Join the Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! and Get Kids Reading 'Four or More' Books to Help Give Books to Children in Need

NEW YORK, May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- While summer is about fun for kids, it is also an important time to keep their skills sharp in order to avoid the "Summer Slide" -- a common loss of skills due simply to being out of school. The "Summer Solution," according to educators, is to read four or more books. That's why Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education, and media company, and Target are getting kids excited about reading with Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ!(TM), a multi-faceted campaign that motivates kids to read and champions the important role parents, educators and librarians play in helping kids find books that will keep them reading all summer long.

"Summer is a perfect time for kids to experience reading as a fun activity that can be done indoors and out," said Francie Alexander, Chief Academic Officer at Scholastic. "The Kids and Family Reading Report (TM) shows that kids reading after age eight declines and the number one reason, they say, is they can't find books they like to read. Parents play a critical role, and they can keep it fun by helping their kids identify books that they really want to read. This summer, we are excited to be teaming up with Target to make reading fun for kids and encourage parents to get involved."

To kick-off the summer fun, the Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! Web site at http://www.scholastic.com/summerreading, will be THE online destination for kids, parents, teachers and librarians all summer long. This exciting kid-inspired site will provide book logs, interactive activities, and a reading community where kids can connect and share their love for books through multimedia submissions. Kids and families can also enter for a chance to win a family vacation from American Airlines and AA Vacations. At the site, parents and educators will find extensive book lists in English and Spanish and expert advice that will help engage kids in reading. In addition, both Woman's Day and Selecciones magazines will offer summer-long reading editorial and online series to help parents engage their children and make reading fun for kids.

"We're excited to work with Scholastic to reward youth for their commitment to reading this summer," said Laysha Ward, Vice President, Community Relations, Target. "Because reading is the foundation for life-long learning, Target shares Scholastic's mission of keeping students engaged and learning year round."

Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! for Kids:

Throughout the summer, kids who read will also help put books into the hands of children in need. For every four books logged on the Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! Reading Logs located at http://www.scholastic.com/summerreading, Scholastic will donate a book to Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation's largest and oldest children's literacy organization. Up to 50,000 books will be distributed to kids who might not otherwise be able to own a book of their own.

The Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! will also let kids interact with books and other readers through fun games and activities including:

-- Show Us Your Book Buzz community-based activity invites kids to enter their "Buzz" about books via multimedia submissions -- Fabulous Sweepstakes Prizes from American Airlines including the grand prize of a family vacation to Orlando, Florida -- Weekly book picks and trivia quizzes that kids will love -- Interactive "Buzz" message boards where kids can chat about books and role-play their favorite literary characters -- E-cards for kids to create and share their book reviews with friends and family -- "Book Buzz" Wallpaper will let kids create and customize their own desktop computer -- Reading Logs to track and rate favorite books -- Downloadable "Flip For Reading" Game -- an origami reading game that gets kids talking about reading in a fun, cool new way Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! for Parents and Caregivers:

The Kids and Family Reading Report shows that parents are a top source of book selections for kids who read the most. The Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! Web site will offer extensive, age-appropriate summer book lists in Spanish and English to help parents find books their kids will want to read. The site will also offer expert advice on how to make reading fun at home or on a family vacation. There also will be "how-to" videos for parents and an interactive activity where parents can tour a virtual house and learn how to turn various rooms into "Reading Central."

The Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! will be the focus of two editorial series for families starting with the June issues of Woman's Day and Selecciones. Woman's Day will offer a five-part online series and magazine articles about helping make summer reading fun for kids and parents. Selecciones, the world's leading Spanish-language magazine, will introduce a five-part print and online series on the Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! called ¡BuZZZca tus lecturas de verano! from June to October, which includes monthly theme-related sweepstakes to win great books and educational games from Scholastic.

Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! for Librarians and Teachers:

The Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! Web site at http://www.scholastic.com/summerreading will feature a dedicated area for teachers and librarians of grades K-8, which includes a special downloadable summer reading guide, sponsored by Target, that includes age-appropriate book lists, fun reading activities, and Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ! book logs for children to take home and use throughout the summer to track their books. Teachers and librarians also can download bookmarks, bulletin board materials, and printable Summer Reading Certificates, as well as bookplates and shelf signs that will draw kids' attention to Scholastic Summer Reading BUZZ!-recommended books.

About Scholastic

Scholastic Corporation 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, http://www.scholastic.com/.

About Target

Minneapolis-based Target serves guests at 1,502 stores in 47 states nationwide by delivering today's best retail trends at affordable prices. Target is committed to providing guests with great design through innovative products, in-store experiences and community partnerships. Whether visiting a Target store or shopping online at http://www.target.com/, guests enjoy a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to thousands of unique and highly differentiated items. Target gives more than $3 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Since opening its first store in 1962, Target has partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs.