Get quick answers to common questions about Jumpstart's Read for the Record!

Answers to common questions about Jumpstart’s Read for the Record. If you would like more information about Jumpstart's Read for the Record or have a particular question, please contact rftr@jstart.org.

What is Jumpstart’s Read for the Record?

Jumpstart’s Read for the Record©, presented in partnership with Pearson, is Jumpstart’s world record breaking campaign that brings children and adults together to read the same book, on the same day, in homes and communities all over the world. The campaign also kicks off Jumpstart’s yearlong program, preparing preschool children in low-income neighborhoods for success in school and life.

Last year, more than TWO MILLION children read Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar in support of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record, successfully setting a new world record!  This year, Jumpstart aims to make history once again when children across the country and world read Ezra Jack Keats’ The Snowy Day together on October 7 at schools, libraries, stores, hotels, playgrounds, offices, and homes. 

What is this year's campaign date?

The official date of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record is October 7, 2010. 

What book will be read this year?

This year the official campaign book is Ezra Jack Keats’ The Snowy Day. 

How can I donate?

If you would like to contribute, please visit www.readfortherecord.org/donate to donate to our Online Book Drive. Your contribution helps provide the building blocks of dreams – books, supplies, and our proven program – to Jumpstart children nationwide.

You can also start your own Online Book Drive to raise funds on behalf of Jumpstart!  Visit www.readfortherecord.org/bookdrive to start a team today. 

How do I read to break the record?

Getting involved is as easy as 1-2-3!  All you have to do is: 1) visit www.readfortherecord.org/pledge to pledge to read with us; 2) read The Snowy Day with a child (or children!) in your life on October 7; and 3) return to our website on or after October 7 to confirm the number of children you read to so we can count your reading towards the world record! 

Where can I purchase the campaign book? 

Check back later for more information on purchasing a campaign book!

Can I read the book online? 

Check back later for more information on reading The Snowy Day online!

How can I get my community involved?

There are a few ways to get involved:

		Start your own Online Book Drive for Jumpstart’s Read for the Record. Ask your friends to join you in fundraising to help Jumpstart put books into the hands of children while supporting our yearlong program!
		Use our Event Toolkit to find fun and easy activities and templates to plan a reading event at your house, in your classroom, or in your community.
		Spread the word!  Reach out to your friends on Facebook and Twitter to get them involved and to help shine a light on the early literacy crisis. Click here for examples you can use.
		Email a friend!

What is Jumpstart?

At Jumpstart, we know that every child is born with the potential to succeed in school and in life. We also know that the foundation for that success is established in the early years, before a child enters kindergarten.

To cultivate a child’s social, emotional and intellectual readiness, Jumpstart partners caring adults with children in low income neighborhoods for a full year to help prepare them to enter school ready to succeed. Jumpstart’s research-based curriculum is focused on building language, literacy, social and emotional skills in preschool children, while providing our volunteers with a rewarding way to have lasting impact in their communities.

Since 1993, more than 70,000 preschool children across America have benefited from millions of hours of Jumpstart service. This year alone, Jumpstart volunteers are serving more than one million hours with 13,000 preschool children in more than 60 communities across America.

Today, Jumpstart is recognized as a one of the nation’s leading nonprofit organization in the field of early childhood education. Support us as we work toward the day every child in America enters school prepared to succeed.  Visit www.jstart.org to learn more!