Through Words Alive’s response to COVID-19, “Book Connect Us,” we are sharing best practices from our 20+ year history to help children, teens, and families use the love of reading to navigate this turbulent time. Here are a few highlights from the past few days.

Let's Read Backpacks!

Many families are stuck at home without books, crayons, construction paper, or other supplies to help engage children during critical years of early childhood development. Thanks to support of Neighborhood House Association, Farmers Insurance, and the Century Club of San Diego, Words Alive bundled our Family Literacy Program into 175 Let’s Read Backpacks, and delivered them to Head Start families over the past two weeks. Families now have new books in their home languages, craft materials, videos, and tip sheets to help guide parents – using Words Alive’s proven model – through creating fun, playful, and transformative experiences reading together.

The demand for Let’s Read Backpacks is growing quickly. To learn about how you, your service organization, or your company can help us build and distribute more Let’s Read Backpacks to families, click here.

Page Turners Launches New Facebook Group!

Calling All Readers! Words Alive Page Turners help us read and review books to incorporate into our programs. There are more than 40 people (including kids!) actively reading picture books, chapter books, and young adult novels right now. In addition to providing feedback, our new Page Turners Facebook group allows these virtual volunteers to connect with other Page Turners through thoughtful conversation and a shared love of reading. Get started today!

Kids Reading to Kids!

It’s never too early to start volunteering; just ask the students at Topanga Mountain School in Los Angeles. Words Alive recently received over a dozen videos for Words Alive’s “Kids Reading to Kids” project from Mr. Sweeney’s middle school students. Check out The Night Gardener here.

Our Kids Reading to Kids project is a wonderful way for older children to share a story with younger kids who may be struggling with shuttered libraries and schools. Do you know a child who wants to help other children connect to the power of reading? Click here to get started.