Dreaming of diverse children’s books? This program may grant your wish

BOOK DISTRIBUTION

Nov 18

Diverse books are essential to growing strong readers. For some, these stories reflect and affirm their culture. For others, they’re an introduction to a different world, a reminder to celebrate what makes us unique and binds us together.

Read by 4th partners have been working together to find ways to increase the number and quality of culturally-relevant books we all give to families. And thanks to a partnership between William Penn Foundation, First Book, the Philly Book Bank, and Read by 4th, our wish is being answered!

Philly Book Wish is an opportunity to apply for up to $5,000 worth of brand-new, diverse books. If you’re a school, organization, or literacy advocate reaching low-income families you’re eligible and encouraged to apply. Over the next three years, the program is set to distribute 75,000 culturally-relevant books throughout Philadelphia.

Philly Book Wish opens October 23 and applications are due November 19, 2023.

If you want to learn more about this opportunity, First Book will be hosting information sessions on Thursday, November 2nd at 6pm and Friday, November 3rd at 1pm.

Learn More About Philly Book Wish

KEEP ON READING

Philly ABCs win silver Anthem Award!

Recognized as one of 2024’s most impactful initiatives, the Philly ABCs transforms public spaces into playful, culturally relevant, learning experiences for families.

Meet Julia Cadwallender, Read by 4th's new Managing Director

A champion for education and equity, Julia Cadwallender steps into her new role with a passion for the science of reading, community, and collaboration.

4 must-watch documentaries on the early literacy crisis—and how we can fix it!

These eye-opening documentaries expose why so many kids struggle with reading—and will leave you fired up and ready to take action.

Penrose Recreation Center’s new Story Trail celebrates the power of community storytelling

Through storytelling workshops, young voices crafted a tale that will forever be a part of their rec center.

Highlights from the 2024 Neighborhood Literacy Fund Celebration

With $81,040 awarded to 44 projects, the Neighborhood Literacy Fund is powering community-driven literacy solutions.

3 reasons to apply for Philly Book Wish’s $5,000 diverse book grant

Philly Book Wish offers up to $5,000 in diverse children’s books to inspire our city’s young readers. Apply today!

A word with Andrea Blassingame on the fight for fair school funding

Reading Captain and dedicated mom, Andrea Blassingame has joined the front lines of the fight for fair school funding. And urges others to do the same.

3 ways you can advocate for early literacy in Philadelphia

These proposed policies directly support early literacy education. You can help turn them into law.

These 5 songs might be better than the ABCs at helping your child learn to read

Discover new music that makes learning fun, all while building essential early literacy skills.

How ‘reading captains’ are fueling Philadelphia’s push to improve early literacy (Chalkbeat Philadelphia)

Fortalecen las alianzas para atajar el rezago en el aprendizaje de la lectura (El Nuevo Día)

Queen City Readers transforms community volunteers into high-impact reading tutors

Teaching word reading with high-dosage synthetic phonics tutoring

Early Literacy Resources for Educators

Research, classroom strategies, workshops, and more to support you as you teach the next generation of readers.

Thank you to the 130+ volunteers of Reading Promise Week 2023

In just one week, over 130 volunteers helped us pack 11,000 literacy kits and 16,000 children’s books!

Documentary sheds light on early literacy crisis (The Philadelphia Tribune)

Want to help your child learn to read? Spencer Russell shares tips beyond the alphabet song

Remember, every parent has the ability to teach their child to read.

You’ve watched The Right to Read—now it’s time to take action.

Explore this list of ideas and resources to support young readers in Philadelphia.

An Early Literacy Initiative Brings Reading To North Philly Playgrounds (Next City)

Together is Better: A Recap of Read by 4th's 2023 Partner Network Meeting

We came together to commune, reflect, and celebrate another year of partnership-driven impact.

Structured literacy takes center stage at PA Higher Ed Summit 2023

Read by 4th is working to support the highest quality teacher preparation in literacy instruction - so that all children learn to read.

Philly’s public schools have one certified librarian—PARSL is working to change that

Every child in Philadelphia deserves to have a school librarian.

10 stats you should know about Philly’s early literacy crisis and movement

We’ve gathered some data about Philly’s early literacy crisis and those fighting it.

KABOOM!’s new Story Trails will bring neighborhood stories to life

A place to play is a place to learn.

This epic event showed families the connection between slime and storytime

And is a Neighborhood Literacy Fund awardee.

Read Across America Week is a time for activism

In addition to celebrating, make a point to better understand the early literacy crisis and how to get involved.

Vocabulary as a Building Block for Literacy

You can help our children learn, think about, and use new words.

Assessing School District of Philadelphia Student Literacy Performance in Grades K 3

Understanding how we measure performance is key to supporting young readers.

CUNY Reading Corps transforms pre-service teachers’ coursework into high-impact tutoring

In SY22-23, CUNY Reading Corps will train 800 tutors to reach more than 2,700 early readers in NYC Department of Education schools.

Maya Payne Smart reminds us it’s always the right time to talk with our kids

Talking with our children helps boost brains. This acronym can help you find the right words.

Dreaming of diverse children’s books? This program may grant your wish

The Book Wish program is helping distribute 75,000 culturally-relevant books across Philadelphia

Simone Partridge

Dreaming of diverse children’s books? This program may grant your wish

Maya Payne Smart reminds us it’s always the right time to talk with our kids

Writing to Build Literacy