Nebraska's First Lady Helps Set National Reading Record

By: Bill Steckis Email

Updated: Fri 7:32 AM, Oct 05, 2012

Nebraska's First Lady Sally Ganem read to McPhee Elementary school students for most of the day.

It' was all part of a world record breaking effort. She was one of thousands of adults who read to more than 2 million children at elementary schools from across the country. The record is for the most kids who were read to by adults on the same day from the same book. The book is "Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad." by David Soman and Jacky Davis.

"It's essential in today's society to be able to read and anytime I get the chance to promote literacy among our children, I jump on that," said Ganem

"We want them reading at school, at home, with friends, with families and we know that literacy and that reading ability is what's going to carry them far," said Elaine Simpson, McPhee Elementary School Principal.

Ganem said focusing on one day is a nice thing, but the day's goal is to promote reading to kids every day.

"Absolutely, we have one day that we highlight. Reading every day to your child and sometimes you'd be surprised, even the middle school kids enjoy having stories read to them," said Ganem.

Every student at McPhee Elementary received a copy of the book courtesy of the Pearson Foundation which will donate a million books nation-wide by the end of the school year.

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