Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County

Read for the Record 2025-26
2026-02-26 | FL
Read For The Record

Read for the Record 20th Anniversary
WEEK 20: See Marcus Grow
We are in the 20th week of our special 20-week anniversary celebration, where each week you can enjoy the featured beloved book from the 20-year history, all building toward our culminating Read for the Record Day on February 26, 2026.
You can view this book and enjoy the story for one week by clicking on the image or by clicking on the button.
Read for the Record

The Literacy Coalition is coordinating Read for the Record in Palm Beach County for the 19th year on October 24, 2024
Read for the Record brings together millions of people each year in classrooms, libraries, community centers and homes across the US. This annual campaign was launched 19 years ago to highlight 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. The Literacy Coalition and our local partner, PNC Grow Up Great, have joined Jumpstart’s national Read for the Record campaign again to coordinate locally for thousands of adults to read the chosen book to children across the county on a single day. The Literacy Coalition is working locally with municipal leaders, businesses and individual volunteers to make a huge impact. Register your municipality or register as a volunteer reader below:
Celebrating 20 Years!
Read for the Record Day:
February 26, 2026
For 20 years, the Literacy Coalition has coordinated municipal leaders, businesses and individuals to make an impact through Read for the Record, an early literacy initiative connecting adults and children through shared reading experiences. Presented nationally by Jumpstart, a national early education organization, and locally by the Literacy Coalition, we are excited to announce our plans for the 20th anniversary year of Read for the Record.
The Literacy Coalition is celebrating the 20th Read for the Record Campaign with Jumpstart and local sponsor PNC Grow Up Great in an extended celebration including Read for the Record Day on February 26, 2026.*
Throughout the celebration, the Literacy Coalition is highlighting 5 books from past campaigns and featuring them in our Read with Me! volunteer program throughout the year. Volunteers can volunteer to read the book and share the activities with kindergarten students:
Oct. 10: The Little Engine That Could
Nov. 14: Llama Llama Red Pajama
Dec. 12: Not Norman: A Goldfish Story
Jan. 16: Thank You, Omu!
Feb. 26*: See Marcus Grow
March 27: Nigel and the Moon See Marcus Grow, written by Marcus Bridgewater and illustrated by Reggie Brown, is a vibrant picture book that introduces young readers to the wonders of gardening while exploring themes of curiosity, discovery, nurturing and growth. In this story, the young character named Marcus learns from his grandmother in her garden. The book beautifully illustrates the parallel between plant care and human development, sharing the wisdom that both children and seedlings need “water and air and sunshine. And space to grow.”
Marcus Bridgewater, also known as the social media sensation “Garden Marcus”, shows the lessons he learned in his grandma’s garden when he was growing up.
Read for the Record 20th Anniversary
WEEK 2: The Story of Ferdinand
We are in the second week of our special 20-week anniversary celebration, where each week you can enjoy the featured beloved book from the 20-year history, all building toward our culminating Read for the Record Day on February 26, 2026.
You can view this book and enjoy the story for one week by clicking on the image or by clicking on the button.
Thank you to our sponsors

Read for the Record 20th Anniversary
WEEK 1: The Little Engine That Could
Today marks the beginning of our special 20-week anniversary celebration, where each week you can enjoy the featured beloved book from the 20-year history, all building toward our culminating Read for the Record Day on February 26, 2026.
You can view this book and enjoy the story for one week by clicking on the image or by clicking on the button.
Read for the Record

