Texas Reading Club

Additional Reading Promotional Activities

Adopt a Bunny

Adopt a Bunny is a read-aloud program initiated by well-known children's author and illustrator Rosemary Wells. Emphasizing the pleasures of reading with a buddy, it is designed for children from preschool through upper elementary. The intent of the program is to expose children to a variety of literature, offer an inviting atmosphere for children through interaction with younger or older buddies (Junior and Senior Bunnies), and promote reading as fun and entertaining.

African American Read-In

The annual national African American Read-In Chain is Sponsored by the Black Caucus of National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and by NCTE. Participants are invited to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month by hosting and coordinating Read-Ins in schools, churches, libraries, bookstores, community and professional organizations. A Read-In can be as simple as bringing together family and friends to share a book, or as elaborate as arranging public readings and media presentations that feature professional African American Writers. For more information, or to order an African American Read-In Chain Packet, visit the NCTE website.

Born to Read

The goal of Born to Read: How to Nurture a Baby's Love of Learning is to help parents raise children with healthy bodies and minds. Born to Read builds partnerships between librarians and health care providers to reach out to new and expectant "at-risk" parents and help them raise children who are "born to read." This three-year national demonstration project is being administered by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and funded by a grant from The Prudential Foundation. Information in English and Spanish and ordering instructions for Born to Read Packets may be found at this web site.

Dia de los Niños, Dia de los Libros

Join schools, museums, libraries, and bookstores in opening the doors to the world of books to ALL children on April 30, the last day of National Poetry Month. Dia de los Ninos is a day for celebrating the power of words and books in the lives of young people and for honoring all of the languages spoken in homes in this country. A booklet available from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission features songs, crafts, and book suggestions by children's author Pat Mora.

National Children's Book Week

National Children's Book Week is dedicated to spreading the word about children's literature and encouraging the joy of reading. Since 1919, educators, librarians, booksellers, and families have celebrated National Children's Book Week during the week before Thanksgiving. Click on "National Children's Book Week" at the Children's Book Council web site for suggestions for activities to make this event special.

Read Across America

The National Education Association is calling for every child in every school in the United States to read with a caring adult on March 2, 2001 to celebrate Dr. Seuss's 97th birthday. The Read Across America site offers suggestions for participation and descriptions of activities scheduled in libraries and schools throughout Texas and the U.S.

Read to Your Bunny

The Texas Library Association and the Texas State Library jointly created "Read to Your Bunny" to assist libraries in distributing books and literacy packets throughout their communities. Children's author Rosemary Wells generously donates her artwork, and a pamphlet and web site feature her reproducible artwork, book suggestions, fingerplays, songs, and activities. The goal is to to promote regular read-aloud sessions with young children.

Read, Texas

To encourage families to read together during the winter holiday season, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, in cooperation with public libraries, schools, museums, and book stores, sponsors "Read, Texas." A promotional pamphlet is available from the Texas State Library. It includes a list of recommended books for families to read together and features reproducible artwork.

READYSETREAD

The READY*SET*READ Early Childhood Learning Kit was developed by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Corporation for National Service, and the Department of Education to advance the America Reads Challenge to help every child in America read independently and well by the end of the third grade. The READY*SET*READ kit featured at this web site includes an Activity Guide for Families and Caregivers that contains age-appropriate activities and ideas to help young children learn about language. Spanish versions of the Activity Guides for Familias and Cuidadores de Niños Pequeños are also included, along with an Early Childhood Growth Chart, in English and Spanish, for families and caregivers, which gives age-appropriate activities to promote language development for young children.

Young People's Poetry Week

Young People's Poetry Week was established in 1999 and is observed each April as a part of National Poetry Month. This new celebration is sponsored by The Children's Book Council (CBC) to highlight poetry for children and young adults and encourage everyone to celebrate poetry by reading, writing, and enjoying it. The CBC offers a Poetry Week kits, posters, tapes, and bookmarks at this website.

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