The Raising Readers Together Club runs weekly and explores the importance of acceptance, equality, and tolerance through reading. Wednesday sessions are suitable for tweens and teens.
Raising Readers provides free books, discussion, food, songs, storytelling, and resources.
Featured Book
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- September 18 – October 30: Ugly by Robert Hoge
Poetry Party Event
On November 6, Raising Readers Together participants ages six and older are invited to a poetry party at the Frick Environmental Center! The field trip will celebrate Heinz History Center’s “From Slavery to Freedom Film Series 2019,” featuring a screening of the documentary, “Paul Laurence Dunbar: Beyond the Mask.” Bring your favorite Paul Laurence Dunbar poem and learn more about the first African American to achieve national fame as a writer.
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- Poetry Party
November 6, 2019
5:30 – 8 p.m.
Frick Environmental Center
2005 Beechwood Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Questions
For questions or more information, contact Cynthia Battle at 412.567.1304 or cynthia@tryingtogether.org.
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The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) recently launched an initiative aimed at promoting literacy even when school isn’t in session. Each week, PDE unveils a new video featuring a prominent Pennsylvanian reading a children’s book to an at-home audience.
Upcoming Readings
The initiative kicked off with Secretary Pedro Rivera reading the book, Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes, one of his personal favorite books to read to young audiences. In upcoming weeks, the initiative will feature several officials from the Wolf Administration reading books related to the work they lead, including:
Where to Watch
The videos are accessible on PDE’s Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube pages.
Learn More
To learn more, read the full press release or visit the PDE website.
*Information provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education
In July 2019, Pittsburgh preschoolers received their first round of free books from the City of Pittsburgh’s partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
About
The free book program – in conjunction with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the Benter Foundation, and the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania – mails all eligible children an age-appropriate book every month up until their fifth birthday. In February, legislation was introduced to Pittsburgh City Council to accept $250,000 from the Benter Foundation to establish the Pittsburgh program.
In early July, the first shipment of books was sent out to 1,402 children who were enrolled in the program at the beginning of June. Another 400 children have been added to the program since then and will receive their first books in coming weeks. All children receive “The Little Engine That Could” as their first book, as it is Dolly Parton’s favorite.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the program, preschoolers must:
- Be a resident of the City of Pittsburgh
- Have a parent or guardian fill out an official registration form
- Notify the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania of any address changes
Sign Up
To sign up for this program, visit the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library website.
More Information
For instructions, frequently asked questions, and more, visit the City of Pittsburgh’s website.
*Information provided by the City of Pittsburgh
Join Buzzword Pittsburgh every Wednesday from July 10 to August 7 for Talk & Play Series 4! All events are free for learners ages five and under, with their caregivers, and will include activities that enhance vocabulary and literacy skills. A light dinner will be provided.
Program Schedule
The schedule of events is as follows:
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- Wednesday, July 10 • Word of the Day: SECRET
with Carnegie Science Center and Pittsburgh Festival Opera
- Wednesday, July 17 • Word of the Day: INFESTED
with Carnegie Science Center and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
- Wednesday, July 24 • Word of the Day: PROTECT
with Carnegie Science Center and Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
- Wednesday, July 31 • Word of the Day: ERUPT
with Carnegie Science Center and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
- Wednesday, August 7 • Word of the Day: SOAR
with Carnegie Science Center and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
More Information
For more information, contact Jan Jones at jan@tryingtogether.org.
Click here to view the Facebook event page.
Join Buzzword Pittsburgh on Wednesday, June 19 for Talk & Play in Hazelwood! This event is free for learners ages five and under, with their caregivers, and will include activities that enhance vocabulary and literacy skills. Dinner will be provided.
More Information
For more information, contact Jan Jones at jan@tryingtogether.org.
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Community members are invited to take part in selecting the 2019 WQED Reader’s Choice Award Winner by casting their votes by Friday, May 31.
About
For the past 10 years, WQED has partnered with The EQT Corporation to present the Writers Contest to children throughout their viewing area. Through the support of EQT, WQED has been able to reach out directly to schools, libraries, and families throughout Pennsylvania and West Virginia to encourage children to submit their original stories and illustrations.
In the 10 years of sponsorship from EQT, WQED has received over 12,000 story entries, communicated with hundreds of teachers and librarians to provide them with resources, impacted thousands of WQED viewers with messages about the contest, and provided a website full of information that encourages students and arms adults with relevant literacy information.
Cast Your Vote
Voting is now open and will end on Friday, May 31st at 12:00 p.m. The Reader’s Choice Award Winner will be announced on Monday, June 3. To learn more and cast your vote, visit the WQED website.
*Information provided by WQED
Join Buzzword every Wednesday from May 15 to June 12 for Talk & Play Series 3! All events are free for learners ages five and under, with their caregivers, and will include activities that enhance vocabulary and literacy skills. A light dinner will be provided.
Program Schedule
The schedule of events is as follows:
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- Wednesday, May 15 • Word of the Day: DECOMPOSE
with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and Carnegie Science Center
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- Wednesday, May 22 • Word of the Day: TOPSOIL
with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
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- Wednesday, May 29 • Word of the Day: COLONY
with Pittsburgh Parks Conservatory and Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
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- Wednesday, June 5 • Word of the Day: LAVA
with Pittsburgh Parks Conservatory and Pittsburgh Festival Opera
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- Wednesday, June 12 • Word of the Day: FOSSIL
with Pittsburgh Parks Conservatory and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
More Information
For more information, contact Jan Jones at jan@tryingtogether.org.
Join the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Carrick branch for a day of experimentation, play, and learning by exploring interactive technology and a variety of robots. STEM All Hands On Tech programs support learning and literacy by introducing children to technology. This event is intended for children in grades pre-k to 5.
Questions
For questions, contact Jon Antoszewski at 412.381.6543 or antoszewskijo@carnegielibrary.org.
This location is handicap accessible. See the event page.
For the twentieth time since 2000, a group of local librarians and child development experts has sorted through the previous year’s publications to select and promote the 10 Best Books for Babies.
About Best Books for Babies
The Best Books for Babies project is intended to encourage reading beginning at birth and recognize publishers who create excellent books for the very youngest listeners. The books selected, from sturdy board books to fun lift-the-flap titles to charming picture book portraits of young families, will delight and engage babies age birth through 18 months and the adults who care for them.
See the List
Families and caregivers can view the full list by visiting the Library’s PDF.
Where to Find Them
Pick up one or more of these books at a Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branch near you. In addition to spending some cozy time together, you’ll be preparing baby’s brain to learn and grow.
*Information provided by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
