Jumpstart

We're so proud to spotlight our First-Time Participant Award winner: Wallace A. Smith Elementary School in Ooltewah, TN. 🏫✨

For their very first Read for the Record, they threw open their doors to the whole community, welcoming the superintendent, the local news crew, and neighbors to read See Marcus Grow to every classroom at the same time.

And when the school day ended? The celebration kept going with a literacy night with food trucks, smiles everywhere, and more than 800 people in attendance.

Congratulations to Wallace A. Smith Elementary School and thank you for showing the children in your community the value of shared reading. 🎉 That's exactly what Read for the Record Day is all about. We can't wait to see how you participate in the 21st annual Read for the Record!

What an incredible night at Fenway Park! ⚾ Recently, Jumpstart staff, volunteers, and their friends and family had the honor of attending a game through the Red Sox’s Commissioner’s Community Initiative - a complimentary ticket program recognizing organizations working to support underserved communities. We are so grateful to the Red Sox, the MLB Commissioner's Office, and the Players Give Back program for this special recognition and for championing the important work happening for children every day. 🙏

👉 Swipe to see a little surprise from the last time we teamed up with our friends from Fenway. You might recognize a very fuzzy green face… 🟢👀

Boston Red Sox

Yesterday our CEO Crystal Rountree joined The Queen's Reading Room at NYPL The New York Public Library for a day in honor of Her Majesty Queen Camilla, hosted in partnership with CVC.

The morning roundtable brought together nonprofit leaders, neuroscientists, and researchers to examine the evidence behind reading as a tool for wellbeing and trauma recovery.

One striking finding: Just five minutes of reading fiction can reduce stress by nearly 20%. The afternoon continued with a fireside chat featuring authors Min Jin Lee and Harlan Coben, moderated by Jenna Bush Hager, followed by a literary reception hosted on behalf of the British Ambassador to the United States, Sir Christian Turner KCMG.

At Jumpstart, the power of reading begins at ages 3 to 5, when a trained caring individual transforms a read-aloud into a real back-and-forth conversation with a child. That's how language, literacy, and life skills take root. The Queen's Reading Room is building the evidence base for how reading shapes wellbeing across the life course. We're proud to be there during the foundational years that make it all possible.

At the reception, Crystal had the chance to share Jumpstart's mission directly with Her Majesty. Her affirmation of the importance of the earliest years reflected what we hear from families, educators, and communities every day.

Deep thanks to The Queen's Reading Room for the invitation, to CVC for making the day possible, and to The New York Public Library for hosting. We look forward to deepening our impact alongside The Queen's Reading Room, Reading Partners, and fellow literacy champions.

YOU did this. 📚✨

2.1 million readers.
180,000+ books in little hands.
51 states and territories.
13 countries.
ONE historic year.

The 20th anniversary of Jumpstart's Read for the Record™ goes down in history because of you. Every educator who read aloud. Every family who curled up on the couch. Every librarian, volunteer, and community partner who showed up for early literacy.

Drop a ❤️ or a 🙌 in the comments if you were part of this historic year. We want to celebrate every single one of you.