COLUMBUS — On Monday, Ohio first lady Fran DeWine welcomed second lady of the United States Usha Vance to the Ohio State Fair to celebrate her Second Lady Summer Reading Challenge.

At the event, Vance and DeWine spoke about the importance of early literacy. Vance created the Second Lady Summer Reading Challenge, available to every child in kindergarten through eighth grade to join. The challenge encourages children to continue learning throughout the summertime by reading 12 books of their choice.

“It was a pleasure discussing the Summer Reading Challenge with First Lady of Ohio Fran DeWine and sharing our love of reading with kids at the State Fair. I am grateful for her support of my Summer Reading Challenge and encourage everyone to pick up a new book today,” Vance said.

As first lady of Ohio, DeWine has promoted Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio, where all children from birth to 5 years old can receive one free, age-appropriate book in the mail each month. Ohio has the largest statewide Imagination Library program in the United States with more than 407,000 children signed up. The program is currently reaching 70% of households in Ohio with children under the age of 5.

“Early literacy is so important to ensuring Ohio kids are ready to go when they reach kindergarten,” DeWine said. “It was so special to be with Second Lady Usha Vance today at the Natural Resources Park at the Ohio State Fair to read to kids and challenge them to explore nature and encourage a love of reading.”

Additionally, Vance and DeWine read “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Children later explored the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Park at the fairgrounds by participating in a scavenger hunt. The scavenger hunt included spots that featured elements from the book reading, including the park’s Butterfly House. Younger children participated in a butterfly craft.

The Second Lady Summer Reading Challenge is open now until Sept. 5. To learn more about the Second Lady Summer Reading Challenge, visit whitehouse.gov/read.

To learn more about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio, visit ohioimaginationlibrary.org.