NEWS RELEASES > JUNE 9, 2019
NEW YORK, NY – James Patterson announced today a partnership with Follett and its “All Books for All Kids” initiative, which debuted in 2018 at Follett Book Fairs with the goal of ensuring children have access to a wide range of books no matter their background. Authors from Patterson’s children’s imprint, JIMMY Patterson Books, also will appear at Follett Book Fairs throughout the year.
The partnership teams Follett – the largest provider of educational materials and technology solutions to PreK-12 libraries, classrooms, learning centers and school districts in the United States – with Patterson, the world’s best-selling author and global literacy advocate. In addition to his writing, Patterson is singularly dedicated to getting kids reading. He has endowed more than 5,000 teacher education scholarships at universities across the country and donated over $40 million to literacy-focused initiatives, including a campaign in his home state of Florida aimed at doubling the number of students reading at grade level.
“I’m honored to be partnering with Follett and its literacy initiative – the work it is doing in giving kids access to books is vital and something that I likewise care deeply about,” Patterson said. “I truly believe that books change lives, and that better readers make better people and ultimately, better citizens. Getting – and keeping – our children reading is up to all of us. And I’m happy to do whatever I can to further that cause.”
Follett Book Fairs, which just completed its fourth season, provide product offerings for elementary schools and middle schools. Because of its existing partnerships with thousands of publishers, Follett Book Fairs offer a vast selection of books, kindergarten through eighth grade.
“We are truly honored to partner with James Patterson as part of our ‘All Books for All Kids’ initiative,” said Britten Follett, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Follett School Solutions. “We share the same goals about the importance of turning kids on to reading, and we are thrilled Mr. Patterson embraces our program to expose students to books they may not think about reading or have a chance to read.”
About James Patterson
James Patterson is the world’s best-selling author, best known for his many enduring fictional characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Michael Bennett, Maximum Ride, Middle School, I Funny, and Jacky Ha-Ha. Patterson’s writing career is characterized by a single mission: to prove to everyone, from children to adults, that there is no such thing as a person who “doesn’t like to read,” only people who haven’t found the right book. He’s given over a million books to schoolkids and over $40 million to support education and endowed over 5,000 college scholarships for teachers. He writes full-time and lives in Florida with his family. Learn more at: jamespatterson.com
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