Early Childhood Reading
Books Come to Life for Families at the Target Children’s Book Festival
Festival Brings Free, Family Entertainment to Detroit, Including Readings and Music Performances
MINNEAPOLIS (August 4, 2008) – On Saturday, August 23, children of all ages and their families will gather at Kensington Metropark for the Target Children’s Book Festival presented by The Daily Tribune, The Macomb Daily and The Oakland Press. The event, which is free to the public, will feature book readings and signings, live entertainment and musical performances – all to help foster children’s love for reading as a fun and recreational activity.
During the book festival, which is open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., parents and children will have the opportunity to learn about Target’s commitment to providing reading resources for families, as well as programs and partnerships the company supports that encourage parents and children to read together.
"Target is committed to cultivating a love of reading in children at an early age," said Laysha Ward, vice president, community relations, Target. "This book festival provides Detroit-area families with a rich and meaningful way to explore reading together in a unique setting, with a multitude of activities to stimulate children’s interest in books."
The Target Children’s Book Festival will feature a number of live readings throughout the day. Among the authors reading on stage will be Nancy Shaw, author of Raccoon Tune, the designated Michigan Reads! book; Christine Kole MacLean, author of Mary Margaret Meets Her Match; and Jim Benton, author and illustrator of Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist: The Frandidate. Musical highlights will include Hip Hop Harry, Little Mo’ McCoury and The Jimmies. Families also can take advantage of free boat rides on Kent Lake courtesy of Target, visit farm animals and participate in free children’s activities.
Authors and performers will share the stage with the "Big Red Chair," the larger-than-life reading chair that symbolizes the company's commitment to supporting early childhood reading. Target recognizes the integral role reading plays in shaping a child’s future. Because reading is the foundation for lifelong learning, Target supports early childhood reading through programs and events that aim to foster a love of reading at an early age. Throughout the year, Target sponsors numerous book festivals across the country, featuring live, free family-focused entertainment. Book festivals are a cornerstone of Target’s commitment to early childhood reading because they encourage families to explore reading together in a unique setting with a multitude of activities to stimulate children’s interest in books.
"We take great pride in supporting events that promote literacy and reading as a family activity," said Kevin Haezebroeck, president of The Daily Tribune, The Macomb Daily and The Oakland Press. "By collaborating with Target, we are offering metro Detroit children and families with an opportunity to experience free entertainment that promotes the excitement, fun and fulfillment books and reading can offer."
For more information about the Target Children’s Book Festival in Detroit, visit Target.com/education.
About Target
Minneapolis-based Target serves guests at 1,613 stores in 47 states nationwide by delivering today’s best retail trends at affordable prices. Target is committed to providing guests with great design through innovative products,in-store experiences and community partnerships. Whether visiting a Target store or shopping online at Target.com, guests enjoy a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to thousands of unique and highly differentiated items. Since 1946, the Target corporation has invested five percent of itsincomein the communities it serves. Target (NYSE:TGT) gives more than $3 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Target partners with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs.
About Journal Register Company
The Oakland Press, The Macomb Daily and The Daily Tribune are owned by Journal Register Company. Journal Register Company has grown from a newspaper publisher to a multi-media corporation that reaches 510,000 subscribers with its daily circulation. It owns 22 daily newspapers, including the New Haven Register, Connecticut’s second-largest daily and Sunday newspaper, and The Oakland Press, the third-largest daily in metro Detroit. With 300 non-daily publications owned by the Company, over 5.2 million people get their news and sports from us. Our publications are located in six strategically clustered geographic areas: Greater Philadelphia, Michigan, Connecticut, Greater Cleveland, and in New York State’s Capital-Saratoga and Mid-Hudson regions. Furthermore, multimedia avenues allow the news to be delivered through more than 230 newspaper and specialty Web sites. JRC also manages a number of niche market publications and three commercial printing operations.
MINNEAPOLIS (August 4, 2008) – On Saturday, August 23, children of all ages and their families will gather at Kensington Metropark for the Target Children’s Book Festival presented by The Daily Tribune, The Macomb Daily and The Oakland Press. The event, which is free to the public, will feature book readings and signings, live entertainment and musical performances – all to help foster children’s love for reading as a fun and recreational activity.
During the book festival, which is open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., parents and children will have the opportunity to learn about Target’s commitment to providing reading resources for families, as well as programs and partnerships the company supports that encourage parents and children to read together.
"Target is committed to cultivating a love of reading in children at an early age," said Laysha Ward, vice president, community relations, Target. "This book festival provides Detroit-area families with a rich and meaningful way to explore reading together in a unique setting, with a multitude of activities to stimulate children’s interest in books."
The Target Children’s Book Festival will feature a number of live readings throughout the day. Among the authors reading on stage will be Nancy Shaw, author of Raccoon Tune, the designated Michigan Reads! book; Christine Kole MacLean, author of Mary Margaret Meets Her Match; and Jim Benton, author and illustrator of Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist: The Frandidate. Musical highlights will include Hip Hop Harry, Little Mo’ McCoury and The Jimmies. Families also can take advantage of free boat rides on Kent Lake courtesy of Target, visit farm animals and participate in free children’s activities.
Authors and performers will share the stage with the "Big Red Chair," the larger-than-life reading chair that symbolizes the company's commitment to supporting early childhood reading. Target recognizes the integral role reading plays in shaping a child’s future. Because reading is the foundation for lifelong learning, Target supports early childhood reading through programs and events that aim to foster a love of reading at an early age. Throughout the year, Target sponsors numerous book festivals across the country, featuring live, free family-focused entertainment. Book festivals are a cornerstone of Target’s commitment to early childhood reading because they encourage families to explore reading together in a unique setting with a multitude of activities to stimulate children’s interest in books.
"We take great pride in supporting events that promote literacy and reading as a family activity," said Kevin Haezebroeck, president of The Daily Tribune, The Macomb Daily and The Oakland Press. "By collaborating with Target, we are offering metro Detroit children and families with an opportunity to experience free entertainment that promotes the excitement, fun and fulfillment books and reading can offer."
For more information about the Target Children’s Book Festival in Detroit, visit Target.com/education.
About Target
Minneapolis-based Target serves guests at 1,613 stores in 47 states nationwide by delivering today’s best retail trends at affordable prices. Target is committed to providing guests with great design through innovative products,in-store experiences and community partnerships. Whether visiting a Target store or shopping online at Target.com, guests enjoy a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to thousands of unique and highly differentiated items. Since 1946, the Target corporation has invested five percent of itsincomein the communities it serves. Target (NYSE:TGT) gives more than $3 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Target partners with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs.
About Journal Register Company
The Oakland Press, The Macomb Daily and The Daily Tribune are owned by Journal Register Company. Journal Register Company has grown from a newspaper publisher to a multi-media corporation that reaches 510,000 subscribers with its daily circulation. It owns 22 daily newspapers, including the New Haven Register, Connecticut’s second-largest daily and Sunday newspaper, and The Oakland Press, the third-largest daily in metro Detroit. With 300 non-daily publications owned by the Company, over 5.2 million people get their news and sports from us. Our publications are located in six strategically clustered geographic areas: Greater Philadelphia, Michigan, Connecticut, Greater Cleveland, and in New York State’s Capital-Saratoga and Mid-Hudson regions. Furthermore, multimedia avenues allow the news to be delivered through more than 230 newspaper and specialty Web sites. JRC also manages a number of niche market publications and three commercial printing operations.