D.C. As a partner in the America Reads Challenge, ALSC worked with the Department of Education to develop this year's activity poster which features Arthur the Aardvark. The kickoff event will mark the beginning of the America Reads summer reading campaign, which encourages children, parents and reading partners to make reading a priority during the summer months.
Librarians are leaders in providing summer reading activities for children.
The event will begin with a presentation by Secretary Riley and special guest, Arthur. Following the ceremony, Ward and representatives of the other America Reads Challenge partners, including Reading is Fundamental, Scholastic, Inc., and Pizza Hut, will read a story to a small group of children and then administer a summer reading pledge.