News

June 12, 2024

OCDEL to Kick Off Third Annual Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) will kick off its third annual, eight-week virtual Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip on Monday, June 24.

Learn More

Families, teachers, and early childhood education partners are invited throughout the summer to follow along and discover activities and resources that support early learning and literacy.

The virtual road trip provides information about Pennsylvania libraries and state parks. It also includes fun resources, activities to do with children, and book recommendations to support early literacy and language.

All activities in the road trip align with PA Early Learning Standards and can be done anywhere. This year’s theme represents elements from the 2024 Pennsylvania One Book selection – Rachel Bright’s “Slug in Love.” Participants should look through the travel journal to find characters from the book who tag along during the road trip.

Resources

The 2024 summer resources include:

  • Summer literacy and learning road trip map (available in English and Spanish): Use the map to follow along with the road trip. Print it for children to follow along.
  • My Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip Travel Journal: This feature will help children explore books and activities. Each week, discover something new with a child, then help them to complete their journal. Identify three favorite books they read and activities they have done during the week. Each week, learn about a different library, get book recommendations, and find activities to do at a state park.

For more information, visit the Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip website.

News

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.

News

June 28, 2023

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Summer Reading Extravaganza 2023

Find your voice and make it heard! Summer Reading 2023 is a celebration of self expression!

Join Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main on Sunday, August 13 from 12 – 5 p.m. at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Summer Reading Extravaganza, a family-friendly outdoor festival for all ages.

Grab some friends and head to the Library in Oakland for music, crafts, games, activities, storytelling, food trucks and so much more! While you’re there, don’t forget to guess the total number of books Pittsburghers read this summer—there will be multiple opportunities to win prizes throughout the day with the final number revealed and grand prize awarded at the end of the event.

Enjoy activities and experiences presented by Library partners:

  • Allegheny Land Trust
  • Andy Warhol Museum
  • Bike PGH
  • Colour of Song
  • Juliandra Jones – PBJ Customs
  • Macedonia FACE
  • Mike the Balloon Guy
  • Moonshot Museum
  • Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring Program
  • Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures
  • Pittsburgh Community Services Inc. (PCSI)
  • Pittsburgh Opera
  • Pittsburgh Public Schools
  • Pittsburgh Science Workshop
  • Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
  • UniSound
  • UPMC

Satisfy your cravings with food and sweet treats for purchase from:

  • Billu’s Indian Grill
  • Kona Ice
  • Mandu Handu
  • Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream

Don’t miss performances by:

  • Gab Bonesso
  • O’Ryan the O’Mazing

To learn more, visit Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s website.

News

June 12, 2023

Restaurants Add Books to the Menu with Summer Reading Programs

Millie’s Ice Cream and Pizza Hut are sponsoring summer reading programs to keep children engaged and learning while school is out and to inspire a love of literature by rewarding reading.

Millie’s Sweet Reads Summer Reading Program serves K-12 students, while Pizza Hut’s Camp BOOK IT serves Pre-k-6th grade students (ages 4-12), rewarding each with treats from their menus.

About Millie’s Sweet Reads Summer Reading Program

Sweet Reads is a summer reading program for K-12 students that began in 2021 as a partnership between Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream, the Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA), and White Whale Bookstore. The program aims to support local bookstores and libraries while also serving children.

How does it work?

Participating in Millie’s Sweet Reads Summer Reading Program is easy. Simply:

  1. Obtain a physical bookmark at any Millie’s location or select libraries across the county or print a digital copy from the Millie’s website.
  2. Have your child read five books (or read the books to them). Any book or periodical will do.
  3. Validate the bookmark at your local library. Please note: the library does not have to be a participating Sweet Reads library. Just ask your favorite librarian to sign the dotted line.
  4. Bring your validated bookmark to one of eight eligible Millie’s locations for a free scoop of your child’s choice.

Find a list of participating libraries and eligible Millie’s locations on the Millie’s Ice Cream website.

When will bookmarks be available?

Physical bookmarks will be available at any participating library or Millie’s Ice Cream location during operating hours, all summer long. Digital bookmarks can be printed at any time.

Which Millie’s locations will redeem my free scoop?

You can redeem your free scoop at any of the eight Millie’s brick and mortar shops. Free scoops are not redeemable at the Kennywood location or at any other Millie’s third-party licensed location or seasonal kiosk.

When does the program end?

The program expires Monday, September 4, 2023, so be sure to visit a Millie’s and redeem your child’s free scoop before then!

Can I redeem more than one time?

Millie’s asks that you only redeem one free scoop per summer, but encourages your children to read as many books as they like. The Sweet Reads redemption model operates on the honor system.

What if my child can’t eat ice cream or dairy-free gelato? What if I can’t get to a Millie’s?

You may redeem your bookmark for a free sticker in the store or via snail mail. Just email hello@millieshomemade.com and Millie’s will be sure to mail you one.

About Pizza Hut’s Camp BOOK IT!

Since 1984, the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program has been dedicated to encouraging reading nationwide. Camp BOOK IT! is open to all families with Pre-k – 6th grade students (ages 4-12). The goal of the program is to get children excited about reading and to turn “have to read” into “want to read.”

How does it work?

To participate in Camp BOOK IT!, parents utilize a digital dashboard to set goals, track reading, and reward their students. Interested in involving your child in Camp BOOK IT!? Simply:

  1. Enroll your child on the BOOK IT! website. Please note: Only one enrollment per household (for up to five children) will be accepted. Duplicate enrollments will be voided. If a change needs to be made to your enrollment after you have submitted, for example you have moved, please call 800.426.6548.
  2. Have your child read books, magazines, eBooks, and anything else fun.
  3. Enter your child’s reading progress in Pizza Hut’s digital dashboard for June, July, and August.
  4. When your child meets their goal, move the slider all the way over to receive their certificate for a Personal Pan Pizza in your email.
  5. Use the serialized code on your child’s certificate to redeem! You’ll find more instructions about how to redeem on the certificate.

When does the program run?

Camp BOOK IT! runs from June to August. You can enroll your child at any time during these months.

How many reading certificates can my child earn through Camp BOOK IT?

BOOK IT! is a monthly rewards program, so students may earn and/or redeem one Reading Award Certificate per month.

How do I redeem my child’s reading certificates?

Once you receive their certificate in your email, take the printed or digital certificate to a Pizza Hut near you or use the redemption code to order online. The certificate must be used to reward the student who earned it.

How long do I have to redeem my child’s reading certificates?

The summer reading certificates for June, July and August all expire on September 15.

Learn More

To learn more, visit the Millie’s Ice Cream and Camp BOOK IT! websites.

News

June 8, 2022

Join the Virtual Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is going on a virtual Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip from June to August 2022.

About

Children, families, and caregivers are invited to follow along and discover highlighted Pennsylvania libraries and the resources available to support early literacy and learning.

Along the way, get information about Pennsylvania State Parks with resources and activities to do with children. All activities align with the PA Early Learning Standards and can be done within the featured state park or at home.

To get started, print the Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip resources, like the Map or the Travel Journal.

Visit the PA’s Promise for Children website to see what the weekly library has to offer, and check out the activities and book recommendations.