Our Lady
Comforter of the Afflicted School
Accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges

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WALTHAM Mayor Jeannette McCarthy yesterday challenged students to use their imaginations and read, saying, "I want you to remember that books make things come alive."

McCarthy read the picture book "Corduroy," by Don Freeman, to children at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted School. The story features a toy bear who comes to life in a department store at night.

Yesterday McCarthy sat in an off-white chair holding a stuffed Corduroy bear while students sat cross-legged on a carpet.

"How many of you love to read?" McCarthy asked, while children eagerly raised their hands.

After finishing the story, McCarthy received a round of applause from the students and parents.

"I liked it when (Corduroy) turned alive," said Nicholas Bontempo, 6. "(Mayor McCarthy) came last year so we know her. I just feel happy."

Joshua McNamara, 6, said he was happy that a little girl bought Corduroy at the end of the story.

"(Reading) is about having fun," he said.

Yesterday's reading was part of the educational outreach organization Jumpstart's Read for the Record campaign whose aim is to highlight the importance of early childhood education. The campaign's goal is to break the world-record for the largest number of adults and children reading the same book on the same day.

Parent Debbie Pandolfi said this is the second year the school took part in the program. Pandolfi said the program kicked off yesterday morning when First Lady Laura Bush read the book on the "Today" show.

"The books are bought from different organizations that sponsor the program. The money is donated back to the Jumpstart program which funds programs for underprivileged children," she said. "It helps our children to realize they are lucky to have what they have ... and they all get a copy of the book."

According to a press release from Jumpstart, each year one-third of American children arrive at their first day of school developmentally behind their peers. To help children from poor communities advance academically, Jumpstart recruits and trains adult mentors to work with children one on one.

Last year, Jumpstart's Read For the Record campaign raised more than $1 million to finance the organization's early education work, according to a press release.

"It promotes reading," said parent Maria Bontempo about the campaign. "I think if children see adults reading it will spur them to read."

For more information, visit www.readfortherecord.org.

Jeff Gilbride can be reached at 781-398-8005 or at jgilbrid@cnc.com.