Jumpstart Selects Marcus Bridgewater’s SEE MARCUS GROW for Their 20th Annual Read for the Record Literacy Campaign
Jumpstart for Young Children, a national early education organization, has selected SEE MARCUS GROW (Nancy Paulsen Books) by Marcus Bridgewater, aka Garden Marcus, illustrated by Reggie Brown, for their milestone 20th annual Read for the Record literacy campaign.
This special anniversary campaign, running from October 2025 to February 2026, will culminate in Read for the Record Day on February 26, 2026, bringing together over 2 million readers across thousands of classrooms, libraries, and communities in an annual, global effort to amplify the importance of early literacy and provide access to high-quality children’s books.
SEE MARCUS GROW will be available in both English and Spanish custom Jumpstart special editions which will feature reading tips, vocabulary lists, reading comprehension questions, and activity guides developed by Jumpstart’s team of early education experts.
Published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, SEE MARCUS GROW is a heartwarming picture book that follows Marcus, a curious Black child, as he learns valuable life lessons in his beloved grandma’s garden. This vibrant intergenerational story celebrates nature and treating living things with respect and care and introduces young readers to the wonders of gardening. It explores themes of curiosity, discovery, nurturing, and growth, and emphasizes the importance of passing down knowledge, as young Marcus’s grandma shares her delight in gardening with him.
Jumpstart supports preschool children’s literacy and social-emotional development through in-classroom programming; this includes selecting high-quality books that showcase diverse characters and experiences. Jumpstart’s Read for the Record campaign aims to promote representation in children’s literature with books that serve as both mirrors and windows, allowing children to see characters who share similar experiences and also be exposed to new outlooks and understanding. Jumpstart pairs preschoolers with caring volunteers to develop the foundational skills needed for kindergarten success. Proceeds from Read for the Record support their year-round classroom programming in preschools and community centers across the nation.
“For twenty years, Jumpstart has brought millions of hearts and minds together through the magic of reading aloud,” said Jumpstart CEO Crystal Rountree. “The joy that sparkles in a child’s eyes when they connect with a story is exactly why we do this work! With SEE MARCUS GROW, we’ve found the perfect children’s book for our twentieth anniversary celebration—a book that radiates our values and celebrates the pure delight of nurturing young minds. Marcus Bridgewater doesn’t just tell a story—he extends a warm invitation for children and adults to blossom together, plant seeds of imagination, and grow roots of lifelong learning. I get goosebumps just thinking about millions of voices reading in unison on February 26, 2026! This year’s expanded celebration leading to our special Read for the Record Day isn’t just a milestone—it’s a joyful reminder that when we read together, we grow together. And that’s something truly worth celebrating!”
Everyone is invited to pledge to read with Jumpstart at readfortherecord.org. You can also purchase books or cases of books to be donated to a Jumpstart classroom or community partner. All proceeds help bring Jumpstart’s program to more preschool children in underserved communities across the country.
To learn more about Jumpstart’s Read for the Record, visit readfortherecord.org.