Maleficent earlier today, she looks upset pic.twitter.com/RKPYD8pvq9— Josh Hallett (@hyku) April 13, 2014
Butterfly in the sky
I can go twice as high
Take a look
It’s in a book
A Reading RainbowI can go anywhere
Friends to know
And ways to grow
A Reading RainbowI can be anything
Take a look
It’s in a book
A Reading Rainbow
A Reading Rainbow
“People don’t realize how a man’s whole life can be changed by one book.”
― Malcolm X
These words were the opening of the speech I gave at my last Toastmasters meeting. Project 10 was a speech that was supposed to inspire and motivate. My topic was illiteracy because I I find it hard to fathom that in 2014 there are people who still don’t know the pleasure of curling up with a good book.
Disney Junior feels the same way. Partnering with First Book, up to one million books will be donated to communities in need as well as give families access to free digital books from Disney Publishing Worldwide. Specially marked books will have a redemption code that allows families to donate to the community of their choice when they purchase a Disney Junior book or product.
If that wasn’t incentive enough to jump “on board” with this program, Genevieve Goings of Choo Choo Soul was there to talk about the importance of reading.
Pumped by an impromptu singing of the Choo Choo Soul theme, the room exploded when the next speaker was introduced. My singing the theme to Reading Rainbow for a speech was nothing compared to a room full of moms and dads singing the theme as LeVar Burton walked onto the stage.
LeVar Burton was preaching! He spoke fondly of his mother who not only read to him, but modeled reading herself because she was a voracious reader. Burton said that Reading Rainbow was created as a summer program for PBS but blossomed into a show with staying power for over twenty five years. I know I spent many days in the local library searching for books that was suggested on the day’s episode of Reading Rainbow.
Now that Reading Rainbow is no longer on the air, it has been updated for the next generation. There are apps available for the iPad and the Kindle Fire.
In the United States, 14% of adults can’t read. That’s 32 million adults. 21% of US adults read below a fifth grade level. 63% of inmates can’t read and 19% of the people who graduate from high school can’t read at all. If these adults can’t read, how can they ever introduce the joy of reading to their child?
I hear many people talk about making memories with their children. With this new initiative from Disney Junior, memories can be made through a story.
For more information, visit www.giveabookgetabook.com for ideas and start making reading a part of your child’s memories.
Disclosure: Disney provided discounted accommodations and park tickets and also provided the most magical experiences and perks. The DSMM sponsors provided product and helped make the magic happen. All opinions magical or otherwise are my own.
Keep the conversation going. Comments welcomed!