Governor Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam Promote the First Lady’s Read20 Family Book Club with Nashville Sounds

Promotional night with the Nashville Sounds to encourage Tennessee family participation

NASHVILLE – Governor Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam visited the Nashville Sounds, a minor league affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, to promote her Read20 Family Book Club.  

Launched on June 1, the Read20 Family Book Club was created to highlight early literacy and parental engagement in children’s academic lives, encouraging Tennessee families to read together for at least 20 minutes each day this summer.  The visit to the Nashville Sounds today was part of Mrs. Haslam’s commitment to promote her early literacy initiative throughout the state this summer, through delivering books to children and visiting with Tennessee families.

“I am grateful that we were able to work with the Sounds to promote the Read20 Family Book Club,” Haslam said.  “Research shows that reading for twenty minutes a day can make a huge difference in how well a child will perform in school, so I hope the book club provides families a fun opportunity to keep students reading this summer.”

As part of the promotional night with the Sounds, Governor and Mrs. Haslam distributed copies of Andrew Clements’ Frindle, June’s Book of the Month, to the first 200 children to enter the game.  The books were donated by the Phoenix Club of Nashville, a nonprofit organization benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee.  Members of the Boys & Girls Clubs also joined the Haslams to pass out books and throw the game’s first pitch.   

“The Sounds organization also works to promote the importance of early literacy through their Nashville Sounds Reading Club, so it was fun to collaborate together in bringing this message to their fan base,” Haslam said.

Haslam’s Read20 Family Book Club will feature a “Book of the Month” on its Read20 Family Book Club website, www.tn.gov/read20.  Children and families of all ages can participate and access fun family engagement ideas, reading activities and tips by visiting the website.

To learn more about the First Lady’s Read20 Family Book Club, visit www.tn.gov/read20 or your local public library.