Access to books is essential to reading development. However, did you know that over 80 percent of childcare centers serving low-income children lack age-appropriate books? And a recent study shows that the ratio of books per child in middle income neighborhoods is 13 to 1, while in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio is 1 age-appropriate book for every 300 children.
The Cheerios family of cereals, First Book and Jon Scieszka, author of the popular "Trucktown" series and other children´s books, have joined together to deliver 100,000 books to community-based programs serving children in need - and we´d love your help! All you have to do is go online with your child and test your combined knowledge of children´s books by answering trivia questions related to "Trucktown" and other great children´s books.
For every trivia question answered correctly, you can cast one vote for the state you would like to receive books. The five states receiving the most votes will get 20,000 books each, for a total of 100,000 books. Visit www.FirstBook.org/Scieszka to test your knowledge and start voting.
Post a comment saying why your state should win 20,000 books and you could win a gift pack consisting of:
- an assortment of books from Cheerios
- one of the many varieties of Cheerios cereals
- $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble
Posts
OK, I have to say that is a total blast. Of course I voted for California because we have such a large population and need books for all the young kids that love here. I'm thinking I have to go get some since I haven't read all the ones they quizzed you on. I tried over 40 questions and got about 30 right. Every child deserves books to read and it shouldn't matter where they are or how much money have. This is a totally awesome thing. I highly suggest you all try even if you haven't read the books.
ReplyDeleteI played too. Looked like a lot of neat books. Got a couple questions wrong, but hey I've never read those books.
ReplyDeleteI voted for Wisconsin, we're cutting public and school libraries everywhere. So that's why WI needs those books.
I'm rereading my post and can't believe I didn't spell check it. So I just wanted to give some more props on why CA needs 20,000 books. Our schools don't have enough books for the kids to read and they get bored with the ones they do have. The school where my friends kids go rely on the parents to supply books for the classroom library. So I really hope that CA will be given some of those 20,000 books up for grabs.
ReplyDeleteWhile I voted for Wisconsin to receive books, I believe all states can benefit from new ones. Thanks J for setting this up :)
ReplyDeleteI voted for California. We're broke!
ReplyDeleteI quit after 20 questions. Jacob only has 1 John Scizwa (close enough, right?!) book & it gets on my last nerve :/
We belong to B&N and have not received any news of this, so a special thanks to you for this alert!
ReplyDeleteEvery child deserves ready access to an embarrassment of books. Reading is how children learn about the wider world and about themselves. Stories can take them to places they might never know about otherwise, and can teach them that by dreaming and studying, they can turn wishes into reality. Stories from other lands also imbue children with the gift of tolerance and understanding, as they see that we are more alike than we are different.
Times are challenging throughout our great country, but in my home state, many people already were working a full-time job and a part-time job to make ends meet and to save money toward sending their kids to college. Unfortunately, with a downturn in visitors and an increase in taxes, there have been business closures and shrinkages, meaning a lot of people have lost their jobs or were laid off suddenly. More recently, a huge state budget shortfall has led to "Furlough Fridays" in which public schools grades K-12 are being shuttered for more than a dozen days this school year, and more days next school year. The public statewide university system is facing further cutbacks, as well.
For me, the gift of a book has always been the gift of hope. No matter how poor you were growing up, if you had a book and a library card, you were rich beyond measure.
I would be so grateful if there were an outreach so that the children of Hawaii Nei (both the kids born here and those whose parents are recent immigrants) could each receive a new book this Christmas season.
(And if by chance this essay wins, I pledge to put the books in the hands of children and deliver the cereal to the Hawaii FoodBank.)
Mahalo (thank you),
ck
I vote for Michigan. The unemployment rate is skyrocketing and parents need all the money they have just for necessities.
ReplyDeleteI vote for Michigan. We have the highest unemployment rate in the United States. I am a library user and constant reader. The books would be greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteNina
I vote for North Carolina because my little town in getting a new library after many years of using a very small old bank for the library. It is costing the town so much for the building that we do have enough fund to fill it with all the books we need so to win this would be such a blessing to this small town here in North Carolina.
ReplyDelete