The Raising A Reader MA mission is to give every child an equal opportunity for achievement by engaging low-income parents in a routine of daily book sharing from birth to age five, fostering healthy brain development, parent-child bonding, and the early literacy skills essential for school success.

Description:
How it Works

Raising A Reader is a results-oriented program that overcomes traditional barriers to literacy by tapping into the natural storytelling traditions of all people, ultimately helping families with young children establish a regular practice of library usage and “read-aloud” behavior.

Working through a variety of early childhood programs, Raising A Reader rotates a set of bright red bags filled with award-winning children’s books into the homes of low-income families on a weekly basis. The books are selected by a panel of literacy experts for their appealing artwork, age-appropriate language, and multicultural themes.

Before beginning the book bag rotation, early childhood professionals are trained in interactive “read-aloud” techniques that stimulate early brain development and language acquisition. These professionals in turn train low-income parents, giving them the confidence and enthusiasm to engage in the shared book experience even if they cannot read.

Once the red book bag rotation is underway and a read-aloud routine has been established, Raising A Reader, in partnership with the local library, issues a special Blue Library to each child in the program. While children have to return the red book bags and books each week, the Blue Library bags are theirs to keep and use as they build a lifetime habit of library usage. When Raising A Reader families walk into the library, often for the first time, they are given special attention and made to feel at home.

History:
Raising a Reader is a national model that was brought to Massachusetts by the Green Light Fund. Launched in Chelsea in 2006, the program currently serves over 3,000 children in the Greater Boston area. Raising a Reader will soon launch in Lawrence and continues to grow.

Contact people:

Donna DeFillipo, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Casey Johnson, Program Director, (phone), (email)

Address:

9B Hamilton Place, 3rd Floor Boston, MA 02108 (See a map)