​Summer is here, and it’s time to kick back, relax, and have fun! Ready to Read @ Books and Babies is a program designed to help children ages birth through 23 months and caregivers connect reading, fun, and the library.

Reading is essential to school success. Learning to read begins before children start school. From the time they are infants, children learn language and other important skills that will help them learn to read. Developing early literacy skills makes it easier for children to read once they begin school. You can help your child get ready to read!

Why is it important for children to get ready to read before they start school? Children who enter kindergarten with pre-reading skills have an advantage. They can focus on learning to read instead of first learning essential pre-reading skills. Children who start kindergarten ready to read have greater success throughout their school years.

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How to Participate

This summer being part of the Ready to Read program is easier than ever. The program is based in our Books and Babies storytime on Wednesdays at 10:15am in the Hub.

•  Attend early literacy enhanced Books and Babies (Can't attend Books and Babies?  We'll be posting the weekly activities, tips, and drawing coupons on this website as well as having them available at the Children's Room desk. You can fill out the coupon and return it to the Library during any visit.)
• Receive the weekly Ready to Read hand out with ideas for early literacy activities
• Fill out a drawing coupon and return it the following week.

Each week we'll be providing incentives and tools to use while practicing these early literacy tips. We'll also have weekly drawings  and the summer will finish with a GRAND PRIZE drawing for a Basic Membership to the Please Touch Museum.

Weekly Hand Outs

After Books and Babies, we'll post that weeks handout to download and print for those who aren't able to attend the program!

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Weekly Programs for Babies

The Children's Room offers a variety of programs for older children throughout the week as well. Please check out the Dig Into Reading website for information on programs appropriate for older children.

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​Special Shows for the Whole Family

Rhymes and Songs to Share

Sharing rhymes and songs with your little ones is a great way to practice preliteracy skills, even our youngest children benefit from hearing language.

Rhymes and songs will provide opportunities to develop an appreciation for rhyme and rhythm and develop memory and auditory skills. Remember: While you read, sing, play and act out nursery rhymes together you are conveying to your children that sounds make words and that words are fun!

Many of us have forgotten favorite rhymes and songs from our childhoods. Here are links to just a few of the many websites that include songs, rhymes, and fingerplays you might want to try with your baby:

Diamond: Joel Perlish Photography

Platinum: DAEDALUS Education Services

Gold: iradiophilly.com

Silver: Elliott-Lewis Corps, MusicWorks, Oakmont National Pub, Orsini's Auto Body, Rotary Club of Haverford Township, Zarwin, Baum, DeVito, Kaplan, Schaer, Toddy, P.C.

Bronze: Bob Thomas Real Estate Team - Long and Foster Realtors, Nichols Plumbing, Nolan Painting, Peppers Cafe, Ranieri & Kerns Associates, Tina Garrity - Senior Advisors Group, Surrey Services for Seniors, Drexel Univeristy Online

Copper: Ardmore Toyota, Barber Law Offices, Cerca Trova Yoga, Direct Paint and Collision, Foote Orthodontics, Kettle, Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, Dr. Mitchell Scheier, Wagner Inc Real Estate, Whistle Clean Car Wash, DistanceLearning.com, Your Computer Place

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