By Cindy Arenberg Seltzer
BROWARD COUNTY, FL — Thousands To Read Together On February 26 For Broward: Read For The Record Day
This year’s featured book is See Marcus Grow, written by Marcus Bridgewater and illustrated by Reggie Brown. Bridgewater — known to millions as the social media sensation Garden Marcus — shares the lessons he learned growing up in his grandmother’s garden in a story that introduces young readers to gardening while exploring themes of curiosity, discovery, nurturing, and growth.
Broward: Read for the Record is a beloved annual tradition that unites thousands of children and adults across the county to read the same book on the same day. The initiative is led locally by the Children’s Services Council of Broward County (CSC) in partnership with Broward County Public Schools and the Early Learning Coalition of Broward County. Together, these partners work to spark early literacy, nurture a love of reading, and highlight the importance of early childhood education.
Through its ongoing investments, CSC supports a wide range of early childhood and literacy programs that strengthen school readiness, support families, and improve long-term outcomes for children across Broward County. Read for the Record reflects CSC’s broader commitment to ensuring children have the skills, support, and opportunities they need to succeed in school and in life.
The event is part of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record®, the world’s largest shared reading experience, now in its 20th year. Each year, millions of children and adults nationwide participate, raising awareness about the powerful role early literacy plays in long-term academic success.
On Read for the Record Day, volunteers visit classrooms across Broward County to read aloud, connect with children, and help place high-quality books into the hands of young learners. A single volunteer can make a meaningful difference by sparking a child’s interest in reading and building confidence, vocabulary, and a lifelong love of learning.
Community members, businesses, civic groups, and families are invited to participate by volunteering to read on February 26. It’s a simple and joyful way to give back, one that creates a lasting impact for both children and volunteers.
Sign up to volunteer at HandsOnSouthFlorida.org.
For more information on Broward: Read for the Record and how to get involved, visit CSCBroward.org or contact (954) 377-1000.