"Books Across America" Gets Books in Hands of Young Children with Help from "The Dr. Oz Show," UPS, Scholastic, and the National WIC Association

"The Dr. Oz Show" is proud to lead the Books Across America effort to give more children access to books and a chance at a brighter future," said Dr. Oz. "Too many children in our country lack this basic resource. Through our partnership with UPS, NWA, Scholastic, First 5 California, and individuals' generous donations, we not only are distributing books, but helping to educate parents and caregivers about why talking, reading, and singing to children regularly is critical to their healthy brain development."

Participating The UPS Store locations nationwide will collect book donations from individuals who drop them off. Women, Infants and Children (WIC) will distribute the books to families participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program at various clinic locations in partnership with NWA. Scholastic, the world's largest publisher and distributer of children's books, educational, and entertaining children's media, will kick off the program by donating 1,000 new books to the campaign.

"Research has proven that children who read in their adolescent years have better brain development and perform far better in school," said Noel Massie, U.S. Operations Manager, UPS. "UPS is thrilled to play an integral role in this effort, and donating books couldn't be easier – just bring them to any participating The UPS Store location."

On, May 25, "The Dr. Oz Show" announces their support of "Books Across America" in a segment where Dr. Oz discusses current research in brain science, which indicates that more than 80 percent of a child's brain growth is completed by age three. This makes the first three years of life critical for mental stimulation through talking, reading, and singing, which helps billions of neurons inside the brain make strong connections that last a lifetime.

"The benefits to children of the simple acts of talking, reading, and singing beginning in infancy can be life long," said First 5 California Commission Chair George Halvorson. "These everyday, simple moments between children and their parents and caregivers can help develop and strengthen the brain to create healthy, strong minds and futures."  

Anyone wishing to donate new or gently used books written for children ages 0 to 5 can bring the books to participating The UPS Store locations and place them in a dedicated collection box clearly identified with a "Books Across America" poster.   

About First 5 California:

First 5 California was founded to educate parents, grandparents, teachers, and caregivers about the critical role they play during a child's first five years — with the overarching goal of helping more California kids grow up healthy and ready to succeed in school and in life.

For more information about First 5 California as an organization, visit www.ccfc.ca.gov. To see First 5 California's parent resource website, visit www.first5california.com.

About The National WIC Association:

NWA is the education arm and advocacy voice of the more than 8 million mothers and young children participating in WIC and the 12,200 service provider agencies of the nation's premier public health nutrition program – the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). For more information about NWA, visit www.nwica.org.

About UPS:

UPS is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including transporting packages and freight; facilitating international trade, and deploying advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. The company can be found on the web at ups.com® and its corporate blog can be found at longitudes.ups.com. 

About The Dr. Oz Show:

Currently in its seventh season, the three-time Daytime Emmy® Award-winning syndicated daily series "The Dr. Oz Show" is hosted by the four-time Emmy® Award-winning Dr. Mehmet Oz, accredited health expert, best-selling author, and world renowned cardiac surgeon. "The Dr. Oz Show" is an informative hour that offers audiences the opportunity to learn about a wide range of health and wellness topics. Tackling the balance of mind, body and spirit, Dr. Oz calls on specialists from a variety of disciplines for expert advice on how viewers can be their best selves.

Dr. Oz, the world renowned cardiothoracic surgeon, served as health expert on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" since 2004, sharing advice with viewers to help them live their best life from the inside out. Dr. Oz has co-authored six New York Times Best Sellers including "YOU: The Owner's Manual".  Dr. Oz launched his magazine The Good Life with Hearst Corporation in spring 2014.  He has a regular column in O The Oprah Magazine. 

Dr. Oz is a professor of Surgery at Columbia University.  He directs the Cardiovascular Institute and Complementary Medicine Program at New York Presbyterian Hospital and performs 100 heart operations annually. His research interests include heart replacement surgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, complementary medicine and health care policy. He has authored over 400 original publications, book chapters, and medical books and has received several patents.

Cleared in over 99% of the country, "The Dr. Oz Show" is produced by Harpo Productions and distributed by Sony Pictures Television. "The Dr. Oz Show" is executive produced by Amy Chiaro and co-executive produced by Stacy Rader. 

For more information, visit http://www.doctoroz.com/.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160524/371826

SOURCE First 5 California