First r foundation: summer reading list |
1. The Aquanaut – Jill Heinerth and Jaime KimInspired by her life as a cave diver, underwater explorer, and filmmaker, Jill Heinerth encourages kids to build their self-esteem and imagine what they can become when they grow up. Jaime Kim's luminous art transports readers through time, showing how Jill's imagination as a young girl paved the way for her achievements as an underwater explorer. |
2. Busy Betty – Reese Witherspoon and Xindi YanReese Witherspoon's charming story follows the excited and super-active Busy Betty. Always busy doing something, Betty faces the challenge of giving her dog, Frank, a bath. Xindi Yan's expressive artwork captures Betty's emotions perfectly. With her friend's help, Betty learns she can accomplish anything with perseverance, teamwork and one great idea. |
3. Flat Cat – Tara Lazar and Pete OswaldWhen Flat Cat accidentally falls into the wash and emerges from the dryer, he becomes puffy and fluffy—which isn't working for him! Tara Lazar, with illustrations by New York Times bestselling illustrator Pete Oswald, presents a hilariously quirky story that will appeal to fans of Pete the Cat. |
4. Hope is a Rainbow – Hoda Kotb and Chloe DominiqueBroadcast journalist Hoda Kotb’s new book lyrically celebrates hope in children and teaches the youngest readers to reach for their dreams, whether they are as “big as the night sky” or “as small as a bowl of purple ice cream.” This story is a lesson in optimism and the power of a positive outlook. |
5. I Am Extraordinary – Steph CurryZoe, a young girl with hearing loss, dreams of playing on her school’s soccer team. Nervous to try out, Zoe finds support and perspectives from new friends. What starts as an anxiety-filled experience for Zoe transforms into an eye-opening lesson about what it means to be different and extraordinary. |
6. In Our Garden – Pat Zietlow Miller and Melissa CrowtonFrom the New York Times bestselling author of Be Kind comes an uplifting classroom tale about students creating a vegetable garden on their school's rooftop. Millie, who recently moved to a new city, realizes the school's flat roof is perfect for a garden. With her teacher and classmates on board, they learn that building a garden takes hard work and the whole school's cooperation. |
7. Like You, Like Me – Jenny Sue Kostecki-ShawTwo girls, one living in the mountains of New Mexico and the other in Tanzania, embark on a friendship journey through letter writing. Through a library pen pal program, the girls discover their commonalities from across the globe. Like You, Like Me might inspire your child to seek out a pen pal during their summer vacation! |
8. Lilly the Lighthouse: Saved by the Storm – Jason GoodchildIn this heartwarming tale, Lilly, an old lighthouse in the town of Lea, faces demolition plans from the local council. However, a storm changes everything one fateful night. Lilly the Lighthouse is the first book in The Dwellings children’s picture book series. |
9. The Not-So-Great Outdoors – Madeline KloepperA grumpy urban kid discovers that the (not-so) great outdoors can be just as exciting as screens and skyscrapers in this playful picture book. As she explores forests, lakes, and mountains, and encounters bears, beavers and caribou, she realizes that simpler things can be just as sparkly. |
10. They All Saw a Cat – Brendan WenzelNew York Times bestseller and Caldecott Medal winner Brendan Wenzel offers a visual delight and charming read-aloud that explores the concept of perception. In this celebration of observation, curiosity and imagination, Wenzel shows the many lives of one cat and how perspective shapes what we see. When you see a cat, what do you see? All of First R’s recommendations can be found at The Bookstore of Gloucester. If you haven’t already visited this charming bookstore in the historic west end of downtown Gloucester, Massachusetts, drop by today. |
Written by: Maureen Ryan Thorpe
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UNLOCKING IMAGINATION:
6 WAYS TO FIND FREE BOOKS FOR K-1 KIDS
Help K-1 children dive into the world of literature without spending a penny.
It goes without saying that your local library is the best place to borrow books free of charge. But if your young readers love reading their favorite stories again and again, you want to have them handy and on the bookshelf. Here are several ways for parents, educators, and caregivers to find free books for K-1 kids that won’t bust the budget.
1. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a literary haven for young minds, gifting children up to five years old a free book each month. Founded by the legendary country singer, this initiative sparks early literacy, fostering a love for reading in countless homes worldwide. It's a testament to Parton's commitment to education and imagination. Check to see if the program is available in your area.
2. Little Free Library
Little Free Libraries are popping up all around town and are a great way of providing free books for kids and igniting a passion for reading. Volunteer stewards build cute book houses (blueprints are available on their website), stock them with relevant books and allow passers-by to access them 24/7. Readers are encouraged to leave a book for each one they take. A handy app allows readers or their caregivers to easily locate the nearest location and partake in a fun quest of book gathering—one little library at time.
