MADRID–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pocoyo, the little boy in blue who has captured the hearts of
children and their parents the world over, and actor/writer/presenter
Stephen Fry, who narrates the animated Pocoyo television series,
will appear together in the “Get Caught Reading” annual national
campaign in May organized by the Association of American Publishers, the
trade association representing the premier U.S. publishing companies.
The “Get Caught Reading” initiative was created to remind people of all
ages how much fun it is to read. As part of the campaign, Pocoyo is
depicted “caught reading” with Fry in posters made available to teachers
and parents for use in classrooms (www.getcaughtreading.org),
libraries and other locations throughout the country.

“Small children already see Pocoyo as a reflection of themselves,
their curiosity about and discovery of the world around them”

In addition to his numerous film and television roles (Sherlock
Holmes: A Game of Shadows, The Hobbit: There and Back, and hit TV
series, Bones), Fry is an accomplished writer, performer and film
director, who has contributed columns and articles to newspapers and
magazines and has written four novels and a two-volume autobiography.

“Since I was a young boy reading has given me great joy, transported me
to extraordinary places and helped me to experience amazing escapades,”
said Fry. “It is my pleasure to remind others that reading books is an
incredible passport to a lifetime of unlimited adventure, and I am
honored to participate in this year’s ‘Get Caught Reading’ campaign.”

“Pocoyo is a wonderful vehicle for introducing young children to
reading, both in terms of developing language skills and in enjoying the
written word,” said Maria Doolan, Managing Director of Brand and

Article source: PRNewswire

TEANECK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Kumon,
the world’s largest after-school math and reading enrichment program,
raised $68,860 through a nationwide campaign in March to benefit Reading
Is Fundamental (RIF), the country’s largest children’s literacy
non-profit organization. The donation, equivalent to more than 27,000
new books, will be given to children in underserved communities. More
than 850 Kumon Centers participated in the campaign by holding literacy
themed open house events. Many centers also held book drives to support
their local RIF chapters, schools or libraries.

“With only one book for every 300
children in low-income communities in the U.S., we were thrilled to have
partnered with Kumon to support young people in need.”

“It has been our pleasure to partner with an education company that
truly values strong literacy skills among all children,” said Carol H.
Rasco, president and CEO of RIF. “With only one book for every 300
children in low-income communities in the U.S., we were thrilled to have
partnered with Kumon to support young people in need.”

To celebrate the successful partnership, executives from Kumon North
America along with Kumon Instructors presented the donation to Reading
Is Fundamental representatives on May 16.

“Establishing strong literacy skills early in children’s lives can
significantly impact their future,” said Mary Mokris, Ph.D., vice
president of materials and instruction for Kumon North America. “Kumon’s
reading comprehension program aligns with RIF’s mission because it
strives not only to enhance the reading ability of children, but also to
create lifelong readers who develop to their fullest potential and
positively contribute to their community.”

This was Kumon’s first nationwide partnership with

Article source: PRNewswire

Springfield, MO, May 17, 2012 –(PR.com)– The Branson Power Advocacy Intensive training will be something new for families with children who suffer from attachment disorders and complex trauma issues—frequently foster-adopted children. The conference, organized and hosted by the Nigliazzo Advocacy Center, LLC, will give families powerful tools—legal and otherwise–to help them advocate for their special needs child.

The Nigliazzo Advocacy Center of West Plains, MO, founded by Michele K. Nigliazzo, Esq., will hold its “Branson Power Advocacy Intensive” conference in Branson, MO at the Lodge of the Ozarks—right on the Branson strip—from August 2nd through 4th, 2012.

The conference, designed to empower parents whose child(ren) suffered from early childhood trauma and who sadly, often fall victim to ineffective case management from schools, court systems and departments of social and health services, will send attendees home well equipped, understanding their child’s rights, empowered and able to take on the bureaucratic institutions that often haven’t the foggiest idea how to deal with the unique needs of attachment disordered children.

“In addition to the day-to-day supervision and extra care these parents give, they have to advocate for their child every single day as well. Whether it is the babysitter, family members, well-meaning friends, or, with more serious issues such as subsidies, IEP law, subsidy contracts, or Social Security disability issues, no one will ever fight for these children better than their own parents,” states Nigliazzo.

Best selling author and child advocate, Toni Hoy, will share her book, “Second Time Foster Child”—on the Amazon.com Best Seller List in three categories–and present humorous, but powerful information, on advocating for these children within a system that often seems designed to fight against them and their parents.

