Voice of DORA THE EXPLORER to Take Part in Read Across America Day

The Brooke Jackman Foundation (BJF) and the Screen Actors Guild Foundation's BookPALS are teaming up for Read Across America Day with rising star Fatima Ptacek, the 12-year-old voice of the internationally beloved cartoon character Dora the Explorer and a lead actress in the 2013 Oscar award-winning short 'Curfew,' for a reading of Dr. Seuss and No More Por Favor on Friday, March 1 at the Brooke Jackman Library at PS 111 in Manhattan. Seventy-five kindergarten students will participate and each will leave with a book donated by BJF.

BookPAL Fatima Ptacek to read in English and Spanish and distribute books to 75 kindergarten students for Read Across America Day takes place on Friday, March 1 at 1:30-2:45 p.m. at PS 111, Brooke Jackman Library 440 West 53rd Street (between 9th and 10th Aves.) New York, NY

Fatima will wear a Cat-in-the-Hat hat in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday and Read Across America Day

"We want to capture the imagination and attention of children in New York and have them fall into a lifelong love of reading," said Erin Jackman, Executive Director of the Brooke Jackman Foundation. "Working with the SAG Foundation BookPALS to bring books to life is one dynamic, fresh way we hope to accomplish our mission."

The bilingual children's show Dora the Explorer has been translated into 34 languages, is broadcast in 100 countries and has brought in over a billion dollars in revenue for Nickelodeon. Despite all this, actress Fatima Ptacek is a down-to-earth twelve-year old from Queens. "I'm really excited to be taking part in Read Across America Day at PS 111," said Ptacek. "As an avid reader, I think it's so important to have this program, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my love of reading with children and give back to my community!"

"This year marks the 20th anniversary of BookPALS, our signature children's literacy program," said JoBeth Williams, president of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation. "Our 'BookPALS' are proud to participate in Read Across America Day and will be bringing books to life in classrooms across the country. We're thrilled to partner with the Brooke Jackman Foundation at PS 111."

About the Brooke Jackman Foundation

The Brooke Jackman Foundation was started 11 years ago to honor Brooke Jackman, a bright and compassionate 23-year-old who was killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks before achieving her dream of becoming a social worker. Brooke was an avid reader, and her passion and commitment to literacy and helping children spurred the Jackman family to create BJF as her living legacy - turning tragedy and despair into hope for a better world. Since 2001, the Brooke Jackman Foundation has donated nearly 200,000 books and over 20,000 Brooke Packs, backpacks filled with books and school supplies, to children and families in need. BJF has established four libraries, as well as a number of after-school literacy programs in schools, homeless shelters and Family Justice Centers for victims of domestic violence and crime. The BJF Family Literacy program welcomes over 1,000 families a year at schools in Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Washington Heights and Inwood, as well as at the NYC Family Justice Centers in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. For more information, please visit www.brookejackmanfoundation.org.

About the SAG Foundation

Founded in 1985, the Screen Actors Guild Foundation is an educational, humanitarian and philanthropic 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Governed and funded independently of SAG-AFTRA, the Screen Actors Guild Foundation provides vital assistance and educational programming to the professionals of SAG-AFTRA while serving the public at large through its signature children's literacy programs. Since 1993, SAG Foundation has been committed to championing children's literacy. Through many diverse and innovative programs the SAG Foundation continues to inspire children to read and write. The SAG Foundation relies solely on grants, donations and the support from thousands of performers across the country. For more information, please visitwww.bookpals.net.