3. Open Library
For a story on-demand or on-the-go, try Open Library for a quick storytelling session via your smartphone or tablet. An initiative by the Internet Archive, this treasure trove of downloadable stories is easily searchable by grade level. Click on the “K-12 Student Library” for thousands of titles, including engaging books for K-1 kids. Where else can you read Guess How Much I Love You in 11 languages?
4. Storyline Online
Storyline Online is another on-the-go storytelling strategy for those moments when you need a quick 10–15-minute break from the kids. It features famous actors reading popular children’s books. The videos are engaging and can be a great supplement to traditional reading. Throw one on your tablet or laptop (with an overhead display for classroom purposes) and keep the kids spellbound for a quick period. Who wouldn’t be entertained by Chris O’Dowd reading Arnie the Donut?
5. Book Banks
Book banks serve as literary lifelines, collecting and distributing donated books to teachers, parents, and children. New Jersey-based BookSmiles is a non-profit organization helping to irrigate book deserts by spreading book wealth within the New Jersey/Philadelphia area. BookSmiles partners with Title 1 schools and provides children's books for classroom libraries, pop-up book fairs, popular “teacher take” events, and encourages children to build their own personal home libraries. Another great resource is First Book, where you can explore free books for children in need for simply the cost of shipping and handling (nationwide distribution).
6. Facebook Marketplace
A digital haven for sharing, Facebook Marketplace connects individuals seeking to pass along pre-loved treasures. Simply search “free children’s books” in the Marketplace and you’ll find local listings — from children's classics to educational gems. Many sellers are former educators or parents purging their book collections. You will find both free books and minimally priced collections.
First R Foundation is a nonprofit organization in Gloucester, MA formed with the purpose of fostering a love of reading in students from an early age. A dozen dedicated volunteers visit Cape Ann’s kindergarten and first-grade classrooms each month to read aloud and distribute books to the students. For more information, visit us at First R Foundation.
1. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a literary haven for young minds, gifting children up to five years old a free book each month. Founded by the legendary country singer, this initiative sparks early literacy, fostering a love for reading in countless homes worldwide. It's a testament to Parton's commitment to education and imagination. Check to see if the program is available in your area.
2. Little Free Library
Little Free Libraries are popping up all around town and are a great way of providing free books for kids and igniting a passion for reading. Volunteer stewards build cute book houses (blueprints are available on their website), stock them with relevant books and allow passers-by to access them 24/7. Readers are encouraged to leave a book for each one they take. A handy app allows readers or their caregivers to easily locate the nearest location and partake in a fun quest of book gathering—one little library at time.
3. Open Library
For a story on-demand or on-the-go, try Open Library for a quick storytelling session via your smartphone or tablet. An initiative by the Internet Archive, this treasure trove of downloadable stories is easily searchable by grade level. Click on the “K-12 Student Library” for thousands of titles, including engaging books for K-1 kids. Where else can you read Guess How Much I Love You in 11 languages?
4. Storyline Online
Storyline Online is another on-the-go storytelling strategy for those moments when you need a quick 10–15-minute break from the kids. It features famous actors reading popular children’s books. The videos are engaging and can be a great supplement to traditional reading. Throw one on your tablet or laptop (with an overhead display for classroom purposes) and keep the kids spellbound for a quick period. Who wouldn’t be entertained by Chris O’Dowd reading Arnie the Donut?
5. Book Banks
Book banks serve as literary lifelines, collecting and distributing donated books to teachers, parents, and children. New Jersey-based BookSmiles is a non-profit organization helping to irrigate book deserts by spreading book wealth within the New Jersey/Philadelphia area. BookSmiles partners with Title 1 schools and provides children's books for classroom libraries, pop-up book fairs, popular “teacher take” events, and encourages children to build their own personal home libraries. Another great resource is First Book, where you can explore free books for children in need for simply the cost of shipping and handling (nationwide distribution).
6. Facebook Marketplace
A digital haven for sharing, Facebook Marketplace connects individuals seeking to pass along pre-loved treasures. Simply search “free children’s books” in the Marketplace and you’ll find local listings — from children's classics to educational gems. Many sellers are former educators or parents purging their book collections. You will find both free books and minimally priced collections.
First R Foundation is a nonprofit organization in Gloucester, MA formed with the purpose of fostering a love of reading in students from an early age. A dozen dedicated volunteers visit Cape Ann’s kindergarten and first-grade classrooms each month to read aloud and distribute books to the students. For more information, visit us at First R Foundation.
written by maureen ryan thorpe
Pat’s Picks: Summer Reading List 2023
Fun and imaginative tales for kids pre-K to grade 3
Aaah… It’s time again for a pause in the schedule, fresh air, visits to the beach and…yes, summertime reads! For the second year in a row, we present Pat’s Picks, an initiative with the mission of making reading fun for kids, one book at a time. Our favorite read-aloud advocate, Patricia Earle, has selected a few of her favorites for Summer 2023.
