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Read for the Record 2024
October 24
The Literacy Coalition coordinated 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.
Thank you for participating and reading to children on October 24.
Please submit your numbers using the buttons below by Friday, November 15th:
Click on the button below to access the digital version of Piper Chen Sings to read to children on October 24, 2024
Download the helpful Reading and Activity Guides, below
Last Year’s Read for the Record Campaign Highlights
557
Books distributed to Childcare Centers
646
Municipal and Community Volunteers
26,966
Number of Students Read To
176
Elementary Schools and Childcare Center Locations throughout Palm Beach County
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
We are grateful for the local campaign support of PNC Grow Up Great.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
18th Read for the Record Campaign Highlights
Thank you to all the municipality leaders and staff who gave their time to support this annual campaign to raise awareness of the importance of early literacy and for giving your time to read. A special thank you is also extended to the League of Cities for being our campaign partner and to PNC Grow Up Great for being our campaign presenting sponsor.
35 Children from Atkins Childcare Center in Riviera Beach and the Literacy Coalition’s Glades Family Education Program attended a special event at the Coalition’s Blume Literacy Center 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, Village of Palm Springs was the winner of the Mid-Size Municipality and the Town of Lantana was the winner of the Small Municipality. Thank you to everyone who participated!
The selected book was With Lots of Love by Jenny Torres Sanchez, illustrated by Andre Ceolin. It is a story about a girl who has moved to the United States from her home in Central America, away from everything she leaves behind and longs for – especially her Abuela. Rocio does her best to adjust to a new way of living, but there are many things she misses from her old life – Abuela’s cooking, Abuela’s piñata creations, Abuela’s warm hugs, and of course, Abuela herself most of all. But Abuela finds a way to send Rocio something special just in time for her birthday – a gift wrapped with lots of love – and that fills Rocio to the brim.
2023 MUNICIPALITIES PARTICIPATING:
Small Municipalities
- Town of Cloud Lake
- Town of Juno Beach
- Town of Lake Park — Honorable Mention
- Town of Lantana — WINNER
- Town of Loxahatchee Groves
- Village of North Palm Beach — Honorable Mention
- Town of Manalapan
- City of Pahokee
- City of South Bay
- Town of South Palm Beach
Winner of the Small Municipality Category: Town of Lantana: L to R: Town of Lantana Councilmember Kem Mason, City of Riviera Beach Councilwoman and League of Cities President Dr. Julia Botel, League of Cities Executive Director Richard Radcliffe, Literacy Coalition CEO Kristin Calder, Town of Lantana Mayor Karen Lythgoe, Town of Lantana Library Director Kristine Kreidler, Town of Lantana Town Manager Brian K. Raducci and Executive Assistant Maria Rios.
Mid-Size Municipalities
- City of Belle Glade
- City of Greenacres — Honorable Mention
- City of Lake Worth Beach — Honorable Mention
- Village of Palm Springs — WINNER
- City of Riveria Beach
- Village of Royal Palm Beach
Winner of the Mid-Size Municipality Catagory: Village of Palm Springs: L to R: Village of Palm Springs Councilmember Kim Schmitz, Village of Palm Springs Councilmember Gary Ready, Village of Palm Springs Vice Mayor Pro Tem Patti Waller, Village of Palm Springs Assistant Village Manager Kim Glas-Castro, City of Riviera Beach Councilwoman and League of Cities President Dr. Julia Botel, League of Cities Executive Director Richard Radcliffe, Village of Palm Springs Mayor Bev Smith and Literacy Coalition CEO Kristin Calder.
Large Municipalities
- City of Boca Raton
- City of Boynton Beach — Honorable Mention
- 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 Catagory: Village of Wellington: L to R: League of Cities Executive Director Richard Radcliffe, Village of Wellington Mayor Anne Gerwig, City of Riviera Beach Councilwoman and League of Cities President Dr. Julia Botel and Literacy Coalition CEO Kristin Calder.
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 Blume Literacy Center and created a banner based on the book. Also pictured are Cynthia Pilloni from PNC Bank and PNC Grow Up Great, Tania Rogers from WPTV 5, CEO Kristin Calder and Coalition staff.