Celebrating 20 Years!
SAVE THE DATE: February 26, 2026
For 20 years, the Literacy Coalition has coordinated municipal leaders, businesses and individuals to make an impact through Read for the Record, an early literacy initiative connecting adults and children through shared reading experiences. Presented nationally by Jumpstart, a national early education organization, and locally by the Literacy Coalition, we are excited to announce our plans for the 20th anniversary year of Read for the Record.
The Literacy Coalition is celebrating the 20th Read for the Record Campaign with Jumpstart and local sponsor PNC Grow Up Great in an extended celebration including Read for the Record Day on February 26, 2026.*
Throughout the celebration, the Literacy Coalition is highlighting 5 books from past campaigns and featuring them in our Read with Me! volunteer program throughout the year. Volunteers can volunteer to read the book and share the activities with kindergarten students:
Oct. 10: The Little Engine That Could
Nov. 14: Llama Llama Red Pajama
Dec. 12: Not Norman: A Goldfish Story
Jan. 16: Thank You, Omu!
Feb. 26*: See Marcus Grow
March 27: Nigel and the Moon
Registration opens soon for the Feb. 26, 2026, Read for the Record Day. See Marcus Grow, written by Marcus Bridgewater and illustrated by Reggie Brown, is a vibrant picture book that introduces young readers to the wonders of gardening while exploring themes of curiosity, discovery, nurturing and growth. In this story, the young character named Marcus learns from his grandmother in her garden. The book beautifully illustrates the parallel between plant care and human development, sharing the wisdom that both children and seedlings need “water and air and sunshine. And space to grow.”
Marcus Bridgewater, also known as the social media sensation “Garden Marcus”, shows the lessons he learned in his grandma’s garden when he was growing up. The Literacy Coalition and our local partner, PNC Grow Up Great, have joined Jumpstart’s National Read for the Record campaign again to coordinate locally for thousands of adults to read the chosen book to children across the county on a single day. The Literacy Coalition is working locally with municipal leaders, businesses and individual volunteers to make a huge impact.
We are grateful for the local campaign support of PNC Grow Up Great.

WEEK 1
October 13, 2025

WEEK 2
October 20, 2025

WEEK 3
October 27, 2025

WEEK 4
November 3, 2025

20 Years of Read for the Record Books

2006 The Little Engine That Could

2007 The Story of Ferdinand

2008 Corduroy

2009 The Very Hungry Caterpillar

WEEK 5
November 10, 2025

WEEK 6
November 17, 2025

WEEK 7
November 24, 2025

WEEK 8
December 1, 2025

2010 The Snowy Day

2011 Llama Llama Red Pajama

2012 Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad

2013 Otis

Click on the button below to access the digital version of Piper Chen Sings to read to children on October 24, 2024

WEEK 9
December 8, 2025

WEEK 10
December 15, 2025

WEEK 11
December 22, 2025

WEEK 12
December 29, 2025

2014 Bunny Cakes

2015 Not Norman: A Goldfish Story

2016 The Bear Ate Your Sandwich

2017 Quackers

Download the helpful Reading and Activity Guides, below

WEEK 13
January 5, 2026

WEEK 14
January 12, 2026

WEEK 15
January 19, 2026

WEEK 16
January 26 2026

2018 Maybe Something Beautiful

2019 Thank You, Omu!

2020 Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away

2021 Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon

WEEK 17
February 2, 2026

WEEK 18
February 9, 2026

WEEK 19
February 16, 2026

WEEK 20
February 26, 2026

2022 Nigel and the Moon

2023 With Lots of Love

2024 Piper Chen Sings

2025-2026 See Marcus Grow
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2024 Read for the Record Campaign Highlights

2024 Read for the Record Book Selection
This year’s book selection is Piper Chen Sings by Grammy winner and Tony-nominated actress Phillipa Soo, Maris Pasquale Doran and illustrated by Qin Leng. It is a story about a young girl who loves to express herself through singing but is struck with self-doubt and nervousness when asked to perform a solo in front of an audience. Piper tells her Nai Nai that she felt “like butterflies were having a dance party” in her belly; she doesn’t feel she can sing in front of others without making a mistake. Thankfully, Nai Nai teaches Piper that feeling butterflies means “something exciting was ahead” and that recognizing and welcoming that anxious feeling would help it pass. Nai Nai’s advice empowers Piper, who finds her voice on stage.
Watch the authors Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran read the book

