wanted a
conversation that Teicher had with Dick
our tradition of serving all markets—
book so that if Jim were still alive, I
Robinson, Scholastic's CEO, at the AAP
trade, school and library, and special
could put it in front of him and he
meeting last March, in which the two dis-
markets," Lotz said.
would be pleased." In the opinion of
cussed the possibility of a joint literacy ini-
Lotz will report to Douglas White-
booksellers and Marshall's friends and
tiative between Scholastic and the ABA.
man, president and publisher of the Put-
fans, Silvey and her colleagues have
The third element, which according to
nam and Grosset Group.
succeeded.
MAUGHAN
Teicher put the program into focus, was
October 20, 1997 / PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 29
THE WHITE HOUSE
,
WASHINGTON
I
Jen-
Info on Hoyeis district.
If not a bookstore, how
about a Pibrary or a
"mothere marning art"
program. Call me
fatee -
Julie
6-5315
State Delegations and District Maps - 23
MARYLAND
SENATORS
REPRESENTATIVES BY DISTRICTS
(Republicans: 0 Democrats:
(Republicans: 4 Democrats: 4)
Paul S. Sarbanes (D)
1. Wayne T. Gilchrest (R)
Barbara A. Mikulski (D)
2. Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. (R)
3. Benjamin L. Cardin (D)
4. Albert R. Wynn (D)
5. Steny H. Hoyer (D)
6. Roscoe G. Bartlett (R)
7. Elijah E. Cummings (D)
8. Constance A. Morella (R)
Cumberland
WASHINGTON
6
CECK
ALLEGANY
Hogerstown
Elkton
CARROLL
BALTIMORE
HARFORD
GARRETT
FREDERICK
2
Aberdeen
*Frederick
3
Boltimore
HOWARD
Chestertown
MONTGOMERY
KENT
8
Rockville
Annapa
CLUB
WASHINGTON, DC
CAROLINE
TALBOT
4
GEORGES
Easton
1
oLo Plato
5 CALIER
Cambridge
CHARLES
DORCHESTER
Solisbury
ST. MARY'S
.
WICOMICO
Opean City
Leonardtown
WORCESTER
SOMERSET
MARYLAND
The 5thy suburban district that Hoyer repre-
has a different makeup from the pri-
MARYLAND 5
Outer Prince George's; Southern
sented during his first decade in the House. The
Maryland
creation of the black-majority 4th in 1991 redis-
tricting siphoned off many black Democrats,
while pushing Hoyer into less urbanized areas
95/Baltimore-Washington Parkway corridor to
of Prince George's County, southern Anne
ward Greenbelt and Laurel are NASA's Goddard
Arundel County and southern Maryland
Space Flight Center and the National Agricultural
(Charles, St. Mary's and Calvert counties).
Research Center. Expansion at the Naval Air
The southern counties have a rural heritage,
Station at Patuxent River is expected to increase
with tobacco as a major crop. The political tra-
employment there to about 32,000 by 1998.
dition is Democratic but conservative, a tenden-
The 5th sweeps east through Bowie, whose
cy augmented by an influx of commuters and
location between Washington and Annapolis
exurbanites. Winning candidates for major
brought a growth spurt in the 1980s. A new
office here usually are conservatives and often
county-owned stadium in Bowie is home to?
are Republicans.
the Baltimore Orioles' Class AA Baysox. The
The reshaping of the 5th to include this terri-
district then sweeps around Andrews Air
tory was expected to cause Hoyer trouble, and
Force Base into southern Prince George's.
it did. After years of easy victories, he has failed
The 5th also takes in a portion of southern
to crack 60 percent since 1990. In 1996, Hoyer
Anne Arundel County that contributes about
won four of the five counties that, in full or in
15 percent of the district's residents; upscale
part, make up the district, losing only Anne
communities such as Crofton and Davidson
Arundel. But only in the 5th's part of Prince
ville are here, but much of the area retains
George's did Hoyer's margin of victory exceed
rural feel.
5,000 votes or his vote exceed 60 percent.
The southern counties all grew rapidly in the
Prince George's also was the only county in
1980s. Charles County's population grew 39 per-
the 5th to back Bill Clinton in 1996. His 61 per-
cent to more than 100,000, as commuters
cent of the vote there enabled him to lead by a
poured into subdivisions along Route 301 and
30,500-vote margin in the 5th's portion of the
Indian Head Highway. Population in St. Mary's
county and to carry the overall district.
County increased 27 percent. There is much
P.G. County (as some locals call it) accounts
defense-related work in the southern counties.
for nearly half the 5th's population. In the north-
Calvert County's population grew 48 percent,
ern part of the county, the 5th ducks inside the
but it is the state's second-least-populous coun-
Capital Beltway to pick up such heavily black
ty west of the Chesapeake Bay.
communities as Hyattsville. Also in Prince
George's County is the University of Maryland's
flagship campus at College Park.
1990 Population: 597,681. White 461,610 (77%),
Black 110,953 (19%), Other 25,118 (4%). Hispanic ori-
The university is among the public employers
gin 14,520 (2%). 18 and over 450,198 (75%), 62 and
that boost the district's job base. Up the Interstate
over 56,900 (10%). Median age: 31.
tee rejected his amendment, 19-30.
Hoyer got into a fight with Republicans after
Hoyer tries to make sure Maryland gets its
seeing the handout. "The handout itself was scur-
share of federal largess. The fiscal 1996 Treasury-
rilous, dishonest and clearly contrary to the rules
Postal Service appropriations bill earmarked
if it had been spoken from the floor."
about $5 million for telecommuting projects in his
In response, Speaker Newt Gingrich in Sep-
district and state. But Hoyer could not protect
tember banned anonymous tracts from the House
nearly $66 million to continue work on a huge
floor, ruling that only members may hand out
Food and Drug Administration building project in
paper on the floor in an effort to lobby for or
the Maryland suburbs. The House approved, 278-
against legislation. And the pamphlets, routinely
146, an amendment to eliminate the money.
distributed during votes by both Democrats and
Hoyer indirectly was involved in a controversy
Republicans to recruit supporters, must bear the
in July 1995 during a debate on the Treasury-
name of the member doing the circulating.
Postal Service bill. David L Hobson, R-Ohio,
"The content of those materials must comport
offered an amendment to allow the federal gov-
with standards of propriety applicable to words
ernment to continue AIDS education programs
spoken in debate or inserted in the record," the
for federal workers. An opposing pamphlet on the
Speaker said. "In order to enhance the quality of
GOP side of the floor misidentified the sponsor,
debate in the House, the chair would ask mem-
calling on members to defeat the "Hoyer" amend-
bers to minimize the use of handouts."
ment, because "Hoyer=Sex training for federal
Though generally liberal in his outlook, Hoyer
workers; Hoyer=condom training; Hoyer=reli-
supported the welfare overhaul bill signed by
gious indoctrination."
President Clinton in 1996 (after earlier opposing
658
02/25 '98 15:39
ID:NEA NCI DC
FAX 202-822-7482
PAGE
1
February 25, 1998
Facsimile
TO:
Jennifer Klein
White House
FAX 456-2878
FROM:
David McGloin
National Education Association
202/822-7373
FAX 202/822-7482
# Pages
14
(including this page)
COMMENTS:
If you did not receive all pages. please call the sender as soon as possible. If this facsimile was sent 10 the wrong number,
we would appreciate a call so we can send the fax to the correct number.
02/25 '98 15:39
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2
222
Dear Colleague,
Read Across America is
a new, nationwide NEA
campaign to motivate
children to read. We are
calling for every child
in every school in every
NEA Urges You
community to be in the
company of a book the
to Participate in
evening of March 2nd,
in celebration of
Dr. Seuss' birthday.
Please join us in this
exciting program. 11.
provides us with an
excellent opportunity
to work with parents
and others in our
communities to make
a difference in the lives
of our students.
With best wishes
for many fun-filled
reading adventures.
Sincerely,
Bob Chase
Join us March 2nd
Bob Chase
NEA President
And Make this America's
Read to Kids Day
nea
National
Education
Association
The Cat In The Hat TM & (1) Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. 1957, 1997 All Rights Reserved.
02/25 '98 15:39
ID:NEA NCI DC
FAX 202-822-7482
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3
WHAT IS READ ACROSS AMERICA?
With the help of Dr. Seuss Enterprises and many other partners, NEA is planning
a Read Across America celebration. The evening of March 2nd, Dr. Seuss' birthday,
NEA is calling for every child in America to be in the company of a book.
WHY A READING CELEBRATION?
We know that children who read outside of school do well inside school.
Read Across America will generate it new enthusiasm for reading nationwide.
You're
HOW CAN WE START?
never
Get schools, libraries, and bookstores in your community to sponsor special activities.
too
What kinds of activities?
What are some other activities
old,
for my community?
Picture this:
Recruit your local police, firefighters,
too
High school students sitting down
judges, or sports teams to read with
with 6-year-olds, reading them
children. Contact town councils,
wacky,
The Cal in the Hat.
mayors, and local colebrities to see
8-year-olds in pajamas, pillows in
if they will participate.
too
hand, arriving at local libraries for
a bedtime reading session.
wild,
Authors and people dressed as
IMMEDIATE
to pick
storybook characters reading with
children in local bookstores.
ACTION STEPS
up a
1. Post the front page of this flyer in
What are some other activities
the faculty lounge at your school.
book
for my school?
2. Go to your local school board for
Family Literacy Night. Students
their support.
and
listen to stories while families learn
the best way to support a child's
3. Get your town, city, or county to
read
education at home.
pass u resolution supporting
Read Across America.
Round Robin Reading. Children
to a
move from room to room to hear
4. Gather a team together to brain-
school staff and community members
storm activities that will work best
child.
reading their favorite children's
for your community and then act. on
stories. Pick a cafeteria worker,
your best ideas.
an active parent, a retired teacher,
5. Visit our Web site. (address below)
the principal, and other people
who will inspire.
FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION
about Read Across America events, visit our Web site at http://www.nea.org/readacross
or call
1-888-747-READ
RAAF979
02/25 '98 15:40
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4
nealnews
NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
Communications
http://www.nea.org
For Further Information:
Charles Ericksen
(202) 822-7228
Marcia Stein
(202) 822-7233
Gabrielle Lange
(202) 822-7296
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 18, 1998
'Read Across America' Catching Fire,
Participation Now Projected in Millions
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The national "Read Across America" celebration organized
for March 2, Dr. Seuss' birthday, is capturing the imagination and the heart of the nation. On
that date, literally millions of persons, led by Seuss' storybook hero The Cat in the Hat, will fire
up the country's commitment to literacy and reading by the simple act of picking up a book and
sharing its words with a child.
Baltimore Orioles third-baseman Cal Ripken Jr. is the event's national chairman, and the
National Education Association, with 2.3 million members, its chief sponsor. NEA members
alone are organizing reading activities and companion events that organizers estimate will reach
more than two million children.
In several states, NEA members are contributing books to youngsters in homeless
shelters. The North Carolina Association of Educators is donating 10,000 new books to needy
children. In a preliminary activity Feb. 27, Vjrginia Education Association leaders are escorting
uss AUSTIN
100 Norfolk elementary students aboard the
at the world's
-more-
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5
'Read Across America' Catching Fire,
2.
Participation Now Projected in Millions
largest naval station. Students and sailors will read together there. The vessel is being
rechristened the U.S.S. Readership for the day.
Volunteers are coming from everywhere:
Lorna Hellbronner, a 68-year-old retired teacher in Eugene, Ore., has organized 40 of her
retirement community friends to sip hot chocolate and read with Head Start students in
front of a fire in her community's clubhouse. Every child will receive a stovepipe hat and
a book to take home.
In Haverhill, Mass., 39 city business leaders will read in first-grade classrooms. and city
chefs will prepare green eggs and ham for students.
Mount Vernon Elementary School in Alexandria, Va., will welcome 700 volunteers to
read with each of the school's 700 students.