In addition, Julie Beem, Executive Director of Attachment Trauma Network, will provide insight into how parents can organize and maintain a support system that can meaningfully help their families.

Details on discounts, sponsorships, scholarships, accommodations, and all else may easily be found at: http://www.nigliazzoadvocacycenter.com/conference-information.html

Interested parties should call 417-255-8780 or email Administrator@NigliazzoAdvocacyCenter.com with questions.

Article source: PRNewswire

Campbell, CA, May 17, 2012 –(PR.com)– Building Peaceful Families (BPF), a Silicon Valley non-profit organization – in partnership with the San Francisco 49ers and the Santa Clara County Office of Education Foster Youth Services – today announced a call for entries for the annual Top Dads Award Essay Contest. Bay Area children ages 5 through 17 are invited to submit essays describing why their father or father figure should be selected for the prestigious Top Dads Award. Essays are due on or before May 25, 2012.

Fifty winning essays will be selected from all entries received. The winners (50 kids and 50 fathers/father figures) will be invited to attend the Top Dads Award Luncheon on June 8, 2012. At the event, four first-place essay writers will receive a grand prize package that includes tickets to a San Francisco 49ers game, a Target gift card, and more.

“We encourage all kids to really think about the important role their father or father figure plays in their life – particularly when it comes to teaching self-respect and respect for others – and then share those thoughts by submitting an essay nominating him for this award,” said Sharon Chatman, founder and chairman of Building Peaceful Families. “We look forward to celebrating the Bay Area’s fifty Top Dads, along with their kids, on June 8th.”

The Top Dads Essay Contest Entry Form, instructions, and more information are available now at www.buildingpeacefulfamilies.org/topdads. Essays must be written by children ages 5 through 17, typed or hand-written, in legible English. Contest prize categories are: ages 5 through 7; ages 8 through 10; ages 11 through 13; and ages 14 through 17. There is no fee to participate, and every young person who submits an essay will receive a Certificate of Excellence.

About the Top Dads Award Luncheon
The Top Dads Award Luncheon is open to the public. Held annually in June, this event celebrates the positive impact a father/father figure has on his family and the community. The festivities include a delicious luncheon, guest speakers, raffle prizes, health and wellness workshop, and more.

Date: Friday, June 8, 2012
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Place: San Jose Airport Garden Hotel
1740 North First Street, San Jose
Cost: $50 per person / $500 per table of 10

Tickets are available now. For more information, visit www.buildingpeacefulfamilies.org/topdads.

About Building Peaceful Families
Building Peaceful Families is a Silicon Valley 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health, safety, and well being of children by educating, honoring, and encouraging involved, responsible, and committed parenting. Since 2005, we have offered inspirational programs and events, with a special outreach to children, senior citizens, and victims of domestic

Article source: PRNewswire

NEW YORK |
Thu May 17, 2012 3:16am EDT

NEW YORK (Reuters) – New York and Boston may strike many as more intellectual but Alexandria, a small urban area in Virginia just outside Washington, D.C., is the most well-read city in the United States.

Alexandria was one of three Virginia cities on the Amazon.com list of the 20 most well-read cities. It topped Cambridge, Massachusetts, the home of Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Berkeley, California to take the top spot.

Ann Arbor in Michigan and Boulder, Colorado rounded out the top five, while Miami, Florida, which is better known for its balmy climate, enticing beaches and nightlife came in sixth.

“It’s great to see that we are truly a nation of readers, with representation on this list from every region of the country,” Chris Schluep, senior editor of books for Amazon.com, said in a statement announcing the results.

The online retailer compiled the list of the 20 most read cities with populations of more than 100,000 residents using sales data on books, magazine and newspaper and eBooks since June last year.

Arlington and Richmond, both in Virginia, also made the ranking, along with Washington, D.C., which placed ninth on the list. Florida had two other bookish cities — Gainesville, which came in eighth and Orlando, which ranked 14th.

When Amazon took a closer look at the types of books people were reading it found that residents of Boulder were the most health conscious with an emphasis on health, fitness and diet books but people living in Berkeley ordered the most travel books.

Alexandria is a city of romantics and locals living in Cambridge were most interested in business and investing books.

(Reporting by Patricia Reaney, editing By Christine Kearney)

Article source: PRNewswire