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Read about Reading Ready Pittsburgh in the news. Reading Ready Pittsburgh in the News Check out the links below to see some newsworthy items about our organization Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh brings community together for Children's Literacy Summit (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Books and beyond: Screen-free ways to build early literacy at home (Kidsburgh) Reading Ready Pittsburgh helps kids and parents develop a love of books (KDKA) 9 Unique Things to Do in Pittsburgh, PA: Add These To Your Steel City Itinerary (RentBlog.) Reading Ready Pittsburgh: this local nonprofit offers free books for kids, story times and more (Kidsburgh) Free Children’s Bookstore Opens in Pittsburgh (Publishers Weekly) Reading Ready Pittsburgh turns a new page with B is for Books (NEXTpittsburgh) What Makes Pittsburgh’s B is for Books Store Special? (Pittsburgh Magazine) Reading Ready Pittsburgh hosts open house at free children's bookstore, "B For Books" (KDKA) B is for Books: local bookstore offering free books to help increase literacy (WPXI-TV) Nonprofit Reading Ready Pittsburgh opens free bookstore for kids (90.5 WESA) B is for Books, a free children’s bookstore, aims to boost literacy and joy for young readers (PGH City Paper) Dolly Parton Imagination Library expands Western Pa. footprint (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) Dolly Parton's Imagination Library returns to Pittsburgh (WTAE-TV) Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library sending free books to Pittsburgh kids (NEXTpittsburgh)

B is for Books is Reading Ready Pittsburgh free bookstore for children. B is for Books A Free Bookstore for Children Reading Ready Pittsburgh operates an absolutely, 100% free bookstore for children and their families. The idea is simple: we believe that every child and their family should have easy access to high quality reading material with as few barriers as possible. This bookstore also doubles as a resource for early childhood educators. If you are an educator in need of a fresh set of books for your classroom and are able to pick them up from our bookstore location, you may request them below. 1/9 What Happens Here? Some things to do around the store if you are... An educator Meet with our librarian to choose the right books for your classroom Learn about our circle and story time events Ask us about professional development opportunities A caregiver Take home three free books to add to your family library Read a book in our nook with your little one Ask the staff about our early literacy programs A kid Take a look around the store, the games, and the nook Grab three books to take home and keep Read in the nook or play with the games We also have community events at least once a month, a storytime every Saturday at 11:30 am, parent workshops, and even school field trips! Keep up to date on our social media and reach out to us if want to schedule a visit with your class. Donation Policy Reading Ready Pittsburgh will gladly take your new and gently used children's books to give away in our bookstore! It doesn't matter if it 's one book or one thousand books, we wi ll take them as long as they are in acceptable condition; not offensive in their language o r depictions of people or cultures; and geared towards kids birth to 18. Please click here to start the donation process. Questio ns about donating? Click here to email Kathy! Request Books If you are an educator or organization that works with children (e.g. social worker, doctor, community center), you may request a variety of gently loved books spanning all ages and genres from the store. At this moment you must make arrangements to pick them up from our storefront at 222 East 8th Avenue, Homestead, PA 15120. Click here to fill out the form , and our librarian will be in contact with you shortly. Please note that these books are from the store itself and may vary depending on what we currently have in stock. Location and Hours 222 East 8th Avenue Homestead, PA 15120 Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Saturday: 9 am - 3 pm 12 pm - 3 pm 9 am - 6 pm 12 pm - 3 pm 10 am - 2 pm

Donate Explore this page to find out how to support Reading Ready Pittsburgh $35 supports one child for one year of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (DPIL) $125 enables us to purchase a new initial Raising a Reader bookbag for one child and family $300 covers brand new book giveaways and other resources for our free events at B is for Books $3,000 buys new Raising a Reader materials for an entire preschool classroom—a gift that will serve them for years to come. Every contribution makes an enormous difference to us. Thanks to donors like you, Reading Ready Pittsburgh can help hundreds of families develop, practice, and sustain home literacy habits to ensure all children thrive. Make a general donation to Reading Ready Pittsburgh right here. Click here to donate to Reading Ready Pittsburgh's Dolly Drive! Donations made by check should be payable to Reading Ready Pittsburgh and mailed to: Reading Ready Pittsburgh PO Box 81111 Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Support Reading Ready Pittsburgh through your workplace giving program. Our United Way Contributor Choice Program code is 19907484. Click Here to Donate Books Reading Ready Pittsburgh will gladly take your new and gently loved children's books to give away in our bookstore! It doesn't matter if it's one book or one thousand books, we will take them as long as they are in good conditio n; not offensive in their language or depictions of people and cultures; and geared towards kids birth to 18. Questions about donating? Click here to email Kathy! You can also shop from our wish lists! Baby Preschool Start a Book Drive We go through a lot of books here at Reading Ready Pittsburgh, so if you'd like to organize a book drive for us please email our librarian, Kathy, at the email address below. kathy@readingreadypittsburgh.org Thank you for supporting Pittsburgh's youngest readers!

