SCHOLASTIC SUMMER READING BUZZ!
THIS SUMMER KIDS CATCH THE SCHOLASTIC SUMMER READING BUZZ! TO READ FOR FUN, AND READ FOR A CAUSE
Kids Read "Four or More" Books to Avoid the “Summer Slide”
Families Enter the Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! ‘Read & Dream' Sweepstakes for a Chance to Win a Walt Disney World Vacation
New York, NY (May 19, 2008) -- Studies show that kids who read "four or more" books over the summer are less likely to fall victim to the "Summer Slide," the common loss of skills due to being out of school over the summer. Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ!, the summer reading online destination that launches today at http://www.scholastic.com/buzz, offers kids and parents great book lists, fun and interactive “book-themed” activities, and a chance to donate books to charity. For every four books a child reads and logs online, Scholastic will donate a book to Room to Read, a growing nonprofit that establishes libraries and schools in underprivileged communities in the developing world. Through Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ!, a donation of up to 50,000 books will help fill bookshelves around the world.
"Kids can help keep their learning skills strong by reading four or more books during the summer," said Francie Alexander, Chief Academic Officer at Scholastic. "Summer Reading BUZZ! gives kids a chance to read for themselves and to help children in need around the world. While it's important for parents to suggest books for their kids that they will want to read and to instill a love of reading in them, teaching kids to be good citizens is equally important."
The Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! Web site at http://www.scholastic.com/buzz will be reading central for kids, parents, teachers and librarians all summer long. Kids sign up and automatically get placed into their “reading hive” based on their grade. Once in their hive, they can start their reading log and track their books for charity. This kid-inspired site will make reading interactive and engaging for kids through monthly themes by book genre, author Q & As, E-cards, and “buzz boards” where kids can connect and talk about their favorite (and even their not-so-favorite) books. Kids will also enjoy playing the new Buzz Garden game in which they earn seeds for every book they read. Then, they can plant them in their own virtual garden and watch it grow all summer.
The Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! Web site offers parents and educators extensive age- and grade-appropriate book lists in English and Spanish, expert advice on motivating kids to read, as well as downloadable bookmarks and reading certificates that will help engage and reward kids.
In addition to reading for a cause, all summer long, Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! is offering kids the chance to read books to make their dream of a family vacation to the Walt Disney WorldÒ Resort come true in the Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! ‘Read & Dream’ Sweepstakes.
Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! For Kids at Scholastic.com/buzz includes:
Reading Logs to track and rate favorite books
Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ!’s ‘Read & Dream’ Sweepstakes
Buzz Garden game – read books, earn seeds, grow your garden
Downloadable "Flip For Reading" Game -- an origami reading game that gets kids talking about reading in a fun, cool new way
BUZZ! Room for kids to connect about books
E-Cards and weekly polls based on favorite books
Book Buzz Wallpaper -- kids customize their own desktop
WordGirl's "Word of the Week" based on the hit new show on PBS Kids GO!
Celebrity Book Picks from favorite teen idols in sports and entertainment
Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! For Parents and Caregivers at Scholastic.com/buzz:
The Kids and Family Reading Report shows that parents are the top source of book suggestions for kids who read most. The Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! Web site will offer extensive, age-appropriate summer book lists available in English and Spanish to help parents find books their kids will want to read. Celebrity favorite book picks will complement expert advice in English and Spanish on how to make reading fun at home, at camp or on a family vacation. There also will be "how-to" videos for parents and an interactive activity where parents can tour a virtual house and learn how to turn each room into "Reading Central."
Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! For Librarians and Educators at Scholastic.com/buzz:
The Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! Web site will feature a dedicated area for librarians and teachers with age-appropriate summer book lists as well as downloadable Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! bookmarks, bulletin board materials, and printable Summer Reading Certificates. Teachers and librarians also can download bookplates and shelf signs that will draw kids' attention to Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ!-recommended books.
About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and a leader in educational technology and children’s media. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs and school-based book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, television networks and the Company’s Internet Site, http://www.scholastic.com/buzz. |
