Weekly Reader Announces New Line of Reading Instruction Books

Posted on May 31, 2002

WRC Media Inc., the publishers of Weekly Reader, a classroom periodical, announced the launch of a new line of educational books to promote early literacy and reading proficiency. Weekly Reader Early Learning Library, WRC's new book imprint, was launched at the International Reading Association meeting in San Francisco at the end of April, where Weekly Reader celebrated its 100th anniversary as a classroom magazine. In addition to nonfiction books to be read in the primary and upper elementary grades, Weekly Reader Early Learning Library includes teacher's guides and other resources for educators and supports national curriculum standards.

"The No Child Left Behind Act, passed by Congress and signed by President George W. Bush earlier this year, re-emphasizes the importance of fostering early literacy and a steady growth in reading skills-they are essential for mastery of all curriculum subjects and for success in life," said Robert Famighetti, Publisher of Weekly Reader Early Learning Library. "Our reading program gives teachers the tools they need to help students achieve reading proficiency, and we are very fortunate to have as our reading consultant for this program nationally known reading specialist Susan Nations."

"The first years of reading are an exciting and formative time for a young child," noted Nations. "It is no easy task for children to begin the integration of their speaking and listening skills with reading and writing. They need daily modeled, shared, guided, and independent practice in a variety of texts. Each book in the Weekly Reader Early Learning Library has been carefully chosen and designed to help teachers and students engage in this exciting reading process. The familiar topics are appealing to young children and invite them to re-read again and again. The full-color photographs and enhanced text further support the student during the reading process."