Upcoming Events with Reading Ready Pittsburgh Upcoming Events For questions about events, email mark@readingreadypittsburgh.org 1/4

Birthday Book Gifting Our Birthday Book Gifting program allows participating sites to gift each child in their childcare program an age appropriate, high quality book on their birthday. Birthday Book Gifting brings joy to children on their birthday and provides families quality books for their home library. How you can help: Purchase your favorite book(s) and send them to Reading Ready Pittsburgh. We'll wrap and deliver them fo r you! Questions? Email Ka thy Buy Local from these Pittsburgh Book Sellers: Send to: Reading Ready Pittsburgh Birthday Book Gifting Program 222 East 8th Avenue Homestead, PA 15120 Baby Preschool You can also shop from our wish lists!

Contact Us Have a question? Please reach out to us! We would be happy to hear from you. Email us directly or fill out the form below. Mary Denison, Executive Director Megan Chips, Program Director Kathy Koltas, Librarian Mark Sepe, Outreach Coordinator Stefanie Wielkopolan, Program Coordinator Hannah Zibert, Program Coordinator How can we help? Submit Thanks for reaching out!

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Parents Is your family new to Raising A Reader? Check out the video below to learn all about the Raising A Reader program to start receiving books from your childcare program . 1. Check to see if your childcare program is a Raising A Reader Partner 2. If your childcare program is a Raising A Reader partner, complete the google form . We want to hear from you! What dreams and aspirations do you have for your child's literacy development? What role can Reading Ready Pittsburgh play in making your dreams and aspirations a reality? Let us know! Contact Us Parent Resources Celebrity Storytime Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Read Aloud Free eBooks eLibrary eLibrary eLibrary Digital Library Sign up for our monthly newsletter! Each month we share tips, early literacy information, and upcoming events in the area. Submit Thanks for signing up to read our news! Click here for Newsletter Archives TIPS FOR READING WITH YOUR LITTLE ONES Let your child hold the book and turn the pages. Reading before bedtime helps your child relax! When the story has a sound effect, make the most of it! A loud “boom” and an animal sound “oink” will help keep children engaged. Let your child choose the book. CLP Best Books for Babies 2023 CLP Best Books for Babi es 2022 CLP Best Books for Babies 2021 Scholastic 100 BEST Read Aloud Books Black Girl Magic: 33 Picture Books Featuring Black Female Protagonists Black Boy Joy: 30 Picture Books Featuring Black Male Protagonists Great Read Alouds for Babies and Toddlers - Reading Rockets The Pittsburgh Study Book List - Racially Affirming Books for Black Children Book Lists Raising A Reader launch at Whitaker United Methodist Head Start. Amity Community Garden 7th and Amity Street Homestead, PA 15210 Laundromat 212 East 8th Avenue Homestead, PA 15120 Steel Valley COG Building 1705 Maple Street Homestead, PA 15120 Angel’s Place Woodstock and S Braddock Ave Swissvale, PA 15218 Carnegie Library of Homestead 510 E 10th Ave Munhall, PA 15120 Carl’s Red Door Store 337 5th Ave Rankin, PA 15104 House of Soul Catering 203 Whitaker St Munhall, PA 15120 Free Store 15104 420 Braddock Ave Braddock, PA 15104 Munhall 3510 Main Street Munhall, PA 15120 beSocial - Mon View Heights 1 Midway Drive West Mifflin, PA 15122 Salvation Army - Steel Valley Corps 104 E 9th Ave Homestead, PA 15120 Dragon's Den 1008 Amity Street Homestead, PA 15120

