The New York Times announced today that the fourth annual New York Times Great Read will be held rain or shine on Sunday, Oct. 5. The day-long celebration will feature two distinct events: The Great Children's Read, a free celebration of reading featuring live entertainment for children and families, presented by Target and held at Columbia University; and The Great Literary Brunch, featuring several best-selling authors and held at TheTimesCenter, The Times's performance venue in its new headquarters in Times Square.
A list of Favorite New York City Stories was specially selected this year by children's librarians from the three public library systems of New York City: Brooklyn Public Library, The New York Public Library and Queens Library. Celebrities from film, TV and Broadway will read from the 20 books on the list at The Great Children's Read.
Featured entertainment at the Target Children's Stage this year will include readings and performances by Grammy Award-winning artist and actor Common, Nancy E. Krulik, They Might Be Giants, John Bemelmans Marciano, Jane O'Connor, Playhouse Disney's "Johnny and the Sprites," David Soman and Jacky Davis, Playhouse Disney's "Choo-Choo Soul," Peter Howe, Matthew Reinhart, Laurence Yep and Yo Gabba Gabba! featuring D.J. Lance Rock & Brobee. There also will be a performance and signing by American singer-songwriter and actress Lisa Loeb. The Target Children's Stage is a part of the company's commitment to support early childhood reading through programs and events that aim to foster a love of reading at an early age. Admission to The Great Children's Read at Columbia University is free and open to the public. Columbia University is located in Manhattan at Broadway & 116th Street.
The Pepperidge Farm® Goldfish® brand, a lead sponsor of The Great Read, will host the Fishful Thinking SM Tent as part of their commitment to nourishing the whole child - mind, body and spirit. Dr. Karen Reivich, co-author of the books "The Optimistic Child" and "The Resilience Factor" will be at the Fishful ThinkingSM Tent throughout the day to offer parents the tools needed to help children navigate obstacles, overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
Selected portions from the list of Favorite New York City Stories for young readers ages three to eight will be read by Tony Award winner and "Gypsy" on Broadway actress Laura Benanti; producer/host of "Eat Out NY" and "Secrets of NY" host Kelly Choi; New York Liberty legend Kym Hampton; "Legally Blonde The Musical" star Bailey Hanks; ABC's "Ugly Betty" star Mark Indelicato; "Wicked The Musical" star Kendra Kassebaum; "Grease" on Broadway star Derek Keeling; NBC's "Today Show" co-anchor Hoda Kotb; Tony Award-winning actress Donna Murphy; Miss New York USA 2008, Danielle Roundtree; CW's "Gossip Girl" star Matthew Settle; NY1 weekend anchor/ reporter Kristen Shaughnessy; "Grease" on Broadway star Ashley Spencer; Manhattan borough president Scott Stringer; New York Lottery draw host Yolanda Vega; NY1 society reporter George Whipple; all ages song & dance man Dan Zanes; and others. The selected books are, in alphabetical order:
- "Abuela,"by Arthur Dorros, illustrated by Elisa Kleven
- "The Adventures of Taxi Dog," by Debra and Sal Barracca, illustrated by Mark Buehner
- "Black Cat,"by Christopher Myers
- "Down in the Subway,"by Miriam Cohen, illustrated by Melanie Hope Greenberg
- "The Gingerbread Boy," by Richard Egielski
- "The House on East 88th Street," by Bernard Waber
- "I Stink,"by Kate and Jim McMullan
- "Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity," by Mo Willems
- "The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge," by Hildegarde H. Swift, illustrated by Lynd Ward
- "Little Toot," by Hardie Gramatky
- "The Man Who Walked Between the Towers," by Mordicai Gerstein
- "Max Found Two Sticks,"by Brian Pinkney
- "My Chinatown: One Year in Poems," by Kam Mak
- "Olivia,"by Ian Falconer
- "The Philharmonic Gets Dressed,"by Karla Kuskin, illustrated by Marc Simont
- "Subway,"by Anastasia Suen, illustrated by Karen Katz
- "Take Me Out to the Ballgame,"by Jack Norworth, illustrated by Alec Gillman
- "The Tale of Pale Male: A True Story," by Jeanette Winter
- "Uptown,"by Bryan Collier
- "Whistle for Willie,"by Ezra Jack Keats
The Great Literary Brunch will feature new books by Sandra Brown, Nelson DeMille, Marian Wright Edelman, Richard Price and Barbara Walters, and will be held at TheTimesCenter, 242 West 41st Street. The brunch will be hosted by Robert Lipsyte, a New York Times contributing writer. The sold-out event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes discussions with the authors, a buffet brunch and book signings. For more information, please visit www.NYTimes.com/GreatRead. Programs and speakers may change.
"We're delighted to again host this fantastic celebration of reading as a way to give back to all New Yorkers," said Yasmin Namini, senior vice president, marketing and circulation, The New York Times. "Whether you visit the Target Children's Stage for all the exciting entertainment, listen to celebrities read from everyone's favorite children's books, or come to TheTimesCenter for the literary brunch, it will be a great day to enjoy books and authors. We are also pleased to again welcome Target as the presenting sponsor of The Great Read."
The Pepperidge Farm® Goldfish® brand is the lead sponsor for The Great Read. The supporting sponsors are The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The New Victory Theater and WABC-TV is the media sponsor.
For updates and the latest schedules of participating authors and events, please visit www.NYTimes.com/GreatRead. Visitors can register for a free e-mail newsletter that will keep them up-to-date on the latest news about The Great Read. For sponsorship and custom opportunities, contact Marion O'Grady at 212-556-1457 or ogradmm@nytimes.com, or your account manager.
About The New York Times Company
The New York Times Company, a leading media company with 2007 revenues of $3.2 billion, includes The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, 16 other daily newspapers, WQXR-FM and more than 50 Web sites, including NYTimes.com, Boston.com and About.com. The Company's core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.
About Target
Minneapolis-based Target serves guests at 1,648 stores in 47 states nationwide by delivering today's best retail trends at affordable prices. Target is committed to providing guests with great design through innovative products, in-store experiences and community partnerships. Whether visiting a Target store or shopping online at Target.com, guests enjoy a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to thousands of unique and highly differentiated items. Since 1946, the corporation has invested five percent of its income in the communities it serves. Target (NYSE:TGT) gives more than $3 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Target partners with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs.
This press release can be downloaded from www.nytco.com