Reading

Overview

Research shows that success in school and life starts with literacy. When children become good readers early in their education, they are more likely to become better learners throughout their school years and beyond. In a nationwide effort to communicate to parents the importance of reading to their school-aged children, the Library of Congress and the AdCouncil have teamed up with Reading is Fundamental (RIF) on a new national public service advertising (PSA) campaign, "Book People Unite."

The campaign aims to inspire fun and promote literacy in all types of learning, including reading books, magazines and cartoons, online and interactive tools, visiting museums, creating music, and using one's imagination. The "Book People Unite" PSAs feature a medley of notable book characters, including Pinocchio, Madeline, Humpty Dumpty, Curious George and Raggedy Ann and Andy coming together to encourage parents to "Read to a child today and spark a lifetime of ambition."

The original song in the PSA is produced by Grammy award-winning band The Roots. Celebrity vocalists Jack Black, Chris Martin, John Legend, Jim James, among others, lend their voices to the song. All of the PSAs direct audiences to BookPeopleUnite.org, where they can join the Book People Unite movement by taking the pledge to love reading and declaring themselves a "book person."