The celebration of reading was designated as an NEA priority by its president, Bob
Chase, last fall as a project to stimulate greater interest in reading among children and to gain
more public support for improving education. Under the banner of "new unionism," NEA has
assumed a strong leadership role in such reform issues as upgrading the quality of instruction in
classrooms and modernizing public schools and equipping them with 21 st century technology.
"Education drives the nation," Chase explains. "Without public support, the job's not
going to get done. 'Read Across America' gives everyone a chance to become a partner in the
country's progress."
At NEA's invitation, hundreds of other educational, literacy, media, parental and civic
groups are promising to place children in the company of a book on the special date of March 2.
Among national organizations that have joined in the mobilization are the American Library
Association, American Association of School Administrators. Girl Scouts of America, National
PTA. National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Center for Family
-more-
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'Read Across America' Catching Fire,
3.
Participation Now Projected in Millions
Literacy, International Reading Association, Random House, Scholastic Inc., and the Screen
Actors Guild Foundation.
The Newspaper Association of America Foundation has alerted newspapers across the
country, encouraging them to participate.
While studies regularly find that young people who read for enjoyment outside of school
do better in school, a 1996 trend report by the National Assessment of Educational Progress
found that the number of older children who read outside of the classroom is gradually
decreasing.
To help stimulate interest in reading, professional football, baseball, basketball. and
hockey teams have joined the campaign. Several are signing up their players to read to students
in stadiums, schools and theaters. The gorilla mascot of the NBA's Phoenix Suns is touring his
town to drum up interest.
Baseball's Cal Ripken. who has quietly championed literacy during much of his career,
will read with students before a spring training game in Fort I lauderdale, Fla., on March 2.
Other celebrities lending support include James Earl Jones, Barbara Bosson, Kirk
Douglas, Barbara Bain, LeVar Burton, and Miss America Kate Shindle. Shindle will read at the
Moorestown, N.J., elementary school she attended as a child. Bosson, Bain, and Douglas will be
part of an NEA/Screen Actors Guild Foundation celebration at the Wiltern Theater in Los
Angeles that is hosting more than 2,000 students. Scholastic Inc. will give every child a book.
Actor LeVar Burton, host of the award-winning TV series Reading Rainbow. explains his
involvement: "Inspiring and encouraging a love of reading is one of the most important things a
parent or teacher can do for a child. I read to my daughter every day, as my mother did to me."
-more-
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'Read Across America' Catching Fire,
4.
Participation Now Projected in Millions
Many members of Congress, a dozen governors. and five first ladies have already pledged
to read to groups of youngsters that day.
The campaign's logo leader, the eight-foot-tall Cat, is presently touring 14 cities in the
Northeast. joining with local celebrities in activities that stress the importance of reading for fun
as well as enrichment. The tour began on Feb. 12 in Springfield, Mass., the late Dr. Seuss author
Theodor Geisel's hometown,
While the celebration is taking on a festive aura, its motive is earnest, stresses NEA
President Chase. Quoting a U.S. Department of Education study, he observes, "The single most
important activity for building knowledge required for eventual success is reading aloud to
children."
MBNA America Bank, N.A., provided financial support to assist in organizing the "Read
Across America" campaign.
The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee
organization. representing more than 2.3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher
education faculty, education support personnel, school administrators, retired educators, and
students preparing to become teachers.
###
2/18/98
NEA Focus is a weekly online media newsletter with news and information about what National Education
Association members are doing at national, state, and local levels to make things better for children, public
schools, and America's future. For an e-mail subscription to NEA Focus, type "subscribe medialine" in the body
of " message sent to [email protected].
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2-16-98
1. WARM TESTIMONIALS OF INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP INVOLVEMENT
Lorna Hellbronner in Eugene, Oregon. This grandmother of seven has mobilized her
retirement community to read with local HeadStart students. Within two days of her
posting a list. 40 of the 185 community members had signed up to participate. They'll
gather in their seniors retirement clubhouse, huddle around a fire, sip hot chocolate and
read Seussian rhymes. She has gotten the local teachers' association to donate Cat in the
Hal hats. And. she has cleaned out her own closets SO every student will go home with a
Dr. Scuss book.
Gloria Morrissette in Fall River, Massachusetts. This 38 year veteran has her third
grade students reading Dr. Seuss books to her school's kindergarten classes every day in
preparation for a big March 2nd birthday bash.
The National Honor Society students of Cherry Creek Colorado. They are buying
books, recording them on tape and bringing both the tape and the book to first graders to
help them with reading.
Carmen Sanchez in Newark New Jersey. Her five year old son will read 10 his three
year old sister, they'll tape it and share it with their cousins who live far away.
The middle and high school students in Joplin, Missouri. They will go to a local
nursing home to read with older patients there.
700 Volunteers reading with 700 Students at Mt. Vernon Elementary in Alexandria,
VA. The school is recruiting high school students, parents and community members to
read one on one with its children.
2. OVERALL, WE HAVE MANY, MANY STORIES OF PEOPLE, SCHOOLS
AND COMMUNITIES WHO ARE EMBRACING THE IDEA OF SPARKING
AND REKINDLING STUDENTS PASSION FOR READING ON DR. SEUSS'S
BIRTHDAY. SOME OF THESE STORIES INCLUDE:
Holston View Elementary in Bristol, Tennessee which will be renamed Seuss View
Elementary for the day.
An elementary school in Portland Oregon that will serve donuts for dads, muflins for
moms and offer a comfortable place for entire families to read together before school.
In Haverhill, MA, a local business group called the Exchange Club has organized 39
business men 10 go 10 read with each of the city's 39 first grade classrooms. Gourmet
and celebrity chefs will prepare green eggs and hain at 5 of the city's elementary
schools. The Mayor will declare March 2 Read Across America Day and much more.
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3. GOOD PICTURES
Firefighters in Cambridge, MA. They are inviting children in to their firchouses to read.
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A Leading Reading Idea
The Cat in the Hat & the NEA Want You
every
restaurant
By Evelyn Porreca Vuko
Special to The Washington Post
Monday, February 16, 1998; Page D05
If the Cat in the Hat threw a party would all the eggs be green? Would
Related Items
the guests have names like Yertle and I forton and Martin O'Gravel
Print Edition
Balloon Face? Would some little guy named Bartholomew Cubbins
Style Articles
be pressing hats on everyone because he's got 500 to spare? Would
Front Page Articles
the entertainment be a girl named Mayzie whose head sprouts a
On Our Site
daisy? No, indeedy deed, not at this party.
Comics
Style Live
The National Education Association and The Cat in the Hat are
hosting a nationwide literacy party-of-an-event called Read Across
America, on March 2 in honor of what would have been Dr. Seuss'
The 1998
94th birthday. To generate new enthusiasm for reading nationwide,
APPLESION INF
families and books all over the country are invited to get together.
catalogue online. is
now
Teacher Says: Oh! The leadingest, readingest event it will be!
"We are encouraging everyone, everywhere to become involved,"
says NEA's President Bob Chase. "Our goal for that day is to place
every child in the company of a book."
Lowest Airfares
"The whole idea came from a reading teacher in New Jersey named
Sharon Suskin. She said we all need help to get kids motivated to read
and wanted to know what NEA could do to help," says Dave
McGloin, NEA Coordinator of Read Across America. With trends
showing that over the years kids are reading less and less outside of
school, NEA and participating partners like the American Library
Association and the National PTA, got on the Butter Up Band(wagon)
with great speedy speed and conceived "Read Across America."
"Sometimes an event that's community-wide, statewide, nationwide
can send an even stronger message to children about the importance
of reading," says McGloin.
Why all the yammering, klammering and hammering about reading
with kids?
"The single most important thing that influences primary grade
reading achievement, according to research, is having someone read
to a child on a regular basis," says Wilma Miller, professor of
education at Illinois State University, Normal, III. Miller's book,
"Complete Reading Disabilities Handbook" (Simon & Schuster,
$29.50) is one of the recommended texts for volunteers in President
Clinton's America Reads Challenge. "Reading should begin as young
as anyone wants to do it," she adds, citing one of her students who
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began reading to her unborn baby in her second month of pregnancy.
Baltimore Orioles third baseman Cal Ripken is co-chairman of the
event, which is urging citizens nationwide to read to kids on March 2.
"Ripken is going to read on the dugout steps with kids in Ft.
Lauderdale at spring training," says McGloin. In Hollywood, the
Screen Actors Guild is organizing celebrities to read with 900
children at the Wiltern Theatre. In Norfolk, crew members of the
U.S.S. Eisenhower will rename their ship the Readership and bringing
local kids onboard to read to them. Firefighters are inviting students
to come to firehouses to read in Cambridge, Mass. Holston View
Elementary School, Bristol, Tenn., will be renamed Seuss View
Elementary and host a read-a-thon and book character parade. And in
Carroll County, Md., every baby born on March 2 will be given a
book by the local education association.
Other public events taking place in the Washington area in celebration
of Read Across America include:
March 1 -- See The Cat in the Hat at the Newseum in Arlington, 1
p.m. The day's news will be presented in Dr. Seuss-like verse. Free
tickets will be available prior to the program, but seating is limited.
Call Samara Aberman, 703-284-3545.
March 2 -- Join Sharon Salluzzo at the Bethesda Regional Library for
an evening of storytelling, 7-8 p.m. Books will be awarded as door
prizes. Call Diane Monnier, 301-986-4300.
March 2 -- The town of Culpeper is planning a community-wide
spaghetti dinner and birthday party at Emerald Hill Elementary
School, 5-7:30 p.m. Forty community members, including
firefighters, will read to area kids. Families are invited to dress as
their favorite storybook characters. Call Laurel Booth, 540-937-7361.
March 2 -- A puppet show at 10 a.m., NEA Headquarters, 1201 16th
St. NW; then members of Congress, organizational leaders, actors,
performers and children's authors will read to kids from John Quincy
Adams Elementary School in Adams Morgan, and Adelphi Family
Academy, Adelphi.
March 2 -- Teachers, principals, the superintendent of schools and
elected officials of Prince William County will read their favorite
stories to local kids at the Chinn Regional Library in Woodbridge and
the Bull Run Regional Library, Manassas, 7-8 p.m. All county
students also will receive a free Cat in the Hat bookmark from the
Prince William Education Association.
NEA and Teacher Says offer the following suggestions for
participating in the March 2 events:
At School:
1. Have round robin readings. Students move from classroom to
classroom, listening to a different story at each stop. NEA suggests
that storytellers read stories every 20 minutes.
2. Hold family literacy nights. Families can gather to read aloud,
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parents learn about the school's reading program and get
demonstrations on good bedtime reading. Bailey's Elementary School
in Falls Church has a Family Literacy Night planned. "Students will
read stories while parents learn how to best support their child in
school, especially in reading," says first-grade teacher Dot Fowler.
3. Do a choral reading: Pick a story that has strong rhythmic or
rhyming patterns, like Dr. Seuss' "Horton Hears a Who" and have the
students read out loud together. Other students might act out parts of
the story as it is read.
4. Start book buddy programs. Have older students read with younger
students. Cheryl Best's fourth grade at Mars Estates Elementary
School in Baltimore is buddying with a high school group. They're
also serving green eggs and ham.
At home:
1. Invite a "guest" reader. Ask the kids' favorite Uncle Sneetch,
Auntie McFuzz or Granny McElligot to read a favorite story to the
family.
2. Invent a story. Use something like a toothbrush, an eggplant or a
milf-muffered moof, and have family members invent a personality
for it, then take it on an adventure. Write it down or make a tape
recording as you invent. When the story's complete, read it aloud or
play it back.
3. Gather the family in a circle and pass a book around having
members read individual characters or chapters. It might be fun to go
moping and doping along the beaches with the Dr. Seuss' "Sneeches
and Other Stories."
4. Do "alternate reading" says Professor Wilma Miller. "Parents read
one page, kids another," she explains. This way, no one gets to be
sharpish and bossy and each is inspired to read with great skillful
skill.
