Let's Read 20, Marion! day - set for March 2, 2026

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Let's get kids excited about reading!!!!
Let's Read 20, Marion! DAY will be March 2 during National Reading Month. To highlight reading, LR20 will be featuring the book Ursula Upside Down by Corey R. Tabor, as the book to be read in all elementary and preschool classrooms throughout Marion County on that day. 

This fun and engaging book was named Chicago Public Library Best Fiction for Younger Readers of 2024, School Library Journal Best Books of 2024, ALSC Notable Children's Books, and finalist for the 2025 Buckeye Book Award to be announced in December 2025.

To start the month, LR20 will distribute the book to all elementary and preschools in Marion County with the intention of having the book read in all of the classrooms on March 2 for National Reading Month.

After the book is read in all elementary classrooms, LR20 "I read my 20" wristbands will be distributed to commemorate reading and celebrating March as National Reading Month.
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Corey R. Tabor's website shares that he especially loves picture books. He is the author and illustrator of several books for children, including the Caldecott Honor-winning Mel Fell and the Geisel Award-winning Fox Has A Problem, Fox at Night and Fox the Tiger​​​​. Corey lives in Tacoma, Washington with his wife and son and spends his time making pictures and stories.
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CAMPAIGN TIMELINE:
February 2 - Campaign elements will be dropped off at your school -- Books, wristbands, and reading logs.
February 2 - March 2 - Use classroom-related activities before the March 2 book reading day - see links below.
March 2 - Let's Read 20, Marion! Day - All preschools and grade schools read the book Ursula Upside Down in all of the elementary classrooms.
All of March - Marion Public Library will collect reading logs at the youth services desk and give out LR20 books as prizes.
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RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS: 
This literacy campaign is made possible through a donation in honor of Pat Scharer’s continued strong commitment to youth literacy in the Marion Community.

And also by the many partners in literacy: United Way, Marion City Schools, River Valley Schools, Pleasant Local Schools, Elgin Local Schools, Ridgedale Local Schools, Marion Public Library, and Marion County Board of DD. The program is planned and facilitated by the caring staff at Marion Public Library. 

Literacy Success plan =  teaming up for success 

It all adds up to wanting your child to succeed. Using the tools you have at your fingertips will help you put your child on the right track from the very beginning. Continuing the plan offers literacy success for a student in school and to become a successful employee in business while being a contributing community member in life.

Marion Imagination Library offers registration for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library for children 0-5 years old. Marion Public Library is the local partner for the State of Ohio's Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Marion Public Library facilitates the local fundraising efforts. Follow the link to register or to become a local donor to the ongoing fundraising, which is matched by the State of Ohio.
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Marion Public Library's My First Library Card is specifically for children aged 0 through age 5 during their formative years. The card has no fines and is limited to the kids' area. But it starts the healthy habit of visiting the Marion Public Library from the start.
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Living the Let's Read 20 reading plan every day marries all of the above initiatives to
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A Literacy Success Plan

More Library info can be found at: MarionLibrary.org

Book & Bib initiative

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Let's Read 20 Book & Bib program has been successful in putting important literacy information into the hands of parents of newborns. We have partnered with OhioHealth Marion General Hospital to provide the Let's Read 20 message and the importance of reading 20 minutes each day, and to start at birth.

The bag includes:
- How to use this gift 
- Goodnight Moon board book
- Read to Me bib
- Reading Language Tip sheet
- Let's Read 20 information brochure
- Let's Read 20 refrigerator magnet reminder
- Marion Public Library My First Library Card application​​

Each child born at OhioHealth Marion General Hospital receives the gift bag to assure a great start to a life of literacy. 

Read Too!

Let's Read 20 is committed to doing everything possible to get children to read. Children are natural imitators and do absorb and notice everything around them. Adults who are reading are teaching the youngsters around them that reading is important.

It is as essential to have a literate community for it to be a thriving community. Starting from birth to read to a child is habit forming and should continue through adulthood. 

Our Read Too campaign takes action to make sure adults understand they are the role models of the youngsters around them. Sharing their love for reading and being seen doing so speaks volumes to their little minds.
Literacy matters at all ages. 
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