Volunteer Resources Clearances You must obtain your clearances before reading in a classroom. Reference this document to determine which clearances you need. Need help? Questions about obtaining your clearances? Contact mark@readingreadypittsburgh.org Volunteers and staff gather for a group photo at Mon View Painting Day 2023 Book Lists Click on the lists below to find engaging read aloud books. Great Read Alouds for Babies and Toddlers - Reading Rockets Best Books for Babies 2024 - Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Books for Toddlers - Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Books for Preschoolers - Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Rhyming Read Aloud Books Black Girl Magic: 33 Picture Books Featuring Black Female Protagonists Black Boy Joy: 30 Picture Books Featuring Black Male Protagonists Volunteer Favorites Additional Resources Looking for ways to engage the children you're reading with? Check out these ideas! Do you read to groups of babies? Check out this list for best practices when reading with babies.

Individual Donors 2023-2024 School Year Sue Abramson Katerina Acar India Adams Kirsti Adkins Linda Alexander Sharon Allenbaugh Mike and Sally Altman Kristin Anderson Stewart and Deb Anderson Teresa Ankney Anonymous Anita Arguello Robin Arnold Aspen Dental Bill Asson Karen Auslander Ave Maria Academy Jim Bain Patricia Barbarino Perego Mare Barr Kathleen Barr Allen and Liz Baum Elizabeth Beech Michelle Belan Elaine Bennett William Bennett Mark Bennett Deborah and Sy Beozzo Cynthia Berger Robert Schoen and Nancy Bernstein Mary Ann Berty Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory Katherine Bienkowski Michael Bilka Elizabeth Birru Ann Bisignani Julie Block Eva Blum Kristie Boirem Peggy Bonnell Bookstore at Calvary Episcopal Church Susanna Botts Arlene and Bill Brandeis Rich and Karen Brean Bob Sullivan and Alice Bright Kerry Bron Brenner Brown Maureen Busis Aimee Butch Cassie Byrski Lauren Caddy Tina Calabro David and Colleen Caldwell Carabella Oakmont, Inc Angela Cardillo Sloan Carlton Sophia Cebenko Wolfe George and Meg Cheever Colleen Chester Megan and Jeff Chips Betsy and Dana Christensen Rebeccca Chrystal Anna Ciardi Kathleen Clarke Joan Clay Jean Clickner CMU Children's School Paul Cohen Family Care Connection Deborah and Michael Conway Erin Cope Lori Corsi Brad Crouse Lynn Cullen Lloyd Cunningham Judi Cutruzzula Donna Dabruzzo Cindi Daghlas Vincent D'Alesio Lloyd Daniel Nicole and Maggie David Nicole David Mark Rubenstein and Claudia Davidson Jamie Davis Amy de Chicchis Amelia Dechicchis Denise and Rich Dembski Joan Masser and Lisa Dennis Patrick Devlin Ellen and Michael Dichner Irene Dinning Julie Dixon-Ernst Natalie Donaldson Roy and Susie Dorrance John and Lucy Douglas Ken Doyno Cathy Droz Anne Ducanis Lynn Dunbar Moira Dunn East End Brewing Co Lea Ekeberg Gale Emery Ebe Emmons John Engberg Mark & Kim Fallon Michele Fallon Spencer Fanning Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh Edward Feinstein Nancy Ferber Nicole Fest Nichole Fest Fleischner Family Bob Mitchell Linda Fleming Fletcher Family Nancy Foley Randi Foos Ron and Rita Ford Beth Fox Roberta Franciscus Franklin Elementary School Katy Frey Friends of Caren Ponty and Ira Moskowitz Margaret Fuhrman Amy Ganzy Lindsay Garrison Rick Garstka Nancy Giallonardo Madelyn Reilly Robin Girdhar Erica Giunta Hannah Goetz Harold and Debbie Goldberg Pam Golden Judith Esman and David Goldman Dorien Goodnight Pamela Grabowski David Carr and Anne Jane Gray Meghan Gray Greater Pittsburgh Business of Professional Women Rhonda Greathouse Katy Gresh Murphy Diane Griffin Marybeth Griffin Kelly Guarino Timothy Gyves Tim Gyves Joni Rabinowitz and John Haer Arden Hamer Jordan Hand Barbara Hanusa Diane Harlacher Jeffry Harris Patricia Harris Pat Harris Ronna Harris Ranada Harris Janice Harrison Sarah Hart Kristen Hartmann Stuart Hastings Marcie Hayhurst Kathleen Hazeem Ron and Angela Heakins Gertrude Hellerman David Hereth Jane Hereth Charles Herrold Susan Hershenson Richard and Petrina Hewlett Fran and Dan Heyman Hirsch Family Patricia Hoffman Rachael Hoffman Tom McNichol and Lysa Holland Homestead Library Michael Goodhart and Susan Hoppe Kelly Hosack Raven Howell Erin Huwalt The Hut Tony and Barb Iannacchione