New York,
NY (March
30,
2005) --
Scholastic, the global children’s publishing and media company, is releasing Rin, Rin, Rin…Do, Re, Mi, a uniquely interactive English-Spanish book, which depicts how everyday family activities such as cooking, singing and storytelling prepare children for reading and life. The book, written for families to share with their primary age children, will be available in bookstores nationwide in May 2005.
Rin, Rin, Rin…Do, Re, Mi, was written by best selling Latino children’s author, José-Luis Orozco and illustrated by Caldecott Award winner, David Diaz, as a key element of Lee y serás™ (Read and you will be), a national initiative created by Scholastic, National Council of La Raza, Verizon and leaders in the Latino community to support families and communities with their children’s early literacy development.
The family in the book sings, shares rhymes, and reads together, demonstrating at-home ways to foster essential early literacy skills such as hearing the sounds of language and being able to recognize letters. Early literacy skills have a direct impact on a child’s likelihood of being successful in school and in life. The power of these family interactions is brought to life in the final pages of the book, with an original music arrangement and inviting lyrics by Orozco.
“Scholastic is committed to providing quality books and enhancing literacy for all children. Rin, Rin, Rin…Do, Re, Mi brings families together and reminds them that learning and reading begin in the home,” said Teresa Mlawer, President of Lectorum Publications, a division of Scholastic and member of the Lee y serás Advisory Committee. ”The future and progress of our community depends on our commitment to developing solid literacy and learning skills in our children at an early age.”
A number of reports on Latino educational attainment found that before they start Kindergarten young Latino children are, on average, less able to able to perform many of the most basic early literacy skills, which are key to reading and literacy development, than their non-Latino peers. Beginning school already behind, the achievement gap continues to widen as is evident with 80% of Latino 4th graders reading at or below the most basic reading level according to a recent study done by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
“I’m very proud to be part of such an important initiative as Lee y serás,” said author José-Luis Orozco. “My hope is that this book will remind Latino parents, in a fun and useful way, that they are their child’s first and most important teacher and role-model.”
“At a young age, I was inspired to discover color and now use dramatic illustrations to encourage young children and visually stimulate reading,” said David Diaz, illustrator of Rin, Rin, Rin…Do, Re, Mi. “It is a great honor to be part of this program for Latino children and to collaborate with José-Luis Orozco and Scholastic.”
The hardcover of Rin, Rin, Rin…Do, Re, Mi retails at $16.95 and will be available where books are sold in May. For more information about the Lee y serás program, go to
www.scholastic.com/leeyseras.
About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology. 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, school-based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site,
www.scholastic.com.
About Lee y serás
Lee y serás is a national, research-based initiative that informs, engages and empowers families, communities and leaders to support the reading development of Latino children. Created by and for the community, the initiative is a collaboration of Scholastic, National Council of La Raza and Verizon. For more information visit
www.leeyseras.net.
About Jose-Luis Orozco
Jose-Luis Orozco is an award-winning educator, performer, songwriter, and author of bilingual books for children. Mr. Orozco holds a Masters Degree in multicultural education. He has recorded 13 volumes of Lírica Infantil, Latin American Children’s Music, and written two award winning books, De Colores and Other Latin American Folk Songs for Children (Dutton 1994) and Diez Deditos – Ten Little Fingers (Dutton 1997). He continues to perform for children throughout the country at concert halls, libraries, and schools. He is considered an expert in children’s music and is a featured speaker and presenter at educational conferences and seminars for teachers, parents, librarians and childcare providers who seek to use music as a learning tool in multicultural classrooms. Born and raised in Mexico City, he currently lives in Los Angeles.
About David Diaz
The recipient of the Caldecott Medal for Smoky Night, David Diaz has illustrated many books for children, including Jose Feliciano’s Feliz Navidad for Scholastic. He has been an illustrator and graphic designer for more than 20 years, and is recognized for his dynamic work in national publications, popular products, and literary works for children and adults alike. Mr. Diaz lives in Carlsbad, California.
Interviews available upon request.