First Lady Crissy Haslam Hosts a Read20 Family Book Club Event at the Tennessee State Museum

NASHVILLE – First Lady Crissy Haslam hosted a Read20 Family Book Club event commemorating African American History Month today at the Tennessee State Museum. More than 60 3rd grade students from Lockland Elementary School in east Nashville joined Mrs. Haslam to read the February Book of the Month, Promises to Keep: How Jackie Robinson Changed America, and discuss the important contributions of American civil rights leaders. Following the reading event, students toured the museum’s Discovering the Civil War exhibit featuring important documents and artifacts relating to African American History.

“We are excited to feature a book highlighting one of America’s most impactful civil rights leaders during African American History Month,” said Mrs. Haslam. “Reading non-fiction books can be especially beneficial, because students can practice essential reading skills, with the added bonus of learning something new and factual.”
The Read20 Family Book Club promotes early literacy skills by emphasizing the value of families reading together at least twenty minutes each day. Research shows that children who are read to on a regular basis can show more interest in books, have a higher vocabulary, and perform better in school. The book club gives Tennessee families a fun goal of reading together every day by featuring a new book and corresponding family friendly activities each month.

“Literacy skills can have tremendous influence on a child’s opportunity to be successful in school and in life,” said Mrs. Haslam. “Families have many competing interests, but it is important to remember the incredible value of investing in education and reading early in life.”

For more information about the Read20 Family Book Club visit www.tn.gov/read20, www.facebook.com/CrissyHaslam, follow @Read20TN on Twitter, or go to your local public library.