Watch the interview with author Phillipa Soo as she unveils the book

Thank You to Our Sponsors

19th Read for the Record Campaign Highlights
Thank you to all the municipal leaders and staff who gave their time to support this annual campaign to raise awareness of the importance of early literacy and for taking the time to read. A special thank you is also extended to the League of Cities for serving as our campaign partner and to PNC Grow Up Great for being our presenting campaign sponsor.
40 Children from Atkins Childcare Center in Riviera Beach and the Literacy Coalition’s Glades Family Education Program attended a special event at the Coalition’s Blume Literacy Center with celebrity guest reader, Tania Rogers, news anchor for WPTV 5. Also in attendance was Cindy Pilloni, from PNC Bank and PNC Grow Up Great, our campaign presenting sponsor.
The Village of Wellington was the winner of the Large Municipality category, the Village of Palm Springs was the winner of the Mid-Size Municipality category, and the Town of Lantana was the winner of the Small Municipality category. Thank you to everyone who participated! The selected book was Piper Chen Sings by Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran, illustrated by Qin Leng. It is a story about a young girl who loves to express herself through singing but is struck with self-doubt and nervousness when asked to perform a solo in front of an audience. Piper tells her Nai Nai that she felt “like butterflies were having a dance party” in her belly; she doesn’t feel she can sing in front of others without making a mistake. Thankfully, Nai Nai teaches Piper that feeling butterflies means “something exciting was ahead” and that recognizing and welcoming that anxious feeling would help it pass. Nai Nai’s advice empowers Piper, who finds her voice on stage.
2024 MUNICIPALITIES PARTICIPATING:

Small Municipalities

Town of Cloud Lake
Town of Haverhill
Town of Juno Beach
Town of Lake Park — Honorable Mention
Town of Lantana — WINNER
Town of Loxahatchee Groves
Village of North Palm Beach — Honorable Mention
City of Pahokee
City of South Bay

Winner of the Small Municipality Category: Town of Lantana: L to R: Town of Lantana Libray Manager Bailey Maxwell, Town of Lantana Councilmember Kem Mason, Town of Lantana Town Manager Brian K. Raducci, Town of Lantana Mayor Karen Lythgoe, City of Palm Beach Gardens Mayor and League of Cities President Chelsea Reed, Town of Lantana Library Director Kristine Kreidler, Executive Assistant Maria Rios and Literacy Coalition CEO Kristin Calder.
Mid-Size Municipalities

City of Belle Glade
City of Greenacres — Honorable Mention
City of Lake Worth Beach
Village of Palm Springs — WINNER
City of Riveria Beach
Village of Royal Palm Beach — Honorable Mention

Winner of the Mid-Size Municipality Catagory: Village of Palm Springs: L to R: City of Palm Beach Gardens Mayor and League of Cities President Chelsea Reed, Village of Palm Springs Mayor Bev Smith, Village of Palm Springs Councilmember Kim Schmitz, Village of Palm Springs Councilmember Gary Ready, Village of Palm Springs Vice Mayor Pro Tem Patti Waller, Village of Palm Springs Assistant Village Manager Kim Glas-Castro and Literacy Coalition CEO Kristin Calder.
Large Municipalities

City of Boca Raton
City of Boynton Beach
City of Delray Beach — Honorable Mention
Town of Jupiter
City of Palm Beach Gardens
Village of Wellington — WINNER
City of West Palm Beach — Honorable Mention

Winner of the Large Municipality Category: Village of Wellington: L to R: City of Palm Beach Gardens Mayor and League of Cities President Chelsea Reed, former Village of Wellington Mayor and Florida House of Representatives, Anne Gerwig and Literacy Coalition CEO Kristin Calder. The children and teachers from Atkins Childcare Center in Riviera Beach and the Coalition’s Glades Family Education Program enjoyed a morning of fun at the Boynton Beach Arts and Cultural Center. The children were engaged in book extension activities that enriched their enjoyment of the book, and then they participated in the release of live butterflies at the Center’s Butterfly Garden. Also pictured are Cynthia Pilloni from PNC Bank and PNC Grow Up Great, Tania Rogers from WPTV 5, CEO Kristin Calder and Coalition staff.

