First Lady Susan Corbett Reads to Philadelphia Elementary School Children

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania First Lady Susan Corbett today read to elementary school children in Philadelphia as part of a national effort to encourage literacy and early childhood education. 

During the visit to Harrity Elementary School, Mrs. Corbett read "Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad" to kindergarten students. She encouraged them to read at home with their families.  

"Reading to your children is one of the best things you can do to spark their imagination and develop a love of reading at an early age," Mrs. Corbett said. "Picking up a book today can make a difference in a child's future."

Mrs. Corbett joined 18 other "first spouses" and other leaders from across the nation in Jumpstart's Read for the Record Day, which aims to beat last year's record of 2.2 million books read on a single day.

Jumpstart is a national early childhood education organization that works to make sure every child enters school ready to succeed. Jumpstart's Read for the Record Day brings together adults and children across the United States to read the same book on the same day.

Jumpstart has partnered with the non-profit organization the Pearson Foundation for the last seven years to make Read for the Record Day possible in schools nationwide. The Pearson Foundation has donated 30 books to Harrity Elementary School in connection with the First Lady's visit.

"Literacy is vitally important for children to succeed in school and in life," Mrs. Corbett said.  "I encourage anyone involved in a child's life, whether it is a teacher, a parent, family member or mentor, to take a moment out of their day to read to a child."

Media contact: Kirsten Page , 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the First Lady