Raising A Reader is an evidence-based, family-centered early literacy program that addresses inequities by increasing access to high-quality, multicultural books; fostering literacy routines at home and strengthening parent-child bonds through shared reading. Our program motivates children to read and builds critical early literacy habits before they enter kindergarten. By supporting parents as their child’s first teacher, Raising A Reader helps families build confidence, deepen community connections, and strengthens early learning.
Raising A Reader Marin is an evidence-based early literacy and family engagement program serving children ages 0 to 8. The core program involves the weekly rotation of bright red bags filled with award-winning, developmentally appropriate children’s books into homes, exposing each child to approximately 100 books per year. This model increases book access, promotes shared reading at home, and builds strong parent-child literacy routines.
Programming is delivered in collaboration with a broad network of community partners, including 34 school sites, 90 preschool and TK classrooms, 9 licensed family child care homes, and 8 developmental playgroups across Marin County. Programming locations include classrooms, family child care homes, school libraries, community centers, and public libraries.
Bilingual early literacy story times are designed to engage children through interactive reading and hands-on extension activities that reinforce early learning concepts.
Workshops for families are focused on building parents’ knowledge and skills in interactive reading strategies, brain development, and early childhood learning, while also connecting families to their local libraries.