DENVER (CBS4) – Denver’s preschool “One Book, One Denver” program is growing statewide.

On Wednesday Mayor Michael Hancock and Lt. Gov. Joseph Garcia kicked off the program at the Denver Public Library and unveiled this year’s book, “Maybe the Bear Ate It.” It’s the story of a critter who loses his favorite book.

As part of the program 70,000 copies of the book will be given to 4-year-olds across the state.

“So we know that something as simple as putting a book in the hands of a child can really be the determining factor in starting them off, making sure that when they arrive at kindergarten they arrive ready to learn, ready to learn to read,” Garcia said.

After the announcement the preschoolers at the library got to hear Hancock read the book to them.