Help Spread Family Literacy!

Please join me in supporting one of my favorite literacy organizations, LitWorld.

LitWorld is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization led by Executive Director Pam Allyn, a renowned literacy educator and advocate. LitWorld works to cultivate literacy leaders worldwide through transformational literacy experiences that build connection, understanding, resilience, and strength. LitWorld joins together with teachers, parents, community members, and children to support the development of sustainable literacy practices across the world.
What am I doing for LitWorld?

I am running a book drive on Amazon to help support LitWorld's next event.

The event is a book fair, called LitFest, scheduled for December 10. It will take place at the Polo Grounds Community Center in Harlem. The center serves 4,100 residents of the Polo Grounds Towers, and is a hub site for LitWorld. The Polo Grounds Towers are part of a public housing project, located on the former home of the New York Giants.

The purpose of the event is to encourage parents to read with their children over the holidays while students are out of school, and to provide them with books to give as gifts to their children. It is going to be a drop-in fair where community members can come to get books for their family, There will be booths with literacy themed activities to inspire children and families to have fun with reading as well.


Help me provide books for LitFest to distribute on December 10.

Donating is simple. Just go to http://amzn.com/w/1PB8NSHLF75UR

There you will find a list of the books that have been requested by LitWorld. Please choose new books either from Amazon or its vendors. Amazon will ship the books directly to the LitWorld headquarters in Manhattan. If you have an Amazon account, just be sure to check the LitWorld address instead of your regular addresses.

So it is easy to donate. And afterward you can feel good about supporting family literacy.


Please order by December 1 to make sure books will arrive in time for the December 10 event.

Thank you in advance for helping to spread literacy in our local communities!

Cheers,

Madeline


To learn more about LitWorld, go to http://litworld.org/

Literacy is the foundation for emotional and physical well-being, intellectual growth, and economic security. The right to read and write is a fundamental human right and belongs to all people.

Season's Readings

The holiday season is nearly upon us. Thanksgiving is around the corner. Chanukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa are not far behind. As you makes your to-do lists, plan a visit to your local library to pick up some books about the holidays to read with your preschooler. Many libraries and bookstores have special displays in anticipation of the season. Reading about holidays helps your child appreciate the meaning of special days and maybe even understand the reasons for the celebration. Learning about how families celebrate holidays also gives you a chance to compare your family traditions with those of others.

Creative Costumes

This year, make Halloween truly special . . . and perhaps even literary! Avoid commercial (and overpriced) costumes and create one with your preschooler to represent her favorite book character. Angelina Ballerina? Mike Mulligan? Corduroy? Olivia? The Very Hungry Caterpillar? Or the Cat in the Hat? Collaborate with your preschooler to come up with the right clothes and props. You will be encouraging real creativity as well as reinforcing your child's love for books.

Take Me Out to the Book Store

Is your family glued to the television, watching the baseball post-season? Make sure your preschooler gets in on the action. She will enjoy following along with you if she understands the game. So check out some books on baseball or even draw some pictures to show her how the game works. Your library may have some great books about baseball. And here are some you can order. Be sure to point out the scores in your newspaper. Make her a fan!

Listen to Books

Some children actually learn better by listening than by looking at something. It is just the way they learn. While a parent’s familiar voice is irreplaceable, hearing the words read by an actor or actress can bring a story to life in a different way. Your public library may have books on CDs that that you can borrow. Try out new books this way or enjoy listening to familiar books on audio. Listening to a book on tape in the car can also make the ride a more pleasant experience for all.

International Reading Day

September 8 is the United Nations' International Literacy Day. It is a global observance that focuses attention on literacy needs worldwide.  Did you know that more than 780 million of the world’s adults (nearly two-thirds of whom are women) do not know how to read or write? Or that between 94 and 115 million children lack access to education?

If you cannot participate in a literacy event in your community to observe the day, spend some time talking with your preschooler about the importance of reading. Better yet, spend some extra time reading together.

Preschool Jitters?

Many young children need time to get used to new experiences. If your child is about to start in preschool for the first time, here are a few books that might help you prepare your child and start the conversation about the exciting new experience in his future.


Francine's Day by Anna Alter
This book is a nice starting point for addressing any of your child's mixed feelings about starting preschool.


Little Bunny’s Preschool Countdown by Maribeth Boeltz
Reading this story is a good opening for talking about growing up and changes, including starting school.


My First Day at Nursery School by Becky Edwards
Reading this book will give your child an opportunity to talk about the many kinds of feelings that he might have about starting school.

What to Expect at Preschool by Heidi Murkoff

This book predicts some question that children might have before they begin school--and gives good answers.

Tinyflock Nursery School by Suzy-Jane Tanner

This book might be an ideal choice if your child has already expressed some specific fears about starting school.