Schools or organizations wishing more information on how to
participate in Read Across America events, or to pledge events should
visit NEA's web site at http://www.nca.org/readacross or write: Read
Across America, c/o NEA, 1201 16th Street NW, Washington, D.C.
20036.
Correction: In last month's column, "Include Organizational Skills in
the Learning Mix," the name of the owner of Jill-of-All-Trades on
Capitol Hill was incorrect. Her name is Jill Lawrence.
Evelyn Vuko may be reached at Style Plus, The Washington Post,
1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D. C. 20071 or at
http://www.teachersays.com
Copyright 1998 The Washington Post Company
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TEN HIGH PROFILE READ ACROSS AMERICA EVENTS
1. Cal Ripken reading with children before Spring Training in Ft. Lauderdale, FLA Good
Morning America plans to cover this live in their 7:30-8:00 section
2. 100 school children read with sailors and the Cat in the Hat on a big ship on February
27th in the naval yard in Norfolk, VA at 10AM.
3. Screen Actors Guild Foundation Celebration at the Wiltern Theater in California
10:30AM March 2. Stars include James Sikking, Barbara Bosson, Pamela Reid, Brock
Peters and Barbara Bain. There also will be a videotaped reading of Oh the Places You'll
Go by Kirk Douglas. Scholastic Inc is giving books to all the children involved.
4. Paramount Theatre Celebration 7PM March 2. Seattle Washington Several local and
national celebrities performing and reading with 2800 children and parents. Governor
Locke's wife will MC the program. NEA's Dan Sakota will lead the audience in singing
Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss. Scholastic Inc. again is sending every child home with a
book.
5. Miss America Kate Shindle reading with children in Moorestown, NJ at her old
elementary school. March 2 10AM
(, Stained Glass Presentation of Read Across America memorabilia to Mrs. Geisel, the
SURPRIDE
widow of Dr. Scuss, late in the afternoon of March 2 in San Diego, CA at the San Diego
Public Library 11 will be presented by NEA Executive Committee member Denise
Rockwell in thanks for allowing NEA 10 use the Cat in the Hat as a symbol for its reading
campaign.
8. The Mt. Vernon Elementary School in Alexandria, VA has a day long Dr. Seuss
celebration with 700 children reading with 700 volunteers, on March 2. It includes a
spaghetti dinner, high school students reading with elementary students, parents and
community members reading and much more,
9. Children's Museum in Manhattan 11:30AM Publishers and elebrities read with
children and NEA thanks the publishers for their generous support in donating thousands
of books to children participating in Read Across America.
10. Seattle Mariners star shortstop Alex Rodriguez reads with school children and does
live chat sessions with students from Spring Training in Peoria, AZ. 8AM.
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Celebrities
Cal Ripken of the Baltimore Orioles
Kirk Douglas
LeVar Burton
James Earl Jones
Al Roker of the Today Show
Tomie dePaola
Wes Unseld
Alex Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners
Miss America Kate Shindle
Tavis Smiley, Black Entertainment Television
Soap Opera Stars at the Dr. Seuss Exhibit of the Children's Museum
ABA
AMERICAN
BOOKSELLERS
ASSOCIATION
EST. 1900
COPY
October 17, 1997
Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton
The First Lady
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Ms. Clinton:
Thank you very much for your letter of October 3rd with regard to our Prescription for
Reading initiative.
I am pleased to report that the response of the bookselling community has been
superlative - and we are now anticipating that prescriptions/coupons for over 200,000
copies of Rosemary Wells' new book, Read-To-Your-Bunny, will be distributed by health
care professionals for redemption at almost 1500 participating bookstores in virtually
every part of the United States!
I am enclosing copies of some of the material we are in the process of creating that will
accompany the actual books when they are shipped to bookstores in mid-November.
Please understand that these enclosures are only working copies, and the actual final
versions will feature Rosemary's very colorful aftwork. As you'll see, we are relying
heavily on information garnered from Reach Out and Read, the Prescription for Reading
Partnership announcement at the White House in April, and your comments as reported in
Time magazine last year.
As this campaign unfolds, we would welcome an opportunity for you "to redeem" a
symbolic first prescription/coupon either at The White House or at an actual
participating bookstore. As mentioned above, since there are participating stores in
virtually every part of the country, a symbolic "redemption" could take place almost
anytime or anywhere over the next months that fits your schedule. As the country's most
prominent advocate "prescribing" reading, obviously, having your further identification
with this effort would be greatly appreciated by all the participants.
On behalf of our colleagues at the Association of Booksellers for Children and Scholastic,
Inc., thank you for your superb leadership on this critically important effort. We look
forward to continue working with you to insure that reading to very young children does,
in fact, become a regular and routine part of well-baby care.
Thanks again.
Sincerely,
Oren I J. Teicher
FOSTERING ECONOMIC. POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ACTION SUPPORTIVE OF A DIVERSE AND COMPETITIVE BOOKSELLING ENVIRONMENT
828 SOUTH BROADWAY
TARRYTOWN, NY 10591
914-591-BOOK (2665) 800-637-0037 FAX 914-591-2720 INTERNET:WWW.BOOKWEB.ORG
Prescriptionfor
ABA
READING
ABOCATION OF
AMERICAN
ROOMSELLERS FOR
CHECRIN
BOOKSELLERS
ASSOCIATION
November 1997
Dear Bookseller:
On behalf of the American Booksellers Association and the Association of Booksellers for Children, we are delighted
to welcome you to our PRESCRIPTION FOR READING/Read-to-Your-Bunny campaign! You will be pleased to learn
that you are one of almost fifteen hundred bookstores across the United States that will be distributing over 200,000
copies of Read to Your Bunny between now and March of 1998.
The Children's Issues Committee of ABA and representatives of ABC - in conjunction with Scholastic, Inc. -
have worked hard to make this information kit as user friendly as possible. The kit includes your one hundred compli-
mentary copies of Read to Your Bunny by Rosemary Wells, as well as accompanying posters. coupons/prescription
forms, and other informational material. It has been designed to assist you in developing a working relationship with a
local health-care provider and is directed toward encouraging parents and other care-givers to read to their very young
children on a daily basis as a routine part of well-baby care. In addition to bringing new traffic into your store, this pro-
gram puts you in the forefront of President Clinton's AMERICA READS CHALLENGE while demonstrating your strong
commitment to promote reading and support literacy. We could not be more proud of the enthusiastic response of the
bookselling community to this effort.
As you know, this innovative collaboration between ABA, ABC, and Scholastic, Inc., was created in response to the
Prescription for Reading (PFR) partnership, launched in April 1997 by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton on the eve of the
White House Conference on Early Childhood and Brain Development. The partnership encourages businesses, community
organizations, and others to work with health-care providers to prescribe reading during "well-baby" checkups. PFR is
based on the successful work of a Boston-based organization, Reach Out and Read, which corroborates that reading to very
young children enhances the child's overall intellectual, emotional, and physical development. This specific PFR partnership
will run from November 1997 through March 1, 1998.
The program guidelines, found elsewhere in this kit, are designed to provide overall suggestions as to how this pro-
gram can work best. While we recognize that some bookstores may make modest adjustments to the program to tailor it
for their own communities, we believe that our suggested approach is the best way to achieve maximum results. Be sure
to note, however, that our agreement with Scholastic specifically states that the enclosed books cannot be sold
under any circumstance and that no books may be distributed after March 1, 1998. Any books left after that date
must be donated to an appropriate health-care facility.
For additional materials or for information about a complementary ABC companion program - "The Most
Important 20 Minutes of Your Day Read with a Child" please contact the ABC national office at 4412 Chowen
Ave. S. #303, Minneapolis, MN 55410, or call (800) 421-1665.
Thank you for taking part in this exciting initiative. Together, we will play a part in helping two hundred thousand
children to a good beginning (their parents, too!) and start them down the road of becoming lifetime readers!
Sincerely,
Barlara Bonds Thomas
Barbara Bonds Thomas (Toad Hall, Austin, TX)
President
American Booksellers Association
Diane Etherington (Children's Hour Bookstore,
Salt Lake City, UT)
President
Association of Booksellers for Children
P.S. If you have any questions about our Prescription for Reading program. please call Jill Perlstein of the ABA
at (800) 637-0037, ext. 283.
AMERICAN BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION
resc
otion
MARKETING
KIT
"Today, thanks to advances in brain research, we know that reading with a child has
intellectual. emotional and physical benefits that can enhance the child's development.
The intimacy of sharing books and stories strengthens the emotional bonds between a
parent and child. helps a child learn words and concepts, and actually stimulates the
growth of a baby's brain. That's why doctors and nurses are starting to prescribe
reading to babies along with regular checkups and vaccinations. It isn't very often
that we have before us such a simple, inexpensive and pleasurable way to improve our
children's health and development and raise their prospects for a brighter future."
-Hillary Rodham Clinton
Time, February 3. 1997
DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT
Prescription for Reading
Background
The scientific evidence is now clear and incontrovertible: babies' brains are not "prewired"
before birth. Like their physical development, which requires nurturing, human brains also
need food to grow-stimulation from parents and caregivers. We know that brain growth during
the early years is very rapid and has a profound impact on a child's healthy development and
school readiness. Not surprisingly, we also know that reading to children can be one of the
most important actions a parent can take to stimulate a child's brain.
Yet, according to "Starting Points," the 1996 report of the Carnegie Corporation of New York,
fewer than half of American parents read to their infants and toddlers on a regular basis.
Moreover, this tendency not to read is most concentrated among poorer families, thereby
increasing the risk of illiteracy, failure in school, and dependency. With some 24% of children
being born into homes below the poverty level, that means there are nearly 1 million newborns—
and almost 1 million children under the age of 6-who are most at-risk.
In addition to these findings, many significant scientific discoveries have been reported
regarding effects of early introduction to reading. According to studies conducted by the
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at the National Institutes
of Health:
"Although the eyes make visual contact with the printed word, the critical work involves the
sounds (phonemes) of language. Many NICHD studies show that a reader's ability to
remember, imitate, recall, manipulate (pull sounds apart and put them back together again),
recode (switch between sound, visual, and semantic codes), and articulate sounds is essential to
early reading."
"The ability to process sounds that are heard (called phonological processing) consistently
differentiates good readers and poor readers."
"Reading is indeed learned and therefore, must be taught, supported and sustained. Reading
does not come naturally as does speech, and relies heavily on how we hear and manipulate
sounds even before we see printed words."
NICHD, in studies with the 17 to 20 percent of the children with serious reading difficulties,
learned the following:
"Without early identification and early intervention (before entry into the third grade),
reading difficulties severe enough to hinder learning and the enjoyment of reading will persist
into adulthood unless intensive and specialized remediation programs are provided."
DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT
"Many children and adults who are not identified as 'disabled' report that they do not read
on a regular basis either to learn new information or for enjoyment. These individuals report
that reading is difficult for them because they cannot read words quickly, which, in turn, limits
their exposure to reading materials which they might otherwise learn from and enjoy."
In addition, a 1985 National Commission on Reading reported "that children's experiences
being read to were the single most important predictors of later reading success. Reading aloud
supports language and cognitive development."
The Opportunity
As all these studies indicate, a positive relationship with reading is crucial for a child's
development, and what better way to encourage the love of reading than by reading aloud to a
child everyday. First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton, a long time supporter of reading to
children, can attest to the "first hand power of a medical professional's advice." Mrs. Clinton
believes, "America's youngest children would benefit from a national effort to put books into
the hands of parents when they bring their young children to the doctor."
This is our objective. We want to break this pattern of minimal reading and "eroding literacy"
and to establish a new pattern: the habit of parents regularly reading to children with the support
and intervention by pediatricians.
Pediatricians have a strong and trusting relationship with parents of young children.
Overwhelming clinical, statistical, and scientific evidence all underscore the same conclusion:
pediatric intervention and access to books can increase the likelihood of parents reading to young
children. That in turn stimulates the brain and increases the likelihood of literacy and success.
By making reading a medical "standard of appropriate care"-just as immunizations, a healthy
diet, and child safety are standards of care-pediatricians have found that they can help establish
a habit and tradition of reading among at-risk families.
