Read for the Record 2027

Read For The Record Read for the Record 20th Anniversary 2026 Featured Book: See Marcus Grow After 20 weeks of our special anniversary celebration, during which participants enjoyed beloved books from the 20-year history of Read for the Record, the campaign culminated with Read for the Record Day on February 26, 2026. You can continue to enjoy the activities for See Marcus Grow by clicking the button below. Read for the Record The Literacy Coalition is coordinating Read for the Record in Palm Beach County for the 19th year on October 24, 2024 Read for the Record brings together millions of people each year in classrooms, libraries, community centers and homes across the US. This annual campaign was launched 19 years ago to highlight the importance of building early literacy and language skills for EVERY child so that all children have the opportunity to enter kindergarten prepared to succeed.The Literacy Coalition and our local partner, PNC Grow Up Great, have joined Jumpstart’s national Read for the Record campaign again to coordinate locally for thousands of adults to read the chosen book to children across the county on a single day. The Literacy Coalition is working locally with municipal leaders, businesses and individual volunteers to make a huge impact.Register your municipality or register as a volunteer reader below: Celebrating 20 Years! Read for the Record Day was on February 26, 2026 For 20 years, the Literacy Coalition has coordinated municipal leaders, businesses and individuals to make an impact through Read for the Record, an early literacy initiative connecting adults and children through shared reading experiences. Presented nationally by Jumpstart, a national early education organization, and locally by the Literacy Coalition, we are excited to announce our plans for the 20th anniversary year of Read for the Record. The Literacy Coalition celebrated the 20th Read for the Record Campaign with Jumpstart and local sponsor PNC Grow Up Great in an extended celebration including Read for the Record Day on February 26, 2026.* Throughout the celebration, the Literacy Coalition highlighted 5 books from past campaigns and featured them in our Read with Me! volunteer program throughout the year. Volunteers read the books and share the activities with kindergarten students: Oct. 10, 2025: The Little Engine That Could Nov. 14, 2025: Llama Llama Red Pajama Dec. 12, 2025: Not Norman: A Goldfish Story Jan. 16, 2026: Thank You, Omu! Feb. 26, 2026*: See Marcus Grow March 27, 2026: Nigel and the MoonSee Marcus Grow, written by Marcus Bridgewater and illustrated by Reggie Brown, is a vibrant picture book that introduces young readers to the wonders of gardening while exploring themes of curiosity, discovery, nurturing and growth. In this story, the young character named Marcus learns from his grandmother in her garden. The book beautifully illustrates the parallel between plant care and human development, sharing the wisdom that both children and seedlings need “water and air and sunshine. And space to grow.” Marcus Bridgewater, also known as the social media sensation “Garden Marcus”, shows the lessons he learned in his grandma’s garden when he was growing up. SAVE THE DATE Celebrating 21 years of Read for the Record February 25, 2027 The Literacy Coalition directs and implements Jumpstart Kids’ Read for the Record® Day each year in Palm Beach County. This is the world’s largest shared reading experience, uniting millions to read the same book on the same day and raise awareness of early literacy. Now in its 21st year, this initiative connects caring volunteers with children to read aloud and distribute high-quality books, building foundational literacy skills and home libraries. This year’s book selection is Brave Like a Lion! by Megan Piphus, an Emmy-winning puppeteer and the first full-time Black woman puppeteer on Sesame Street, and illustrated by Nina Mata. The story follows May, a shy girl who finds her voice with the help of her favorite puppet. It’s a story about courage, imagination and learning to speak up, drawn from Megan’s own childhood. Check back in December to register as a volunteer reader. PBC Leaders and Students Celebrate Literacy with Author and Sesame Street Puppeteer The Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County, in partnership with the Palm Beach County League of Cities and presenting sponsor Comcast, brought local leaders, students and literacy partners together for its annual Mayors’ Literacy Initiative Luncheon and Read for the Record kick-off celebration at the West Palm Beach Marriott. Four-time Emmy Award-winning ventriloquist, singer, producer, puppeteer and author Megan Piphus Baptist served as the event’s special guest speaker. Piphus Baptist, the first full-time Black female puppeteer to perform on Sesame Street, is the author of the 2027 Read for the Record selection, Brave Like a Lion!. The empowering picture book follows a shy girl who finds her voice with the help of her favorite puppet. Inspired by Piphus