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Bringing Books and Children Together
Research reveals that children learn to read more easily if
they are read to regularly, beginning at birth. Early readiness
to read helps prepare children for future success in school and
employment. Ready to Read promotes reading aloud to families
with children from birth to five years, particularly those at
risk.
Ready to Read utilizes five key components to promote early
childhood literacy: a cadre of Volunteer Readers, Books for
Babies, Rx Reading, Partners in Reading, and a variety of events
to build
community awareness.
One event,
the annual Great
Grown-Up Spelling Bee, raises nearly $20,000 each year to
purchase books for children. This year's Bee will be held on
November 14. Teams are forming now! For more information,
call the Ready to Read coordinator at 553-7803.
Ready to Read began in 1997 through Healthy Futures, a
county-wide initiative that connects people and resources to
improve health and well-being. Kalamazoo Public Library leads
this growing collaboration of community organizations that work
to ensure that Kalamazoo
County children arrive at school prepared for learning to
read.
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