Recognizing this confluence of forces, the First Lady brought together representatives from more
than two dozen organizations. In the winter and early spring of 1997, she challenged them to
come up with a workable, sustainable program that uses doctors to reach these youngest, at-risk
children-and their parents-and help reverse the scourge of illiteracy.
This challenge has come together as the "Prescription for Reading" initiative.
DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT
The Goal
By the year, 2000:
Reading and books will become recognized as an integral part of a healthy childhood, and will be
formally integrated into the pediatric "standard of care" for all children, and into the residency
training of all pediatricians.
Every child under the age of six will receive a "Prescription for daily reading" from every
pediatrician during every well-child check-up. That prescription will reinforce the parent's role
in, and responsibility to read, will be accompanied by advice and support from the doctor about
ways to stimulate their child's cognitive growth and development.
All children will have access to books, and those 6 million most at risk will receive books from
pediatricians during every well-child checkups
The Strategy
Out Prescription for Reading initiative will employ a simple, single-minded strategy:
The American Booksellers Association, in partnership with Scholastic and the Association of
Booksellers for Children has distributed over one-hundred-thousand copies of Rosemary Wells'
new book, Read to Your Bunny, to bookstores across the country, including mine. We (the
bookselling community) will offer "prescription coupons" for free copies of this book to
pediatricians and other well-baby professionals, who will in turn give this prescriptions to
parents and guardians who can redeam this coupons for copies of Read to Your Baby. In
adddition, we'll be providing your patients' parents, etc. with special reading lists for babies,
toddlers, and pre-schoolers -- books they can read to their babies, who will grow up and read to
theirs.
Reach Out and Read
National Sites
139 SITES IN 38 STATES AS OF AUGUST 1997
note to Bookseller:
COLORADO
Family Health Center Pediatrics-Denver
For those of you who have not yet established a
Larry Wolk, MD, MSPH
Sandos Westside Health Center-Denver
relationship with a local health-care provider,
Steve Vogler, MD
please feel free to contact one of the
CONNECTICUT
Reach Out and Read centers listed here.
Bridgeport Hospital Primary Care-Bridgeport
Check your local directory for the telephone
Allyson Driggers, MD
Day Kimball Hospital-Putnam
number. If you need further information,
Jane Rovaldi-Garfield Danenhower, MD
please contact the National Reach Out and Read
Fair Haven Community Health Center-New Haven
Laurel Shader, MD
office located in Boston, MA at (617) 534-5701.
Park City Primary Care Center-Bridgeport
Laura Buffone, Veronique James, MD
ALABAMA
St. Francis Hospital & Medical Center-Hartford
Lower Alabama Pediatrics-Brewton
Jennifer Bryant-Sevigny, Paul Dworkin, MD
Marsha Raulerson, MD
Yale/New Haven Children's Hospital-New Haven
Sylvia Lavietes, Jody Platner, Janet Weiswasser, MD
ALASKA
Alaska Native Medical Center-Anchorage
FLORIDA
Jerry Nasenbeny, MD; Christina Sanchez
Cape Coral Pediatrics-Cape Coral
Sharon Landry, Ginny Blitzer, MD
ARIZONA
Pearl Plaza Pediatrics-Jacksonville
Kino Community Hospital-Tucson
Karen Toker, MD
Barbara Smith, MD, Elena D'Autremont; Candy Parsons
Tampa General Hospital/University of S. Florida-Tampa
Phoenix Children's Hospital-Phoenix
Sharon Dabrow, MD. Patricia Blanco, MD
Marcia Stanton, MSW; Jeffrey Weiss, MD
Sage Memorial Hospital-Ganado
GEORGIA
Rebecca Kazal, Louis Kazal, MD
Hughes Spalding Children's Hospital-Atlanta
Sells Indian Hospital-Tucson
Linda Grant-Ready, Set Read!
Angie Williams, PA; Margaret Trouard, MD
Northwest Grady Clinic-Atlanta
B.J. Steele, MD
CALIFORNIA
Ware County Family Practice Center-Waycross
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Pediatric Clinic-Los Angeles
Brenda Landwehr, PA-C
Neil Kaufman, MD, MPH, Jan Leal, MSW
Child Crisis Center/UCLA Medical Center-Torrance
HAWAII
James Williams, MD
Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Health Center-Honolulu
Child Health and Youth Clinic-San Diego
Chris Derauf, MD, Kili Kono
Barbara Bale, Amethyst Cureg, MD
Children's Hospital Oakland-Oakland
ILLINOIS
Hilary Bethke, MD, Kim Kuehnert
Community Health & Emergency Services-Cairo
North Orange County Youth & Family Resource Center-Anaheim
Lynne Chambers, MSW, Jean Charlot, MD
Sharon Latona, Deborah Stewart, MD
Evanston Hospital Perinatal Family Support Center
Packard Children's Hospital-Palo Alto
Ronna Jacobson
Suzanne Everett, Tamar Gershon, MD
Illinois Masonic Medical Center-Chicago
San Francisco General Hospital/UC San Francisco
Lise Meryl Strom, MA, Dore Sobel, MD
Elena Fuentes-Afflick, MD, Lois Epstein, MD
University of Illinois-Chicago
Sutter Merced Medical Center/Kids Care-Merced
Peter Neronha, MD, Marylou Schmit, MD
Nancy McDonald, RN
UCSF Pediatric Primary Care Practices-San Francisco
INDIANA
Lucy Crain, MD, Elizabeth San Luis, PNP
Three Rivers Literacy Alliance-Fort Wayne
Vacaville Community Clinic-Vacaville
Ginny Clark, Sarah Reinke Read To Me
Linda Hess, Stephen Boos, MD
Reach Out and Read
National S' es
KANSAS
MGH Chelsea Health Center-Chelsea
Kansas University Children's Center-Kansas City
Janice Lowe, MD
Kathryn Veal, MD & Jean Harty, MD
Medical Center of Central MA/Memorial Hospital-Worcester
Keith Dubois
KENTUCKY
North Shore Children's Medical Center-Salem
Northern Kentucky Family Health-Newport
Phyllis Groskin, Owen Mathieu
Joyce Huffer, ARNP & Carol Roark, MD
River Street Health Center-Mattapan
University of Kentucky Family Care Center-Lexington
Dianne Morris, MD
Thomas Young, MD
South Boston Neighborhood Health Center-South Boston
Cathy Callahan
LOUISIANA
Tauton Family Medicine-Tauton
Baton Rouge General Family Health Center-Baton Rouge
Karen Shaker, Charles Walker, DO
Kim Kunefke, RN, Joan Carrone, MA, Dan Kalb, MD, Rachel
Uphams Corner Neighborhood Health Center-Dorchester
Hausmann, MD
Paul Geltman, MD, Robyn Souza, RN
Medical Center of Louisiana/University Hospital-New Orleans
Whittier Street Neighborhood Health Center-Roxbury
Ellen Beyer, BSN, MBA, Susan Berry, MD
Yvonne Nelson-Langley
MARYLAND
MICHIGAN
Druid Family Health Center-Baltimore
Children's Hospital of Michigan-Detroit
Delores Smith, Karen Nelson, MD
Teresa Holtrop, MD
East Baltimore Medical Center-Baltimore
Hurley Medical Center-Flint
Shannon Wright, RN, Pasquale Bernardi, MD
Janie Bruen, CPNP
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center-Baltimore
Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies/MSU-Kalamazoo
Dawn Breon, Lauren Jansson, MD
Donald Greydanus, MD, Allan LaReau, MD
Johns Hopkins Children's Center-Baltimore
Mary Ash, CCLS, John Andrews, MD, Teri Metcalf, MD
MINNESOTA
Matilda Koval Health Center-Baltimore
Children's Health Care Children's Clinic-Minneapolis
Heather Neblett, MD
Nancy Almquist, CLS & Stephanie Bisson, CPNP
St. Agnes Hospital-Baltimore
Community University Health Care Center/Variety Children's
Barbara Burns, Michael Burke, MD
Clinic-Minneapolis
Shore Clinical Foundation-Easton
Kathie Cerra, PhD, Amos Deinard, MD
Cathleen McGrath, MD
Sinai Hospital/Greenspring Pediatric Associates-Baltimore
MISSISSIPPI
Rebecca Hartman, LCSW-C, Oscar Taube, MD
Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center-Jackson
University of Maryland Pediatric Ambulatory Center-Baltimore
Dana Carbo, MD & Eva Henderson, MD
Alexa Cieslak, Virginia Keane, MD
MISSOURI
MASSACHUSETTS
Children's Mercy Hospital-Kansas City
Boston Evening Medical Center-Boston
Michele Kilo, MD, Wendy Turnbull, PhD
Carol Langford, MD. Ralph Schiff
Boston Medical Center-Boston
Open Door Clinic-St. Louis
Dotti Kastigar, Helen Haney, MD
Bobbi Philipp, MD, Patricia Lawrence, PNP, Peter Scwartz, RN
Brockton Hospital-Brockton
MONTANA
Jacqueline Hochstin, RN, CLS & Lisa Downs, MD
Crow/Northern Cheyenne Indian Health Service Hospital-Hardin
Cambridge, Mt. Auburn, Somerville Hospitals
Lori Byron, MD
David Osler, MD
Children's Hospital-Boston
NEW HAMPSHIRE
ean Ciborowski, PhD, Rachel Salguero
Lamprey Health Care-Newmarket
Codman Square Neighborhood Health Center-Dorchester
Sarah Oxnard, MD & Priscilla Shaw
Angela Goss
Nashua Child Health Clinic-Nashua
Dimock Street Neighborhood Health Center-Roxbury
Bonnie Hannibal
Christine Caron, Richard Slosberg, MD
Dorchester House Multi-Service Center-Dorchester
NEW JERSEY
Pam Kuzia-Russell, Erin McNaughton
Beth Israel Medical Center-Newark
Geiger Gibson Community Health Center
Judy Shoobe, DO, Idressa Green
Yvonne Ruggles
Osborn Family Health Center/Our Lady of Lourdes Medical
Greater Lawrence Family Health Center-Lawrence
Center-Camden
Elise Henricks, MD
Deb Bokas, MSW, Georgiana Reynick
Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center-Dorchester
Adine Latimore, PNP
NEW MEXICO
Holyoke Health Center-Holyoke
Children's Hospital of New Mexico-Albuquerque
Jane Cross, MD
Julia Grimes, MLS, Barbara Small, MD
Lynn Community Health Center-Lynn
Farmington Community Health Center-Farmington
Sandra Broughton, Marc Levine, MD
John Garretson, MD
Manet Community Health Center-Quincy
Las Vegas Clinic for Children and Youth-Las Vegas
Louise Quinlan, Vibha Bhatmagar, MD
George P. Bunch, MD
Mattapan Health Center-Mattapan
Toni Wortham
Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital-Gallup
Herb Mosher, Mary Poel, MD
Holyoke Pediatric Associates-Holyoke
Anne Nugent, MD
Reach Out and Read
National Sites
NEW YORK
SOUTH DAKOTA
Child Health Clinics-NYC
Lower Brule Clinic-Lower Brule
Carmen Ramos-Bonoan, MD
Peter Magnus, MD, Molly Anderson, MD
Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center-NYC
Rosebud Sioux Tribe Healthy Start-Rosebud
Wanda Lay, Mary McCord, MD
Lucy Reifel, MD
Court Street Diagnostic and Treatment Center-Utica
Charles McMahon, Thomas Clark, MD
TENNESSEE
East Harlem Child Health Clinic-NYC
Memphis Family Care Center-Memphis
Fort Greene Child Health Clinic-Brooklyn
Gerri Cannon-Smith, MD
Foster Care Pediatrics-Rochester
Elizabeth McMahon, MD
TEXAS
Gouverneur Diagnostic and Treatment Center-NYC
Scott and White Hospital-Temple
David Berger, MD, Miriam Rivera, MS, Ayman Mekhail, MS
Don Wilson, MD, Jan Upchurch, MA, Msc, CCLS, Lisa Ehl, MD
Irving Avenue Child Health Clinic-Brooklyn
University of Texas Medical School WIC Children's Clinic-Houston
Junction Boulevard Child Health Clinic-Corona (Queens)
Paige Atkinson, PNP
Metropolitan Hospital-NYC
Ruth Frank, Vidya Bhushan Gupta, MD
VERMONT
Montefiore Marble Hill Family Practice-Bronx
Community Health Center-Burlington
David Savarese, MD
Ann Goering, MD, Sally Anderson, Abby Foulk
Montefiore Medical Center-Bronx
University Pediatrics-Burlington
Charlotte Shandley, MD, Iman Sharif-Hassen, Rose Ayers
Wendy Davis, MD, Sally Anderson, Abby Foulk
Mount Sinai Medical Center-NYC
Upper Valley Pediatrics-Bradford
Marc Habert, MD, Leora Mogilner, MD, Mary Hogan
Nancy Foote, ARNP, Susan Farrell, ARNP, Mark Harris, MD
NYU Bellvue Hospital-NYC
Linda van Schaick, MS, Jane Burton
VIRGINIA
Open Book/Westchester Medical Center-Valhalla
Eastern Shore Rural Health System-Onancock-Evan Clements,
Reva Greenburg, EdD, Karen Edwards, MD
RNC, Linda Crumb
Rochester General Hospital-Rochester
Healthy Families/CHIP-Arlington
Randy Evans, Robert Byrd, MD, Michael Weissman, MD
Anne VorderBruegge
Tremont Child Health Clinic-Bronx
University of Virginia Children's Medical Center-Charlottesville
Washington Heights Child Health Clinic-NYC
Linda Drake, Deborah Smith, MD
NORTH CAROLINA
WASHINGTON, DC
Mulberry Pediatrics/Caldwell Memorial Hospital-Lenoir
Children's National Medical Center GPAC
Vicki Coffey & Duane Herold
Sandra Cuzzi, MD
Olson Huff Center for Child Development-Asheville
Children's National Medical Center Child Protection
Adrian Sandler, MD
Lavdena Оп, MD
Wake Medical Center Special Infant Care Clinic-Raleigh
George Washington University Pediatrics
Cindy Callahan, MA, Melissa Johnson, PhD, Bethany Kelly
Leslie Meyers, MD, Marsha Spitzer, MD
OHIO
WISCONSIN
Children's Health Clinic-Dayton
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center-La Crosse
Terrie Kess, RN, Maria Nanagas, MD
Richard Strauss, MD, Cheryl Pearse
Crossroads Health Center-Cincinnati
Katie Connelly
Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital-Cleveland
Robert Needlman, MD
OKLAHOMA
Children's Medical Center-Tulsa
Laura Taylor, DO
PENNSYLVANIA
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia(CHOP)
Trude Haecker, MD, Kate Wiggins, CCLS
C. Eve Kimball, MD-Reading
RHODE ISLAND
Thundermist Health Associates-Woonsocket
Brenda Whittle, Dennis Stanton, Laura Viehmann, MD
SOUTH CAROLINA
Greenwood Community Children's Center-Greenwood
William Allen, MD
Lowcountry Pediatrics-Beaufort
Sarah Anderson, RN, Francis Rushton, MD
Spartanburg County Health Department-Carole Bledsoe
Melody Wood, RN, Julie Kavanagh, MD, Joe Warren, MA
United Way of Greenville-Greenville
Jane Leo, Paul Catalana, MD
Redeem this coupon for your
Prescription
READING
of ree 0004
suggested reading list.
