For the past eight years, Northumberland Elementary School families have successfully participated in “One School One Book,” reported coordinator Jan Bates. Due to an increase in interest, the program has expanded to include Lancaster Primary School, Middlesex Elementary School and Richmond County Elementary School (second year participant).

That makes this the largest literacy program ever in the Northern Neck, said Bates. Approximately 2,000 area children and their families will read the classic, Mr. Popper’s Penguins by William and Florence Atwater.

Every family has purchased a copy or acquired one through funding or a scholarship, she said. Following a program calendar, a chapter a night will be read aloud at home until completion.

No family is denied the opportunity to participate regardless of economic status, added Bates.

WRAR will sponsor and announce the “Popper’s Penguins” trivia questions weekdays at 6:45 a.m., she said. Some generous businesses are providing daily trivia question prizes at the participating schools.

However, the biggest prize is the overwhelming excitement created when everyone is reading and talking about the same book at the same time, said Bates.

Any Northern Neck school division, or area private school can participate now or in the future. Contact Bates at jbates@nucsp.net<.