LOOP for Literacy - Spirit Race 2026
2026-03-07 08:00 - 10:00 UTC | Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, United States
LOOP for Literacy → Community Spirit Race

SATURDAY, March 7, 2026

A New Chapter in Actively Supporting Literacy
After much thoughtful consideration, we have decided to retire LOOP for Literacy after 15 wonderful years. This community event has been a meaningful tradition, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who has walked, run, cycled, sponsored, and volunteered in support of literacy over the years.
As we look ahead, we are excited to continue championing literacy in a new way – by joining Spirit of Giving’s Community Spirit Race on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Florida Atlantic University’s Flagler Credit Union Stadium in Boca Raton. Partnering in this collaborative nonprofit event will allow us to raise funds efficiently to support and expand our critical literacy programs.
In addition, we are growing our mission-focused community engagement through events like our Author Talk Series and other community reading experiences, designed to inspire readers and strengthen our shared love of literacy.
We’re proud of LOOP for Literacy’s legacy and look forward to this next chapter – one that continues to build community and open doors through the power of reading. Join us on March 7 at the Community Spirit Race.
Registration is Now Open!
Register under the Literacy Coalition Team to support us.

Join the LOOP for Literacy team at registration

FREE LOOP for Literacy Hat
First 50 participants to register for the Community Spirit Race under team LOOP for Literacy will earn a free LOOP for Literacy baseball hat!

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Thank you for Joining Us For Our 15th Year!

Certified Course
AccuChip Timing
Race Tech Shirt
Awards
Finisher Medals
Refreshments
Every child registered receives a book

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday, February 8, 2025. It was a beautiful morning along the Intercoastal Waterway for the 5K walk/run, cycling, and kids races. Event proceeds benefit literacy programs in our community to ensure that children and adults get the literacy help needed to be successful in school and life.
2025 Top 5K Finishers

Men’s 5K Winners
1st Place:
Max Arthay — Time 19:22
2nd Place:
Allan Nosworthy — Time 21:21
3rd Place:
Gergios Loudaros — Time 22:18
Women’s 5K Winners
1st Place:
Josee Paicard-Arsenault — Time 21:01
2nd Place:
Sofia Rodriguez — Time of 22:51
3rd Place:
Emily Abbott — Time 24:35
2025 Other Finishers and Milestones

Over-50 5K Winners
Men’s:
Theodore Belloise — Time 22:59
Women’s:
Susan Needham — Time 27:45

First Cyclist to Finish
Tom Giuffrida
Kids Run Winners
Kids 1-Mile Fun Run-Boys:
Alex Rodriguez — Time 2:14
Kids 1-Mile Fun Run-Girls:
Rhyan Brown — Time 2:25
Kids 100-Yard Dash:
Mason Cole

Top Fundraisers
Individual:
Len Gray
Team:
Holland & Knight and Bill Bone Bike Law
Thanks to the generous support of fundraisers, and sponsors for nearly 600 runners, walkers, and cyclists, the 14th annual LOOP for Literacy raised over $80,000! The proceeds will fund literacy programs provided by the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County. The Coalition focuses on helping children and adults succeed in school and life.

Thank You to Our 2025 LOOP for Literacy Sponsors and Partners
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Love of Literacy Luncheon 2026
2026-04-09 11:30 - 14:00 | Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL, 33401, United States
Love of Literacy Luncheon
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor

