Read-a-thon features First Lady

There was a statewide “read-a-thon” over the noonhour today. The celebration of Scholastic Book Clubs’ drew parents, children and teachers to read for 2003 seconds — just over half an hour. First Lady Christie Vilsack, a former teacher, was among the Reading Ambassadors.She says her partnership with Scholastic Books is “wonderful,” with support from the publisher on her annual RAGBRAI ride and her support for the books in turn by reading, as some 30 other governors’ spouses are doing today across the country. This was the 4th Annual reading celebration to highlight the power of reading. Mrs. Vilsack read to children at Martensdale-St. Mary’s Elementary. Mrs. Vilsack says she has a goal to not only spark interest in kids, but among adults who read to them, make it so common that a part of everyday conversation after weather and sports will be “So, what are you reading today?” When the clock struck 12 p.m. in every time zone around the globe, the reading was to start. To support Vilsack’s efforts in Iowa, Scholastic Book Clubs gave 500 books to the First Lady for donation to a local school, library or charity of her choice. Other celebrity readers included singer Alicia (uh-leesh-uh) Keys, jazz musician Wynton Marsalis and actor Freddie Prinze, Junior.