As part of its programming, Buzzword distributes its signature “BUZZ Boxes” to local families to help excite children from birth to age five as well as their caregivers about new words that are all around them. These family engagement kits come complete with a high-quality children’s book and enriching activities that support early literacy skills and development.
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This month’s Buzzword is SOCIALIZE, which means how we react with others. Buzzword’s SOCIALIZE Activity Book will give children – ages birth to five – and their caregivers the opportunity to connect through science, art, music, and early literacy activities.
Caregivers are encouraged to read through Crunch the Shy Dinosaur by Cicco Dunlap with their child. Then, they should go through the different activities and ideas together, taking time to explain the meaning of the words and connecting them to their child’s real-life experiences.
Buzzword has also provided a SOCIALIZE book list of recommendations from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh for further reading.
View the SOCIALIZE Activity Book and book recommendations.
More Information
Want to learn more on how to get involved with Buzzword? Ask your local Allegheny County Family Center about the program, or email buzzword@tryingtogether.org.
Those interested in applying for the 2026 Joan Brest Friedberg and Elizabeth “Betty” Segel Children’s Literacy Award should fill out an application by Friday, February 20.
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The children’s literacy award, which began in 2025, is granted to individuals, programs, or organizations demonstrating a commitment to sharing quality diverse books with children and families. Two awardees are selected annually and receive a cash award, plaque, and three books.
The awards ceremony will be held in March in recognition of National Reading Month, and will include conversations with authors, testimonials from BwB staff and volunteers, and acceptance speeches by awardees.
To apply for the award, complete the application form and submit it by midnight on February 20. To submit by email, connect with the program coordinators at wrashia@gmail.com (Dr. Aisha White) and battlecynthia02@gmail.com (Cynthia Battle).
Friedberg and Segel launched the Beginning with Books (BwB) program in 1984 after seeing the need for early literacy support in Pittsburgh. The program grew to include such projects as The Gift Book Program, Best Books for Babies, Project BEACON, the BwB Storymobile, and more.
As part of its programming, Buzzword distributes its signature “BUZZ Boxes” to local families to help excite children from birth to age five as well as their caregivers about new words that are all around them. These family engagement kits come complete with a high-quality children’s book and enriching activities that support early literacy skills and development.
Learn More
This month’s Buzzword is RECIPE, which means a set of instructions for preparing something. Buzzword’s RECIPE Activity Book will give children – ages birth to five – and their caregivers the opportunity to connect through science, art, music, and early literacy activities.
Caregivers are encouraged to read through Empanadas for Everyone by Jackie Azua Kramer with their child. Then, they should go through the different activities and ideas together, taking time to explain the meaning of the words and connecting them to their child’s real-life experiences.
Buzzword has also provided a RECIPE book list of recommendations from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh for further reading.
View the RECIPE Activity Book and book recommendations.
More Information
Want to learn more on how to get involved with Buzzword? Ask your local Allegheny County Family Center about the program, or email buzzword@tryingtogether.org.
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host a Children’s Literacy Summit on Saturday, Sept. 27 at its CLP – Main branch in Oakland.
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Literacy organizations from the Greater Pittsburgh region will take part in the event to champion early literacy among young learners. It will bring together leaders, advocates, librarians, educators, caregivers, and anyone passionate about early literacy.
Attendees will explore strategies, share best practices, and spark conversations to empower children, from birth to age 8, through the joy of reading.
The summit will also include a Children’s Literacy Resource Fair, beginning at noon, where attendees can connect with local literacy organizations, discover valuable resources and services, and learn how to get involved to support early literacy efforts in the community.
The summit will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Families, child care providers, libraries, and community organizations can help to nurture a love of reading in young children through the Pennsylvania One Book program, which offers free, engaging resources to support early literacy and meaningful reading experiences.
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Each year, the PA One Book program selects a book for young children and a collection of easy-to-use tools to bring the story to life. In April, the program named Lori Mortensen’s “Arlo Draws an Octopus” as the 2025 PA One Book of the year.