1. Salty Dog – Gloria Rand A beautiful summertime read, Salty Dog features stunning watercolor illustrations and tells the story of boat builder Zack, who takes the ferry to work every day accompanied by his young pup Salty, until the dog gets too big to hang around the shop. Salty enjoys the daily voyage too much to be left behind, taking the ferry by himself to join Zack. |
2. Sal Boat – Thyra Heder This special story was written and illustrated by the very talented Thyra Heder, who incorporates the beautiful backdrop of Gloucester, Massachusetts. Sal has a vision for the boat of his dreams and is determined to build it on his own. It’s an inspiring picture book with lovely, detailed illustrations and a heartfelt message about not giving up, being resourceful, and appreciating community. |
3. Swimmy – Leo Lionni Swimmy is the story of a very small fish who stands out because he is a different color from the rest of his school. He is curious and adventurous, exploring the sea after being forced away from his home. When he meets a new school that fears being attacked by a predator, Swimmy saves the day by being the leader they need. This classic book was a recipient of a 1964 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations. |
4. Hot Dog – Dough Salati Hot Dog captures a much-needed summer excursion that readers will enjoy taking. A small red dachshund in the city is wilting in the hot sticky summer, so his owner attempts to get him the breath of fresh air he needs. Salati shows us how to find calm and carry it back with us so we can appreciate the small joys in a day. Nearly wordless, the beginning reader can enjoy Hot Dog entirely on their own. |
5. Good Night Little Bookstore – Amy Cherrix With engaging simplicity, Cherrix combines the intimate world of an independent bookstore with the rhythmic verse of a bedtime read. This book celebrates the bookstore as a cozy, comfortable—and crucial—corner of community. Cherrix should know; in addition to being a best-selling author, she has the amazing job of book buyer at an independent bookstore! |
6. Once Upon a Book – Grace Lin Two-time Caldicott medalist Grace Lin invites the young reader to “turn the page and come in to a new and exciting place inside the book.” Main character Alice is an imaginative young girl who is drawn into the pages of the book and experiences a different world each and every time. Alice visits places new and exciting, but in the end, finds that home is always best. |
7. Knight Owl – Christopher Denise A determined Owl builds strength and confidence in this medieval picture book about the real mettle of a hero: wits, humor, and heart. While holding guard during Knight Night Watch, Owl is faced with the ultimate trial—a frightening intruder. It's a daunting duel by any measure. But what Owl lacks in size, he makes up for in good ideas. |
8. I’m Not Scared, You’re Scared – Seth Myers Emmy Award-winning writer Seth Myers gives us a funny, touching, brightly illustrated story about friendship and facing fears. Bear's fear of just about everything doesn't bother the more adventurous Rabbit, which is a good reminder to readers that friendships can be strengthened by differences as well as things friends have in common. |
9. The Sour Grape – Jory John and Pete Oswald Jory John and Pete Oswald serve up another heaping plate of laughs and lessons with this empowering, witty, and charming addition to their #1 New York Times bestselling series. A thin-skinned grape learns that holding a grudge is not as much fun as letting one go. Telling story and lesson about being kind, grateful and humble. |
10. The Seagull and the Sea Captain – Sy Montgomery The Seagull and the Sea Captain is the delightfully true story of Capt. Heath Ellis’s friendship with Polly Five Toes, a three-toed seagull who regularly visits Ellis’s schooner, the Thomas E. Lannon. Montgomery, a wonderful naturalistic storyteller, lovingly depicts her love of animals and nature in this Gloucester Massachusetts-based book. |
All of First R’s recommendations can be found at The Bookstore of Gloucester. If you haven’t already visited this charming bookstore in the historic west end of downtown Gloucester Massachusetts, drop by today for a visit.
written by: maureen ryan thorpe
Daisy Nell to Read Her Children’s Books to Cape Ann students
April 27, 2023
Local children’s author and folk singer to celebrate the history and beauty of Cape Ann’s schooners with the students of Cape Ann.
Gloucester, MA – In keeping with the Gloucester400 celebration, First R Foundation will continue reading books featuring Gloucester writers, illustrators, and themes to the kindergarteners and first graders in Gloucester’s public schools. Local favorite Daisy Nell will read to the kindergarteners at East Gloucester Elementary School on May 3 and the first graders of West Parish School on May 5. In collaboration with First R, she will distribute copies of her books The Stowaway Mouse and Winnie at the Wheel to each classroom for their libraries.
This year, First R’s quadricentennial festivities commenced with the presentation of Virginia Lee Burton’s Katy and the Big Snow, the celebrated 1943 tale set in “Geopolis,” a town modeled after Gloucester. Mayor Verga’s children’s book, Fresh Eggs, followed in February. In April, the children delighted in hearing the tales of The Seagull and the Sea Captain and Sal Boat, both books set in Gloucester.
