Ys Nationwide Host ‘BIG’ Clifford Birthday Parties

New York – September 27, 2012 – Scholastic Media, a division of Scholastic Inc., the global children’s publishing, education and media company, and YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) are teaming to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Clifford the Big Red Dog®, who has helped generations of young children across the country learn and love to read. Participating Ys across the country will hold BIG birthday celebrations in their communities featuring Clifford games, stories and activities, and resources families can take home to bring the importance of reading into their homes.

“At the Y, we believe that literacy is the foundation for all other learning a child will experience,” said Barbara Roth, National Director for Youth and Family at YMCA of the USA. “Thanks to books like Clifford, we’ve helped hundreds of thousands of kids not only learn to read, but have fun doing so. We are proud to work with Scholastic in celebrating this milestone and encouraging more kids to read.”

“We are delighted to work with the Y-USA to bring Clifford’s 50th birthday celebrations to communities all across the country,” said Leslye Schaefer, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Scholastic Media.”

As a leading nonprofit for youth development, the Y is committed to nurturing the potential of every child by teaching the values and skills that provide building blocks for quality of life and future success. Similarly, Clifford’s BIG Ideas focus on simple, tangible life lessons that help young children navigate their world as they become part of an expanding community.

For 50 years, Clifford the Big Red Dog has been entertaining children, parents and teachers with his BIG adventures. In his beloved dog, Norman Bridwell created a literary classic embraced by generations around the world. Since the first Clifford® book was published in 1963, the property has grown to include 126 million books in print and an Emmy® Award-winning television series –currently in its twelfth consecutive season on PBS KIDS; the show has been sold to 30 countries in 12 languages worldwide.

For information about Clifford’s 50th celebration – please visit Scholastic’s media room at http://mediaroom.scholastic.com/clifford and www.scholastic.com/clifford. Families interested in attending a BIG birthday celebration in their community can inquire with their local Y for details, or visit http://www.ymca.net to find a Y.

About the Y
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. ymca.net

About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and a leader in educational technology and related services and children’s media. Scholastic creates quality books, print, and technology-based learning materials and programs, magazines, multimedia and other products that help children learn both at school and at home. The company distributes its products and services worldwide through a variety of channels, including school-based book clubs and book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, on-air, and online at www.scholastic.com.

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Scholastic:
Meghan Newton / Jennifer Marcus / Goodman Media /
Scholastic@goodmanmedia.com / 212.576-2700

Y-USA
Mamie Moore/ YMCA of the USA / media@ymca.net / 312-419-8418