Mayor Walsh announces 2013 ReadBoston "Best Read Aloud Book Award" winner

 Mayor Martin J. Walsh joined ReadBoston for the 10th annual “Best Read Aloud Book Award” selection event. A group of notable Bostonians gathered in the Mayor’s office to pick the best read aloud book of 2013. Twelve books were presented to the volunteer judges, and the panel named Rosie Revere, Engineer as the winner. The book was written by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts, and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers.

The selection committee included WBZ-TV’s Lisa Hughes, literary agent Ike Williams, State Representative Russell Holmes, Boston Globe columnist Kevin Cullen, ESPN columnist Jackie MacMullan, Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston CEO Josh Kraft, Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray, the Boston Public Library’s President Amy Ryan, President and CEO of the Greater Boston YMCA Kevin Washington, fashion designer Tonya Mezrich, City Councilor Ayanna Pressley, ReadBoston’s Executive Director Theresa Lynn, and others.

New York Times bestselling author Andrea Beaty’s popular children’s book previously received a 2013Parents Choice Gold Award. Rosie Revere, Engineer tells the story of a girl and her dream of becoming an engineer. Rosie is inspired to invent things from odds and ends that some people might see as rubbish. Afraid of failure, she hides her creations under her bed until a fateful visit from her great-great-aunt Rose shows her that she can only truly fail if she quits.

Over 400 books were submitted from across the U.S. and Canada for consideration in ReadBoston’s Best Read Aloud Book Award program. The award was created 10 years ago to bring attention to the importance of reading aloud to children. The winning books, with illustrations that help tell the story, are meant to engage children 4-8 years old in group reading.

About ReadBoston:

ReadBoston is the city’s only comprehensive early literacy program, reaching Boston’s children at all points in their day, all year long. The program provide schools, after school programs, early childhood centers, summer programs and families with the resources they need to set Boston’s children on the path to reading success. Follow the latest on ReadBoston by visiting www.facebook.com/ReadBoston.