Whereas, Literacy is critical to the well-being and prosperity of our citizens and communities throughout Michigan and across the nation; and,

Whereas, The first five years of a child's life are a critical time in the healthy development of complex thinking, advanced language skills, and social and emotional development; and,

Whereas, The Library of Michigan's "Michigan Reads!" one-state, one-children's-book program aims to promote the value and benefits of reading early and often to children to encourage family bonding through reading and to increase awareness and usage of Michigan's libraries as excellent learning and literacy resources; and,

Whereas, It is important that Michigan citizens continue to celebrate the importance of reading, strive to overcome challenges to literacy, and further commit themselves to the advancement and appreciation of the written language; and,

Whereas, Michigan author Nancy Shaw and illustrator Howard Fine use lively verse and action-filled pictures to tell the child-pleasing story of a family of mischievous raccoons and their rollicking night outing in "Raccoon Tune" - selected as the 2008 Michigan Reads! Book; and,

Whereas, One of the best gifts that we can give our children is a love of reading that inspires the imagination, feeds the soul and strengthens the mind; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim September 2008 as Michigan Reads to Children Month.  I commend the Library of Michigan, the Library of Michigan Foundation, Target, Michigan libraries, and everyone involved with the 2008 Michigan Reads! program for their steadfast commitment to capturing the imagination of Michigan's children.