New York Times Bestselling Author
Tayari Jones
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
We are excited to announce that our 35th annual Love of Literacy Luncheon featured speaker will be Tayari Jones on April 9! This is Coalition’s signature event, bringing the community together to increase awareness of significant literacy needs and to raise crucial funds to support literacy programs serving our community from Jupiter to Boca Raton to Belle Glade.
New York Times best-selling author Tayari Jones is the author of award-winning novels, including An American Marriage, which is an Oprah’s Book Club Selection and named a notable book by the New York Times and The Washington Post, as well as one of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century by the New York Times. An American Marriage was also awarded the Women’s Prize for Fiction, the Aspen Words Prize, and an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work in Fiction. It has been published in over 20 countries, with more than a million copies in print around the world.
Jones has written a new unforgettable novel Kin, (released Feb 24, 2026), that sparkles with wit and intelligence and deep feeling about two lifelong friends whose worlds converge after many years apart in the face of a devastating tragedy. A novel about mothers and daughters, friendship and sisterhood, and the complexities of being a woman in the American South, Kin is an exuberant, emotionally rich, unforgettable work from one of the brightest and most irresistible voices in contemporary fiction.
Jones, a 2021 Guggenheim Fellow, is a recipient of the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, United States Artist Fellowship, NEA Fellowship, and Radcliffe Institute Bunting Fellowship. Her third novel, Silver Sparrow, was added to the NEA Big Read Library of classics in 2016. She is a graduate of Spelman College, University of Iowa, and Arizona State University. She is an Andrew D. White Professor-at-Large at Cornell University and the Charles Howard Candler Professor of Creative Writing at Emory University. Contact Dawn for more information: 561-767-3370 or Communications@LiteracyPBC.org
“It’s among Tayari’s many gifts that she can touch us soul to soul with her words.” —Oprah Winfrey | “Kin is the kind of all-encompassing reading experience I’m always hoping to find: smart and funny and deftly profound. This is Tayari Jones’s very best work.” —Ann Patchett

“We are thrilled to celebrate literacy with many business and community leaders in the county at this inspiring event. There is a great literacy need with adults and children in our community, and support from all who attend goes a long way to helping the Literacy Coalition provide and support life-changing literacy programs.”
— Kristin Calder, Literacy Coalition CEO

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

34th Love of Literacy Luncheon
Thank you to our supporters and volunteers who joined us on April 10, 2025, at the Literacy Coalition’s 34th Love of Literacy Luncheon, presented by Bank of America, featuring New York Times and USA Today Best Selling author Victoria Christopher Murray. It was an inspiring and exciting day in celebration of literacy.
Ms. Murray is the author of more than 30 novels including two she co-wrote with Marie Benedict: The Personal Librarian about the remarkable story of J.P. Morgan’s personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, the Black American woman who hid her true identity to leave a lasting legacy and The First Ladies about the extraordinary partnership between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune – an unlikely friendship that changed the world. Her latest book, Harlem Rhapsody, was released Feb. 4, 2025, and is inspired by the life of Jessie Redmon Fauset, the woman who ignited the Harlem Renaissance. With more than 3 million books in print, Victoria is one of the country’s top African American contemporary authors.
Thank You to our 2025 Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor Bank of America; Platinum Sponsors: Brenda Medore; Diamond Sponsors: Shawn M. Donnelley and Christopher M. Kelly, GL Homes, Nan Johnson and Robin Muir, Kosinski Family Foundation and Robinson Family Fund; Gold Sponsors: The Bonutti Family, Barbara & Len Gray, First Horizon Foundation, Gentle Medicine Associates, Inc., Greenberg Traurig, P.A., Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A., Karen Rogers, SCAPS Medical, LLC, Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A. and The Palm Beach Post; Silver Sponsors: Akerman, LLP, Cozen O’Connor, Stephanie Kahlert, The LaFrance Project, The Lynch Family & Plastridge, Lynn University, Nason Yeager Gerson Harris & Fumero, P.A., Stephanie Pew, U.S. Bank and WPTV 5. Thank you to the luncheon, co-chairs, Telsula C. Morgan of Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A. and Lindsay M. Reinhart of Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley.
Click below to view the photos from the 2025 event
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BBR Tutor Training May 11
2026-05-11 09:30 - 16:00 | Blume Literacy Center, 3651 Quantum Blvd., Boynton Beach, FL, 33426, United States
Would you like to help a child improve their reading skills?

