Penguin Launches Digital Initiative to Provide Free Books to Kids

Penguin Group and the Pearson Foundation announced the launch of We Give Books this morning, a digital initiative aimed at getting books into the hands of impoverished children.

This is how Mark Nieker, the president of the Pearson Foundation, explains it in the announcement: “The free website gives parents, caregivers, and educators immediate access to a growing digital library of children’s books from DK and from Penguin Group. For each book read online at www.wegivebooks.org, the Pearson Foundation–working together with a growing list of great non-profit organizations–will donate a brand new hardcover or paperback book to a child in need. ”

The U.S. launch today will kick off with a four-city tour by the Rock Bottom Remainders, a sort of supergroup band that includes Mitch Albom, Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson, Amy Tan, Scott Turow, and Roy Blount, Jr. The first concert is this evening in Washington, D.C. They play in New York on Friday.

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