MAY 2025

Say YES to the Dress

by Judy Newman

This month, I attended two amazing events to support the national rollout of our new literacy program, The United States of Readers:

On May 1st in Washington, DC, with the Rockefeller Foundation and Save the Children and its incredible ambassador, actress Jennifer Garner:

Then, on May 7th, in Harrisburg, PA, at the beautiful rotunda in the state capitol building, I joined Sheryl Lee Ralph, star of the ABC-TV hit show, Abbott Elementary, and her husband, Senator Vincent Hughes, fierce advocate for literacy for all children in PA, to talk about bringing the United States of Readers kids attending under-resourced schools throughout the Commonwealth. The event was passionate and newsworthy and was featured in People magazine.

It was truly thrilling to be in the company of—and photographed with—superstars Jen Garner and Sheryl Lee Ralph. Alas, I realized, too late, that I was wearing the same dress for both very well-publicized events.

The battle for literacy for all children, particularly children living in poverty who have no access to choose and own their own books and develop their self-confidence as readers, is all-consuming and definitely does not hinge on what I am wearing.  But as we bring more supporters and partners into our United States of Readers community—from the Caitlin Clark Foundation to Bijan Robinson and Who Would Win?® superstar author Jerry Pallotta—and get more media attention, I realize I need to go shopping.

As with all of my life choices, I take inspiration from some of my favorite children’s book characters.  When it comes to saying yes to the dress, I am going to look toward some of my glamour girls:

I know Kevin Henkes, and I wouldn’t say that I call him a fashionista, but his girl characters—Lilly and Chrysanthemum—and Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle—are inspiring dressers. 

Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus—with her colorful, narrative dresses sets the fashion standard for teachers.

Kelly Greenawalt’s Princess Truly, whose sparkling curls and colorful outfits enliven her adventures.

Fancy Nancy, created by Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss-Glaser, who has command of her wardrobe and her words.

And Esperanza, Pam Muñoz Ryan’s beloved Pura Belpré Award-winning character—set to star in a graphic novel version of Esperanza Rising next September—in which we’ll see more outfits, I am sure.

The throughline of these characters is that they are confident and capable. Our goal is to help all kids become confident and capable readers through our new literacy program, the United States of Readers.

Based on 30 years of experience at Scholastic, working with children, families, and classroom teachers and working with a new nonprofit organization, Impact Reading, our goal is to bring USOR to 10 million children living in poverty in every state in the US (plus DC and Puerto Rico) who currently have no access to develop their self-confidence as readers by choosing and owning their own books.

To reach that goal, it takes well-dressed supporters from all corners of the public and private sectors to give advice, supply funding, and help get the word out.

The United States of Readers is built on a successful two-year pilot with proven results—funded by mega-bestselling author and philanthropist James Patterson and Scholastic—to 50,000 students in every state in the US. It is beloved by students, families, and teachers, and has been named a big bet for America by the Rockefeller Foundation and a chosen partner of Save the Children. The United States of Readers gives all children access and the opportunity to choose and own their books all school year long.

To be honest, I would show up wearing a Clifford costume if that would help bring attention and support to the United States of Readers. But we all feel better when we’re wearing something we feel competent in. Some of my favorite girl bosses in children’s literature have colorful, stylish dresses they wear as they express themselves.

Like Ms. Frizzle, Chrysanthemum, Lilly, Princess Truly, Fancy Nancy, and Esperanza, I do have a few professional, photo-worthy dresses in my closet. But I do need to make sure I have enough wardrobe changes.

Anyone want to go shopping?

Judy •

Judy Newman, Chief Impact Officer, Scholastic