Donelson, TENN. (WKRN) — Metro Nashville Public Schools students have been presented with a fun challenge: Read five books over the holidays, and get a free ticket to Gaylord Opryland's 42nd annual "ICE! - A Country Christmas" event. 

This literacy challenge is called 'The Cool Reader Program'. It's one of the programs aimed at getting books in front of more students and teaching a love of reading.

"It’s super simple. Pre-K through 8th grade students that go to a Metro Nashville public school are able to pick up a bookmark either at their school or at their library. They will read five books and they will track that on the bookmark. And then they will return it to their school or library. And they will get a free voucher into "ICE!", said Stefanie Ball, public relations manager at Gaylord Opryland. "Essentially kids are reading their way into "ICE!" featuring a "Charlie Brown Christmas."

And what makes "ICE: A Country Christmas" so fun is that the theme changes every year. This year's "ICE" theme is the classic holiday story, "A Charlie Brown Christmas." At the Donelson library, kids had the book read to them, and the Peanuts characters, Charlie Brown and Snoopy, even turned out to bring in a little holiday cheer. 

"This is the age when literacy becomes the biggest part of their life, and it is essential to any type of literacy that comes thereafter. And so grabbing them at this age ensures that they become lifelong learners, they enjoy reading and they get to see themselves in stories,” said Syreeta Butler, manager, Limitless Libraries Bookmobile.  

Once MNPS students read five books, they can drop off the bookmark at a local library or school library and receive a free ticket to "ICE!" at Gaylord Opryland.

"For me personally, and I think on behalf of Opryland, when we can assist the youth in some way, it creates an even more meaningful partnership for us. And through this "Cool Reader Program" that is exactly what we are doing," said Ball. "We are getting people in the festive spirit, but we are also boosting that literacy."

Gaylord Opryland is also donating "A Charlie Brown Christmas" books to 21 Nashville public libraries and 84 Nashville schools. 

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/mnps-reader-challenge/