Mayor Taveras, Providence Students 'Read for the Record'

After reading to kindergartners, Providence Mayor shares library card applications and copies of his book, "How to Do Well in School."

Mayor Angel Taveras captured the attention of kindergartners in Providence this morning with a story about Ladybug Girl's eventful play date with Bumblebee Boy, Dragonfly Girl and their friends.

Providence's Mayor read aloud to students at the Frank D. Spaziano Elementary School Annex to participate in Read for the Record, a national initiative sponsored by Jumpstart and the Pearson Foundation to break the world record for the most people reading the same book in one day.

The annual event was established to promote awareness about the importance of early literacy skills for preschoolers and kindergartners. Across the nation today, an estimated 2.5 million children will read "Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad," by David Soman and Jacky Davis.

"Reading to children and encouraging them to read on their own is one of the most important things we can do to help them achieve academically and succeed in life," said Mayor Taveras.

Mayor Taveras read "Ladybug Girl" to two kindergarten classes, including reading the book in Spanish to a classroom of bilingual students. After reading, the Mayor provided students with library card applications and copies of his book, "How to Do Well in School."

Mayor Taveras was joined by Providence Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan F. Lusi and Providence Public Schools officials and Children and Youth Cabinet volunteers in reading to Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms across Providence.

The Pearson Foundation donated copies of "Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad" to all of the Pre-K and kindergarten classrooms in the Providence Public School District, and Books Are Wings is donating 200 books for kindergarten and first grade classrooms at Mary E. Fogarty Elementary School as part of this year's Read for the Record event.

Last week, the U.S. Conference of Mayor sent notice to mayors across the country, urging them to participate in the Read for the Record program. USCM cited Mayor Taveras as a champion of this effort and touted Providence's work to promote grade-level reading. More than 40 mayors across the country were scheduled to participate in Read for the Record.