Nell, a native of Essex, is a folk singer and songwriter with a long history of school, museum, and shipboard performances. She has performed throughout New England and as far away as Hawaii and Alaska with her husband Stan Collinson and their band, Crabgrass. She has several CDs and a Parent’s Choice Award-winning children’s album, Bought Me a Rooster. She is the author of four previous children’s books, all illustrated by George Ulrich. She serves as the Chair of the annual Gloucester Schooner Festival and is the proud owner of the schooner Redbird.
“I am delighted to be able to share my books with the Gloucester schools next week. My hope is that my stories will celebrate our maritime heritage in a fun and meaningful way,” said Nell.
Set upon the decks of the schooner Ardelle, The Stowaway Mouse is the result of a folk music and songwriting project in the second grade of an elementary school in Essex. Two classes of inspiring children worked with Nell to learn about traditional folk music and instruments and to create songs based on local history. As the Ardelle was built on the edge of the Essex River, The Stowaway Mouse took shape, first as a song, then a book.
Winnie at the Wheel takes place at the annual Gloucester Schooner Parade on Stacy Boulevard, near the site of the 1925 statue of the Man at the Wheel by Leonard Craske. Winnie, a Cockadoodlepoo, has an adventure with the schooner Thomas E. Lannon that takes her to new heights, giving her a different view of her world on Cape Ann.
The goal of the First R Foundation is to improve the reading and comprehension skills of young children in a school environment through oral reading of books by professional, political, and civic leaders of the Cape Ann community. Executive Director Pat Earle funds the program through private donations and can purchase thirty books per month for classrooms. Since its founding in 2002, the foundation has grown to over 50 volunteers and has gifted over 10,000 books to kindergarteners and first graders. For additional resources and information, visit First R at https://www.firstrfoundation.org/. For information and updates on Gloucester’s 400+ festivities, visit their website here.
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For additional information, please contact Maureen Ryan Thorpe, Digital Marketing Manager, First R Foundation, at [email protected] or 978-319-2968.
Local children’s author and folk singer to celebrate the history and beauty of Cape Ann’s schooners with the students of Cape Ann.
Gloucester, MA – In keeping with the Gloucester400 celebration, First R Foundation will continue reading books featuring Gloucester writers, illustrators, and themes to the kindergarteners and first graders in Gloucester’s public schools. Local favorite Daisy Nell will read to the kindergarteners at East Gloucester Elementary School on May 3 and the first graders of West Parish School on May 5. In collaboration with First R, she will distribute copies of her books The Stowaway Mouse and Winnie at the Wheel to each classroom for their libraries.
This year, First R’s quadricentennial festivities commenced with the presentation of Virginia Lee Burton’s Katy and the Big Snow, the celebrated 1943 tale set in “Geopolis,” a town modeled after Gloucester. Mayor Verga’s children’s book, Fresh Eggs, followed in February. In April, the children delighted in hearing the tales of The Seagull and the Sea Captain and Sal Boat, both books set in Gloucester.
Nell, a native of Essex, is a folk singer and songwriter with a long history of school, museum, and shipboard performances. She has performed throughout New England and as far away as Hawaii and Alaska with her husband Stan Collinson and their band, Crabgrass. She has several CDs and a Parent’s Choice Award-winning children’s album, Bought Me a Rooster. She is the author of four previous children’s books, all illustrated by George Ulrich. She serves as the Chair of the annual Gloucester Schooner Festival and is the proud owner of the schooner Redbird.
“I am delighted to be able to share my books with the Gloucester schools next week. My hope is that my stories will celebrate our maritime heritage in a fun and meaningful way,” said Nell.
Set upon the decks of the schooner Ardelle, The Stowaway Mouse is the result of a folk music and songwriting project in the second grade of an elementary school in Essex. Two classes of inspiring children worked with Nell to learn about traditional folk music and instruments and to create songs based on local history. As the Ardelle was built on the edge of the Essex River, The Stowaway Mouse took shape, first as a song, then a book.
Winnie at the Wheel takes place at the annual Gloucester Schooner Parade on Stacy Boulevard, near the site of the 1925 statue of the Man at the Wheel by Leonard Craske. Winnie, a Cockadoodlepoo, has an adventure with the schooner Thomas E. Lannon that takes her to new heights, giving her a different view of her world on Cape Ann.
The goal of the First R Foundation is to improve the reading and comprehension skills of young children in a school environment through oral reading of books by professional, political, and civic leaders of the Cape Ann community. Executive Director Pat Earle funds the program through private donations and can purchase thirty books per month for classrooms. Since its founding in 2002, the foundation has grown to over 50 volunteers and has gifted over 10,000 books to kindergarteners and first graders. For additional resources and information, visit First R at https://www.firstrfoundation.org/. For information and updates on Gloucester’s 400+ festivities, visit their website here.
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For additional information, please contact Maureen Ryan Thorpe, Digital Marketing Manager, First R Foundation, at [email protected] or 978-319-2968.
A Cape ann literacy advocate describes how her self-taught father ignited her passion for books.
