Partner Programs: Read for the Record

One day. One book. For children everywhere. October 2, 2008.

The campaign is a fun event for children, students, families, teachers, community leaders, and others (have you ever been a part of a Guinness World Record™?!), and attracts national and local media attention for early learning. 

Since our founding in 1897, PTA has recognized the importance of early education in the lives of children and families. Jumpstart and its founding partner the Pearson Foundation began the Read for the Record Campaign in 2006 to promote early learning and support Jumpstart’s mission of ensuring that every child has the chance to begin kindergarten ready and able to succeed.

That first year, the Guinness World Record™ was broken when more than 150,000 young children read the campaign’s official book, The Little Engine That Could, in homes, libraries, preschools, child-care centers, community centers, and other public venues around the country.

This year, the Pearson Foundation, working with the PTA national organization, is providing an additional incentive for PTAs to participate in the campaign. Local PTAs that host an event to read Corduroy on October 2, 2008, are eligible to receive literature books valued at $1,000 for their school library or media center. The one PTA school in each state with the highest proportion of participation will receive the book donation. Recipients will be announced in November or early December.

Frequently Asked Questions

My school is small; how can we compete with larger schools?
Winners will be selected based on the number of readers registered divided by the official student population of the school, not simply the number of participants. Small schools are just as likely to win as larger schools. All participants, including the PTA organizers, should visit www.pearsonfoundation.org/pta to register.

Is participation limited to parents and children in my school’s PTA?
No. Invite everyone to join your unit in this fun activity, and make sure they register as participants at www.pearsonfoundation.org/pta. This is an opportunity to work with community leaders, libraries, the business community, and religious institutions and increase PTA’s visibility in the community. Middle and high school students can participate on October 2 by reading to children at elementary schools and child-care centers. 

My school doesn’t have a PTA; can we still participate?
Anyone can participate in the Read for the Record Campaign, but only local PTAs in good standing are eligible to receive the book donation awarded in each state.