Mo. first lady promoting reading to preschoolers

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri first lady Georganne Nixon will be touring the state encouraging children to read.

Next week is the annual "Read Across America" event, and Gov. Jay Nixon's wife was getting a head start Friday in Jefferson City. She was scheduled to read Susan Marie Swanson's "The House in the Night" to a preschool class and talk about the importance of reading for children and adults.

"Read Across America" is an annual nationwide event tied to the birthday of author Dr. Seuss. Missouri schools have planned numerous special events next week.