Mayor Peyton's Book Club will kick off its fifth year with a new twist.  Inspired by Richard Louv's book "Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder," Jacksonville's 4-year-old pre-kindergartners will now be offered several "green" additions through the Book Club, part of the Mayor's RALLY Jacksonville! early literacy initiative.

The Great Outdoor Adventure will provide opportunities for Jacksonville 4-year-olds and their families to get outdoors and learn about nature, conservation and the environment. 

In addition to the original 11 books and literacy tools provided to Book Club members, new members will now receive a twelfth book entitled "We're Going Green" sponsored by JEA and written by Olivia Coker, Madeline Daniel and Coleman Coker, young relatives of the late Fran Peacock Coker, who authored the first set of books, and illustrated by Ethan Long. 

New members will also receive a magnet featuring monthly "green" themes and corresponding park locations. A monthly schedule of events, activities, educational programming, books and story times hosted by the Recreation and Community Services Department and the Jacksonville Public Library will be outlined in greater detail on www.jaxkids.net.

Mayor Peyton's Book Club will also receive a "green" facelift in other respects.  In lieu of the signature backpack, new members will now receive their learning tools in a reusable tote sponsored by JM Family/Southeast Toyota.  The tote may be used in a variety of ways (for example, grocery trips, family outings or as an overnight bag) to help teach children about the importance of reusable materials. 

"Community and corporate participation has been the foundation for RALLY Jacksonville! and I am so appreciative of JEA and JM Family/Southeast Toyota's commitment to growing our future conservationists," said Mayor Peyton.  "This 'captive audience' of nearly 9,000 new 4-year-olds each year provides the perfect opportunity to enhance early literacy and begin reintroducing our children to the great outdoors."

Online registration will continue starting Sept. 2, reducing the amount of paper needed to register the book club members.  All books, which are printed locally on recycled paper, will be provided at once, rather than through the mail. 

Mayor Peyton announced the new program at the 17th Annual Environmental Luncheon on June 13, 2008.  Louv served as the keynote speaker for the event, outlining his concept of "Leave No Child Inside".  Louv's work has inspired individuals worldwide to focus on reconnecting children to nature.  To learn more about him, visit http://richardlouv.com.

Corporate and community involvement in any of the RALLY Jacksonville!  elements is welcome.  Opportunities for involvement include sponsoring an item in the Book Club tote, volunteering individually or forming a RALLY Champions! volunteer team to read to a childcare center on a routine basis, assist with environmental education programming at a community center, sponsoring a field trip or holiday party for a childcare center, serving as a guest speaker and/or activity coordinator at a childcare center, providing or gathering resources to enhance childcare center, volunteering at the Jacksonville Public Library, supporting a Mayor's Book Club event or contributing financially to the RALLY Fund! at the Community Foundation.

For more information on RALLY Jacksonville! call (904) 630-4754 or visit www.jaxkids.net. For more information on scheduling and locations for Great Outdoors Adventure classes, visit www.jaxparks.com."