Baptist’s own story, the book encourages children to embrace their individuality and find the confidence to use their voices. The celebration kicked off the 21st anniversary of Read for the Record, an international early literacy campaign presented by Jumpstart Kids and coordinated locally by the Literacy Coalition. Taking place on February 25, 2027, the initiative brings adults and children together through shared reading and highlights the importance of early literacy. During the luncheon, Piphus Baptist performed and read aloud from her book. She also visited the Literacy Coalition’s Blume Literacy Center, where she read to students participating in the Literacy Coalition’s Building Better Readers program and led activities with the students. “We are grateful to our municipal leaders for making literacy a priority in their communities,” said Kristin Calder, Literacy Coalition CEO. “Their leadership and support makes a meaningful statement about the importance of literacy to help create brighter opportunities for children and families across Palm Beach County.” Love Share Tweet Share The Literacy Coalition and our local partner, PNC Grow Up Great, have joined Jumpstart’s National Read for the Record campaign again to coordinate locally for thousands of adults to read the chosen book to children across the county on a single day. The Literacy Coalition is working locally with municipal leaders, businesses and individual volunteers to make a huge impact. 20th Read for the Record Campaign Highlights Thank you to all the municipal leaders and staff who gave their time to support this annual campaign to raise awareness of the importance of early literacy and for taking the time to read. A special thank you is also extended to the League of Cities for serving as our campaign partner and to PNC Grow Up Great for being our presenting campaign sponsor. 46 Children from Atkins Childcare Center in Riviera Beach and the Literacy Coalition’s Glades Family Education Program attended a special event at the Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County with celebrity guest reader Tania Rogers, news anchor for WPTV 5. Also in attendance was Cindy Pilloni, from PNC Bank and PNC Grow Up Great, our campaign presenting sponsor. The Village of Wellington was the winner of the Large Municipality category, the Village of Palm Springs was the winner of the Mid-Size Municipality category, and the Town of Lantana was the winner of the Small Municipality category. Thank you to everyone who participated!The selected book was See Marcus Grow by Marcus Bridgewater, illustrated by Reggie Brown. Read for the Record 20th Anniversary WEEK 2: The Story of Ferdinand We are in the second week of our special 20-week anniversary celebration, where each week you can enjoy the featured beloved book from the 20-year history, all building toward our culminating Read for the Record Day on February 26, 2026. You can view this book and enjoy the story for one week by clicking on the image or by clicking on the button. Read for the Record 20th Anniversary WEEK 1: The Little Engine That Could Today marks the beginning of our special 20-week anniversary celebration, where each week you can enjoy the featured beloved book from the 20-year history, all building toward our culminating Read for the Record Day on February 26, 2026. You can view this book and enjoy the story for one week by clicking on the image or by clicking on the button. Read for the Record Celebrating 20 Years! SAVE THE DATE: February 26, 2026 For 20 years, the Literacy Coalition has coordinated municipal leaders, businesses and individuals to make an impact through Read for the Record, an early literacy initiative connecting adults and children through shared reading experiences. Presented nationally by Jumpstart, a national early education organization, and locally by the Literacy Coalition, we are excited to announce our plans for the 20th anniversary year of Read for the Record. The Literacy Coalition is celebrating the 20th Read for the Record Campaign with Jumpstart and local sponsor PNC Grow Up Great in an extended celebration including Read for the Record Day on February 26, 2026.* Throughout the celebration, the Literacy Coalition is highlighting 5 books from past campaigns and featuring them in our Read with Me! volunteer program throughout the year. Volunteers can volunteer to read the book and share the activities with kindergarten students: Oct. 10: The Little Engine That Could Nov. 14: Llama Llama Red Pajama Dec. 12: Not Norman: A Goldfish Story Jan. 16: Thank You, Omu! Feb. 26*: See Marcus Grow March 27: Nigel and the Moon Registration opens soon for the Feb. 26, 2026, Read for the Record Day.See Marcus Grow, written by Marcus Bridgewater and illustrated by Reggie Brown, is a vibrant picture book that introduces young readers to the wonders of gardening while exploring themes of curiosity, discovery, nurturing and growth. In this story, the young character named Marcus learns from his grandmother in her garden. The book beautifully illustrates