Reading with Infants,
Toddlers and Preschoolers
Literacy Links
Below, we have compiled a list of places to find book reviews, literacy events, and literacy connections. It is by no means an exhaustive list, but rather a springboard into your exploration of the literacy community. If you know of a local organization that works for literacy for all, or if there is a local bookstore that you enjoy, support and recommend, please send us the name, location and a bit about it so we can share the site with others in your area.
Reach Out and Read
Boston, MA
Have you received a book at your pediatrician’s office thanks to Reach Out and Read? Pediatricians are among the few who have the most influence over ALL babies and new parents. ROR "promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms nationwide by GIVING new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud."
Learn more and subscribe to the newsletter at www.reachoutandread.org.
Operation: Kid Equip
Troy, MI
"Operation: Kid Equip’s long term vision is a community where every child’s basic needs are met. To accomplish this in the short term we provide school supplies, books and dictionaries to children who are at-risk. To effect long term community improvement, we work to increase awareness of the issues facing school-aged children to help them succeed in school and in life."
http://www.operationkidequip.org/
Read About Me!
Houston, TX
Read About Me!'s goal is "to promote youth and family literacy with innovative, creative and fun storybooks." Read About Me! 'offers children an educational, fun and innovative way to get into reading by reading about themselves along side their favorite storybook characters. These hardcover, durable and wipeable books are great keepsakes for years to come.' They ship in the U.S. only.
http://www.READABOUTMECHILDRENSBOOKS.com
Catching Joy
Waban, MA
"Catching Joy values reading and libraries which is why we link up with organizations that promote literacy. We hold many of our events at books, libraries and schools. Check out our website at www.catchingjoy.org."
BookSpring
Austin, TX
BookSpring is an Austin-based nonprofit organization that instills children and their parents with a love of reading and promotes books as a means to success. BookSpring champions early literacy to empower children with a lifelong love of reading. Empowering Programs: BookSpring partners with Reach Out and Read, RIF, reBook, and BookClub.
First Book
"First Book provides access to new books for children in need. Since 1992, First Book has distributed more than 80 million books to programs and schools serving children throughout the United States and Canada.
First Book is transforming the lives of children from low-income families and elevating the quality of education by making new, high-quality books available on an ongoing basis."
http://www.firstbook.org
LitWorld
'LitWorld is an international nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2007 to cultivate literacy leaders worldwide through transformational literacy experiences that build connection, understanding, resilience and strength. All children have the right to read and write, and to change the world with their words and stories'.
Read Kiddo Read
Have you discovered James Patterson’s ReadKiddoRead.com yet? Full of brightly colored pictures and helpful book reviews for children ages 0 and up, the site is easy to navigate and “dedicated to helping parents find books that will get their kids reading.” We would love to know which of James Patterson’s picks are already in your child’s library. (You can also 'like' ReadKiddoRead on facebook.)
http://www.readkiddoread.com/home
Cake Wrecks
Sunday Sweets: Bookin' It
We could not resist sharing these book inspired cakes. What a wonderful way to honor a child and his or her favorite story.
Center on Media and Child Health at Children’s Hospital Boston, MA
"Our vision is to educate and empower both children and those who care for them to create and consume media in ways that optimize children’s health and development."
Little Big Book Club
Norwood, South Africa
"The Little Big Book Club is a not for profit organisation dedicated to supporting and inspiring families and the early childhood sector to read with their little ones. LBBC’s Objectives:
•To increase awareness of the importance of reading aloud to children from infancy
•To encourage parents, carers and professionals to read regularly to young children
•To provide appropriate resources for parents, carers and those in the early childhood sector
•To improve children’s emergent literacy skills prior to entering formal education
•To develop a lifelong love of books and reading
Our monthly It’s Story Time program is a holistic approach to supporting parents and carers to read with children. Each month, It’s Story Time is based around a theme. We select three of the best picture books available that are appropriate for Babies (birth - 2 years), Toddlers (2 & 3 years) and Pre-Schoolers (4 & 5 years). Our Early Childhood team then develops resources based on each book. These resources can be downloaded for free on our website."