By Patricia Earle
I really don’t remember a time when I could not read. When I was three or four years old, my father would put me in his lap, point out simple words from the newspaper, spell the words and ask me to repeat the word. So, unconsciously, I learned to read. I think I was about three years old when I began to absorb my father’s love of words and their meaning. That is how I began to become a dedicated lover of books and words.
My father, Mike, did not read to me from children’s books, but from the classic books he loved—some a bit too advanced, perhaps. I started with Grimms Fairy Tales, progressed to Alice in Wonderland and on to Les Misérables…all by 10 years old. Mike managed to get one of the first set of comics from the Classic Comics series. The stories should have been a little too mature for my age, but I loved them.
Mike was literally a self-made man thanks to books and reading. And to understand why I advocate for literacy, one has to understand Mike’s story. Mike’s story began at the turn of the 20th century. Long story short, I was the child of a second marriage in the 1920's. As a young child, Mike was forced to leave school at the end of the fifth grade and go to work in a local factory. At this time in the early 20th century, there were no child labor laws. Young Mike was forced to work 10-hour days, every day except Sunday. There was a small lending library close by, and young Mike spent his Sunday afternoons reading and learning.
At 16 years old, Mike joined one of the first trade unions and quickly rose in the ranks to become an organizer. When he turned 20, he was traveling to other states and factories to help organize and work for better working conditions. But Mike never stopped reading and learning. When WWII broke out, Mike was well known and respected as a Labor and Management Relations specialist. He was quickly called to Washington to help American industries swiftly convert to a high-speed war machine.
After the war, Mike went into private practice and adapted his skills to help American industry become a mighty engine during peace time. But his expertise was called upon again to help another nation’s economy. By the early 1950s, Israel’s early industry and labor relations were almost non-existent. Golda Meir, then Secretary of Labor, reached out and asked Mike to come and help. In a few years, Israel’s Histadrut became a powerful force as well as the nation’s only trade union. It still remains a powerful presence in the country today.
During his travels and long flights, Mike discovered paperback books. He always carried at least four or five books with him on every trip—some educational, others for entertainment. Unfortunately, the years of smoking Camels caught up with him, and at the end of his life, Mike was confined to his easy chair, tethered to an oxygen tank. But he still could read, and when my daughters came to visit, he would read to them—most of the same books he had read to me. He continued to faithfully read the daily newspaper.
Today, my daughters and my granddaughter can be found with their “nose in a book” when they have leisure time, and I love that Mike helped instill that love of books in them. Learning to read and enjoying it is one of the most valuable and durable gifts one can give a child. One never knows where it will take you!
My father, Mike, did not read to me from children’s books, but from the classic books he loved—some a bit too advanced, perhaps. I started with Grimms Fairy Tales, progressed to Alice in Wonderland and on to Les Misérables…all by 10 years old. Mike managed to get one of the first set of comics from the Classic Comics series. The stories should have been a little too mature for my age, but I loved them.
Mike was literally a self-made man thanks to books and reading. And to understand why I advocate for literacy, one has to understand Mike’s story. Mike’s story began at the turn of the 20th century. Long story short, I was the child of a second marriage in the 1920's. As a young child, Mike was forced to leave school at the end of the fifth grade and go to work in a local factory. At this time in the early 20th century, there were no child labor laws. Young Mike was forced to work 10-hour days, every day except Sunday. There was a small lending library close by, and young Mike spent his Sunday afternoons reading and learning.
At 16 years old, Mike joined one of the first trade unions and quickly rose in the ranks to become an organizer. When he turned 20, he was traveling to other states and factories to help organize and work for better working conditions. But Mike never stopped reading and learning. When WWII broke out, Mike was well known and respected as a Labor and Management Relations specialist. He was quickly called to Washington to help American industries swiftly convert to a high-speed war machine.
After the war, Mike went into private practice and adapted his skills to help American industry become a mighty engine during peace time. But his expertise was called upon again to help another nation’s economy. By the early 1950s, Israel’s early industry and labor relations were almost non-existent. Golda Meir, then Secretary of Labor, reached out and asked Mike to come and help. In a few years, Israel’s Histadrut became a powerful force as well as the nation’s only trade union. It still remains a powerful presence in the country today.
During his travels and long flights, Mike discovered paperback books. He always carried at least four or five books with him on every trip—some educational, others for entertainment. Unfortunately, the years of smoking Camels caught up with him, and at the end of his life, Mike was confined to his easy chair, tethered to an oxygen tank. But he still could read, and when my daughters came to visit, he would read to them—most of the same books he had read to me. He continued to faithfully read the daily newspaper.
Today, my daughters and my granddaughter can be found with their “nose in a book” when they have leisure time, and I love that Mike helped instill that love of books in them. Learning to read and enjoying it is one of the most valuable and durable gifts one can give a child. One never knows where it will take you!

"Education isn’t the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.”
