Scholastic Unveils Global Literacy Campaign

* Several celebrities have already offered their support of the Read Every Day campaign by recording PSAs to encourage children, teachers, and parents to come together to help improve global literacy. These PSAs, by notable names such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Bates, Keke Palmer, and NFL star Justin Tuck, are available for download at scholastic.com/readeveryday. In addition, 12 high-profile children's illustrators, including David Shannon, Mark Teague, Norman Bridwell, and Barbara McClintock, have created exclusive posters featuring their interpretations of what it means to "Read Every Day." These posters will be available through Scholastic channels, and the originals will be offered for sale with proceeds to benefit Reading is Fundamental and Reach Out and Read, two reading nonprofit organizations which promote reading for children.

* To help celebrate the importance of books and reading, Scholastic has created You Are What You Read, a social networking site for readers around the world. Users post the five books that had the biggest impact on their lives, connect with others through these shared "Bookprints," and discover new titles to read. The site also contains the Bookprints of more than 125 "Names You Know"—notable people from entertainment, academia, business, media, publishing, and more—including Bill Gates, Eva Mendes, Damien Hirst, Tony Hawk, Jodi Picoult, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Malcolm Gladwell, and President George H.W. Bush. You Are What You Read will launch on October 22 at www.youarewhatyouread.com.

* In addition, Grammy-winning recording artist Taylor Swift is participating in a live webcast exclusively for schools to celebrate the Read Every Day campaign. READ NOW! with Taylor Swift will include an interview with Taylor on how reading has helped shape her life, followed by a live performance. The event takes place on October 27, 2010 and is hosted by actor and musician Nick Cannon. Teachers can find more information and register at scholastic.com/readeveryday.