http://www.thelittlebigbookclub.com.au
Kids’ Book Review
Australia
"Founded by author Tania McCartney, Kids' Book Review is an Australian children’s book review site with a passion for promoting literary works worldwide. Kids Book Review is frequented by teachers, industry professionals and book lovers all over the world. As writers, bloggers and children’s authors ourselves, we are passionate about showcasing and supporting children’s literature from board boards to YA fiction."
http://www.kids-bookreview.com
Reading to Kids
Los Angeles, CA
"Reading to Kids is a grassroots organization dedicated to inspiring underserved children with a love of reading. On the second Saturday of each month, Reading to kids coordinates monthly reading clubs at which pairs of volunteers read aloud to small groups of children, while their parents receive training on how to encourage their children to read at home. Kids, parents, teachers, and school libraries receive book donations at the end of the reading clubs. To volunteer with Reading to Kids, please visit our website:" http://www.readingtokids.org/
BOOKSTORES
Support local bookstores...see if someone on our list is near you!
Park Street Books & Toys
Medfield, MA
This quirky, wonderful shop has something for everyone. Jim and Katherine are knowledgeable and friendly and the back rooms boast "gently used" books that look like new at drastically reduced prices. Expansion is planned for early fall 2012.
The Blue Bunny, Books and Toys
Dedham, MA
"Founded by children's book author-illustrator Peter H. Reynolds, The Blue Bunny is the Little Shop with the Big Mission: to inspire creativity and self-expression in kids and grown-up kids!"
http://www.bluebunnybooks.com
Little One Books Bookstore
"Little One Books was founded with the hope of helping parents, grandparents, caregivers and friends choose the right book, video or music for the little ones in their life. Each selection has been reviewed and will give the buyer insight into why kids will love the product, what lessons or educational tools the product can provide and a personal story about the product."
http://www.littleonebooks.com/
Book Bugs Bookstore
Aldgate, South Africa
An "online store where you can browse and purchase books for pre-school children. Our carefully selected range of children’s books will interest and help develop your little ones imagination and understanding."
They "specialise in Book Bouquets - a selection of children’s books packaged in our specially made Book Bugs calico library bags and beautifully presented in a gift box and delivered to your special child."
http://www.bookbugs.com.au
Wellesley Booksmith
Wellesley, MA
"Wellesley Books is an independent, locally owned bookstore known for our helpful staff of booksellers, our outstanding children's department, and our unique selection of cards and gifts for all ages. When you browse our shelves you'll find we offer an expert selection of new fiction and non-fiction books, in addition to the wide variety of "gently read" titles in our Used Book Cellar. Google Editions are now available on our website! Our bi-weekly e-mail newsletter gives you the latest staff picks, coming events, featured gifts, store news, and upcoming storytime themes."
http://www.wellesleybooks.com/
Slimy Bookworm
Highland, CA
"Engaging young minds to create life-long readers.
Up to 20% of profits goes to fund literacy efforts in the US and oversees. Children's books from ages 0-12; parenting books, select toys with book themes and popular characters."
We Read Barefoot
hosts' location
Barefoot Books "began with two mothers who wanted their children to have books that would feed the imagination, while instilling a respect for diversity and a love of the planet. Today, we are a world-wide community of writers, artists, storytellers, musicians, and others who are committed to providing timeless stories and captivating art that can help children become happy, engaged members of a global society.'"
Barefoot Books "offers beautiful books, CDs, puzzles, puppets and more that capture the imagination, spark curiosity, inspire creativity, and instill a respect for the diversity of the planet and for the earth itself. Host a party and earn free books for your children! Fundraising and business opportunities available! Join my Team and become a Barefoot Books Ambassador TODAY!!"
http://www.wereadbarefoot.com
Beautiful Books Bookstore
online
"Online bookstore, providing book reviews, activity ideas, and a place to share especially for babies and preschoolers and the caregivers who love them."
http://www.beautifulbooksforchildren.com
I See Me! books
online
Children love to see and read about themselves. "I See Me!" books create a story using your child’s name (or the gift name of your choice). The colorful illustrations use animals to spell out the name you provide.
Click Here to see the organizations and bookstores our fans recommended in a recent facebook survey.
"I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves."
~Anna Quindlen
Copyright 2012 Reading with Infants,
Toddlers and Preschoolers.
All rights reserved.
