News Details (Posted: August 23, 2007):

Carmel Valley FasTracKids Collecting New and Gently Used Children's Books for San Diego Council On Literacy

Contact Information:

denise scatena

Full Description:

FasTracKids® of Carmel Valley Hosts Free Children’s Reading Event: Sept. 20, 2007 Record-Breaking Reading Events Designed to Spark Lifelong Love of Learning; New and Gently Used Children’s Books Collected from Sept. 1-30, 2007 for The San Diego Council on Literacy FasTracKids Enrichment Center of Carmel Valley will celebrate Jumpstart’s Read for the Record, a national campaign to engage hundreds of thousands of children and adults in breaking the world record for the most children reading the same book on the same day. Three San Diego County FasTracKids locations will open their doors on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007, to host the community in a fun-filled, free event to include a group reading event for children and their families. Children can participate in interactive craft and art activities to support the book chosen, The Story of Ferdinand. In addition to the one-day event, the three FasTracKids locations will collect gently used children’s books for The San Diego Council on Literacy throughout the month of September, 2007. FasTracKids’ partnership with Jumpstart’s Read for the Record campaign will help create the largest shared reading experience ever on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007, and challenge the record set on a single day in August, 2006, when 150,000 people read the same book across the country. FasTracKids invites readers of all ages to attend the event to read the campaign’s official book, The Story of Ferdinand. At the Carmel Valley location of FasTracKids the reading event on Thursday, Sept. 20 will last from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., with group readings occurring every 30 minutes. In addition to readings there will be hands-on activities for children and light snacks. Every guest will receive a coupon for a free FasTracKids class and will be entered to win their very own copy of The Story of Ferdinand book. Children can also experience the FasTrack Learning Station, a unique combination of computer technology, LCD projection and an interactive white board responsive to touch. RSVP is strongly recommended; please call 858-720-0111 or send a message to cv@fastrackids.com. FasTracKids of Carmel Valley is located at 4653 Carmel Mountain Road, Suite 304, San Diego, CA 92130 in the Torrey Hills Marketplace (Vons Shopping Center). To learn more about FasTracKids, please visit http://www.sdenrichmentplace.c­om. BOOK DRIVE INFORMATION: From Sept. 1 through 30, 2007, FasTracKids of Carmel Valley will also host a children’s book drive. They are collecting new and gently used children’s books that are age appropriate for children ages 8 and under. The books will be donated to The San Diego Council on Literacy, a non-profit organization that provides resources and leadership to support and build the Literacy Network in new and existing literacy efforts. This network of more than 20 literacy service programs provides no-cost literacy assistance to approximately 75,000 adults, families and children each year. Parents and families who donate books at the center will receive a small gift in appreciation from FasTracKids of San Diego County. To learn more about the book drive and the Sept. 20 free community event, please visit http://www.sdenrichmentplace.c­om or call 858-720-0111. “Children are born learning, but not all children have the same advantages for early education or enrichment,” explains Renee Zau, General Manager of FasTracKids in Carmel Valley. “At FasTracKids, we’re building on the natural curiosity of the youngest learners. By hosting Jumpstart’s Read for the Record, we can help raise public awareness about the early education gap that exists between income levels, and share our goals for enriching children with the knowledge to become creative thinkers, skilled leaders and resourceful problem solvers.”