– William Butler Yeats
How many times today have you read something? No doubt you have done it without thinking about it…newspaper? street sign? text? email? All done without thinking about what you were doing: processing information, storing it and using it. We use reading unconsciously—just like we do walking—and these two skills are vital for progressing through your day. Yet, according to recent studies, and as quoted by Nicholas Kristof in his recent column of the Sunday New York Times, two-thirds of our fourth graders are not proficient in reading. Kristof says, “American children are struggling to read and are worse at it than their counterparts were in 1998.” That’s 25 years ago!
Reading is the key to our world. And a child’s success at reading is the key to understanding the world. It is within your power to help young children possess and use this key to become confident citizens of the world. Helping a child enter the world of reading and understanding may be one of the most important things you can do to help them become fully functional adults.
Opportunities to help a child learn and comprehend are all around us and in everyday life—not just in a school. Helping a child to read can be fun for all, and the entire family can join in. It’s simply helping kids to sound out words using phonics. Try the labels on items at the supermarket. Point out a word on the box, pronounce it and ask the child to repeat it. Point out street signs like “STOP” and ask the child to repeat it. Praise the child if they remember the word. You can make the game more challenging by asking the child if they remember the word later during the day.
Making words fun and understanding them can be a game that can also involve older siblings. When you return from the store, ask the older child to point out the word on the same box or container you pointed to at the store, and see if the child can remember and read it. It can be simple word like “milk” or “eggs.” Ask the older child to point out the printed word to their younger sibling and see if they both can see and say it. A small reward may be helpful to reinforce the lesson. If the younger child cannot recognize that word, just let it go and try again later. There are many opportunities during the day to help a child see and recognize words. You can make up your own games to engage a child and bring them into the wonderful world of reading.
By taking reading out of the classroom, you can show a child how important to everyday life reading can be. It may be the most important lesson about reading you can give a young child. Besides, it’s fun to play word games with your children!
"Reading may be the most important skill we can give our children. It’s the pilot light of that fire. When 2/3 of American kids are not proficient in reading, we are failing the next generation."
- Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times
written by: Patricia earle
MAYOR VERGA TO READ SELF-AUTHORED CHILDREN’S BOOK TO CAPE ANN KINDERGARTENERS
February 2, 2023
Local literacy program celebrates Gloucester’s 400th anniversary with local authors reading to the students of Cape Ann.
Gloucester, MA – First R Foundation is pleased to announce that special authors will read to the kindergarteners and first graders in Gloucester’s public schools this year in celebration of Gloucester’s quadricentennial celebration. To kick off the festivities, Mayor Greg Verga will visit the kindergarten classrooms at Veterans’ Memorial School in Gloucester on February 9, 2023 to read aloud and distribute individual copies of his self-authored children’s book, Fresh Eggs, to the students.
This year, First R’s quadricentennial festivities commenced with the presentation of Virginia Lee Burton’s Katy and the Big Snow, the celebrated 1943 tale set in “Geopolis,” a town modeled after Burton’s beloved Gloucester. Mayor Verga’s book will follow in February. Verga penned this tale when his children were young and inquisitive. While building a chicken coop in the backyard, he decided to turn the process into an educational lesson about sustainable growing practices and engaging the kids in the experience.
Verga has a great appreciation for early childhood education, having served on Gloucester’s school committee for eight years. “I am excited to be a part of the First R Foundation’s literacy program and to share my book with Gloucester’s students,” said Verga. “Reading is such a huge part of a child’s education, and I hope that my book will inspire them to read more and to pursue their own passions and interests.”
Verga is a longtime supporter and reader in First R’s literacy program. The goal of the foundation is to improve the reading and comprehension skills of young children in a school environment through oral reading of books by professional, political, and civic leaders of the Cape Ann community. The program emphasizes the value of reading and empowers students in their community by meeting leaders in their own classroom, who in turn, are given a firsthand experience in a public-school setting.
The volunteers leave a copy of the book with each classroom teacher. In addition, First R will distribute individual copies of books written by local authors and set on Cape Ann to each K-1 student several times during the quadrennial year. Mayor Verga’s Fresh Eggs will be the first book individually distributed in 2023.
“Studies are proving that reading on tablets and phones is not the same as reading a hard copy book,” First R’s executive director Pat Earle said. “When children are introduced to books early on, they can comprehend better, develop better executive functioning skills, and manage their time better.”
First R Foundation is 501 (c)(3) organization formed with the purpose of fostering a love of reading in students from an early age. Earle funds the program through private donations and can purchase thirty books per month for classrooms. Since its founding in 2002, the foundation has grown to over 50 volunteers and has gifted over 10,000 books to kindergarteners and first graders. For additional resources and information, visit First R at https://www.firstrfoundation.org/. For information and updates on Gloucester’s 400+ festivities, visit their website here.
###
For additional information, please contact Maureen Ryan Thorpe, Digital Marketing Manager, First R Foundation, at [email protected] or 978-319-2968.
Local literacy program celebrates Gloucester’s 400th anniversary with local authors reading to the students of Cape Ann.
