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Dear Colleagues,

 I'm writing with news of a new digital initiative dedicated to literacy from Penguin Group and the Pearson Foundation — one that as of this morning is available at www.wegivebooks.org. (Thanks to everyone who took part in the beta testing of this site! Your help and support remain much appreciated.)
 
We Give Books enables anyone with access to the internet to put books in the hands of children who don't have them, simply by reading online. The free website gives parents, caregivers, and educators immediate access to a growing digital library of children's books from DK and from Penguin Group. For each book read online at www.wegivebooks.org, the Pearson Foundation — working together with a growing list of great non-profit organizations-will donate a brand new hardcover or paperback book to a child in need. 
 
This morning, we are formally announcing We Give Books at a press conference in Washington D.C.

This U.S. launch has been timed to coincide with a four-city tour of the Rock Bottom Remainders-a rock band comprised of best-selling authors including Mitch Albom, Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson, Amy Tan, Scott Turow, and Roy Blount, Jr., who will be performing benefit concerts on behalf of We Give Books beginning this evening.  Later this summer, we'll have a similar formal rollout in the UK.
 
There's much to be proud of about this new program. What pleases me the most is that this initiative is a way for Pearson people-and people everywhere-to have a direct hand in selecting the organizations their reading at We Give Books supports. This alone seems like something great. Soon, however, we'll make it possible for Pearson people to help select the charity partners who will appear on the site. Making these selections will be another way in which you can have direct involvement in the work of the Foundation and the lives of the people the Foundation serves.
 
I hope you'll have time to visit the new site and share it with a child in your life.
 
We Give Books, I believe, will be another reason you're as proud to work at Pearson as I am.

Most sincerely,
Mark Nieker
President, The Pearson Foundation