BOOK IT!® Program Enlists John Lithgow to Read a Bedtime Story to Families across America

By: Family News

The BOOK IT!® program, the nation's largest reading incentive program for kids, today announced that acclaimed children’s author and actor John Lithgow will read a bedtime story to families across the country tonight at 5 p.m. EST on www.bookitprogram.com. Lithgow and the BOOK IT! program invite families to put on their pajamas and gather around their computers to participate in what may be the largest bedtime story gathering in history.

A 2007 survey conducted by the BOOK IT! program revealed that nearly half of all American parents (48 percent of those responding to the survey) do not have a nightly tradition of reading to their kids before bed. The goal of “America’s Biggest Bedtime Story” is to encourage more families to read together for at least 20 minutes every night. According to a 2003 study by Cathy Collins Block, professor at Texas Christian University School of Education, student achievement is significantly bolstered by just 20 extra minutes of reading each day (Hunter, 2004, p. 39).1

“America’s Biggest Bedtime Story is a great opportunity for families to start the tradition of reading together,” said Leslie Tubbs, of the BOOK IT! program. “The BOOK IT! program is dedicated to helping children become lifelong readers, and bedtime stories are a great way for parents to get their children in the habit of reading.”

Lithgow, who has authored seven “New York Times” best-selling children’s books, has long been an advocate of reading and the BOOK IT! program. During “America’s Biggest Bedtime Story,” Lithgow will read his book “The Remarkable Farkle McBride,” the story of a young boy who learns the power of perseverance during his musical journey. The BOOK IT! program estimates that more than 225,000 kids and parents will watch Lithgow read “America’s Biggest Bedtime Story” on Nov. 13.

“America’s Biggest Bedtime Story” will take place on National Young Readers Day, created the second Tuesday in November by the BOOK IT!® program and the Library of Congress Center for the Book in 1989 as an annual reminder of the benefits and rewards of reading.

How to Participate

Readers interested in participating should visit www.bookitprogram.com Tuesday, Nov. 13 to watch the bedtime story reading with John Lithgow beginning at 5 p.m. EST and available for viewing throughout the night. In addition to the video of the bedtime story, parents can download tips on encouraging literacy at home, a certificate of participation in the program and a bedtime contract to encourage nightly reading as a family.

About BOOK IT!

In 1985, Pizza Hut established the BOOK IT! National Reading Incentive Program to motivate children to read more and help them develop a lifelong love of reading. BOOK IT! is a six-month program for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

About Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut, Inc., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM), is the world's largest pizza restaurant company with more than 6,200 restaurants in the United States and more than 4,000 restaurants in 100 other countries. The company's 49-year legacy of leadership and innovation has made it the recognized leader in the $37 billion pizza category.