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I received the Hooked on Phonics yesterday. I was so excited and I just wanted to thank First Book. These kits will be well-used by the children in my hometown. Most of them could not afford such a kit, and I know it will make a significant difference in their lives. There is no library here, or any other such place.

Dover Summer Read’s office will be a place where the kids will be able to read books, use a computer, and work on these exercises.

Thank you again from the children of Dover, NC and Dover Summer Read.

Cynthia Baker
Founder and President
Dover Summer Read

Guest blogger Judy L. Harris is the CEO of Smarterville, Inc., a leading creator of research-based educational products for families, including Hooked on Phonics®, the #1 trusted brand in teaching kids to read. Prior to joining Smarterville, Harris held executive positions with other leading educational brand entities such as PBS, Discovery, Hallmark, Crayola, and the Educational Media Segment for PRIMEDIA, where she ran two leading education media companies, Channel One Network and Films Media Group.

The holidays are over and 2009 is already days old. Like most people, I like to set a little time in the beginning of January aside to think about the year to come and what I’d like to accomplish.

In my line of work, one of the things that immediately comes to mind – in addition to possibly getting more sleep – is helping more parents learn the joy of helping their children to read. So many parents with so many busy schedules often miss out on reading with their children.

But, as we know, just a few minutes of reading with your child each day puts them on a path for success. And I can say from personal experience, few moments are more magical than those spent watching your child delight in stories and discover his own power to read.

In this spirit, I am asking you to join with other parents across the country to make your New Years’ Resolution to help your child learn to read. You can sign up to make your resolution official at www.learntoread2009.com.

When you make your resolution online, Hooked on Phonics will honor your commitment by donating one of our award-winning Learn to Read programs to First Book so that all parents – no matter their financial means – can help their children learn to read in the New Year.

Happy new year! I hope you’ll join us in making 2009 the year more children learn to read!