Ready Readers Program -- Foundation

The Ready Readers Program is a Sno-Isle Libraries initiative designed to help parents and caregivers enhance literacy and language development for young children from birth to five years of age. Research clearly shows that preschoolers who master six important skills are better prepared to learn reading and writing when they start school.

Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation provides the funds for the Reader Readers Bags similar to our Books for Babies Program. Each bright red bag contains Ready Readers cards, a children's book and information for parents and caregivers on early learning for young children. These bags are distributed to Early Childhood Education and Assistance Programs, Head Start providers and home daycares.

In addition, quality educational theme kits for preschoolers are available for check-out to parents, childcare providers and caregivers. Two types of kits are available:

• Themed packages of 5 paperback books and a music CD.

• Tubs of musical instruments, blocks, toys, games, parachutes, etc.

Thanks to a generous gift from the Nysether Family Foundation, the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation was able to purchase 60 Ready Reader Storytime Kits -- 20 each for Baby, Toddler and Preschool Storytime. These custom-designed kits are now being circulated throughout our library district.

One librarian shared this story with us:

“I recently used the Bears Storytime Kit when visiting 3 local daycares. The children loved seeing the bear puppet introduce the books. They also enjoyed acting out “Going on a Bear Hunt” (one of the books included) and telling the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears using the included felt board set. And of course, what visit would be complete without a stamp? “It’s a bear – I want one on my arm, so it won’t wash off!...I want one on each hand” Besides the fun of the kits, the children also were introduced to a number of Ready Reader skills that will help them prepare for school, including story awareness, loving books, understanding sounds and more.”

Another librarian commented: “I have not had an opportunity to use them as they are so popular!”

Currently, we are averaging 14 storytimes per month with between 10 and 30 babies, toddlers and preschoolers at each one.

To learn more about the program, check out the Ready Readers Web Resource: www.sno-isle.org under 'Kids' click on 'Parents and Educators' then click on 'Ready Readers.'