Family Reading Partnership programs celebrate the benefits and joy of reading aloud to children. Our programs provide books and encouragement for families to make reading aloud to their children a part of everyday life.
"Thousands of books go off our shelf each year - many into homes where there had been none before."
Books Before Birth
Expectant parents receive a beautiful children’s book at a prenatal visit along with the adult book “Reading Magic” by literacy expert Mem Fox, which explains the importance of providing a literacy-rich environment for children.
Books at Birth
It is never too early to read to baby! All families receive a book as a gift from the
hospital when their baby is born.
Books to Grow On
At well-visits from age 6 months to 4 years families receive a book as a gift from
their child’s healthcare provider, complete with a prescription to read to baby.
Research shows that families given books and guidance on reading by their doctors are
8 - 10 times more likely to read to their children.
Welcome to School Book
Kindergarten families receive a brand new book at registration to welcome them
to their new school.
Give the Gift of Family Reading
Our holiday book drive provides low-income families with new books to give to their
children as gifts for the holidays. New books are donated at community and sports events.
The Bright Red Bookshelf
Gently used children’s books are donated in red crates across the community. The
books are made available, free for families, on shelves in ten locations such as
Social Services and Literacy Volunteers.
Children's Book Fund Grants
Book grants are awarded to human service organizations to give quality children’s
books to low-income families they serve in order to promote family reading.
Traveling Books
Volunteers read regularly to children in daycare and leave boxes of beautiful picture
books for them to enjoy between visits.
Kids' Book Fest
Our free, annual, community-wide celebration features arts, activities and
entertainment – all celebrating children’s books.
"Read to Me!" Banners and Calendar
All across the community, billboard-sized banners with colorful images of reading
together encourage and inspire families to read to their children. "Read to Me"
artwork is made into a calendar each year reminding families to read together every month.
21 Run and Story Walk
The annual 21 Run and Story Walk is a 5K run and 1K walk held every spring. This event is held in
memory of Mario St. George Boiardi, a Cornell University lacrosse player and team caption, who
died unexpectedly in a lacrosse game in 2004.
Family Reading Partnership
Ithaca, New York
Phone: 607-277-8602
Email: office@familyreading.org
