What happens if you give a child a book? Reach Out and Read-Alabama 14th annual Rx for Summer Reading campaign answers that question
Reach Out and Read-Alabama hosts an annual summer campaign to encourage families to read together with a chosen book as inspiration. Copies of the book are distributed by pediatric healthcare providers statewide throughout the summer months.
Since 2011, the prescription for summer reading has included a very hungry caterpillar, dancing barnyard animals, a big red dog in a storm, dinosaurs celebrating birthdays, a bunny visiting the doctor, a super hero kid, a sleepy tiger, a camellia-wearing black bear, a toddler going for a well-child visit, a sunglasses-wearing cat, and a worried young girl. Each book is chosen on the basis of “finding the right book at the right time” with a focus on what is happening in the world around us and helping families forge closer bonds while building the empathy and resilience that children will rely on throughout their lives.
In 2023, a little mouse joins the fun of summer reading and shows us what happens not only if you give him a cookie, but what takes place if you give a child a book. Program sites throughout the state are planning events around the book and will give a copy to each participating child to take home to enjoy again and again.
Reach Out and Read-Alabama advisory council member, Trendle Samuel, shares how If You Give A Mouse A Cookie was a favorite story of her daughters when she was younger. Enjoy reading along with trendle as she reads from her daughter’s book which still has a place on her bookshelf.
