First lady Jane Beshear is traveling throughout the Commonwealth to promote literacy and to encourage Kentuckians to pick up and read a book this holiday season.

Mrs. Beshear recently visited the family scholar house and announced that scholastic has donated 500 books to Kentucky children as part of its “give the gift of reading this holiday season” campaign.

The First Lady stated the gift of reading lasts long beyond the final pages of a good book; it gives our children the foundation they need to learn and succeed as they grow up.

Mrs. Beshear added that children from all walks of life deserve access to quality books and the encouragement to keep reading.  

The First Lady has served as a Scholastic Reading Ambassador for the past four years as a part of her comprehensive literacy efforts.

Scholastic donates 500 books every summer to each participating state to help promote summer reading and earlier this year and also donated 1,000 books as part of the Governor’s tornado relief book drive to support Kentucky schools damaged by the severe tornadoes.  

First Lady Jane Beshear’s will be releasing her upcoming 2012 winter reading list for children of all ages to help promote youth readership across Kentucky.
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