Jumpstart’s Read for the Record is this Thursday, October 7, 2010. The following information was provided by Jumpstart and is proceeded by more great news from American Sign Language Storyteller Keith Wann.
Jumpstart’s Read for the Record, presented in partnership with Pearson, is Jumpstart’s world record breaking campaign that brings children and adults together to read the same book, on the same day, in homes and communities all over the world. The campaign also kicks off Jumpstart’s yearlong program, preparing preschool children in low-income neighborhoods for success in school and life.
Please pledge to read today and read The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats with us on October 7!
Actress (& mom) Amanda Peet and Grammy Award winning humanitarian and living legend Patti LaBelle will be reading with us on The TODAY Show this Thursday, as will actresses Madison Pettis and Jennifer Stone!
Additionally, everyone who pledges to read will be entered to win a $77 gift card from 77kids by American Eagle.
A quote from Amanda Peet: “I grew up in a reading household where books and ideas were important. Now that I’m a mom, reading to children has taken on even greater importance. Reading to my children is a priority and books are everywhere in our house, just like when I was a kid. I support Jumpstart because I know that not all children in our country are getting this foundational experience. Millions of children in low-income neighborhoods don’t have books at home, are not getting a quality early education and are starting school behind. This is unacceptable. That’s why I joined Jumpstart’s Read for the Record and ask you to read with me.”
Deaf Children to Receive a Helping Hand from Renowned ASL Performing Artist for Jumpstart’s Read for the Record Global Literacy Campaign
Breakthrough American Sign Language Storyteller Keith Wann Offers ASL Performance of Classic Children’s Book The Snowy Day
Suffolk, VA– Cherished American Sign Language (ASL) Storyteller and Performing Artist Keith Wann, is lending a hand to children within the deaf community in conjunction with the Florida Lottery, Florida Department of Education and the Volunteer USA Foundation, for the worldwide literacy awareness movement Read for the Record on October 7th. Jumpstart’s Read for the Record, presented in partnership with the Pearson Foundation, is striving to set a new world record by having millions of children and adults read the same book, on the same day. The event raises awareness about the importance of early literacy skills, and how essential these skills are to a child’s success in school and in life. Adults and children will gather the world over to share a reading of this year’s official campaign book, The Snowy Day by acclaimed author Ezra Jack Keats.
Wann will be appearing in a live interactive and streaming performance of The Snowy Day at the Safety Harbor Public Library at 10:00 am on October 7th. The event venue is part of the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative, which houses one of the largest deaf libraries in the state of Florida.
“The Pearson Foundation is delighted to share Wann’s ASL video with children and adults in the hard of hearing and deaf community,” said Kathy Hurley, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for Pearson. “We are committed to including as many people as possible in this day of service and Mr. Wann’s ASL version of The Snowy Day provides one more way to expand the reach of Read for the Record.”
Performing artist Keith Wann, renowned for his ASL advocacy and stand-up comedy among deaf and Coda (Children of Deaf Adults) society, has performed and produced an American Sign Language version of The Snowy Day for deaf participants in schools, libraries, homes, communities and other institutions of learning. Free access to Wann’s ASL video can be found on You Tube, KeithWann.com, Volunteer USA, Jumpstart and Pearson Foundation websites. Wann’s ASL video will also be distributed to all school districts in Florida through the Florida Knowledge Network.
When asked about the importance of Wann’s role in broadening the ASL community’s access to the Read for the Record event, Education Commissioner, Dr. Eric J. Smith said, “I’m thrilled that the Department of Education is able to use the Florida Knowledge Network to share this special video with students throughout the state. The Snowy Day is a fantastic story and this effort by Mr. Wann creates the perfect opportunity for more of our families to take advantage of such an enriching experience.”
Wann’s ASL performance version of the treasured book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle was informally self-released on You Tube and Facebook last year, as a way for deaf children to participate in 2009’s Read for the Record campaign. The video garnered an estimated 50,000 hits worldwide and was seen by children in countries like Haiti.
About Keith:
Recognized as the founder of coda365.org, producer of the ASL Comedy Tour with wife Emilia, You Tube Travel Channels’ ASL Across America and manager of interpreter video service company callVRS.org, Wann is acclaimed as the funniest and most diverse ASL comedian on the circuit. He has become a leading force in allowing the deaf community to experience entertainment and programming from a hearing point of view. Picking up exposure from media outlets on shows like NPR’s Here and Now, Wann’s notoriety among the ASL and hearing audiences, has led to a constantly growing following on Facebook, YouTube and Educational Organization Partnerships to enhance service for the deaf. Wann and his wife were recently the beneficiaries of a rare compliment, when they were asked to interpret beloved musical classic, West Side Story on Broadway in New York. Captivating his live audience with a fresh spin on cultural diversity through performances, Wann also engages his listeners in meaningful, serious and comedic discussions ASL’s breakthrough talk radio host of the Keith Wann Show, as he bridges the gap between his two native worlds. Wann currently resides in Florida with his wife and two children.
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For more information please contact publicist Carrie Hill
