July 5, 2023 2023 Summer Reading Programs for Young Readers Summer reading season is here! This is a great time for young readers to explore new words and books with their parent, caregiver, and other loved ones in different settings. Summer reading for early learners can look like acting out scenes from a picture book in the park with your child, or visiting a local library or family center for a story time. There are plenty of local and national summer reading programs, resources, and activities to allow early readers the opportunity to expand their vocabulary with their parent or caregiver. Find Your Voice! Summer Reading 2023, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh For the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP), summer reading is all about the celebration of self expression. Sign-up for Find Your Voice! summer reading through August 6 at any CLP branch or in the library app. On Sunday, August 13, CLP – Main in Oakland will host its end-of-summer Extravaganza!, a family-friendly outdoor festival features music, crafts, games, prizes, storytelling, and food trucks. Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip, PA’s Promise for Children Join the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) on their virtual Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip. Parents, caregivers, teachers, and early childhood education professionals can follow along with OCDEL as they travel to various Pennsylvania libraries and state parks while providing fun resources, activities, and book recommendations to support early literacy and language. All activities align with the PA Early Learning Standards and can be done anywhere. Summer Reading Field Trips, Reading is Fundamental Reading is Fundamental (RIF) has provided various reading logs, coloring sheets, and summer-themed book recommendations to keep learning fun and fresh. Parents and caregivers that take the RIF summer reading pledge will receive a copy of the book, A Sofia Special, one of the books featured in RIF’s summer collection. Summer Reading Camp, Half-Priced Books Young readers can join Summer Reading Camp by visiting a local Half Price Books through July 31 to pick up interactive reading logs, sticker sheets and more, while supplies last. Families that register for the camp will have access to reading recommendations, crafts, and other literacy activities. Scholastic Summer Reading Program, Scholastic The Scholastic Summer Reading program offers children an exciting, free, and safe summer reading experience, while helping to provide books to kids with limited or no access over the summer. Through Thursday, September 7, children can visit the summer zone in Scholastic Home Base, a completely free digital destination which offers stories, characters, games, and a community of readers. Home Base is moderated for safety 24/7. Bookworm Wednesdays, Showcase Cinemas Bookworm Wednesdays entitles children to free admission to a select children’s film when they present a book report at a participating Cinema de Lux, Showcase, or Multiplex Cinemas box office. Accompanying parents or caregivers and children younger than age six receive free admission and do not need to submit a book report. More Programs Check out other summer reading programs from Mille’s Ice Cream and Pizza Hut. Alternatively, parents and caregivers can also visit their local library, family center, or community resource space to learn more about local summer reading programs.
March 1, 2023 March is National Reading Month March is National Reading Month. The month kicks off with National Read Across America Day on March 2, where children, teachers, parents/caregivers, and community members around the nation come together to read books and celebrate the joy of reading. Reading Month Activity Ideas Review the NEA’s recommended book titles on the 2023 Read Across America calendar. Have an young child that enjoys picture books? Find their next favorite from this NEA picture book list. Choose from ideas for sharing books and all kinds of ways to celebrate with stories in classrooms. Join Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) on Thursday, March 2 starting at 1 p.m. (and available on demand until March 31, 2023) for their celebration webcast “Read Together!” A downloadable viewing kit includes an activity for each of the three read-aloud books that will be featured during the event. You can also play RIF’s Book Bingo! View the Families and Schools Partnering for Children’s Literacy Success toolkit from National Department of Education’s National Center on Improving Literacy to support children’s literacy success in and out of school. Find a new book for your pre-k or kindergarten-aged early reader from the Million Book March Collection. Check out these resources from NEA and bring print and online books to qualifying schools and students. Attend one of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s events throughout the region for children and adults. Visit their events page for details. Donate a book to the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s 2023 Book Drive for Diversity. You can help put exciting and diverse books into the hands of young readers and promote literacy in our region. This year’s books have been hand-selected to focus on social diversity, including but not limited to various ethnicities, classes, genders, physical abilities/qualities, race, and work statuses. Fill out this form to register and receive the list of books they are accepting. Explore new words and early literacy activities on the Buzzword website with the early readers in your life, or attend an upcoming Buzzword event in March. About National Reading Month National Reading Month is celebrated not just to promote the love for reading but also to develop communication and learning. The National Education Association (NEA) has been leading the Read Across America initiative since 1998. Read Across America Day calls upon everyone to read and engage with children to make reading a more fun and interactive experience. Libraries, schools, book clubs, and communities organize events to celebrate and promote reading.
February 25, 2022 March is National Reading Month March is National Reading Month. The month kicks off with National Read Across America Day on March 2, where children, teachers, parents/caregivers, and community members around the nation come together to read books and celebrate the joy of reading. About National Reading Month The National Education Association (NEA) has been leading the Read Across America initiative since 1998. Read Across America Day calls upon everyone to read and engage with children to make reading a more fun and interactive experience. Libraries, schools, book clubs, and communities organize events to celebrate and promote reading. Reading Activity Ideas Review the NEA’s recommended book titles on the Read Across America calendar. Choose from ideas for sharing books and all kinds of ways to celebrate with stories in classrooms. Join Literacy Pittsburgh on March 2 for virtual story times throughout the day on Facebook Live to celebrate Read Across America Day. View the full schedule. Join Reading Is Fundamental on March 2 starting at 9 a.m. (and available on demand until March 31, 2022) for their celebration webcast “Reading Inspires!” A downloadable viewing kit includes an activity for each of the three read-aloud books that will be featured during the event. Attend one of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s events throughout the region for children and adults. Visit their events page for details. Donate a book to the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s book drive. You and your family can help put exciting and diverse books into the hands of young readers and promote literacy in our region. This year’s books have been hand-selected to focus on social diversity, including but not limited to various ethnicities, classes, genders, physical abilities/qualities, race, and work statuses. Fill out this form to register and receive the list of books they are accepting.
