Borders Announces March is 'Kids' Reading Month'

ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Borders today announced that its stores nationwide and Borders.com will be recognizing March as "Kids' Reading Month" with a number of events to celebrate and promote children's reading and engagement. Throughout the month, these events will give Borders' customers the opportunity to encourage child literacy through exciting and fun community activities that leverage Borders' significant nationwide presence and reinforce the company's decades-long commitment to literacy.

Celebrations and events kick off nationwide today:

Spring Charity Drive – March 1 through April 30

Borders stores are once again partnering with hundreds of charities and nonprofits nationwide to deliver hundreds of thousands of new books and stuffed toys donated by generous customers to children who may not otherwise have access to new books. Throughout the drive, store associates will encourage customers to open their hearts and donate books including such titles as Dr. Seuss' "Cat in the Hat," "Pat the Bunny," by Dorothy Kunhardt, Rick Riordan's "The Lightning Thief" and Mary Pope Osborne's "Magic Tree House Activity Book."

Through its 2010 charity drives, Borders delivered more than 1.5 million books and stuffed toys to charities such as Rainbow House in Chicago, Raising a Reader Massachusetts and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego, which then distributed the books and toys to families. In conjunction with the charity drive, Borders stores will invite their charity partners for in-store events March 12 and April 23 to raise awareness of how the charity benefits their community.

Buy a Dr. Seuss Book and Help a Child in Need

Borders is teaming with Random House and First Book, a nonprofit providing new books to children in need, to give customers yet another opportunity to promote literacy. Beginning today through March 21, when customers make a purchase of any Dr. Seuss book in stores and on Borders.com, Random House will donate a new children’s book to First Book.

Read Across America In-Store Event

Borders is participating in the 14th Annual Read Across America event celebrating the birthday of Dr. Seuss with a free in-store event Saturday, March 5 at 2 p.m. The party will find kids enjoying "Cat in the Hat" storytime, a variety of Cat-themed games and activities, as well as delicious food samplings. Importantly, each child in attendance will be given the opportunity to write a review of their favorite book. One review from each store will be featured on the March is Kids Reading Month landing page at http://www.borders.com/online/store/ArticleView_march-is-kids-reading-month, while other reviews will be included on the title detail pages on Borders.com. (Event is being held in Borders superstores only.)

"Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules" In-Store Party

On Saturday, March 19 beginning at 2 p.m., Borders will host a party celebrating the major motion picture release of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules," the much anticipated film based on the 2nd book in the beloved Wimpy Kid book series by Jeff Kinney. During the event, Wimpy fans will enjoy trivia, games and activities, food samplings and have an opportunity to pen their recommendation for their favorite book in the Wimpy Kid series. (Event is being held in Borders superstores only.)

To find Borders superstore locations participating in the events, visit Borders.com and click on the Store Locator link. Activities and events may vary by store.

About Borders Group, Inc.

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Borders Group, Inc. is a specialty retailer of books as well as other educational and entertainment items. Online shopping is offered through borders.com. Find author interviews and vibrant discussions of the products we and our customers are passionate about online at facebook.com/borders, twitter.com/borders and youtube.com/bordersmedia. For more information about the company, visit borders.com/media.

SOURCE Borders, Inc.