LEWISTON – Following the ReadyRead! Celebration Awards breakfast and a keynote delivered by Auburn’s award-winning teacher Michelle Gagne, dozens of community leaders are preparing to take time out of their busy schedules to participate in the annual “Read Across L-A Today!”

Gagne emphasized the importance of reading to children, from birth through age 5, for 20 minutes each day to prepare them for school. Gagne said children who were read to often entered kindergarten much better prepared for learning.

Gagne also emphasized how passionate community advocates really are able to “move mountains” and make a difference every day.

A reading of “Charlotte’s Frog Surprise” was given by author and illustrator Liza Gaylord, Auburn Middle School student and winner of the 2008 Auburn Book Project for student writers.

On Tuesday, May 19, nearly 100 local childcare centers will open their doors as area business men and women, state senators and representatives, Lewiston and Auburn city officials and school department administrators join to spread awareness of the importance of early literacy in children.

The advocates will each spend at least 20 minutes at an area childcare center reading to preschool-age children.

Rochelle Draper, author and illustrator of the “Stone Wall Dragon,” as well as two Lewiston Middle School students, Maddy Blaisdell and Tori Denis, will also participate in the Read Across L-A.

ReadyRead! is a collaborative effort organized through the Auburn and Lewiston public schools and libraries, Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care and a network of childcare providers and community organizations.

For more information, visit the ReadyRead! Web site at www.ready-read.org or call 795-4141.