Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
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Contact: Communications and Development
Free Library Launches Books for Rising Readers Program
The literacy program will distribute more than 10,000 copies of Max and the Tag-Along Moon to students, families, and teachers
PHILADELPHIA, March 29, 2019—This spring, the Free Library will distribute more than 10,000 copies of Max and the Tag-Along Moon to pre-K through 2nd-grade students, their families, and teachers.
The Free Library kicked off the new Books for Rising Readers program Friday at the Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Library with a visit from Floyd Cooper, the Coretta Scott King Book Award–winning illustrator and author of Max and the Tag-Along Moon, a story about the connection between a grandfather and grandson and the power of love and family, even during times of separation.
The book has been selected for the city’s young readers for this program based on themes in this year’s One Book, One Philadelphia featured title, Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward. This is the first time that our city’s youngest readers will have a book selected specifically for them connected to the featured title.
Support for Books for Rising Readers is provided by the William Penn Foundation, in support of the citywide Read by 4th effort.
“This program is rooted in Philadelphia’s mission to coordinate programs and services for our youngest readers and support their literacy development,” said Elliot Weinbaum, Great Learning Program Director at the William Penn Foundation. “While engaging the families of preschoolers in activities and conversation focused on this beautiful story, the program is also well-timed to remind families to register children for kindergarten right now for the upcoming fall.”
Along with copies of the book, pre-K students in PHLpreK and the School District of Philadelphia will receive important information about kindergarten registration and fun, engaging materials to help family members and others when reading the book at home. Books and supplemental materials will also be distributed to teachers in School District of Philadelphia K through 2nd-grade classrooms and to staff in all Free Library neighborhood locations, to ensure that students all across the city are able to share in this one-of-a-kind reading experience. Libraries across the city will also offer public storytimes and other Max and the Tag-Along Moon–related events for children and families through April.
“Our priority is to support families as they raise strong readers. Families want the best for their children and Books for Rising Readers is another way to provide materials Philly families need to guarantee our children’s success,” said Jenny Bogoni, Executive Director of Read by 4th.
03/29/2019
Department of External Affairs, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
(215) 567-7710, FAX (215) 567-7850