Ask your neighborhood
bookseller or local librarian
of Read to Your Bunny
for other titles:
by Rosemary Wells
BABIES
Clap Your Hands,
Prescription.
Lorinda Bryon Couley, Pulnam
Fuzzy Yellow Ducklings,
READING
Matthew Ven Fleet, Dial
Goodnight Moon,
Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated
TO BE COMPLETED BY
Clement Hurd, HarperCollins
A HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER:
My Very First Mother Goose,
long Opie, illustrated by
Child's Name:
Rosemary Wells, Condlewid
Parent or Guardian:
Pat the Bunny, Dorothy Kunlundi
Golden Books/Westem Publishin
Address:
Time for Bed, Mem Fax, illustrated
Pediatrician or Other Health-Core Provider:
Jane Dyer, Hercout Brate
TODDLERS
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom,
Offer expires March 1, 1998.
Bill Martin, Jr., and
Supplies are limited.
John Archamboult, illustrated
Lois Ehlert, Simon & Schuste
Get your free paperback copy
of Read to Your Bunny at
Good Night, Gorilla,
Peggy Rathmann, Putnom
In the Small, Small Pond.
Denise Fleming, Henry Holt
"K" Is for Kiss Good Night,
Jill Sardegna, illustrated by Michael
Hays, Bantam Doubleday Doll
Available in Spanish.
Prescription READING FOR
Prescriptionfor
suggested reading list:
ODDLERS (con't)
READING
lies Mon," Said the Baby,
Willioms, Greenwillow
Trish Cooks, illustrated
Scientific research has shown that
Oxenbury, Condlewick
reading to a very young child can
When I'm Sleepy,
enhance the child's overall intellectual,
Jone R. Howard, illustrated by
emotional, and physical development.
Lynne Cherry, Dutton
A daily regime of reading to your child
I 1774 I o I
PRE-SCHOOL
for 20 minutes 0 day will reap
a lifetime of rewards.
Angus and the Ducks, Marjorie
Fled, Fortal, Shous and Groux
Blueberries for Sal,
"Today, thanks to advances in brain
Robel McCloskey, Puffin
research, we know that reading with a
Your Mama 0 Uama?,
child has intellectual. emotional and
Déborah Guarino, illustrated by
physical benefits that can enhance the
Sleven Kellogg, Scholastic
child's development. The intimacy of
Mama Do You love Me?,
sharing books and stories strengthens
Burbura M. Joosse, illustrated by
the emotional bonds between a parent and child, helps a child
Barboro Lovellee, Chronide
learn words and concepts, and actually stimulates the growth
Road Aloud Rhymos for the Very
of a baby's brain.
That's why doctors and nurses are
Young, Juck Prelutsky, illustrated
starting to prescribe reading to babies along with regular
by Marc Brown, Knopf
checkups and vaccinations. It isn't very often that we have
Shonn in # Jeep, Nancy Show,
before us such a simple, inexpensive and pleasurable way to
Houghton Mittlin
improve our children's health and development and raise
their prospects for a brighter future."
Whore the Wild Things Are,
Mourice Sendak, HarperCollins
- Hillary Rodham Clinton
# Available in Spanish.
Time. February 3, 1997
Remember to sign up your child
for # library card.
ABA
Note: Fold on scored lines and tape to form base.
can make a difference in your child's life.
App D minutes oz ЮЗ РІ!Ф your of моч sn Asy
Prescription for Reading partnership.
This health-care office is a participant in the
-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, January 10, 1997
seriously."
economic levels to take this mission of reading to and talking to their young babies
the next 10 years in this country than to persuade parents of all educational and
"There are few things that I believe could make 0 more dramatic difference over
capynglu 0 1997 by Resection Wells
copyright , [ 0 1997 I Hardection
"There are few things that I believe could make a more dramatic difference over
the next 10 years in this country than to persuade parents of all educational and
economic levels to take this mission of reading to and talking to their young babies
seriously."
-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, January 10, 1997
This health-care office is a participant in the
Prescription for Reading partnership.
Ask us how reading to your child for 20 minutes a day
can make a difference in your child's life.
Note: Fold on scored lines and tape to form base.
иполој.
DOI 00/40 U.O.
LFE:
ed 10f
EL
uedicioued e S! SI
bookstore is a participant in the
ription for Reading partnership.
prescription" coupon here or ask
02/24/1998 18:20 2123437734
SCHOLASTIC INC
PAGE 01
FAX COVER SHEET
MSCHOLASTIC
555 Broadway, New York,NY 10012-3999
(212) 343-6100
Date: 2/24/98
# OF PAGES: 8
Time:
(including cover)
Receiving Party
To: nicole Radner
Company:
Fax Number:
Sending Party:
From: alae Cohe
Direct Phone:
Ziz 343-7706
Fax Number: (212) 343-7734
Remarks
02/24/1998 18:20 2123437734
SCHOLASTIC INC
PAGE 02
2/24/98
MEMORANDUM
SCHOLASTIC INC.
TO: Jennifer Klein
555 Broadway
via fax (202) 456-2878
New York, NY
Nicole Rabner
10012-3999
(212) 343-6100
FR:
Alan Cohen
o
Scholastic
RE: Read To Your Bunny
We are delighted that Mrs. Clinton will be participating in a Read to Your Bunny event on
Monday, March 2, and are looking forward to working with you and your press office.
Following this memo are some background materials on Read To Your Bunny, the ABA
Read To Your Bunny promotion, and Rosemary Wells' bio.
I will fax to you a list of those Scholastic folk who will be attending under separate cover
as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
alan Cohe
Alan Cohen
Publicity Director
(212) 343-7706
SCHOLASTIC
02/24/1998 18:20
2123437734
SCHOLASTIC INC
PAGE 03
TO YOUR BUNNY OFTEN
"Reading to children aloud everyday is as important as
brushing their teeth and fastening their seat belts."-Rosemary Wells
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kris Moran
AND YOUR BUNNY WILL YOU
(212) 343-7710
Twenty old favorite minutes
Twenty minutes brand new
Read to your bunny often
And your bunny will read to you
CPP
Best-selling Author And Illustrator, Rosemary Wells
Gives A Rallying Cry For Reading
CANDLEWICK PRESS
READ TO YOUR BUNNY
2067 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140
OLD MACDONALD: BUNNY READS BACK
Written and Illustrated by Rosemary Wells
Since the launch of the national "Twenty Minutes a Day" literacy
campaign in 1994, acclaimed author and illustrator Rosemary Wells has
been the initiative's most eloquent speaker. Now, with Read To Your
Bunny (Scholastic Press; March 1998; $7.95; All Ages), she has created a
gem that is an invitation to the world of reading.
An intimate poem that children will want to hear again and again,
DIAL BOOKS
Read To Your Bunny conveys a very simple yet vital message - read to
for Young Readers
375 Hudson Street
your child often, and your child will soon read to you. Recent studies
New York, New York 10014
show that reading aloud to children is critically linked to their success in
learning to read. Read To Your Bunny wonderfully illustrates the most
important way you can nurture your child's literacy skills. Scholastic will
donate a portion of the proceeds from Read To Your Bunny to Reach
Out and Read, a program which encourages parents to read to their
children from birth through prenatal centers and pediatricians.
SHYPERION
BOOKS for CHILDREN
With this goal in mind, Rosemary Wells also offers the delightful
II4 Fifth Avenue
Bunny Reads Back books starting with the adorable debut title, Old
New York, New York 1000
MacDonald (Scholastic Press; March 1998; $4.95; All Ages). Featuring
familiar children's songs in board book format, the Bunny Reads Back
books will get your preschoolers turning pages, looking at pictures,
memorizing words, and most importantly, reading back to you in no time.
Together with the colorful illustrations of Wells' trademark bunnies, these
heartwarming books are a true celebration of reading!
SCHOLASTIC
555 Broadway
New York, New York 10012
(more)
02/24/1998 18:20
2123437734
SCHOLASTIC INC
PAGE 04
Page 2
As Rosemary Wells so poignantly states, "Reading to your little one is just like putting
gold coins in the bank. It will pay you back tenfold. Your daughter will learn, and imagine, and
be strong in herself. Your son will thrive, and give your love back forever."
Rosemary Wells recently presented Read To Your Bunny at a White House
conference on brain development. She has been writing and illustrating children' abooks
for twenty years. Her early success came with Noisy Nora, now a classic, and has continued
with her best selling and Ruby books, with several million copies in print: Her most
recent bestseller Bunny Cakes She lives in Scarborough-on Hudson, New York.
