Planning a whale of a celebration in conjunction with Read Across America? Here's a chance to get some press for your event. Post your plans on NEA's Web site [www.nea.org/readacross/pledge.html]. NEA is encouraging local and national media representatives to visit the pledge site to find out what's going on in their locale.
Kelley Welykholowa is getting her first-graders in the mood for Read Across America by promising to dye her hair purple and wear leopard pajamas to school; she also plans to bring kayaks to school like she did for last year's first-graders (pictured below).
The Cat in the Hat has been invited to ring the bell on the New York Stock Exchange on Feb 29. He'll be joined by some heavy hitters: AOL Executive Bob Pittman and the "top dogs" from Random House and First Book. Traders are expected to wear stovepipe hats. AOL will be advertising Read Across America on its Web pages.
Saturn is encouraging its local dealers to get involved in Read Across America. The company helped in five states last year and is anxious to expand its involvement. This year it is offering to host birthday bashes at local stores, provide awards for reading contests, distribute books to kids, and adopt classes. For more information on working with Saturn, call Eric Sherman at (800) 738-1817.
Random House has sent Read Across America activity kits to more than 900 Target stores, as well as Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstores, encouraging them to participate in local events.
Celebrities are getting into the act.
Roma Downey, star of the television show, "Touched by an Angel," is the national chairperson for Read Across America.
Country-western singer Reba McIntire has cut a public service announcement to play on the radio in February.
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers has done a print ad for the campaign. He has a big literacy awareness program in southern California.
Other athletes and "notables" are getting involved daily.
Among the celebration ideas making the rounds are: scuba divers reading One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish to kids; locally famous Mr. Browns reading Mr. Brown Can Moo; folks with sore feet to read the Foot Book; A-cat-emy Awards programs; and Y2Cat sightings.