the parallel between plant care and human development, sharing the wisdom that both children and seedlings need “water and air and sunshine. And space to grow.” Marcus Bridgewater, also known as the social media sensation “Garden Marcus”, shows the lessons he learned in his grandma’s garden when he was growing up. We are grateful for the local campaign support of PNC Grow Up Great. WEEK 1 October 13, 2025 WEEK 2 October 20, 2025 WEEK 3 October 27, 2025 WEEK 4 November 3, 2025 WEEK 5 November 10, 2025 WEEK 6 November 17, 2025 WEEK 7 November 24, 2025 WEEK 8 December 1, 2025 2026 Read for the Record Campaign Highlights Click on the button below to access the digital version of Piper Chen Sings to read to children on October 24, 2024 WEEK 9 December 8, 2025 WEEK 10 December 15, 2025 WEEK 11 December 22, 2025 WEEK 12 December 29, 2025 Download the helpful Reading and Activity Guides, below WEEK 13 January 5, 2026 WEEK 14 January 12, 2026 WEEK 15 January 19, 2026 WEEK 16 January 26 2026 WEEK 17 February 2, 2026 WEEK 18 February 9, 2026 WEEK 19 February 16, 2026 WEEK 20 February 26, 2026 2024 Read for the Record Book Selection This year’s book selection is Piper Chen Sings by Grammy winner and Tony-nominated actress Phillipa Soo, Maris Pasquale Doran and illustrated by Qin Leng. It is a story about a young girl who loves to express herself through singing but is struck with self-doubt and nervousness when asked to perform a solo in front of an audience. Piper tells her Nai Nai that she felt “like butterflies were having a dance party” in her belly; she doesn’t feel she can sing in front of others without making a mistake. Thankfully, Nai Nai teaches Piper that feeling butterflies means “something exciting was ahead” and that recognizing and welcoming that anxious feeling would help it pass. Nai Nai’s advice empowers Piper, who finds her voice on stage. Watch the authors Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran read the book Watch the interview with author Phillipa Soo as she unveils the book Thank You to Our Sponsors 2026 MUNICIPALITIES PARTICIPATING: Small Municipalities Town of Cloud Lake Town of Haverhill Town of Juno Beach Town of Lake Clark Shores Town of Lake Park — Honorable Mention Town of Lantana — WINNER Town of Loxahatchee Groves Town of Manalapan Village of North Palm Beach — Honorable Mention City of Pahokee City of South Bay City of Westlake Winner of the Small Municipality Category: Town of Lantana: L to R: Town of Lantana Town Manager Brian K. Raducci, Town of Lantana Mayor Karen Lythgoe, Executive Assistant Maria Rios, Town of Lantana Councilmember Kem Mason, Town of Lantana Library Director Kristine Kreidler, Literacy Coalition CEO Kristin Calder and Literacy Coalition Director of Children’s Literacy Jeanne Siccone. Mid-Size Municipalities City of Belle Glade City of Greenacres — Honorable Mention City of Lake Worth Beach Village of Palm Springs — WINNER City of Riveria Beach Village of Royal Palm Beach — Honorable Mention Winner of the Mid-Size Municipality Category: Village of Palm Springs: L to R: Village of Palm Springs Mayor Bev Smith, Literacy Coalition Director of Children’s Literacy Jeanne Siccone, Literacy Coalition CEO Kristin Calder, Village of Palm Springs Vice Mayor Pro Tem Patti Waller, Village of Palm Springs Councilmember Gary Ready and Village of Palm Springs Councilmember Kim Schmitz. Large Municipalities City of Boca Raton City of Boynton Beach City of Delray Beach — Honorable Mention Town of Jupiter City of Palm Beach Gardens Village of Wellington — WINNER City of West Palm Beach — Honorable Mention Winner of the Large Municipality Category: Village of Wellington: L to R: Village of Wellington Councilman Stephen Levin, Village of Wellington Mayor Michael Napoleone, Village of Wellington Vice Mayor Maria Antuna, Literacy Coalition CEO Kristin Calder and Literacy Coalition Director of Children’s Literacy Jeanne Siccone.The children and teachers from Atkins Childcare Center in Riviera Beach and the Coalition’s Glades Family Education Program enjoyed a morning of fun at the Mounts Botanical Gardens of Palm Beach County. The children engaged in book extension activities that deepened their enjoyment of the book, then explored the gardens and visited the Moai statues. Also pictured are Cynthia Pilloni from PNC Bank and PNC Grow Up Great, Tania Rogers from WPTV 5, CEO Kristin Calder and Coalition staff. Thank you to our sponsors 20 Years of Read for the Record Books 2006 The Little Engine That Could 2007 The Story of Ferdinand 2008 Corduroy 2009 The Very Hungry Caterpillar 2010 The Snowy Day 2011 Llama Llama Red Pajama 2012 Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad 2013 Otis 2014 Bunny Cakes 2015 Not Norman: A Goldfish Story 2016 The Bear Ate Your Sandwich 2017 Quackers 2018 Maybe Something Beautiful 2019 Thank You, Omu! 2020 Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away 2021 Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon 2022 Nigel and the Moon 2023 With Lots of Love 2024 Piper Chen Sings 2025-2026 See Marcus Grow