###
02/24/1998 18:20
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SCHOLASTIC INC
PAGE 05
REDUCTION YOUR BUNNY OFTEN
"Reading to children aloud everyday is as important as
brushing their teeth and fastening their seat belts." Rosemary Wells
AND
YOU
Rosemary Wells Bio
Your
TO
BUNNY
Born in New York City, Rosemary Wells grew up in a house "filled with
WILL
books, dogs, and nineteenth-century music." Her childhood years were
spent between her parents' home near Red Bank, New Jersey, and her
grandmother's rambling stucco house on the Jersey Shore.
After finishing high school, Wells attended the Museum School in Boston.
A self-proclaimed "poor student," Wells found this time in her life "a
CPP
bastion of abstract expressionism an art form that brought to my mind
things I don't like to eat, fabrics that itch against the skin, divorce, paper
CANDLEWICK PRESS
cuts, and metallic noises." Without her degree, Wells left school at 19,
2067 Massachusetts Avenue
married, and began her publishing career as a book designer with a Boston
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140
textbook publisher. When her husband, Tom, became an architecture
student at Columbia, the couple moved to New York City, and Wells
joined the staff of Macmillan as a designer in their children's book division.
It was at Macmillan that Rosemary Wells began her promising writing and
illustrating career when Wells presented a small illustrated dummy of a
Gilbert and Sullivan song to her editor-in-chief. Those illustrations became
her first published book, Sing A Song, O!, and Rosemary Wells was on her
way to extraordinary success.
Her children and home life have long been an inspiration for many of her
DIAL BOOKS
books. Her daughters Victoria and Beezoo were constant inspirations,
for Young Readers
especially for the now famous "Max" board book series. Her West
375 Hudson Street
Highland white terrier, Angus, had the shape and expressions to become
New York, New York 10014
Benjamin and Tulip, Timothy, and all the other animals of her stories.
But not all of Wells' ideas come from within the family circle. She admits,
"I put into my books all of the things I remember. I am an accomplished
eavesdropper in restaurants, trains, and gatherings of any kind. These
remembrances are jumbled up and changed because fiction is always more
SHYPERION
palatable than truth. Memories become more true as they are honed and
BOOKS for CHILDREN
whittled into characters and stories."
H4 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 1001
Rosemary Wells calls her prolific writing and illustrating career, which has
spanned nearly three decades, a "pure delight." She adds, "I have been
blessed with a small key to the world of the young." With over 50 well-
loved, award-winning picture books to her credit and an endless list of
awards and accolades, Wells has also written many highly acclaimed novels
for teenagers including Leave Well Enough Alone, When No One Was
SCHOLASTIC
Looking, and Through a Hidden Door.
555 Broadway
New York, New York 10012
(more)
02/24/1998 18:20
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SCHOLASTIC INC
PAGE 06
Most recently, Rosemary Wells has been a leading voice in the children's literacy campaign.
Since the launch of the national "Twenty Minutes a Day" literacy campaign in 1994, she has been
the initiative's most eloquent speaker calling attention to the lifelong benefits in spending twenty
minutes each day reading to your child. Her latest picture book, Read To Your Bunny, is an
intimate poem that invites parents and children to read together and share in twenty minutes of joy
and love. Moreover, Wells' Read To Your Bunny serves as the foundation for the national
Read To Your Bunny campaign which seeks to further spread the message of children's literacy.
02/24/1998 18:20
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SCHOLASTIC INC
PAGE 07
PR2
ABA
AMERICAN
BOOKSELLERS
ASSOCIATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jill Perlstein, ABA
(914) 591-2665, ext. 283
READ TO YOUR BUNNY BY ROSEMARY WELLS
INSPIRES NATIONAL READING PROGRAM AT LOCAL BOOKSTORES
SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCHOLASTIC, THE ASSOCIATION OF BOOKSELLERS
FOR CHILDREN, AND THE INGRAM BOOK COMPANY
(Tarrytown, NY, November 1997) More than two hundred thousand free copies of a new book, Read
to Your Bunny, have been distributed to participating bookstores across the nation through a
cooperative initiative entitled Prescription for Reading. The Prescription for Reading Partnership, an
integral component of the America Reads Challenge, was launched in April 1997 by First Lady Hillary
Rodham Clinton on the eve of the White House Conference on Early Childhood and Brain
Development. Prescription for Reading is based on the successful work of a Boston-based
organization, Reach Out and Read, which corroborates that reading to very young children enhances
the child's overall intellectual, emotional, and physical development.
The American Booksellers Association (ABA), in partnership with the Association of Booksellers for
Children (ABC), Scholastic Inc., the Ingram Book Company, and local bookstores across the country,
has designed this program to encourage parents and guardians of very young children to make reading
part of a daily routine. By working with local health-care providers to prescribe reading during "well-
baby" checkups, we can work toward meeting the goal of the America Reads Challenge and ensure that
all children learn to read well and independently by the time they enter third grade.
Read to Your Bunny, a new Scholastic picture book by acclaimed author and illustrator Rosemary
Wells, is a colorful, vibrant story that delivers a simple message: Reading to a child is an important
part of daily activities. The book will be published by Scholastic in March 1998 (U.S. price $7.95).
Local bookstores are distributing "prescription coupons" for free paperback copies of Read to Your
Bunny to pediatricians, well-baby clinics, and other health-care facilities, where the coupons will be
given to individual parents and guardians to be redeemed at the sponsoring bookstore. Parents and
guardians will also be provided with special reading lists for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers. The
promotion will run from November 1997 through March 1, 1998.
"Your program is a very important step in implementing the Prescription for Reading Partnership,"
wrote First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton in a letter to the ABA. "We all realize that modest
investments in the sound development of our children, especially our youngest children, will lay the
groundwork for an American future with increased prosperity, better health, with fewer social ills, and
ever greater opportunities for our citizens to lead fulfilling lives."
02/24/1998 18:20
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SCHOLASTIC INC
PAGE 08
ABA/page 2
The American Booksellers Association, founded in 1900, is a not-for-profit trade organization
headquartered in Tarrytown, New York, and on the Internet at http://www.bookweb.org/. Its mission
includes protecting the well-being of retail bookstores and promoting the availability of books. The
ABA supports its members through education, research, and the dissemination of information.
For more than 75 years, Scholastic Inc., has been committed to creating quality educational materials
for students, teachers, and families. The company is one of the leading publishers and distributors of
children's books, magazines, and core curriculum materials. Scholastic also publishes educational
software products and produces children- and family-oriented videos and television programs. The
company's international operations include Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and
Mexico.
The Association of Booksellers for Children is a national membership association that offers a support
network for professional children's booksellers who share the goal of encouraging quality and service
within the children's book industry.
The Ingram Book Company is America's largest wholesale distributor of books, audiobooks,
periodicals, and multimedia to booksellers, librarians, and specialty retailers.
# # #
828 South Broadway Tarrytown, NY 10591
914.591.BOOK
.
800.637.0037
FAX 914.591.2720
INTERNET http://www.bookweb.org.
WASHINGTON
JUDICIAL VACANCIES: Amid
Democratic complaints that judicial
vacancies are piling up, the Senate
Senators back giving
confirmed Richard Young as a feder-
al trial judge in Indiana. Sen. Patrick
Leahy, D-Vt., said the Senate isn't act-
roads gas-tax revenue
ing fast enough in confirming Presi-
dent Clinton's choices for judgeships.
He says some nominees have waited
Key senators agreed Monday to use the portion of the gas
18 to 24 months for Senate action.
tax that is earmarked for deficit reduction, 4.3 cents a gal-
Reuters
Last year, when 36 were confirmed,
lon, to increase spending on roads and highway-safety pro-
Hatch: President
the percentage confirmed "was low-
jects to $173 billion over six years from $145 billion. The gas
responsible
er than for any Congress over the last
tax was increased in 1993 to 18.3 cents a gallon, with the
three decades," Leahy says. Judicia-
extra 4.3 cents dedicated to reducing the deficit.
Γy Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, says there are more fed-
"For the first time in a long time
eral judges now than during the Bush and Reagan adminis-
every penny in those taxes will end
trations, and nearly a third of them are Clinton nominees.
up being spent on roads," said Sen.
Hatch blames the White House for slowness in sending up
Phil Gramm, R-Texas.
names. "The Senate cannot confirm judges the president
He said there's also agreement on
does not nominate," Hatch says.
a formula for each state to get at least
91 cents back for every dollar they
pay to the federal highway trust fund.
ALSO
Some states, especially in the South,
get back as little as 70 cents.
CYBERTAX: Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-
"This is going to be a big boost to
Miss., said a proposed five-year moratorium on new Inter-
our economy," said Sen. Max Baucus,
net taxes might come up for a vote in May. A vote would
D-Mont. He cited Transportation De-
Gramm: States to
have to follow talks with governors whose states want reve-
partment estimates that each addi-
be reimbursed
nues from taxes on Internet commerce.
tional $1 billion spent on roads cre-
PRESIDENTIAL TRAVEL: The White House said
ates 42,000 jobs.
President Clinton will go to Chile April 26-30 for a state visit
More populated states that would get a smaller share un-
and to attend the Summit of the Americas with leaders
der the new formula would be compensated from a pool of
from 34 Western Hemisphere democracies.
$1.8 billion to be set aside over six years. California, Florida,
Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York,
First lady remembers Dr. Seuss
Ohio and Pennsylvania would share that money.
First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton celebrated the anni-
DRUNKEN DRIVING:
President Clinton today will high-
versary of the late Dr. Seuss' birth by reading to a group of
light his support of bipartisan efforts to threaten states with
children and encouraging reading at a young age.
loss of highway funds unless they adopt a .08 blood-alcohol
"We're here to cel-
standard for driver intoxication. Fifteen states already have
ebrate the wonder
set that as the standard; 33 others have a more lenient stan-
and joys of reading to
dard of .10. Opponents see the move as another federal in-
children," Clinton
trusion into local issues. Transportation Secretary Rodney
said.
Slater announced last fall that the administration would
She and children's
support the proposal, which is sponsored by Sens. Frank
author Rosemary
Lautenberg, D-N.J., and Michael DeWine, R-Ohio. The
Wells read Wells'
White House is hosting an East Room event as a vote on the
Read to Your Bunny
measure nears. Sponsors plan to attach the provision to the
to 15 HeadStart
highway funding bill working its way through Congress. A
schoolchildren from
170-pound man would have to consume four drinks in an
John Hancock Ele-
hour on an empty stomach to reach .08%, according to the
mentary in the Mary-
U.S. Department of Transportation. A 137-pound woman
land suburb of Dis-
would reach .08% after three drinks. A drink is one ounce of
trict Heights.
distilled spirits, a can of beer or a glass of wine.
In addition to cele-
brating the birth of
FARM BIAS:
Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman said
Theodore Geisel, who
the department has made progress in resolving hundreds of
would have been 94
discrimination complaints by black farmers. He was mark-
and is better known
ing the first anniversary of a report that criticized the de-
as Dr. Seuss, the first
partment's civil rights record. Critics say much more has to
By Tim Sloan, Agence France-Presse
lady was on hand as
be done and much faster. One problem is that complaints
Introducing the Cat: Hillary Rod-
part of a drive by a
filed before 1994 face a statute of limitations, which is the
ham Clinton reads 'The Cat in the
group called Pre-
time limit given the the government to act. A federal judge
Hat' to Demetruis Harris
scription for Reading
overseeing a potential class-action lawsuit on behalf of
Partnership to distrib-
those who claim discrimination will be asked this week to
ute more than 200,000 free copies of the book to bookstores
decide whether the statute of limitations applies.
throughout the country.
The event, in which parents, teachers and others were
NATO EXPANSION:
The former Warsaw-Pact coun-
encouraged to read to children was called Read America
tries of Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic are ex-
Day.
pected to be approved today by the Senate Foreign Rela-
tions Committee for membership in NATO, the Western
Written by Paul Leavitt with staff and wire reports
alliance that fought the Cold War against the Communist
bloc for more than 40 years. Of the former Warsaw Pact
countries, only Russia has not applied for entry into NATO.
