Published February 4, 2025 by News Center Maine.
The annual challenge encourages adults to read to kids for 15 minutes during the month of February to promote childhood literacy.
SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — Maine is focusing on getting more kids to read in the month of February.
The Maine Department of Education's 10th "Read to ME" challenge is meant to be something adults and kids can do together.
Maine DOE Commissioner Pender Makin kicked off the challenge Monday afternoon by reading a couple of books to 1st graders at Waldo T. Skillin Elementary School in South Portland.
Makin said parents aren't the only ones encouraged to take part. Teachers can get involved at school, where school libraries can create a book-enriched environment—something Makin said some kids might have at home, but others may not.
"Instead, having libraries like this and the amazing school librarians who create and curate more than just the collection of books," she explained. "They also create curiosity and experiences children have with interacting with and selecting books and talking about books."
As part of the "Read to ME" challenge, adults are asked to take a picture of themselves reading to a child or a group of kids. You can post it on social media with the hashtag "#readtome" or "#readaloudme." You can also email pictures to the Maine Department of Education.
Schools, childcare programs, and other organizations can also enter in a drawing to have a Maine author visit and read to kids.
There is a form to fill out and you can find it here.
The "Read to ME" challenge wraps up on March 2, which is national Read Across America Day.