Joy Isaacson Kada Jackel Heather Jamison Patrick Jamison Sally Janis Pam Javor Jefferson United Presbyterian Church Women's Association Louise and Joseph Jencik April Johnson David and Nancy Johnson Jeanne Johnson Chardae Jones Josh Steel Co Merle Kailas Regina and Stratis Kakadelis Becky and Jeff Keenan Chaz Keller Amy Kellman Susan Kelly Maureen Kelly Mary Ruth Kelsey Jeffrey Hritz and Ann Kelton Alex and Helen Kiderman Laura Kinzel Kelsie Kirchartz Laurie Kirkpatrick Sarah Klein Olga Klimova Michele Kline Brian Knepp Knepp Family Priyanka Kochlar Christine Kocian Annie Kotula Janice Gordon and Rob Kraftowitz Ian and Tara Kratzke Claire Lama Penny Lang Stephanie Lapine Nancy Latimer Kelly Lennon Lisa and Harry Levinson Diane Lewis Miriam Leyton Jodi Lincoln Sherry Lingg Lori Linsenbigler Emily Lippert Julia Lipscomb Barbra Logan Barbara Logan Lois Lowry Sharon Lutz Jennifer Lydon Charlyn Lyons Merika Machi Meg Madle Joanne Malenock Joanne Mantha Valerie Maola Craig Marcus Mary Denison and Christopher Mark Rita Martin Anita Martinelli Laurie Mathie Paula Ann and Bob Matthews Shannon Maughan Annabelle and Daniel Maurer Phillipe Charpentier and Marie Mawe Eleanor Mayfield Sally McAllister Charles McCollester Adrian McCoy Joelisa McDonald Corey McGough McKeesport Library Andrew McNabb Andrew & Karen McNabb Noel Medici Nancy Mehalic Mary Pat Mengato Cary Meyers Christine Michaels Hattie Miles Linda and Ken Miller Krynski Deb Dunton and Jon Minden Mitchell Family Hillary Moninger Cynthia Morelock Mary Morgan Morgan Lewis Foundation Michael Morrill Zoe Kamil and Hunter Moskowitz Lisa Moss Elizabeth Mullaugh Nancy Murphy Thomas and Gail Murphy Phyllis Murray Janice Myers-Newbury Myrna Silverman Fund Madeline Nagel Nicole Neal Edward Nebiolo Kelly Nee Tobie and Eloy Nepo Maurice and Nancy Nernberg Linda Newman Kari O’Brien Gene and Sandy O’Sullivan Janet Ocel Susan Oerkvitz Raenne and Chas Olander-Murray Heather O'Leary Omega Federal Credit Union Elliott Oshry Shea OSullivan Shae O'Sullivan Nancy O'Toole Melissa Ott Vincenetta Pace Liz and Ken Perkins Stefan Frembgen and Susan Petersen Amy Pfister Amy Pike Beth Piraino Maya Pirl Pittsburgh Prison Project Janet Pohl Rita and David Pollock Lynne Porterfield Cora Lu Conser and Timothy Potts Deborah Pratt Iza Przygock Jane Rahenkamp Powviya Ramamoorthy Cathy Raphael Mary and Christopher Rawson Rosy Reed Jim Reitz Susan Greenspan and Neil Resnick Dina Rigot Bob and Mona Riordan Robbi Robinson Sam, Diana, and Dan Robinson Allison Robinson Sally Romito Thomas, James, and Emilie Rook Ann Rose Linda and Michael Rosenbaum Shelly Ross Rotary Club of Turtle Creek PA David Roth Ashley Rothernel Jacque Rowden Deborah Rowe Trisha Rutenbar Sabol Family Sacred Heart Elementary School Jennifer Salmans Jan Sandford Rick Sandford Diane and Phillip Schavone Joe Schmid Jean Schmidt Kathaleen Schnur Mike Schwab Rob and Al Schwartz Heather Seiders Peter Sepe Ann Sepe Hedda B. Sharapan Lee Shaw Anne Shearon Liz Shirley A. Lee Shull Jeanne Siciliano Heather Sieders Lee and Myrna Silverman Marcus Simone Muriel Slater Scott and Anita Smith Shana Smith Jerome & Shana Smith Henry and Mary Snyder Francis and Lenette Solano Jesse Solomon Hannah Somers David Michael King and Maria Somma Harry and Michele Soose Tricia Staley Cindy and George Stallard Kelly Stasik Jane and Robert Steineck Gwen Steiner Ali Stephens Pat and Jeanette Stephenson Robert Sterner Holly Stewart Jen Stickle Sarah Stillman Janet Stone Mona and E.J. Strassburger Becky Studer Joseph and Deb Stuligross Annie Stunden Edie Styen Brandi Supernovich Samantha Swartz Sarah Switalski Maria Synan Kristen Tachoir Martha Ann Terry Keith Thrash Timothy Tocher Trying Together Laura Tomor Giraldina Trevejo Stacey Trocheck Rosemary Trump Tara Tucci-Exilus Gary and Nancy Tuckfelt Unity Presbyterian Church Bonnie Vello Katie Vines Steven Vines Lorere Vinski Sarah Vinson Irmgard and Helmut Vogel Michael and Mary Vogel Randi Voss Jo Ann Wagstaff Jennifer Weber Jen Weber Bonnie Wello Delsa White Margy Whitmer Katie Whitney Victoria Whitt Whitt Family Mark Whittaker Pat Wildt Karen Lynn Williams Wilmotte Family David and Marlene Wohleber Jennifer Wolsk Sandra Woolley Ava Worner Michael Yahr Daphne Retter and Patrick Yoest Ray McGunigle and Susan Zeff Michael Zibert

