Today, starting with a kick-off on the Today Show in New York City and spreading all across the United States, the Sixth Annual Read for the Record Campaign takes place.

Participating are more than 2 million people reading the same book on the same day to signal support for the joy off reading and the young readers we hope will take part in the infectious enthusiasm generated for reading by this event.

This year the book selected for Read for the Record is the popular Anna Dewdney book, Llama Llama Red Pajama.

Sponsored by Jump Start/ Read for the Record in partnership with the Pearson Foundation, two separate records are hoping to be set including one for the “most people reading a digital book,” online at www.wegivebooks.org.

Last year’s book selection for Read for the Record was Ezra Jack Keats’ classic, The Snowy Day. I remember participating in the readings last year to groups in lower Manhattan and let me tell you the mood there was one of high enthusiasm on the part of the children who were read to!  It was a lot of fun. In fact, I think I had as much fun creating the final snowstorm, aided by the kid’s imaginations and tons of cotton balls thrown skyward!

There are a variety of ways to participate. Go to ReadfortheRecord.org, which will provide further information on ways to join in and donate books in the process.

If you are not able to participate in any sort of formal way, may I urge you to have your own special reading with the children in your life and then go to www.wegivebooks.org to make sure you and your child’s personal participation are counted in this Read for the Record bid for a New World Record! It’s fun and your participation along with your child’s will provide the push to put the new record over the top. So let’s start reading and good luck!  Go Llama!