Jumpstart Kids partners with Penguin Young Readers for 2027 Read for the Record

Jumpstart Kids has selected Brave Like a Lion! How a Puppeteer Found Her Voice as the book for its 2027 Read for the Record campaign and is partnering with Penguin Young Readers on the annual early literacy effort. The 21st-year program will reach families, classrooms and libraries as the nonprofit continues a campaign that has connected more than 32 million voices worldwide.

Why it matters: - Jumpstart Kids Read for the Record is the world's largest shared reading experience, making the book selection a high-profile early literacy moment. - The campaign reaches families, classrooms, libraries and community partners, giving one title broad exposure across home and school settings. - Jumpstart Kids says the program helps distribute hundreds of thousands of picture books each year and supports early literacy with free activity guides.

What happened: - Jumpstart Kids announced a partnership with Penguin Young Readers for the 2027 Read for the Record Day campaign. - The organization selected Brave Like a Lion! How a Puppeteer Found Her Voice by Megan Piphus Baptist, illustrated by Niña Mata, and published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers. - The announcement was made in Boston on Aug. 31, 2026. - Megan Piphus Baptist said she was honored by the selection and called the story a message about courage, voice and shared reading.

The details: - Read for the Record is in its 21st year as Jumpstart Kids' signature annual campaign. - The campaign has united more than 32 million voices across 50 states and 43 countries over more than two decades. - Jumpstart Kids says the effort has distributed more than 3 million books to children over the last 21 years. - Crystal Rountree, CEO of Jumpstart Kids, said the book celebrates courage and finding your voice. - Rountree said the pairing of Baptist's story with Niña Mata's illustrations will support teachers, librarians, early educators and families. - The partnership combines Jumpstart's literacy network with Penguin's publishing reach.

Between the lines: - The partnership gives Penguin Young Readers a central role in a campaign built around mass participation and classroom use. - The book choice fits the campaign's focus on accessible, read-aloud storytelling that can travel from schools to homes. - The campaign is also a branding moment for Jumpstart Kids, reinforcing its place in early childhood literacy after 21 years of scale-building.

What's next: - Jumpstart Kids will roll out the 2027 Read for the Record campaign around Brave Like a Lion! How a Puppeteer Found Her Voice. - The organization will continue distributing picture books and activity guides to support shared reading. - Families, educators and community partners are expected to take part in the annual read-aloud effort.