The Learning Alliance is coordinating our next “Moonshot BIG READ” to have 8,000+ IRC community members reading the story on October 29, 2020!

Join the Moonshot Community on October 29 for our annual “Moonshot Big Read” in conjunction with JumpStart’s 15th annual Read for the Record, where we all read the same story on the same day. The purpose of the event is to highlight the importance of building early literacy and language skills and to bring awareness to the nationally-recognized Moonshot Moment work in Indian River County. This year’s story, selected by JumpStart, is “Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away” by Meg Medina, telling the heartwarming tale of two best friends on the day before one of them moves away.

During the one-day book “Moonshot Big Read” children and adults throughout the County will read the touching story of friendship as told in this book, which fosters language and social-emotional development, honors the diversity in our world, has a strong narrative, and appeals to young children.

“Our Moonshot Big Read is an opportunity to celebrate literacy while sharing a unifying message within our community about the importance of building early literacy and language skills for every child so that all children have the opportunity to enter kindergarten prepared to succeed,” shared Marie O’Brien, The Learning Alliance’s coordinator for this Moonshot event.

“Each year, our Moonshot BIG READ is about building a culture of reading around a title. Now, more than ever, the world needs some joy. Celebrating books and children is something we can all feel good about. With our Moonshot Big Read, we can all appreciate and talk about the message from the story. It’s like when everyone has seen the same movie, and this is that … but with a book,” continued O’Brien.

It’s important to start reading with your children at an early age. Reading books aloud to children helps them develop language and listening skills and prepares them to understand the written word. This shared time together is critical and creates a sense of intimacy and well-being.

Shared reading helps with school readiness, language development, vocabulary and thinking skills. Vocabulary is one of the best predictors for how your child will do with reading comprehension.

If you want to participate in the Moonshot Big Read, contact Marie O’Brien at mobrien@thelearningalliance.org or visit our Facebook page (@MoonshotMoment) to view a video and list of events celebrating this annual Community Read.