Gloucester, MA – First R Foundation is pleased to announce that special authors will read to the kindergarteners and first graders in Gloucester’s public schools this year in celebration of Gloucester’s quadricentennial celebration. To kick off the festivities, Mayor Greg Verga will visit the kindergarten classrooms at Veterans’ Memorial School in Gloucester on February 9, 2023 to read aloud and distribute individual copies of his self-authored children’s book, Fresh Eggs, to the students.
This year, First R’s quadricentennial festivities commenced with the presentation of Virginia Lee Burton’s Katy and the Big Snow, the celebrated 1943 tale set in “Geopolis,” a town modeled after Burton’s beloved Gloucester. Mayor Verga’s book will follow in February. Verga penned this tale when his children were young and inquisitive. While building a chicken coop in the backyard, he decided to turn the process into an educational lesson about sustainable growing practices and engaging the kids in the experience.
Verga has a great appreciation for early childhood education, having served on Gloucester’s school committee for eight years. “I am excited to be a part of the First R Foundation’s literacy program and to share my book with Gloucester’s students,” said Verga. “Reading is such a huge part of a child’s education, and I hope that my book will inspire them to read more and to pursue their own passions and interests.”
Verga is a longtime supporter and reader in First R’s literacy program. The goal of the foundation is to improve the reading and comprehension skills of young children in a school environment through oral reading of books by professional, political, and civic leaders of the Cape Ann community. The program emphasizes the value of reading and empowers students in their community by meeting leaders in their own classroom, who in turn, are given a firsthand experience in a public-school setting.
The volunteers leave a copy of the book with each classroom teacher. In addition, First R will distribute individual copies of books written by local authors and set on Cape Ann to each K-1 student several times during the quadrennial year. Mayor Verga’s Fresh Eggs will be the first book individually distributed in 2023.
“Studies are proving that reading on tablets and phones is not the same as reading a hard copy book,” First R’s executive director Pat Earle said. “When children are introduced to books early on, they can comprehend better, develop better executive functioning skills, and manage their time better.”
First R Foundation is 501 (c)(3) organization formed with the purpose of fostering a love of reading in students from an early age. Earle funds the program through private donations and can purchase thirty books per month for classrooms. Since its founding in 2002, the foundation has grown to over 50 volunteers and has gifted over 10,000 books to kindergarteners and first graders. For additional resources and information, visit First R at https://www.firstrfoundation.org/. For information and updates on Gloucester’s 400+ festivities, visit their website here.
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For additional information, please contact Maureen Ryan Thorpe, Digital Marketing Manager, First R Foundation, at [email protected] or 978-319-2968.

easy tips to help nurture your child's literacy from birth to first grade
In Reading for Our Lives, award-winning journalist and literacy advocate, Maya Payne Smart, provides a clear step-by-step guide to helping your child thrive as a reader. It’s a handy blueprint that gives parents easy, immediate and accessible ways to nurture language and literacy development from birth to early-elementary school.
As a busy career mom, Smart understands a parent’s struggle to find time in the day to help their child with literacy success, saying, “These are principles any parent can remember and apply with ease during long, busy days with young children.” Below are excerpts from Reading for Our Lives on techniques you can adopt right away.
1. Point to words in the world for relevance
Literacy building doesn’t have to take place only at bedtime, says Smart. Studies provide evidence that infants and young toddlers benefit from conversations in the present while we point and gesture to label objects in our immediate surroundings. You can use this technique wherever there is print. Cereal boxes and street signs are just a couple of examples.
2. Keep the conversations going
Look for opportunities to elaborate on what you’re talking about. While reading, you can bring book content into the realm of everyday life by linking characters and plot to things the child has experienced. “Look! It’s raining in the picture. It’s raining outside our window too.” A back-and-forth exchange is critical to brain growth from ages birth to three.
3. Ask questions
Try asking questions about a scene unfolding in real life or within the pages of a book you’re reading, like “What’s that? Do you see the bird?” A study showed that the number of questions parents ask during shared book reading with 10-month-old infants predicted language skills eight months later. “Simply put, conversation spurs brain development,” stated Smart. Enlist the help of big brothers and sisters, who are practicing their own literary skills.
4. Make it personal
Make lessons personally meaningful for your child. Sometimes it’s as simple as teaching the child the letters in their first name, making up songs and stories featuring their pets or choosing vocabulary words from their favorite books. When Anna sees the letter A and says, “That’s my letter!” She’s owning it and identifying with it. In the same vein, if you start a story centered around a sport they play, they’ll make a personal association with it, according to Smart.
5. Praise the Process
Cheer on your child’s hard work and determination. Instead of giving generic praise like, “You’re so smart,” say specifically what you liked about how they learned, not just the results. Try “Good job working hard” instead. Researchers have found evidence that when parents praise kids’ efforts in the learning process—not the outcomes—it impacts their belief that they can get smarter if they work at it.
