First Lady Crissy Haslam Visits the Tennessee Smokies to Promote Her Read20 Family Book Club

Promotional night with the Tennessee Smokies to encourage Tennessee family participation in the Club

NASHVILLE – Tennessee First Lady Crissy Haslam today visited the Tennessee Smokies, athe Double-A minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, in Kodak, Tennessee 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, encouraginge Tennessee families to read together for at least 20 minutes each day this summer.  Haslam’s visit to the Tennessee Smokies today was part of her commitment to promote ththe initiative throughout the state this summer, through delivering books to children and visiting with Tennessee families.e program throughout the state this summer.

“It was fun to work with the Smokies to promote the Read20 Family Book Club,” Haslam said.  “Literacy is the single-most important skill that children need to be successful in school, so I hope the book club provides families a fun opportunity to engage in reading this summer.”

As part of the promotional night with the Smokies, Haslam gave copies of June’s Book of the Month, Andrew Clements’ Frindle, to the first 200 children to enter the game.

“The Smokies organization also works to promote the importance of early literacy through their Summer Reading Program, 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.

As part of the promotional night with the Smokies, Haslam donated copies of Andrew Clements’ Frindle, June’s “Book of the Month,” to be distributed to the first 200 children to enter the game.

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

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


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