Let’s Read!

The Denver Preschool Program (DPP) and the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs (DOCA) have announced the selection for Preschool One Book, One Denver 2010. Beginning April 14, 2010, many of Denver’s preschoolers will begin reading “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle.

This marks the second consecutive year that DPP and DOCA have hosted a citywide book club for young children. As in 2009, this year’s effort will include public readings by Mayor John Hickenlooper and other local celebrities, on-­‐site readings at several DPP enrolled preschools, and book donations to DPP classrooms.

The 2010 program will last 14 days and conclude on Wednesday, April 28.

“We’re very fortunate to have the Kaplan Early Learning Company and the Piton Foundation’s support for Preschool One Book, One Denver 2010,” says James Mejia, DPP chief executive officer. “Thanks to their generous contributions, we are able to distribute 1,200 copies of ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ free to DPP classrooms.”

“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” was first published in 1969. Since then, it’s been a perennial favorite of parents and children alike. More than 30 million copies of the book have been sold, and the story has been translated into 20 languages.

Mejia says Denver’s early education community was instrumental in selecting this year’s book. First, members of DPP’s advisory board created a list of potential selections.

“We then took those options to the field,” Mejia says. “More than 150 quality-­‐rated preschool providers participate in DPP, so we were able to ask proven early education experts for their recommendations. The providers cast their votes, and they selected ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar.’

“As a father of three young children, and as an adult who’s read this book aloud many times, I can say this is a marvelous choice,” Mejia adds.

Preschool One Book, One Denver 2010 details are being finalized now.

A complete calendar of events will be posted on the DPP Web site (www.dpp.org) in the next few days.