Children’s Book Week, a “celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading,” was established in 1919 and is “the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country,” as noted by Every Child a Reader. Taking place biannually in the spring and fall and administered by the Children’s Book Council, Children’s Book Week "originated in the belief that children’s books and literacy are life-changers."

Read by 4th, Philly’s early literacy movement is a citywide coalition of family, community, and systems leaders working together to increase the number of students in Philadelphia entering the 4th grade at reading level. Managed by the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, Read by 4th is here to ensure our children become the strong readers they deserve to be.

Bringing Reading to Life

Our city, and nation, are facing a literacy crisis. Right now, over 60% of our children are not reading at grade level by 4th grade in Philadelphia. That’s thousands of children struggling in school, often feeling frustrated and ashamed, and likely to fall even further behind. Help us change the narrative and protect every child’s right to read by volunteering, donating books, and spreading the word. Visit readby4th.org to discover resources, Read by 4th’s impact, and current initiatives in our local community to advance childhood literacy.

Celebrating Children’s Book Week with The Free Library

Celebrate Children’s Book Week (November 4–10, 2024) with books for young readers at the Free Library of Philadelphia! Visiting the Library, providing regular access to books, and reading with children not only sets children up for academic success but also helps to develop a life-long love of reading, starting at an early age. Additionally, the Free Library offers storytimes and a calendar of enriching events for children and families at Free Library locations across the city.

We invite you to learn more about the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, the fundraising arm of the Free Library of Philadelphia, and the vital programs and resources that we support to positively impact our city, including Read by 4th. Your gift to the Free Library Fund will help us advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity for readers of all ages in neighborhoods across Philadelphia and beyond. And be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, and LinkedIn!

The Free Library is one of the most important educational and cultural institutions in Philadelphia. While the City of Philadelphia provides public funds for the operations of the Free Library, it is through the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation and the generosity of private funding from individuals, foundations, and corporations that the Free Library is able to offer many of the Library’s incredible programs and activities that advance literacy, guide learning, inspire curiosity throughout the region, and help deliver on the promise of an equitable future for all of Philadelphia’s children, families, and communities.