The Senate is expected to approve the three countries for
NATO membership this month, but after that there is senti-
PHOTOCOPY
ment for at least a three year moratorium on further ex-
pansion.
PRESERVATION
USA TODAY
TUESDAY, MARCH 3. 1998
'innocent spouse' case
D'Amato, R-N.Y., and Daniel
Patrick Moynihan, .D-N.Y.,
want to repeal joint tax liabil-
ity. Their bill would apply ret-
"Now that there's an active
roactively.
movement to repeal the law,
that's a better solution than
anything the Supreme Court
could have done," says Rich-
ard Beck, a New York Law
School professor who wrote a
brief supporting Cockrell.
Her case was one of several
the high court refused to hear.
It announced only one new
case Monday: It will decide
whether employees can sue on
claims of discrimination when
their union contract requires
that disputes be handled
Report: Uranium
through arbitration.
ammo may be behind
gulf vets' illnesses
By Norm Brewer
depleted uranium warheads, SO the
and John Hanchette
tactical advantage the USA had in
Gannett News Service
Desert Storm has been lost anyway.
Even though the Defense De-
has never said why it pursued
Cockrell had said she de-
served innocent spouse status.
But she did not sway the U.S.
Tax Court or the 2nd Circuit
Court of Appeals. So she took
WASHINGTON - As many as
partment has had a training pro-
her case to the high court.
The Justice Department, ar-
guing on behalf of the IRS, told
the Supreme Court that Cock-
rell was "willfully ignorant"
about the joint returns."
The high court did not say
why it refused to hear her case.
"We're still going to win,"
Cockrell says. "But we're going
to win legislatively."
The House has passed legis-
lation that would make it easi-
er for taxpayers to qualify as
innocent spouses. Sens. Alfonse
400,000 American troops may have
gram on handling depleted uranium
been exposed to dangerous depleted
since 1995, troops still have not re-
uranium during the 1991 Persian
ceived such sessions nor been shown
her, not Crowley.
Gulf War, and the Pentagon deliber-
videotaped training material.
ately covered up its significance, a
Deputy Defense Secretary John
new study said Monday.
Hamre on Jan. 7 ordered all military
"The Pentagon's desire to ensure
departments to implement training
the future use of depleted uranium
"for those likely to be exposed" and
ammunition has taken precedence
gave a 60-day deadline for the brass
over the need to protect American
to provide specific plans to do SO. But
troops," said the 235-page report, is-
the report authors insisted that little
sued by a coalition of three influen-
training has been completed.
hearing on innocent
spouses. Her story
has been widely re-
ported in the media.
She has formed
an organization -
Women for IRS Fi-
nancial Equity, or
WIFE - to help
women in situations
like hers.
Cockrell married
commodities trader
John Crowley in
tial advocacy groups critical of the
Maj. Tom Gilroy, spokesman for
AP
1979 when she was 24. They
filed joint tax returns for 1980
and 1981, claiming big deduc-
tions for losses on Crowley's
commodities transactions. By
the time they divorced in 1983,
the IRS had rejected the de-
ductions. Cockrell says the IRS
Department of Defense.
Bernard Rostker, the assistant De-
The report, from the National Gulf
fense secretary in charge of investi-
War Resource Center, the Military
gating Gulf War illnesses, said, "It is
Toxics Project and the Swords to
unlikely health effects reported by
Plowshares Veterans Rights Organi-
Persian Gulf vets today are the result
zation, comes as a possible new con-
of exposure to depleted uranium
flict with Iraq lingers.
during the Gulf War.
But even as it does, the war with
"I don't know if it's useful to say
Saddam Hussein seven years ago
400,000 people were exposed without
Cockrell: I'm not
going to give up'
continues to spark controversy and
any sort of context," Gilroy said.
claims of federal bungling in re-
"Saying troops were exposed is
sponse to complaints of mystery
much different than saying there is a
symptoms collectively known as
danger in something. Certainly, de-
pleted uranium has some associated
High court rejects
During the short 1991 war, U.S.
who have (depleted uranium) in
At issue is a 60-
Woman VOWS to fight on
in $650,000 IRS dispute
year-old law that
says spouses who
sign joint tax re-
turns are responsi-
ble for all taxes
owed for that year.
The IRS can pursue
either spouse for
the entire tax bill, even if the
couple divorce.
The IRS can let taxpayers
off the hook by labeling them
"innocent spouses," but it rare-
Cockrell testified last month
Gulf War illnesses. More than
at a Senate Finance Committee
100,000 soldiers who served in the
dangers. It is a heavy metal. But the
Gulf War have reported symptoms.
levels of exposure range from those
and British tanks and aircraft
their bodies, on the higher end, to
pumped about 630,000 pounds of de-
folks who may have gone by vehicles
pleted uranium penetrators - ar-
days or weeks after they were hit
mor-piercing rounds that gave the al-
and the dust settled. Is that a danger-
ly does.
lies a huge tactical superiority -
ous exposure to depleted uranium?
into Iraqi armaments and positions.
Probably not."
The easily inhaled depleted urani-
Rostker had promised a special
um is chemically toxic and radioac-
report on depleted uranium - first
tive. It oxidizes into extremely small
for September, and then for Febru-
particles when burning upon impact.
ary. Gilroy said it's near completion,
By Paul Wiseman
USA TODAY
The Supreme Court refused
Monday to hear the well-publi-
cized case of a New York wom-
an who has been battling the
Internal Revenue Service over
a $650,000 tax debt she says be-
fight," says Elizabeth Cockrell,
programs for troops also are under
have carried home radioactive frag-
longs to her ex-husband.
"I'm not going to give up the
a stockbroker whose dispute
with the IRS has made her a
crusader for divorced women
pursued for tax bills run up by
While the Pentagon initially claimed
and will be out this spring. Training
that about two dozen veterans may
consideration, he said.
their former husbands.
ments, the advocacy groups charged
The veterans' advocacy groups
that the problem is much bigger.
said they want the Pentagon to im-
Specifically, the report claimed:
mediately inform the 400,000 troops
Medical care for veterans has
they estimate were exposed during
been "sidetracked by deliberate ef-
combat - for example, while pick-
forts of the Pentagon to downplay
ing up contaminated weapons or as
both the scope and severity of Gulf
they crawled over shot-up Iraqi
War exposures," and Defense De-
tanks and vehicles on the battle-
partment efforts on the subject are
ground after the fighting.
"irreparably flawed."
They also want a "presumption" of
The Veterans Affairs Depart-
illness for victims, so those who think
PHOTOCOPY
ment has used "inaccurate testing
they were exposed can get automatic
methods" to screen Gulf War veter-
medical treatment from VA doctors
PRESERVATION
ans for depleted uranium exposure.
without first having to prove an ill-
As many as 17 nations now have
ness or a cause.
USA TODAY TUESDAY, MARCH 3. 1998
Talking It Over
Fight literacy's decline
PHOTOCOPY
by reading to your child
PRESERVATION
met the Cat in the Hat this
I
also helps 11 baby's brain develop
week. On Monday, the Cat
and grow by stimulating the neu-
and I celebrated Dr. Seuss'
ral connections that are the basis
birthday with children's au-
for language and learning.
thor Rosemary Wells and some
When I talk to young parents
tiny Head Start students in Dis-
about the importance of reading
trict Heights.
and talking to their infants, many
Dr. Seuss was a beloved author
ask why they should be talking OI
and illustrator who brought joy to
reading to a child who can't talk
and instilled a love of reading in
back. Some parents worry that
generations of children and their
they're not good readers them-
parents. I can still recite from
selves. Some confide that they
memory the lines of some favor-
can't read at all.
ite Dr. Seuss books that Bill and I
It doesn't matter.
read to Chelsea over and over
Reading and talking are as im
again. Remember this? "The sun
portant to children's brains as ca
did not shine. It was too wet to
seats and immunizations are to
play. So we sat in the house all
their health. Parents who can't
that cold, cold, wet day." And
read or don't think they're good
what about "People are people no
readers should just hold open a
matter how small"? Here's my
book, point to the pictures and
personal favorite: "You have
make up a story.
brains in your head. You have feet
in your shoes. You can steer your-
Because new parents are gen-
self any direction you choose."
erally inclined to follow the ad-
On March 2, the National Edu-
vice of their pediatricians, last
cation Association organized
January I issued a challenge to
"Read Across America" to honor
hospitals, pediatricians, health
Dr. Seuss and to spark a love of
centers, booksellers, publishers,
reading in a new generation of
libraries and others to make sure
American children. All across the
that every child who sees a doctor
country, millions of teachers, par-
has access to books. As a result,
ents and volunteers participated
several groups joined forces to
in events designed to encourage
launch the Prescription for Read-
reading aloud to children.
ing Partnership.
We know that students who
During the past year, the Pre-
read for enjoyment outside of
scription for Reading Partnership
school do better in school. Unfor-
has distributed 2 million books to
tunately, we also know that the
over a million children through
number of older children who
hospitals, pediatrician's offices
The Washington Times
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1998
read for pleasure outside of the
and health centers around the
classroom is gradually decreasing
country.
and that 40 percent of this coun-
One of the partnership's most
try's 8-year-olds cannot read even
successful endeavors has been
at the basic level.
the Read to Your Bunny Cam-
Last year, in an effort to re-
paign. Supported by the Amer-
verse this trend, the president
ican Booksellers Association, the
launched the America Reads
campaign contacted doctors and
Challenge to make sure that all
asked them to give reading "pre-
children can read on their own by
scriptions" to their young pa-
the end of the third grade. In re-
tients. The prescriptions could be
sponse, tens of thousands of vol-
redeemed at over 1,500 partici-
unteer tutors are already at work
pating bookstores for copies of
giving our children the intensive
Rosemary Wells' new book "Read
reading help they need. More
to Your Bunny." I'm pleased to re-
than 900 colleges are committed
port that over 200,000 prescrip-
to granting work-study credit for
tions have been filled, placing
tutoring children. And this year,
copies of this delightful poem in
3,000 new AmeriCorps members
the hands of children all over the
and thousands of new senior vol-
country.
unteers will recruit more than
The partnership can help put a
100,000 volunteer reading tutors
book in a child's hand, but it's you
for our children.
- the parents and grandparents,
With the help of dedicated vol-
older sisters and brothers, aunts
unteers like these, we can teach
and uncles, friends and neighbors
our children to read. But learning
- who must take the next step. It
to read must start even earlier -
takes only 20 minutes a day.
as soon as a child is born.
One of my favorite Dr. Seuss
Instinctively, we know that
books is "Oh, the Places You'll
reading aloud strengthens the
Go!" Let me share the first lines
bond between a parent and child.
with you:
Last April at the White House
Congratulations!
Conference on Early Childhood
Today is your day.
Development and Learning, new
You're off to Great Places!
scientific research proved our in-
You're off and away!
stincts correct.
Celebrate reading with your
Not only does reading aloud
child every day, and you'll both
strengthen emotional bonds, it
be off to Great Places, too.
1st Lewinsky lawyer
fights Starr subpoena
Asserts his attorney-client privilege
which she details an 18-month af-
By Jerry Seper
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
fair with the president and efforts
by Mr. Clinton and White House
Washington lawyer Francis Car-
confidant Vernon E. Jordan Jr. to
ter yesterday asked a federal judge
get her to lie about it in the Jones
to quash a subpoena to appear be-
suit.
fore the White House sex-and-lies
Mr. Clinton and Mr. Jordan have
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1998
grand jury, saying efforts to ques-
denied the accusations.
The Washington Times
tion him about former client
The affidavit has become a
Monica Lewinsky would be an "ex-
centerpiece of the grand jury
traordinary breach" of attorney-
probe, along with a three-page
client privilege.
summary, or "talking points," Miss
Mr. Carter's attorneys, led by
Lewinsky gave to Pentagon col-
Harvard law professor Charles
league Linda R. Tripp suggesting
Ogletree, took their case before
how she could alter her testimony
U.S. District Judge Norma John-
in the Jones suit. Mr. Ogletree de-
son Holloway in closed-door argu-
nied Mr. Carter had anything to do
ments that lasted nearly two hours.
with the summary.
