Free Books for Babies at Georgia's Public Libraries Through the Assisting Childhood Education Program
All Georgia’s newborns can now receive a free book at their local public library. Parents can bring in their babies to receive a copy of Rock-a-Bye Baby Reader. Spanish-speaking families may request a copy of the Spanish-language book, Despertar a la Lectura. The books present brightly illustrated classic nursery rhymes for parents to read with their babies, along with tips for parents on how to read with their children to encourage a lifetime of reading and learning. The books are provided through the “Books for Babies” component of the Georgia Assisting Childhood Education Program (ACE).
(PRWEB) January 7, 2004
All GeorgiaÂ’s newborns can now receive a free book at their local public library. Parents can bring in their babies to receive a copy of Rock-a-Bye Baby Reader. Spanish-speaking families may request a copy of the Spanish-language book, Despertar a la Lectura. The books present brightly illustrated classic nursery rhymes for parents to read with their babies, along with tips for parents on how to read with their children to encourage a lifetime of reading and learning.
The books are provided through the “Books for Babies” component of the Georgia Assisting Childhood Education Program (ACE). Georgia ACE combines state government funds for books and parenting aids with the resources and services of public libraries, schools, health departments, adult education programs, hospitals and the media to encourage all families to participate in daily family literacy activities in their homes. Books for Babies distributes kits to new mothers in Georgia hospitals that include the first free book, Read to Your Bunny, and information encouraging new mothers to visit their public library to receive the second free book, Rock-a-Bye Baby Reader. While visiting the public library, parents can learn about children’s programs offered at the library year-round and can sign family members up for library cards.
The Georgia ACE program is supported by the Georgia Public Library Service and public libraries statewide, the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Georgia Council on Adult Literacy, Georgia Mothers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Family Connections, Certified Literate Community Programs and numerous volunteers of civic, business, professional and religious groups.
Governor Sonny Perdue provided his support for the program by writing a letter to accompany the Rock-a-Bye Baby Reader book encouraging parents of young children to make reading an important family activity.
The message from Governor reads:
“Welcome to the wonderful world of reading!
Mary and I have fond memories of our parents reading to us as small children. As we became parents, we could not wait to share those experiences with our children. When parents read to their children, everyone benefits. ItÂ’s fun for the adult and is great for the children. Reading provides an opportunity for you to spend quality time together. In todayÂ’s society, as many parents work to make ends meet, time has become a more precious commodity. However, reading is the single most important activity for preparing your child for success in school and beyond. This is especially important during the preschool years. As a young reader, your child will begin experiencing the excitement of putting words to pictures while disappearing into worlds of fantasy.
This book, Rock-A-Bye Reader, is simple but yet so powerful. It was written for parents and children to enjoy together. The book is full of many of the nursery rhymes we were familiar with when we where children such as Humpty Dumpty, Pat-A-Cake, and of course Rock-A-Bye Baby in the Tree Top.
I encourage you to read this book to help your child develop a love for reading and learning. I also hope you will visit your local public library often to check out many more books.
Sincerely,
Sonny Perdue”
Reading aloud to children has been called the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for success in reading. Reading aloud, with children participating actively, helps children learn new words, learn more about the world, learn about written language, and see the connection between words that are spoken and words that are written. (source: National Institute for Family Literacy, www. nifl. gov/nifl/publications. html (http://www. nifl. gov/nifl/publications. html))
Tips for parents reading with young children:
*Make reading part of your daily life. Read to your child for 20 minutes each day.
*Read books, newspapers, magazines, anything with words.
*Have books around the house in easy reach of your child.
*Ask your librarian to help find age-appropriate books.
*Have fun with reading. The more alive your voice, the more involved you and your child will be.
*Run your finger under words as you read.
*Sound out the letter sounds in words and show your child that the letters and words have meaning.
*Stop and talk about the pictures and what is happening in the story.
*Show your child that reading goes from left to right, and from top to bottom.
*After reading, talk about the story. Has your child been a part of a similar activity or event? *Help your child compare characters and events with those in other stories. Is this story like any other story you know?
*Use songs, chants and poems that are fun to sing and say.
*Read signs, billboards and labels out loud to children while in the car, shopping or running errands.
For more information about obtaining a copy of Rock-A-Bye Baby Reader or Despertar a la Lectura for your baby or to learn more about other family literacy resources and programs available through Georgia public libraries, contact the Georgia Public Library Service by calling 404-982-3560 or visit www. georgialibraries. org.
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The Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) is the state library agency for Georgia and works to improve the quality of life for all Georgians by providing information and by encouraging reading, literacy and education through the continuing support and improvement of GeorgiaÂ’s public libraries. GPLS administers state and federal grant funds; is the home of the Georgia Library for Accessible Services; operates PINES, a shared library automation system; coordinates statewide awareness campaigns and activities such as the Vacation Reading Program; and provides extensive professional training, consulting services and technical assistance to GeorgiaÂ’s public libraries. GPLS is a Unit of the University System of Georgia. For more information about GPLS or GeorgiaÂ’s public libraries, call 404-982-3560 or visit www. georgialibraries. org.