Classroom Tutoring
During school hours, tutor three first or second-grade children in reading for 30 minutes each, one-to-one, at selected elementary schools throughout Palm Beach County. Time required: 90-minute sessions twice a week or partner with another volunteer to each tutor one 90-minute session.
After School Tutoring
Commit to tutoring a child in person, one-to-one, in reading comprehension at the Literacy Coalition’s Blume Literacy Center, at various locations in Palm Beach County, or virtually for two hours a week. A background check is required. Requirements: Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. The Literacy Coalition will provide tutoring training.
Volunteer Tutor Training:
Monday, May 11, 2026
Training Location:
Blume Literacy Center, 3651 Quantum Blvd., Boynton Beach
Time: 9:30 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.
NOTE: Upon completion of this training, you will be ready to volunteer in our summer tutoring program or be ready to start tutoring in a classroom when classes resume in the Fall.
For more information, contact:
Jeanne Heavilin | (561) 767-3366 | JHeavilin@LiteracyPBC.org
Maria Soto | (561) 767-3354 | MSoto@LiteracyPBC.org
The Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County is an equal-opportunity employer/program. If you have a disability that requires special services, call us at (561) 279-9103 to ensure the availability of appropriate accommodations.

Literacy Links Golf Tournament 2026
2026-05-15 07:30 - 13:00 | Palm Beach Par 3, 2345 South Ocean Blvd, Palm Beach, FL, 33480, United States
Literacy Links Golf Tournament

Friday, May 15, 2026
Palm Beach Par 3
Join us as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of our annual golf tournament, a signature fundraiser supporting our mission to provide adults and children with the literacy skills they need to succeed in school and in life. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Palm Beach Par 3, this unforgettable event offers an unparalleled golfing experience nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Thank you for joining us for the 9th annual Literacy Links Golf Tournament
Nearly 70 golfers teed up to help raise over $50,000 to support literacy programs for adults and children in Palm Beach County at the 9th annual Literacy Links Golf Tournament on May 9, 2025, at the Palm Beach Par 3.
Literacy Coalition CEO Kristin Calder said, “We appreciate all of our sponsors and participants who helped raise funds for literacy programs in our community. It was a beautiful day, and the golfers enjoyed the beautiful surroundings and a fun experience for an important cause. This event continues to support our mission to help children improve their reading skills.”
Literacy Coalition board member Nancy Vera chaired the tournament and committee members included Caleb Bowser, John Campo and Travis Foels.
Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support: Brenda Medore and Leanne Adair, an anonymous donor, Lennar, Publix Super Markets Charities, The Palm Beach Post, Akerman LLP, Allstate – David Beaumont, Atherton Galardi Mullen & Reeder LLC, Cozen O’Connor, Jones Foster, Kast Construction, Kolter Hospitality, Paul & Faith Meyer, Ed Morse Automotive Group and R. David Williams, P.A..
Click below to view the photos from the 2025 event
Love0 Share Tweet Share The 2025 Literacy Links Golf Tournament winning men’s foursome, L to R: Van Williams, Germany Dixon, Lydia Williams and Anderson Slocombe with Palm Beach State College. The 2025 Literacy Links Golf Tournament runner-up men’s foursome, L to R: Glen Calder, Alexander Creighton, Victor Creighton and Peter Gary with Summit Public Relations. The 2025 Literacy Links Golf Tournament men’s closest-to-the-pin winner, Scott Webb with Kolter Hospitality, is pictured with CEO Kristin Calder. The 2025 Literacy Links Golf Tournament winning women’s foursome, L to R: Nicone Gordon, Debbie DeHoog, Mary DeMayo and Emily Spiteri with NCCI. The 2025 Literacy Links Golf Tournament runner-up women’s foursome, L to R: Sacha McGraw, Janet Donovan, Brenda Medore and Leanne Adair. Literacy Links Golf Tournament Committee. L to R: Travis Foels, event chair, Nancy Vera, John Campo and Caleb Bowser.
