Reach Out and Read, Northeast
BUILDING A WORLD...
Where every child is read to every day
Our MOdel
Reach Out and Read is a national nonprofit that gives children a foundation for success by incorporating early literacy and relational health promotion into pediatric primary care. For more than three decades, our specially trained pediatric professionals have sent families home from their checkups with a new book and a prescription to read together every day.
More than a book giveaway program
“Pediatricians amplify the impact of giving families a book by combining the gift with advice from a trusted source about why it is so important to read together every day.“
-- Alex Chu, RORNE Executive Director
We believe that there is no better way to help parents support their children’s development than by having a trusted medical caregiver promote positive parenting behaviors like daily shared reading. Over two dozen studies confirm the effectiveness of this model.
We also believe that something as important as early literacy and relational health promotion should benefit all children. Since just about every child attends well child visits, delivering the program at those visits helps ensure that we are reaching the children who need Reach Out and Read the most.
OUR IMPACT
- Reach out and Read is the only national pediatric literacy model endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Participating families are 2.5X more likely to report enjoying reading together and those parents are 2.5X more likely to read to their children
- Children’s language ability improves with increased exposure to Reach Out and Read -- typically by 3-6 months
The Northeast region includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Upstate New York.
Last year by the numbers:
OUR COMMITment to
representation
We believe that the books we provide to our clinics should authentically reflect the identities and experiences of the children they care for.
We are working to increase the diversity of our program books by enhancing the representation of their makers and the characters they portray.
We strive to provide families with books in the languages they speak at home and currently offer bilingual books in 28 languages.
Because diverse books tend to be more expensive and harder to find, we decided to publish our own!
OUR PRIORITY
Although all children deserve and benefit from participating in the program, we prioritize children in historically marginalized communities who benefit the most. As part of our effort to expand with equity, we are working to increase our partnerships with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), rural clinics and practices with a high percentage of patients covered by Medicaid.
our region
The Northeast region includes Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Upstate New York. AND, coming soon, Maine!
435,253
Children aged 0-5
662,148
Books distributed
3,661
Clinical partners
528
Clinic sites
OUR FIRST BOOK
Talk Baby Talk!
Whether it's bathtime, mealtime, or playtime, every time of day is baby talk time!
This playful book provides rich vocabulary as well as the fun sounds and babble that babies love. Talking to and reading with your baby in this way helps prepare the brain for learning language.
ONLY AVAILABLE FROM
REACH OUT AND READ!
AVAILABLE IN:
English and bilingual spanish, portuguese, haitian creole, pashto, and dari
COMING SOON IN:
Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Hmong, Tagalog and Vietnamese
THE MAKING OF OUR BOOK
Behind The Scenes
PRAISE FOR TALK BABY TALK!
“Sounds are the building blocks of language, and young children learn about them from the loving, caring adults around them. What better way to facilitate that process than a lovely book like this one blending sounds with everyday aspects of family life?”
-- Dipesh Navsaria MD, MPH, MSLIS, FAAP
We are excited to give new parents and caregivers this beautiful book. It celebrates the many ways that babies and trusted adults communicate with each other because those early interactions are so important.
When a baby babbles, gestures, or cries, and an adult responds lovingly -- with eye contact, words, or an enfolding hug -- that response has a powerful impact. Supportive, responsive relationships with caregivers promote a young child's lifelong physical, cognitive, and emotional health.
MEET OUR CREATORS...
AUTHOR, TRICIA ELAM WALKER
Tricia Elam Walker is an award-winning author, attorney and educator. Her children's books include Nana Akua Goes to School and Dreamstreet.
Illustrator, cbabi bayoc
Cbabi Bayoc is an internationally-known visual artist and illustrator whose previous work includes Good Night Racism.
TALK BABY TALK!
In the news
Investing in early childhood literacy is essential for the success of our children. Evidence-based literacy learning programs like Reach Out and Read play a crucial role in fostering a love for reading and language development among young learners.
-- Maura Healey
Massachusetts Governor, Maura Healey read Talk Baby Talk! to Reach Out and Read participants at Lynn Community Health Center. Photo courtesy of Joshua Qualls (learn more here)
Author, Tricia Elam Walker (Left) joined Leonard and Clarissa Egerton at a launch event at Frugal Bookstore, their store which serves as a community hub in Tricia’s in hometown of Roxbury, Massachusetts.
Illustrator Cbabi Bayoc personally delivered one of the thousand books he generously donated to Reach Out and Read programs in his St. Louis, Missouri community.
RESOURCES
For Parents And Caregivers
- Babies love it when you sing, talk, and read to them!
- Your baby will love books because your baby loves your voice.
- Point to the pictures and say what things are, ask questions about what you see.
- Read together at naptime, playtime, bedtime, anytime -- make it a daily routine!
- Make up funny voices for the characters.
- Let your child help turn the pages.
Parent Resources
LITERACY RESOURCES
Find Your Local Library this career site lists public libraries by location.
Reading Together/Leyendo Juntos: A fun, colorful 1-page tip sheet in English and Spanish.
We Need Diverse Books’ Resources for Parents, Educators, and Librarians
ROR Diverse And Inclusive Books List
What Children Like In Books, a simple guide to books children like and respond to at every developmental stage in English and Spanish
DEVELOPMENTAL RESOURCES
Milestone Moments Booklet, 2021 CDC milestone checklists by age for parents and caregivers
Family Pocket Guide (in English and Spanish, written for families by families)
CDC Milestone Tracker Mobile App (English and Spanish)
HCDC Pediatrics -- Comprehensive resources for providers and caregivers
EmbraceRace - Resources for raising children who are thoughtful, informed, and brave about race.
reach out and read
CHECK OUT THESE RESOURCES!
THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS
Reach Out and Read Northeast could not serve the hundreds of thousands of families it does each year without the help of generous government, foundation, corporate, and individual partners. We are grateful to every individual and entity that helps us fulfill our mission. Please see our most recent annual report for a complete list of our partners.
Reach Out and Read is 501(c)3 nonprofit that gives young children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together.
Alex Chu , Regional Executive Director
89 South Street, Suite 201
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617.455.0600
EIN is 04-3481253
