"Read to Me" banner that can be hung inside or outside of building

I was completely blown away and inspired when I recently learned about this fabulous community literacy project which emphasizes “beginning at the beginning” which is the theme of our book, Baby Read-Aloud Basics.

Family Reading Partnership is at the national forefront of community literacy efforts. Their mission is to create a culture of literacy in partnership with every sector of the community in Ithaca, New York.

If you are inspired to start such a literacy project in your community, you could not find a more effective model. Go to www.familyreading.org.

Read to Me Calendar, illus. by Maggie Smith

Read-Along Songs, John Simon, Cal Walker

Books given from before birth to school years

At Home with Books Newsletter

As you can see from the photos, there are many segments  to this exemplary Family Reading Partnership. The quarterly newsletter is filled with valuable information and news. Given away to preschool and Head Start children, the large beautifully illustrated calendar has valuable read-aloud tips. The CD with read-alouds that are then sung is a treasure the whole family can enjoy, and it’s given away to children with the books.

If every community, big or small, implemented a Family reading Partnership, we would not need to spend gazillions on programs like No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top.

So go right to www.familyreading.org. Just start with one or two of their initiatives and gradually build on what you create. Contact the Family Reading Director, Brigid Hubberman. She is a literacy Angel who has done a world of good for families and children.

Read to Me Banners on outsides of buildings