Chapter Programs
The board of directors of each community-based Reading Foundation determines which activities and resources will be most helpful to families and caregivers in their region. Local donations and partnerships make the programs a reality, along with an annual gift from the First Book National Book Bank. Examples of our programs include:
• Books for Babies: Hospital staff and midwives present parents with baby's first book, “Read to Me” bib, brochure on how & why to read to their baby, library card application, and a message from their school district.
• Books to Grow On: “Reach Out and Read” in some areas. During well-visits with their pediatrician, children from 6 months to 4 years old receive a new book and a prescription to read 20 minutes a day.
• Well Fed, Well Read: also called “Love Me, Feed Me, Read to Me”: As families visit area food banks and meal centers, young children select a new book. Parents receive a book marker with read aloud tips.
• Home Health Nurses/Home Visitors/Foster Care Families: A new book and parent education is offered during each visit to the home. Brief data is collected of parent comments and behavior.
• Sunshine Shelves: Brightly painted yellow book shelves are stocked with gently used books in targeted apartment offices and employee lunch rooms. Parents are invited to, “Take a book home to read with your child tonight.” Like a mini-library, books are returned for another title.
• Booker T. (“Twenty”) Bear: Our mascot is a big yellow bear with a blue “20 minutes a day” t-shirt. He is available for school visits and other events. Children love to cuddle and hear a story with Booker.
• “Read With Me” Story Van: Story times with activities at housing developments, farms, home child care providers, community events, etc. Activities include crafts, dramatizations, finger plays, songs, and time for socializing with other children and their parents.
• Read Around the House: Children receive a drawing of a two-story house and yard. They color each area when they read in various locations. Pictures are displayed at the library. Variation: Write and illustrate a story around the house; read aloud at community event.
• Dads and Doughnuts - Moms and Muffins: Short and popular gatherings at schools, parks and community locations. For example, moms, grandmothers, aunts, female caregivers and friends are invited to read with their children and to enjoy a snack of muffins, coffee and juice.
• First Teacher Libraries: New elementary teachers receive 100 children's books for their first classroom.
• Storybook Santa: Before Santa arrives at the local mall, his elves read books to waiting children. Santa gives children a book rather than candy.
• Breakfast with Santa: Local service clubs sponsor a warm breakfast for low-income children, where they listen to the Polar Express, watch a skit, sing, and get a new book and hug from Santa.
