Governor Ryan Encourages Kids and Families to Read Together During the Holidays

SPRINGFIELD - Governor George H. Ryan, today encouraged Illinois families to take time out during this holiday season for reading.

"The holidays present a unique opportunity for children and their families to be together and explore different places that they can go and spend time reading to each other," Gov. Ryan said.

Earlier this week the U.S. Department of Education unveiled Home for the Holidays...Reading Together, a national campaign encouraging children and families across the country to read together during the holidays.

By taking part in the national campaign, Governor Ryan added that children can simultaneously participate in "Illinois Reads in Special Places", launched earlier this year. "Illinois Reads in Special Places" challenges children to find different and unusual places to enjoy reading. As a special incentive, Governor Ryan asked that children write back with drawings, photos, poems, essays or other works conveying their experiences. The best of these works will be published in a book at the end of the 2002 school year.