Reading Is Fundamental was thrilled to partner with our book-loving friends at the Harry Potter Alliance (HPA) this winter to host a national book drive to benefit one of our local RIF program sites. Through this impactful partnership, we were able to inspire a love of reading for hundreds of children! HPA volunteer, Jessica Rozycki, shares a recap in her blog post.

These past months, our country has been spurred to action as systemic racism has come into sharp focus and the national outcry for change has heightened. This summer, RIF's President and CEO, Alicia Levi, outlined ways in which Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is leaning into our commitment to equity and addressing systemic racism through our Race, Equity and Inclusion (REI) initiative. We invite you to read an update on RIF’s efforts to move our REI initiative forward.

This blog post is written by Ivy Claire, author of the newly released title, Epoca: The River of Sand. The Epoca series was created by Kobe Bryant and written by Ms. Claire. RIF believes in the power of story to comfort us, to strengthen us and to help us overcome adversity. That’s why every child deserves to own books and experience the opportunity that literacy provides. Ms. Claire shares how story – and sports- help us preserve and overcome adversity. We’re excited to showcase her voice here today and highlight what this book means to her.

Celebrating your contributions to literacy now more than ever.

No one could have predicted the profound effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on everyday life. Read about RIF and Macy’s innovation response to getting books and reading activities to children while at home.

With schools closed due to COVID-19, RIF had to think “outside the book” and generate a plan for getting books in the hands of children around the U.S.

At Reading Is Fundamental, we believe literacy is one of the keys to breaking through the cycle of injustice and inequity that continues to impact Black children and children of color in America.

Like any proper non-profit organization, Reading Is Fundamental has a mission statement. It’s about our commitment to ensuring literacy for all children and a passion for reading. But our core belief is most succinctly expressed in our name: reading is fundamental.

When I arrived at the library for the Alpha Chi and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) service project, I was prepared to spend the day reading aloud and distributing books to children. What I was not prepared for was the positive impact this would have on me.

Thanksgiving is that special time of year that we devote to being grateful for the many gifts we have in our lives (and to turkey, of course!). While other gifts can come and go, one priceless, lifelong gift is reading -- a powerful skill that opens doors to endless opportunities.

A friend was in the library recently and witnessed the sweetest moment between a child and a library patron. It warmed my heart.

As a new school year has begun, Reading Is Fundamental works to inspire families, empower educators, and encourage volunteers and literacy advocates about the difference they can make in the lives of children through power of literacy. Literacy is the fundamental building block to a child’s future, no matter what path they choose to follow.

Recently the first grade students in eleven elementary schools in Escambia County, Florida were the recipients of a wonderful gift – books to keep forever! Every student received three books each, thanks to the generosity of International Paper and the efforts of Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) to turn donations into a way to give books to children.

Every August, beach bags begin to get traded for backpacks and portable fans for folders. Back to school season affects everyone, not just children. Parents begin to adjust to a different morning routine, teachers prepare their classrooms for students, and everyone else adjusts to the school buses that can slow down traffic.

Reading can sometimes feel like a chore to young readers, especially those struggling to develop their skills. When children have difficulty reading, they may go to extreme lengths to avoid even opening a book; but, when they find the perfect story that speaks to their individuality and interests, a whole new world of imagination and wonder opens its doors.

As children, we’ve all been there before - feeling the dread when a parent or educator told us to read a book. They may have assigned it for a school assignment or perhaps decided that they wanted the children in their lives to read more. Whatever the reason, being given a book -- without much of a choice in the title -- can be dreadful. 

Today, you may have young readers in your life who need a bit of encouragement with their reading. They can’t seem to find books they enjoy and, therefore, aren’t reading. Don’t worry! Here are some steps to engage children and introduce them to the joys of reading.

Late evening sunlight slanted through the forest trees. A chorus of birds and crickets chirped in the distance. A campfire, ringed by sleeping bags and canvas chairs, flickered in the dark. This was the scene of Reading Is Fundamental’s Books for Ownership event sponsored by RJ and Heidi Narang at Groveton Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia on June 4th

Perseverance, determination and dreaming big – the themes of Reeve Lindbergh’s Nobody Owns the Sky – were on display on June 3 at Francis T. Evans Elementary School in Clinton, MD where 200 PreK-5 students were rewarded for a year of reading. National children’s literacy nonprofit Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), in partnership with long-time supporter State Farm Insurance, surprised the students as they near an end to their school year with an event to celebrate their year-long reading challenge, “Our Reading Takes Flight.”

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Date: March 25-26, 2019

Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan

RIF and Nestlé celebrate National Reading Month and National Nutrition Month!

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Date: March 14, 2019