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One Book 4 Colorado, a statewide initiative to support family reading at home and instill a passion for learning in young children, Monday launched the public book selection process.

The announcement came from Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia.

“One Book 4 Colorado puts books in the hands of children and helps inspire a culture of reading in their homes," Garcia said in a news release. "We’re excited to kick off the program by inviting Coloradoans of all ages to help us select this year’s book. One Book 4 Colorado is just one way for communities to come together to teach children how to read.”

One of three books will be chosen and the public is invited to visit the OB4C website, www.onebook4colorado.org, to vote for their favorite.

This year’s top three book choices are: “Duck on a Bike,” by David Shannon; “Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale,” by Mo Willems; and “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom,” by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault.

Public voting will be open through January 31, when the OB4C steering committee will consider public input as well as recommendations from educators and program partners before unveiling the winning title at the OB4C opening event May 6.

A collaboration between Reach Out and Read Colorado, Colorado State Library, Denver Preschool Program, public libraries, the private sector and the foundation community, the program is a result of two other programs based on the idea that providing young children with books promotes early literacy and engages families.

Guest celebrities such a Gov. John Hickenlooper, Missy Franklin and Kenneth Faried of the Denver Nuggets will do readings that can be watched online at the same web address for voting.

The release said more than 70,000 copies of the chosen book will be distributed to children across Colorado at local library events, Reach Out and Read clinics, doctors’ offices and through participating preschools. Available in both English and Spanish, a statewide book distribution and other literacy events will take place May 6-20.