Read 20, WSMC 90.5 Classical FM, and Signal Centers celebrates Jumpstart's Read for the Record, a national campaign designed to break the world record for the number of adults and children reading the same book on the same day, while also working to break the cycle of illiteracy. On Thursday, Read 20, along with approximately 200 children from Hickory Valley Christian School and Signal Centers, Inc. read Corduroy, with Mr. Rodney Van Valkenburg, Director of Programs from Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga and Donna McConnico, Executive Director of Signal Centers, Inc.

"Current research overwhelmingly supports the importance of facilitating early and emerging literacy skills in preschool-age children as a critical foundation for literacy development," said Shawn Kurrelmeier-Lee, Chief Reading Officer for Read 20. "Jumpstart's Read for the Record is a positive way to raise awareness about the importance of early childhood literacy skills." Read 20 encourages readers of all ages to visit www.readfortherecord.org and read the campaign's official book, Corduroy.

Jumpstart's Read for the Record campaign and intensive early education programs – puts books in the homes of children who need them most and focuses on helping them make gains in language and literacy skills. The Pearson Foundation, sponsor and Founding Partner of the campaign, is once again underwriting the cost of this year's campaign book, Corduroy from Penguin Young Readers. The Pearson Foundation is also helping to organize events nationwide with governors, mayors, school districts, and other community organizations

The 2008 campaign was designed to encourage young people, their families, and educators everywhere to set another Guinness World Record by creating the largest shared reading experience ever for the most children reading with an adult the same book on the same day. The day's activities were designed to generate public awareness about the importance of early childhood education. Shared reading experiences ranged from an adult and child reading in their home to large group events with hundreds of people gathering at public facilities for community reading sessions. Last year, Jumpstart's Read for the Record raised more than $1 million to directly support and expand the organization's early education work in low-income communities.