Reading for Our Lives walks parents and guardians through early-education literacy skills, how they develop, when to nurture them and milestones by age group. Handy journal prompts are sprinkled throughout the book for parents to record observations. Specific tools are provided that you can integrate at home to foster literacy development and phonological awareness.
As a busy career mom, Smart understands a parent’s struggle to find time in the day to help their child with literacy success, saying, “These are principles any parent can remember and apply with ease during long, busy days with young children.” Below are excerpts from Reading for Our Lives on techniques you can adopt right away.
1. Point to words in the world for relevance
Literacy building doesn’t have to take place only at bedtime, says Smart. Studies provide evidence that infants and young toddlers benefit from conversations in the present while we point and gesture to label objects in our immediate surroundings. You can use this technique wherever there is print. Cereal boxes and street signs are just a couple of examples.
2. Keep the conversations going
Look for opportunities to elaborate on what you’re talking about. While reading, you can bring book content into the realm of everyday life by linking characters and plot to things the child has experienced. “Look! It’s raining in the picture. It’s raining outside our window too.” A back-and-forth exchange is critical to brain growth from ages birth to three.
3. Ask questions
Try asking questions about a scene unfolding in real life or within the pages of a book you’re reading, like “What’s that? Do you see the bird?” A study showed that the number of questions parents ask during shared book reading with 10-month-old infants predicted language skills eight months later. “Simply put, conversation spurs brain development,” stated Smart. Enlist the help of big brothers and sisters, who are practicing their own literary skills.
4. Make it personal
Make lessons personally meaningful for your child. Sometimes it’s as simple as teaching the child the letters in their first name, making up songs and stories featuring their pets or choosing vocabulary words from their favorite books. When Anna sees the letter A and says, “That’s my letter!” She’s owning it and identifying with it. In the same vein, if you start a story centered around a sport they play, they’ll make a personal association with it, according to Smart.
5. Praise the Process
Cheer on your child’s hard work and determination. Instead of giving generic praise like, “You’re so smart,” say specifically what you liked about how they learned, not just the results. Try “Good job working hard” instead. Researchers have found evidence that when parents praise kids’ efforts in the learning process—not the outcomes—it impacts their belief that they can get smarter if they work at it.
Reading for Our Lives walks parents and guardians through early-education literacy skills, how they develop, when to nurture them and milestones by age group. Handy journal prompts are sprinkled throughout the book for parents to record observations. Specific tools are provided that you can integrate at home to foster literacy development and phonological awareness.
Smart stresses that there’s more to reading aloud and reciting words on a page. “The parents’ job in the beginning is not to teach reading but to nurture its long-term development through active attention, book sharing and caring conversations,” she notes. “Think of these as your own ABCs.” |
written by: maureen ryan thorpe
PAT’S PICKS: SUMMER READING LIST 2022
ENGAGE THE KIDS WITH THESE FUN AND IMAGINATIVE TOMES AND TALES
Our kids cherish the lazy days of summer. For many K-1 children, this includes flipping through the bright, cheery pages of a storybook, while for others, it’s cozying up with a loved one at bedtime to have them read “JUST ONE MORE!” story before the lights go out. Our favorite “read-aloud” advocate, Patricia Earle, has selected a few faves for Summer 2022. We’re calling it, “Pat’s Picks,” and we’re excited to share the list with you.
2. Elephant and Piggie Series – Mo Willems Mo Willems’ celebrated Elephant & Piggie series has won two Theodor Seuss Geisel Medals and five Geisel Honors. Mo, who resides in Massachusetts, began his career as a writer and animator on Sesame Street. Pat also recommends Don’t Let the Pigeons Drive the Bus for preschoolers gearing up for kindergarten. |
3. How Wonderfully Odd: A Backwards Bedtime Adventure of Kindness, Empathy, and Inclusion – Rory Haltmaier Rory Haltmaier, a locally bred author and illustrator, answers the question, “What do animals do at night?” This is a great read-aloud book to share with babies, toddlers and children of every age. Parents, teachers, early readers and advanced readers will be swept away by this heartwarming story. |
6. What’s Inside a Flower? and Other Questions About Science & Nature – Rachel Ignotofsky Budding backyard scientists can start exploring their world with this introduction to flowery showstoppers, from seeds to roots to blooms. Rachel Ignotofsky is the author and illustrator of many nonfiction books, including the New York Times bestseller Women in Science. |
7. Maybe: A Story About the Endless Potential in all of Us – Kobi Yamada Maybe is a story about everything a child can do—for who they are right now— and all the magical, unbounded potential they hold inside. With enchanting illustrations, it's a reminder that children are meant for incredible things. |
8. If I Were the President – Catherine Stier This light introduction to the office touches on duties that come with the job, such as being in charge of the armed forces and working with Congress to make laws. Some of the perks are mentioned as well, including having a chef and lighting the nation's holiday tree. |