AP
Judge Johnson made no immedi-
Mr. Carter's representation of
Independent counsel Kenneth W. Starr leaves home yesterday, a day
ate decision.
Miss Lewinsky was arranged by
that did not include grand jury testimony the Clinton-Lewinsky case.
"Frank Carter has done nothing
Mr. Jordan. Mr. Jordan, who re-
wrong, and the only thing he
turns to testify today before the
can do is to protect and defend a
grand jury after six hours on Tues-
client who hired him to represent
day, also helped the woman get a
Former Arkansas Trooper Danny Ferguson
her vigorously within the bounds
job in New York after she filed the
asked the trial judge to dismiss Paula Jones'
of the law," Mr. Ogletree told re-
affidavit Jan. 7, but has denied that
porters outside the courthouse.
he did so to further any conspiracy
sexual-harassment lawsuit.
Mr. Ogletree said there was no
of silence.
basis for what he called an "extra-
Independent counsel Kenneth
ordinary breach of the attorney-
W. Starr's office was expected to
ments during conversations begin-
H:s motion is based on a
client privilege" in forcing Mr.
argue that Mr. Carter's testimony
ning in the fall of 1997 and continu-
450-page pleading Mr. Clinton
Carter to testify against his former
is permitted under federal guide-
ing through January.
filed earlier in the case. Mrs.
client. He said Miss Lewinsky
lines that say confidential commu-
Meanwhile, an Arkansas state
Jones' attorneys have until March
"continues to assert her privilege."
nications between an attorney and
trooper joined Mr. Clinton yester-
13 to respond. The Jones lawsuit is
Mr. Carter briefly represented
a client can be breached if pros-
day in asking a federal judge to
scheduled go to trial May 27.
Miss Lewinsky and helped her
ecutors can show the lawyer was
dismiss claims by Mrs. Jones that
prepare an affidavit in the Paula
used by others to further a crimi-
she was sexually harassed by Mr.
Mrs. Jones sued Mr. Clinton and
Jones sexual-misconduct lawsuit
nal conspiracy.
Clinton in a Little Rock hotel room
Mr. Ferguson in May 1994 on accu-
against President Clinton, in
They also were expected to tell
in 1991. Trooper Danny Ferguson,
sations that then-Arkansas Gov.
which she denied having a sexual
the judge that Miss Lewinsky may
a defendant in the lawsuit, said
Bill Clinton crudely propositioned
relationship with the president.
already have waived the privilege
Mrs. Jones had offered no facts to
her :7 the Little Rock hotel room.
PHOTOCOPY
The affidavit contradicts nearly
by discussing the affidavit with
support claims she was a victim of
Mr. Clinton has denied ever meet-
PRESERVATION
20 hours of secretly recorded
others, including Mrs. Tripp, who
job discrimination after rejecting
ing Mrs. Jones when he was gover-
audio tapes of Miss Lewinsky, in
recorded the former intern's com-
the suspected harassment.
nor and she was a state employee.
For Reading Fun,
READ. From DI
Brookfield first-grader Joe Kinney came to
A Visit With
school dressed as Thidwick the Big-Hearted
Moose. He had foam antlers on his head and his
father's socks on his hands to resemble hooves.
"I like reading about Thidwick. He's a good
moose, but he's weird," Joe said. "In the book,
The Good Doctor
he takes his horns off."
Second-grader Ryan Heidt was wearing the
trademark green-rubber mask of the Grinch. "I
like the Grinch because he's cool," Ryan said.
By DAVID NAKAMURA
Not that he had missed the book's point, of
Washington Post Staff Writer
course. It "talks about stuff you shouldn't do,
like steal," he added.
The sun did not shine, it was too wet to play.
Deborah Wines's kindergarten class at Brook-
So the children read books on that gray and damp day.
field was treated-or sentenced, depending on
They read about Yertle and Horton and Thidwick,
your point of view-to a breakfast of green-col-
About the Grinch and the Lorax and sticky wet Ooblek.
ored eggs and ham, a dish that drew this review
They ate green eggs and ham and when they were done,
from 6-year-old Christian Moore: "I love them.
No one complained that school wasn't fun.
They look gross, but they're goooood."
Yesterday's lesson in classrooms all over the Washington area:
This being the '90s, Seuss also showed up
What you like can be very, very good for you.
on CD-ROM. In Kathleen Gordon's second-
At Brookfield Elementary School in Chantilly, the students
paraded around in the costumes of their favorite Dr. Seuss
grade class, Raymond Urruita was playing a
characters, then listened to parents and teachers read to them
"Green Eggs and Ham" game on the computer.
from Seuss classics. At Mantua Elementary School in Fairfax, they
"This introduces the kids to Dr. Seuss."
read the stories in the gym after a pizza dinner.
Gordon said, "and they are more interested in
The youngsters at Patricia Roberts Harris Educational Center
in Southeast Washington spent the morning looking at Dr. Seuss
reading the hardcover book."
Two teachers at the Harris Educational
books, drawing pictures and writing about the late author.
Center wore red-and-white striped top hats,
It was all part of "Read Across America," an event sponsored by
and the school was decorated with balloons,
the National Education Association in schools here and nation-
wide to emphasize the importance of books in stimulating young
banners and birthday cakes. Youngsters sat
rapt on the carpet, listening to a parade of
volunteers read Seuss stories and eagerly
children's minds and boosting their academic performance.
chiming in to complete each rhyming verse.
Realizing that timing is everything, organizers- to hold
At the afternoon assembly, two students in
the reading festival on the day that Theodor S. Geisel, more
Deloris Brown's first-grade class read "The Foot
commonly known as Dr. Seuss, would have turned 94 and to use
Book" ("Left foot, right foot, feet, feet, feet! Oh,
his books as the centerpiece.
how many feet we meet!"), and the entire class
performed "The Hokey Pokey" dance.
See READ, D5. Col. 3
First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton joined
author Rosemary Wells at the Learning Ideas
Store in District Heights as Wells read the
book "Read to Your Bunny" to students from
PHOTOCOPY
the Head Start program at John Howard
Elementary School in Prince George's County.
PRESERVATION
"Read to Your Bunny" has been featured in a
campaign in which pediatricians give patients
The Washington Post
mock "prescriptions" that can be redeemed at
bookstores for a copy of Wells's book. The
program is sponsored by the American Book-
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1998
sellers Association.
"Science proves what we have instinctively
known: that time spent sharing a favorite book
with a child, even a newborn, not only
strengthens the bond between a parent and
child but literally does help a baby's brain
grow," Clinton said.
At Brookfield, Principal Henry Ticknor got
into the act, wearing the famous hat from "The
Cat in the Hat" and sampling one of the
red-and-white cupcakes a parent had made.
"Kids work hard all the time," Ticknor said.
"It's fun to celebrate learning, to celebrate the
fact that books not only have information but
are full of fun."
Staff writers DeNeen L. Brown and Debbi
Wilgoren contributed to this report.
Court Allows Drug Tests
For OEOB Pass Holders
By JOAN BISKUPIC
ly, and OEOB pass holders them-
Washington Post Staff Writer
selves commonly come within a few
feet of the president and vice presi-
The Supreme Court yesterday
dent on those visits," Solicitor Gen-
denied an appeal by two govern-
eral Seth P. Waxman said in urging
ment economists who protested a
the court to bypass the dispute.
policy that requires them to take
Yesterday's case stemmed from a
random drug tests because they
1986 executive order requiring
PHOTOCOPY
have access to the Old Executive
agencies to set up drug-testing pro-
PRESERVATION
Office Building.
grams for employees in "sensitive
The justices' action-leaving in
positions." The Office of Manage-
place an appeals court decision
ment and Budget, for which Stigile
saying the drug tests are justified
and Balis work, began random test-
because of the security threat posed
ing in the early 1990s. They chal-
by employees with potential access
lenged the policy in 1996 after
to the president-sets no national
Stigile was notified that he had
precedent. But it could encourage
been randomly selected for the
broader government use of urinaly-
sis screening when no reason exists
testing. The budget analysts actual-
to suspect that someone is taking
ly work in the New Executive Office
drugs.
Building, a block away from the
Last year the justices struck
White House, but regularly attend
down a Georgia law that required
meetings at the Old Executive Of-
candidates for state office to take a
fice Building.
drug test. The high court said that,
A trial judge agreed to temporar-
because urinalysis testing intrudes
ily halt the policy, but the appeals
on a person's right to privacy, it
court reversed, saying employees
should be used only when the risk
with passes pose a greater risk than
The Washington Post
to public safety "is substantial and
other visitors whose access might
real." The court previously had
be more limited. The appeals court
allowed random drug testing for
said a "drug-using OEOB pass hold-
railroad workers and Customs Ser-
er could be blackmailed into using
TUESDAY, MARCH 3,
vice agents involved in narcotics
his access to the building to assist in
interdiction.
an attack on the president."
The two economists, Arthur W.
When the economists asked for a
Stigile and Ellen Balis, claimed the
rehearing by the full court of ap-
drug testing policy breached the
peals, it was denied. Dissenting,
constitutional protection against
Judge Patricia Wald asserted, "This
unreasonable searches, and urged
decision simply cuts too wide a
the justices to take up their case in
swath through employees' liberty
light of the court's 1997 ruling in
interests, and should be reheard."
Chandler v. Miller. But the justices
let stand the lower court decision in
Stigile v. Clinton in a one-sentence
order.
SUPREME COURT
"This is a great example of gov-
ernment overreaching," the econo-
CALENDAR
mists' lawyer, Benjamin S. Boyd,
said yesterday. He had told the
The Supreme Court will
justices that the ruling by the feder-
al appeals court for the District of
hear arguments from 10
Columbia "would permit random
a.m. to noon today in the
drug testing of virtually any federal
following cases:
employee in the Washington area,"
No. 96-8516. Bousley v. Brooks.
since almost any of them could
Should a person remain
arguably be said to have access to
imprisoned if he pleaded
buildings frequented by Cabinet
guilty to an offense that the
members and other top officials
Supreme Court later rules is
whose safety is considered an im-
not criminal? (One hour.)
portant government interest.
No. 96-8986. Hohn v. United
But the Justice Department, de-
States. Regarding the
fending the urinalysis, contended
Supreme Court's jurisdiction
that because anyone holding a pass
to hear a prisoner's appeal
to the Old Executive Office Build-
of a lower court's decision
not to hear his case or issue
ing has round-the-clock access to
the grounds, he or she poses a
a certificate of appealability.
threat. "The president and vice
(One hour.)
president visit the OEOB frequent-
Hillary
happily
concedes
it's fun
to read
First Lady Hillary
Rodham Clinton celebra-
ted the anniversary of
the late Dr. Seuss: birth
by reading to a group of
children in District
Heights and encouraging
reading at a young age.
Clinton and children's
author, Rosemary Wells,
"Read to Your Bun-
ny, a children's book
written and illustrated
by Wells, to 15 children
participating in Head
Start from John E. Ho-
ward Elementary.
"We're here to cele-
brate the wonder and
joys of reading to chil-
dren," Clinton told 50
people gathered at
Learning Ideas, a school
supply store.
In addition to celebrat-
ing the birth of Theodor
Geisel, who would have
been 94 and is better
known as Dr. Seuss;
Clinton was on hand as
part of a drive by a group
called Prescription for
Reading Partnership to
distribute more than
200,000 free copies of the
book to bookstores
throughout the country.
The event, in which pa-
rents, teachers and oth-
ers were encouraged to
read to children, was
Mario Tame/Journal
called Read America
Day.
First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton reacts playfully to a group of children from the John E. Howard
Elementary School Head Start Program during a celebration of Dr. Seuse' birthday at the Learning
CIATEDPRESS
Ideas store In District Heights yesterday.
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
[The Prince George Jamal, Toorday March3 1998]