The 17th African American Read-In hosted by the University of Northern Iowa College of Education will be a virtual event on Feb. 16, with more than 3,200 first graders from school districts across Iowa participating.

The read-in connects students with African American authors, illustrators and literature. This year the event has been extended to first grade classrooms across the state, with a record registration of first graders from 162 mostly public and private school classrooms in 66 schools and 27 counties. The morning session will feature live read-alongs of two books, a “draw-along” with an illustrator, and a puppet show. The afternoon session will feature readings by two authors and a draw-along with the illustrator.

The National African American Read-In is sponsored by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English and endorsed by the international Reading Association.

More information and registration can be found at UNI’s African American Read-In website.