One Book, Every Young Child, Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cheryl Slavinsky
717-232-1898
cell: 717-433-0406


PA author’s book selected for state’s first collaborative early literacy program; PA to celebrate Week of the Young Child with groundbreaking programs.

HARRISBURG, PA (March 30, 2006) – Imagine over half a million children ages
3-6 in the state of Pennsylvania all being exposed to the joy of reading through the same beautifully illustrated picture book by an acclaimed Pennsylvania author.

That’s exactly what will begin to happen during Week of the Young Child, April 2-8, when Pennsylvania launches One Book, Every Young Child, the state’s first-ever collaborative project to promote the development of early literacy skills through interactive experiences with books and stories.

“I couldn’t be more pleased to have my book, Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse, selected as the centerpiece for this important program,” said Lindsay Barrett George of White Mills, PA, a tiny town in Texas Township, Wayne County.

“The beauty of One Book, Every Young Child goes far beyond just giving parents and caregivers a book to read to preschoolers. It emphasizes ways that adults can engage children in activities such as talking about a book’s cover and illustrations, discussing the action in the book and favorite parts, and making up pretend play games related to the story,” said Barrett who admits her favorite pastimes as a little girl were looking at things, drawing them, and making up stories about them.

George will be visiting libraries, preschools, Head Start centers and family literacy programs around the state over the next several months, reading her book about the meeting of two mice from different worlds – very different, very much the same.

Information and program ideas have been developed by librarians and museum educators from across Pennsylvania to promote the value and benefits of reading early and often to preschoolers and to encourage family bonding through books and reading.

Traveling trunks developed by museum educators also will make their way around the state. Each trunk is filled with fun mouse-related puppets, games and manipulatives for young children. Also included for librarians and educators is a manual that encourages use of the trunk contents in activities that are aligned with the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards.

George also provided most of the illustrations for Kindergarten, Here I Come!, a parent activity guide that will be distributed statewide to support families in preparing their preschoolers for future school success. Geared toward four year-olds, these free guides contain months of simple at-home activities for adults and preschoolers to do together during the year before kindergarten.
Kindergarten, Here I Come! was developed as a 12-month activity guide based on fun ideas that are linked to Pennsylvania’s Early Learning Standards for Pre-Kindergarten.

Parents can discover the different domains for learning and ways to support their children’s development of kindergarten readiness skills through daily chores and experiences such as laundry, table setting or a walk to the playground.
Strategies for building language and literacy skills are woven throughout the activity guide, as well as parenting tips and resource information.

Because of the Pennsylvania Library Association’s active role in early learning and early literacy, it will host its third annual early learning forum and best practices luncheon Pennsylvania Libraries: Learning Starts Here! to piggyback the launch of the One Book, Every Young Child and Kindergarten, Here I Come! early learning initiatives. This forum will showcase award-winning public libraries in Pennsylvania and their most innovative early learning programs.
The Pennsylvania Library Association through its member libraries will support the One Book, Every Young Child reading initiative throughout the year.

“Libraries are tireless supporters of high-quality early childhood education, and I commend the Pennsylvania Library Association for initiating this program that has attracted so many other partners along the way,” said Dr. Gerald Zahorchak, Pennsylvania Secretary of Education.

“We all know that children who are read to become readers and are more likely to succeed in school and in life, and we are proud to be a part of this innovative program,” said Zahorchak.

Generous funding from Verizon allowed the mailing of Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse to the more than 9300 state childcare facilities, licensed preschools, Head Start programs and family literacy programs.

“Pennsylvania has never embarked on a comprehensive statewide project such as this with collaborating agencies who share a mission to foster early childhood literacy and develop a multi-faceted program accessible to all areas and populations of the state,” said Estelle B. Richman, PA Secretary of Public Welfare
.
“These are outstanding initiatives that no doubt will affect the readiness of so many Pennsylvania children for kindergarten, and affect their futures, as well,” said Richman.

One Book, Every Young Child is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Please Touch Museum, State Museum of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Library Association, Pennsylvania Public Television Network, Pennsylvania Center for the Book, Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children, and The Pennsylvania Child Care Association.

This program also was supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the state of Pennsylvania.

Kindergarten, Here I Come! was made possible through the support of Build Strong Foundations for Pennsylvania’s Youngest Children, Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, and Pennsylvania Department of Education. Copies will be available through libraries statewide.

Information about One Book, Every Young Child may be obtained by visiting www.paonebook.org