SCHOLASTIC CEO DICK ROBINSON HONORED FOR CORPORATE SUPPORT OF REACH OUT AND READ


Award Given at Opening Reception of Reach Out and Read National Conference on Friday, May 31st
 
Scholastic Unveils New Multilingual Translations of Popular Board Books
 
Created Specially for Reach Out and Read Sites

Boston, MA and New York, NY (May 30, 2002) -- Reach Out and Read (ROR), the national pediatric literacy program, will honor Dick Robinson, Scholastic Chairman, President and CEO, at the opening reception of its annual conference on May 31, 2002, with the announcement of a new award and book donation in his name. The Richard Robinson Award will be presented annually to an exemplary ROR site that is providing strong medical leadership, establishing links with the community, and serving a population in need with passion and commitment. The first Richard Robinson Award recipient is Northwest Community Health Center of Salt Lake City, Utah.
 
Scholastic has been a ROR partner since 1997. Through donations and challenge grant matches, the company has given over 1.2 million books to ROR programs throughout the country. In addition, Scholastic produces an innovative book catalog specifically for ROR, making a wide assortment of high quality, age- and culturally-appropriate books from a range of publishers available to the dedicated doctors and nurses who are implementing Reach Out and Read in their communities. Scholastic has also published numerous multilingual books to meet the particular needs of the families that ROR serves.
 
The ROR reception and recognition ceremony will take place from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm at the Cambridge Marriott Hotel in Cambridge, MA. Special guests will include Scholastic authors such as Clifford The Big Red Dog™ creator Norman Bridwell, Jean Marzollo, Roberta Grobel Intrater, and Deborah Guarino.
 
Also at the reception, Scholastic will unveil new titles in the popular Babyfaces series of board books, created specially to meet the needs of Reach Out and Read program sites. The new titles include translations in 12 languages to serve families whose first language is not English.
 
"I am delighted to announce this honor in Mr. Robinson's name. Early on, his recognition of the importance of early literacy, and Scholastic's pioneering efforts to bring books into the lives of babies and toddlers growing up without them, helped to create national recognition of this important issue," said Barry S. Zuckerman, MD, Founder and Chairman of Reach Out and Read. "Since the late 1990's, research has clearly shown that pediatric intervention and access to books increase the likelihood of parents reading to young children. A growing body of studies, conducted by physicians, has also shown that reading aloud to young children has direct effects on literacy development including improving children's expressive and receptive language."
 
"Reach Out and Read is a visionary organization that recognized how much the pediatric community could positively influence parents by advising them about the importance of reading aloud with their children, and giving books to families at pediatric check-ups," said Richard Robinson. "It is a privilege for Scholastic to support Reach Out and Read's efforts around the country. I am honored to be the namesake for this wonderful award, which recognizes the significant achievements of individual Reach Out and Read sites."
 
Northwest Community Health Center in Salt Lake City, the recipient of the first annual Richard Robinson Award, exemplifies the qualities of a Reach Out and Read site taking a leadership role in its community. The health center's program has expanded to two sites serving a diverse population, including Spanish-and Vietnamese-speaking families. Program volunteers include high school students recruited by the State Office of Black Affairs.
 
"Northwest Community Health Center is representative of the many Reach Out and Read programs in hospitals and health centers across the country who are successfully putting the program into practice and having a positive impact on the lives of thousands of young children," commented Perri Klass, MD, Medical Director of Reach Out and Read.
 
About Scholastic Corporation
Scholastic is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books. As a global children's publishing and media company serving the needs of parents, teachers, and children, Scholastic provides proprietary book and software distribution through school book clubs, school book fairs and to classrooms, as well as through the retail trade. Since 1920, Scholastic has created quality educational materials for schools and has expanded its reach to include the distribution of books, software, toys, online learning services and television programming directly to the home. Scholastic's Grolier division is the leading print and online publisher of children's reference materials and the leader in children's direct-to-home book clubs. Internationally, Scholastic operates wholly owned companies in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, The Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom. The U.S. Scholastic web site is a leading provider of educational services online for parents, teachers and children.
 
About Reach Out and Read
Reach Out and Read, with programs in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, currently provides literacy counseling and books to 1.5 million children annually. ROR makes literacy promotion a standard part of pediatric primary care, so that children grow up with books and a love of reading. Reach Out and Read trains doctors and nurses to advise parents about the importance of reading aloud and to give books to children at pediatric check-ups from six months to five years of age, with a special focus on children growing up in poverty. By building on the unique relationship between parents and medical providers, Reach Out and Read helps families and communities encourage early literacy skills so children enter school prepared for success in reading. Reach Out and Read is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Contacts:
Reach Out and Read
Nancy Berman
617-629-8042 x225
 
Scholastic
Andrea Reibel
212-343-4563
 
Scholastic
Judy Corman
212-343-6833