COVID-19 Response Reading Ready Pittsburgh is committed to supporting families and their literacy needs during this challenging time. Thank you Carnegie Library of Homestead!!! Raising A Reader with COVID-19 Adaptation Reading Ready Pittsburgh has developed a new Raising A Reader model to ensure families attending our partner childcare programs are able to take home books to share with their children. In order to do this safely, Reading Ready Pittsburgh partnered with the Carnegie Library of Homestead to provide each of our partner sites two sets of book bags. Their red Raising A Reader bags and blue Library Bags. Childcare programs switch between sending red or blue bags home each week. This model gives childcare programs extra time to sanitize and quarantine books and bookbags AND allows families to have access to high quality books each week to share at home without a break! Fall 2020 Read With Me Program Reading Ready Pittsburgh provided our Head Start classrooms and 4 Kids Early Learning Center with our Read With Me series. Each week, for 6-8 weeks, books and family engagement tip sheets were delivered to classrooms and sent home with families. Holiday Book Giveaway Reading Ready Pittsburgh gifted over 700 brand new books to children and families during the 2020 holiday season. We partnered with the following organizations: MUSA Little Lambs Angel's Place - Swissvale Learning and Educational Daycare Sister I Need You Douglas Academy Jamie Miller Family Daycare Home Splash of Learning Steel Valley Early Head Start Steel Valley Family Center Rainbow Kitchen For Good PGH Summer Read With Me Program Summer 2020, Reading Ready Pittsburgh developed an 8 week program to continue supporting our partner childcare programs. Each week books and family engagement tip sheets were delivered to childcare programs and sent home with families. Summer 2020, Reading Ready Pittsburgh distributed over 800 books. Summer 2021, Reading Ready Pittsburgh distributed over 900 books. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Since March 2020, Reading Ready Pittsburgh has enrolled over 700 families into Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Each child registered receives a book mail to their home each month. Learn more Book Distribution Reading Ready Pittsburgh has provided almost 1,500 books to local community organizations in Homestead and Braddock to be redistributed to the community. Super Summer Book Bags Summer 2020, Reading Ready Pittsburgh purchased 120 Super Summer Book Bags through our national partner Raising A Reader. These bags are being distributed to incoming Kindergartners through local elementary schools.

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