UCS kindergarten students look to make reading history

Utica Community Schools kindergarten students are starting their school careers with an eye on becoming part of history.

The students joined the global effort to be among nearly 3 million children to read Otis by Loren Long, at the same time and set a world record.

Coordinated by Jumpstart since 2006, Thursday's "Read for the Record" celebration highlighted the importance of reading to very young children to develop crucial early language and literacy skills.

Last year, 2.3 million students read Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney.

Since its inception, more than nine million students nationwide have participated in the program. This year's book - Otis - was selected by members of the public who voted at www.readfortherecord.org.

Otis is a fun-loving tractor who roams the fields after a hard day's work and plays in the haystacks. His heroism and concern for a friend are themes that appeal to young readers.