In the book, a young boy named Arlo attempts to draw an octopus, but believes that he hasn’t done so successfully. As he vows never to draw an octopus again, he makes a discovery that changes his perspective about drawing. The book is paired with printable activity sheets and additional activities that align to the state’s Learning Standards for Early Childhood.
The resources that accompany the book are designed to be used at home, in classrooms, during library story times, and at community events.
For more information or to download free materials, visit PA One Book’s website.
The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released its 2025 Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip.
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Through the initiative, families, teachers, and early childhood partners can explore ways to support young children’s love of reading and learning.
Participants will learn facts about Pennsylvania’s rivers, lakes, and wildlife as well as take part in hands-on activities with their children and utilize book suggestions and tips that match the state’s Early Learning Standards.
Those taking part in the literacy road trip can keep track of the books they read and draw pictures in a travel journal. Readers can print the map and learn about the state’s waterways.
Other activities included in the Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip include:
- Nature walk and scavenger hunt
- Storytime picnic
- Nature art
- Water play and exploration
- Sing-along and movement games
Each of these activities includes a learning connection, printable activity, and book pairings. For more information on the Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip, visit PA Promise for Children’s website.
As part of its programming, Buzzword distributes its signature “BUZZ Boxes” to local families to help excite children from birth to age five as well as their caregivers about new words that are all around them. These family engagement kits come complete with a high-quality children’s book and enriching activities that support early literacy skills and development.
Learn More
This month’s Buzzword is COUNT, which means to name numbers in order. Buzzword’s COUNT Activity Book will give children – ages birth to five – and their caregivers the opportunity to connect through science, art, music, and early literacy activities.
Caregivers are encouraged to read through Gato Guapo by Anika Aldamuy Denise with their child. Then, they should go through the different activities and ideas together, taking time to explain the meaning of the words and connecting them to their child’s real-life experiences.
Buzzword has also provided a COUNT book list of recommendations from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh for further reading.
View the COUNT Activity Book and book recommendations.
More Information
Want to learn more on how to get involved with Buzzword? Ask your local Allegheny County Family Center about the program, or email buzzword@tryingtogether.org.
As part of its programming, Buzzword distributes its signature “BUZZ Boxes” to local families to help excite children from birth to age five as well as their caregivers about new words that are all around them. These family engagement kits come complete with a high-quality children’s book and enriching activities that support early literacy skills and development.
This month’s Buzzword is FRIENDSHIP, which means a state of mutual trust and support. Buzzword’s FRIENDSHIP Activity Book will give children – ages birth to five – and their caregivers the opportunity to connect through science, art, music, and early literacy activities.
Caregivers are encouraged to read through Eleven Words for Love by Randa Abdel-Fattah with their child. Then, they should go through the different activities and ideas together, taking time to explain the meaning of the words and connecting them to their child’s real-life experiences.
Buzzword has also provided a FRIENDSHIP book list of recommendations from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh for further reading.
View the FRIENDSHIP Activity Book and book recommendations.
More Information
Want to learn more on how to get involved with Buzzword? Ask your local Allegheny County Family Center about the program, or email buzzword@tryingtogether.org.
The Carnegie Library of Homestead and Maple Unified Student Academy (MUSA) will hold early literacy family workshops in April and May.
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MUSA’s event – which focuses on the book “A Day with No Words” – will run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 6. MUSA is located at 1705 Maple St., #203, in Homestead.
The Carnegie Library of Homestead, located at 510 E. 10th Ave. in Munhall, will hold an event centered around the book “The Me I Choose to Be” from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 31.
The events will include food and high-quality, racially affirming picture books. Both events are free.
Registration is open for both events. For more information, email j.briggs@pitt.edu.
The Carnegie Library of Homestead and Maple Unified Student Academy (MUSA) will hold early literacy family workshops in April and May.
Learn More
MUSA’s event – which focuses on the book “A Day with No Words” – will run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 6. MUSA is located at 1705 Maple St., #203, in Homestead.
The Carnegie Library of Homestead, located at 510 E. 10th Ave. in Munhall, will hold an event centered around the book “The Me I Choose to Be” from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 31.
The events will include food and high-quality, racially affirming picture books. Both events are free.
Registration is open for both events. For more information, email j.briggs@pitt.edu.
