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Information and resources for raising readers!

CONGRATS to our Raising Readers Summer Slide Giveaway winners! Rebecca and her family (left) won a Family Summer Fun Basket and Ashley (right) won a $100 gift card to Walmart for signing up for this newsletter!

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The School-Ready Child

Use the Raising Readers calendar to find free family-friendly events happening around Erie County! Check out all 13 of the Erie County School Districts Contact Information. Do you know someone who may want to register a child for United Way's Imagination Library in Erie County to receive a free book every month from age birth to 5? It's simple! Share this link.

How do children become ready for school? It starts at birth, with the support of parents and caregivers, when young children acquire the social and emotional skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for success in school and life. Take at look at The School-Ready Child infographic from Zero to Three to learn how school readiness begins at birth.  The School-Ready Child Infographic

Read Early and Often Children's brains start developing and learning language before they even say their first words! That means, the more you read aloud with your child = the more words your baby learns! This article shares information on the types of books are a good fit from birth to age 3, along with some can’t-miss parent tips for book-sharing in the early years. Learn more

Scavenger Hunt for Early Readers Doing a scavenger hunt is so good for your early reader. It gives them reading practice, but more importantly gives them the confidence in their reading skills. As they have more and more successes in reading, they'll want to do more and more of it! Check out the Scavenger Hunt for Early Readers!

The Ultimate Raising Readers Book List Back to School themed books

Preschool through Kindergarten

The King of Kindergarten Starting kindergarten is a big milestone--and the hero of this story is ready to make his mark! He's dressed himself, eaten a pile of pancakes, and can't wait to be part of a whole new kingdom of kids. The day will be jam-packed, but he's up to the challenge, taking new experiences in stride with his infectious enthusiasm! And afterward, he can't wait to tell his proud parents all about his achievements--and then wake up to start another day. The King of Kindergarten Read Aloud

Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes Pete the Cat is rocking in his school shoes. Pete discovers the library, the lunch room, the playground, and lots of other cool places at school. And no matter where he goes, Pete never stops moving and grooving and singing his song...because it’s all good. Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes Read Aloud

The Pigeon Has to Go to School Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn't like it? What if the teacher doesn't like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH!?! The Pigeon Has to Go to School Read Aloud

We Don't Eat Our Classmates It’s the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can’t wait to meet her classmates. But it’s hard to make human friends when they’re so darn delicious! That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine and finds she may not be at the top of the food chain after all... Readers will gobble up this hilarious new story from award-winning author-illustrator Ryan T. Higgins.  We Don't Eat Our Classmates Read Aloud

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten It's the first day of kindergarten and Miss Bindergarten is hard at work getting the classroom ready for her twenty-six new students. Meanwhile, Adam Krupp wakes up, Brenda Heath brushes her teeth, and Christopher Beaker finds his sneaker. Miss Bindergarten puts the finishing touches on the room just in time, and the students arrive. Now the fun can begin! This rhyming, brightly illustrated book is the perfect way to practice the alphabet and to introduce young children to kindergarten.  Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten

Kindergarten through 3rd Grade

First Day Critter Jitters It's almost the first day of school, and the animals are nervous. Sloth worries about getting there on time, snake can't seem to get his backpack fastened onto his body, and bunny is afraid she'll want to hop around instead of sitting still. When they all arrive at their classroom, though, they're in for a surprise: Somebody else is nervous too. It's their teacher, the armadillo! He has rolled in as a ball, and it takes him a while to relax and unfurl. But by the next day, the animals have all figured out how to help one another through their jitters. School isn't so scary after all. First Day Critter Jitters Trailer

David Goes to School David's teacher has her hands full. From running in the halls to chewing gum in class, David's high-energy antics fill each school day with trouble—and are sure to bring a smile to even the best-behaved reader. David Goes to School Read Aloud

I Believe I Can I Believe I Can is an affirmation for boys and girls of every background to love and believe in themselves. My presence matters in this world. I know I can do anything, if only I believe I can. I Believe I Can Read Aloud

Matilda Matilda is a sweet, exceptional young girl, but her parents think she's just a nuisance. She expects school to be different but there she has to face Miss Trunchbull, a kid-hating terror of a headmistress. When Matilda is attacked by the Trunchbull she suddenly discovers she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. It'll take a superhuman genius to give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves and Matilda may be just the one to do it! Matilda Read Aloud Playlist

Junie B. Jones books Meet the World's Funniest kid—Junie B. Jones! Read along with Junie as she navigates school and friendships through Kindergarten and First Grade.

Wayside School books The Wayside School book series takes place in the fictional setting of Wayside School, an elementary school that was accidentally built sideways. While meant to be built one story tall, with thirty classrooms all in a row, it ended up thirty stories tall, with one classroom on each floor.

Join our K Ready Erie community! United Way has launched a Facebook group dedicated to informing Imagination Library and Raising Readers families about free resources and events in Erie County that will have your child ready for each school year! K Ready Erie

Need help? Don't know where to turn? Just dial United Way's 211 helpline. A trained operator will connect you with information about financial assistance, counseling, food/clothing/shelter, health services, substance abuse and much more! It's always free and confidential. You can also text your zip code to 898-211 to be helped by 211.