More than a decade ago, Jumpstart’s Read for the Record® was born as a way to bring attention to the importance of early literacy for young children. Without high-quality early literacy experiences, children are less likely to be successful beginning readers, creating an opportunity gap that grows wider with age. However, a love of stories and reading can help ignite a passion for learning that will carry children throughout their whole lives. Our annual awareness campaign and celebration soon grew into a record-breaking event, bringing together millions of adults and children from all around the world every October to champion the importance of early literacy.

On October 19 was our 12th Read for the Record and this year’s book, Quackers by Liz Wong, allows us to bring early literacy to the forefront while also highlighting some of the most important, common themes of childhood (and sometimes adulthood, for that matter!) – friendship, fitting in, feeling different, and figuring out our sense of self. Storybooks are an invaluable way for children to see themselves and their experiences reflected in the world, and explore how others have handled the issues they find themselves facing.

Reading a story that reminds you of your own life is extraordinarily validating, and, for young children, it can be one of the best ways to encourage communication, growth, and understanding.

We hope you enjoy following Quackers through his adventures in self-discovery. Perhaps this will be an opportunity for you to start a conversation with your students and children about their own ideas of identity, or maybe it will inspire you to connect with your local elected officials to advocate for greater investment in early literacy. However you choose to spend Read for the Record this year, know that you’ll be in good company – from Portland to Palm Beach and Sao Paolo to Hong Kong, adults and children across the global will be joining us to read, connect, and succeed. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!