CHICAGO, April 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Rivers Ink (http://www.riversink.com/home.html), a new publishing company focused on childhood literacy, will soon be launching an innovative program to energize and encourage young readers by connecting them with some of their favorite authors and characters. The publishing company will arrange special appearances and unforgettable events at Chicago-area schools.
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Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140407/PH98986-b
"Our mission is simple – to get more young people reading," explained Rivers. "We plan to do this by engaging children's imagination and sense of excitement. When children see reading, storytelling, and creativity as important parts of their lives, it can literally change their whole outlook. At Rivers Ink, we hope to build bridges between children's authors and their audiences in schools throughout greater Chicago."
Setting up an author appearance is both simple and cost effective. School officials can call Rivers Ink to schedule a date. Next, the school purchases as many books as necessary to allow all students to enjoy the book signing and red carpet events. Rivers Ink handles all of the logistics. There are no appearance fees associated with these services; schools are only responsible for books, taxes, and shipping and handling charges. In an age when budgets continue to stagnate or shrink, the affordability of Rivers Ink's program is a light in the darkness.
School visits begin with authors reading one of their books aloud to a group of students; later, students have their picture taken on the red carpet and have their personal copy of the book signed by the author. Rivers Ink believes that old-fashioned, dry approaches to reading are just not productive anymore. The publishing company's interactive program aims to instill in children the world-changing power of the written word. After all, reading is its own kind of magic, opening doors to the future that lead to a better life.
The data more than makes the case for a proactive approach to childhood reading, especially among minority communities. According to The Nation's Report Card, only 34% of 4th graders in Illinois are reading at their grade level; those numbers are essentially unchanged among 8th graders. For African American and Hispanic students, the situation is dire. By 4th grade, students of color are on average three academic years behind their white classmates. More information is available at http://www.rif.org/
Poor academic performance almost inevitably leads to less than ideal outcomes when young children become young adults. Illiteracy closes doors and narrows opportunities. As a former juvenile detention center employee, Rivers saw this stark reality in action every day; now, she hopes to offer a different path for impressionable youngsters.
In the coming weeks and months, Rivers Ink will be releasing further information on its remarkable, one-of-a-kind program. Area schools interested in this fantastic opportunity are encouraged to get in touch with the publisher now by emailing Email or calling 1-800-498-7483.
About Rivers Ink, LLC
Rivers Ink is a publishing company geared toward encouraging children to read. Authors will visit schools and students will have the opportunity to hear the authors read, interact with characters from the book, as well as have their pictures taken on the red carpet and participate in a memorable book signing.
Children's author Jordan Rivers is the founder of Rivers Ink. Joining her on the team is Director of Operations Carnedra Clark and Media Consultant Christine Coats.
Contact:
Jordan Rivers
Rivers Ink
564 W. Randolph Street, 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60661
800-498-7483
Email