Characters come to life to promote love of reading for Read Across America

Vanessa Tinajero is only 6, but she knows a thing or two about reading. "It's important to read because it helps you learn stuff you don't know," explains the Inglewood first-grader. "And when you read, you can imagine everything and think that it's real."

Tinajero is one of nearly 200 students - grades 1-8 - who participated in California's observance of Read Across America March 4. The event, held at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport Hotel, was one of many around the state - and the entire country a couple of days earlier - sponsored by CTA, NEA and local chapters.

The theme of California's events was "Read ... for the Ride of Your Life." Students began the day with a bus ride from schools in Lawndale, Lennox, Hawthorne, Compton and Inglewood. Upon arrival, the youngsters were welcomed by Clifford the Big Red Dog, hero of the PBS show and book of the same name. The huge talking dog is known for being a "great friend, who always stands up for what he thinks is right."

Clifford made the rounds of the grand ballroom, shaking hands with students while they were being treated to breakfast, courtesy of the Hilton hotel staff.

"It's wonderful to have you all here," said CTA President Barbara E. Kerr. "It's wonderful to have older students here as well as younger students. You older students can tell the younger students how important it is to go to school and read. Reading is one of the most important things you can do. It can take you anywhere you want to go in life."

Everyone quieted down for the introduction of the celebrity guest. "You may not think you know her, but you know her very well," said Kerr. "She's like a friend." The students - even the older ones - did not seem to recognize the young woman standing before them, but as soon as she spoke in character, they let out a collective gasp. Hers was the voice of Sandy Cheeks, the squirrel on the "SpongeBob SquarePants" cartoon - as well as Cindy Vortex on "The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius."

"Reading skills are very important when you are doing script-reading and voice-overs," Carolyn Lawrence told the adoring crowd. "Sometimes when we are reading a script cold - for the first time - it gets recorded. So it's very important to be able to read quickly - in character - and get it right the first time. You have to be able to read well to do that."

Then it was time to let the reading begin. Teachers, hotel staff and special guests alike took groups of students aside and read to them.

When students reassembled, they were treated to a presentation of Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are, performed by drama students from Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach. Before students boarded the buses to head back to school with their gift bags from CTA, they were invited to select an age-appropriate book, compliments of Barnes and Noble and Clifford the Big Red Dog.

Robert Collins, an eighth-grade teacher at Lennox Middle School, said 400 middle school students wanted to attend the event, but because only

50 spaces were available, those who had earned good behavior points were entered in a raffle for the coveted spots.

"Reading is what it's all about," said Collins, president of the Lennox Teachers Association. "If my students read well, they will be able to do well when they go to high school. Read Across America is a wonderful way of telling these students that reading is important - at any age."

There were many other celebrations around the state:

At Joyce Elementary in Rio Linda (Sacramento), teachers gave 50 families 50 books each to start home libraries. The giveaway was made possible with a $3,000 grant from Target.

At Kimbrough Elementary in San Diego, First Book of San Diego volunteers read to 180 second-graders. First Book also gave away thousands of books to children in the county.

At Holly Oak Elementary in San Jose, teacher Steve Sweeney organized a salute to those who inspire people to read. The event, titled "For the Love of Reading," was staged like a Hollywood premiere complete with red carpet and a huge spotlight. The two major themes of the evening were the importance of literacy and how reading can open the door to a variety of career opportunities.

At Fair Oaks Ranch Community School in Santa Clarita, 1,300 participants, mostly students, attempted to set a Guinness World Record for the most people reading aloud at the same time, says teacher Ken Newton.

At Buena Park High School in Orange County, five students tried to break the world record for continuous reading out loud. They logged 72 hours. The attempt grew out of the school's annual "Read Around the Clock" marathon, which is part of Read Across America. This year 96 students and school supporters met the challenge of reading for 15 minutes each to promote literacy as a school project.

Sherry Posnick-Goodwin