Award-winning children’s book authors will read their works; Community organizations and municipal agencies will provide information and resources

‍

Newark, NJ – August 12, 2024 — Mayor Ras J. Baraka has announced that the City of Newark will host the sixth annual “Reading Under the Stars” for youth and families on Thursday, August 15, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Ivy Hill Park, at Mt. Vernon Place, in the West Ward. Five acclaimed children’s book authors will read their works. The event is FREE and open to the public.

“Reading to our young children and instilling a love of language, storytelling and literacy is one of the most important gifts a parent can give,” said Mayor Baraka. “That is why this annual event is so well-attended and cherished in our community. It is a celebration of family as the foundation for expressive communication skills and knowledge seeking that charge lifelong success. I invite all Newark parents and caregivers to bring their children to this wonderful night of reading and fun, and to grow their home libraries with the specially-curated selection of free books.”  

Sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of Comprehensive Community Education, the event will offer children’s book giveaways, food, and information on student education opportunities and guidance. Reading is Fundamental, Source of Knowledge Bookstore, the Newark Public Library, and MacMillan Children’s Publishing are also co-sponsors, and will provide resources to attendees.

“Reading Under the Stars is an awesome summer initiative that partners with parents to contribute to some summer fun, and adds to the vibrant literacy culture in our city. Research is very clear. Parents who read one book with their children a day expose them to an estimated 78,000 extra words each year. Families with a 500-book library increase the probability of their children going 3.2 years further in education,” said Newark Office of Comprehensive Community Education Chief Education Officer Dr. Sharnee Brown. “Mayor Baraka's Newark Citywide Prenatal to Third Grade 10-Point Literacy Plan encourages parents to do both. Packed with fun, Reading Under the Stars embodies the literacy plan with its authors’ read-alouds and book giveaways. An upward literacy trajectory is happening in Newark!”

The evening will feature Gary Campbell reading “I Am Every Good Thing” by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James, Tulani Thomas reading “TuTu Goes Green,” Ismée Williams reading “Abuelo the Sea and Me,” Denise Rosario Adusei reading “Cesaria Feels the Beat,” and Hilda Eunice Burgos reading an excerpt from “Bodega Cats.”

The Mayor himself will read “In Your Hands,” by Carole Boston Weatherford. As he does, the theatrical group Aurway Repertory Theater will bring the book to life on stage.

After the reading, the authors will autograph copies of their books for attendees. There will also be food and family activities.

"Championing literacy and encouraging children to embrace the joy of reading are two of the best things a community can do to invest in its future. The City of Newark's impressive Reading Under the Stars program, now in its sixth year, is helping to shape a generation of readers and citizens who are curious, engaged, and empathetic,” said Macmillan Children's Publishing Group Vice President, Executive Director of Publicity Molly B. Ellis. “It's been a joy to collaborate with the wonderful team there, and I'm thrilled that the event will showcase so many phenomenal Macmillan titles and authors."

Ms. Thomas, after years of providing business advisory services and practicing corporate law, decided to blend her corporate experience with her passion for environmental sustainability and founded TuTu’s Green World LLC as a forward-thinking organization dedicated to instilling eco-friendly habits in younger generations. This has included a children’s book series, a website, and a comprehensive green lifestyle school curriculum, to promote environmental awareness and action. Her work has gained her recognition from the National Science Foundation.

Ms. Adusei is the Executive Director of the Bronx Children’s Museum, and uses her experience as a preschool director to create children’s books.

Ms. Burgos is a native of Manhattan’s Washington Heights. She gained her law degree from Harvard Law School. She has written several children’s books, including the “Bodega Cats” series.

The daughter of Cuban immigrants, Dr. Williams is an award-winning author of books about multi-cultural characters. She co-founded the non-profit Latinx Kidlit Book Festival with the mission to uplift Latinx voices while bringing diverse stories that increase representation, empathy, and connection. She is a pediatric cardiologist and scientific researcher who practiced and taught at Columbia University Medical Center for 15 years. She currently sees patients at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in the Bronx.

"As a pediatrician, I learned about the importance of literacy to children’s futures, but before that, as a child myself, I felt the power of story to uplift and inspire,” said author Dr. Williams. “My own abuelo used to tell me bedtime stories, the moral of which was that I could be anything I wanted to be. I am thrilled to be included in this year’s Reading Under the Stars and cannot wait to share with you Abuelo, the Sea, and Me, a story about the love shared between a little girl and her grandfather."

Mr. Campbell is a multidisciplinary artist who works in photography, filmmaking, writing, illustration, and YouTube content creation. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Culture. His sound art appeared as part of the 2024 “Blues People” Exhibit at Express Newark.

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation’s leading children’s literacy nonprofit, will provide free books to the children of Newark to build their home libraries and inspire a joy of reading.

Having planted its corporate headquarters in Newark in 2014, with a commitment to driving positive change in the city, Panasonic’s funding is key to the event’s success.

“Literacy is fundamental to acquiring the knowledge and problem-solving skills essential for the 21^st century workplace.  The Panasonic Foundation is honored to support the City of Newark’s initiatives aimed at achieving literacy equity and Mayor Baraka’s comprehensive literacy plan,” said Alejandra Ceja, Executive Director of the Panasonic Foundation. “Community programs like Reading Under the Stars provide valuable opportunities for Newark children and their families to cultivate a shared love of reading, ensuring that students achieve grade level reading proficiency by the third grade and are well prepared for future academic and career success.”

In its sixth year as a title sponsor of Reading Under the Stars, the Madan/Russo Organization, owner/operators of five McDonald's in the Newark/North Jersey area attend the event and serve 500 children’s happy meals. Other co-sponsoring organizations are the Newark Office of Sustainability, the Department of Health and Community Wellness, the Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Senior Services, Mt. Vernon Elementary School, McDonald’s, Well Together, Precious Little Ladies, West Ward Council Member Dupré L. Kelly, the United Community Corporation, United Vailsburg Services Organization, Sylvan, United Way of Essex and West Hudsonand The Leaguers. All will have tables to provide information about their services.

About the Newark Citywide Prenatal to Third Grade 10-Point Literacy Plan  

In July 2023, Mayor Baraka, Dr. Brown, Newark Board of Education Assistant Superintendent, Teaching and Learning Dr. Mary Ann Reilly, The Newark Library Director Christian G. Zabriskie, and other dignitaries launched a 10-point plan to address child literacy for toddlers through third graders.

This Reading Under the Stars event is one way to implement part of the Trust’s 10 actionable steps. Schools, parents, and community organizations can undertake these steps now and in the coming school year to put Newark’s students back on track.

For more information, contact (973) 373-0484.

‍