It's a wrap on the book program for Ready to Read Michigan 2018!  RTRM has had an exciting first year and the book selection from the Library of Michigan's Youth Service Advisory Council of I Got the Rhythm was a big read-aloud hit for libraries. 

The RTRM book program enabled public library staff to engage in reading aloud to young children and their families while providing tools and resources for the libraries to reach out to local early childhood organizations and schools, not only to instill a love of reading, but also to model the 5 practices of PLA’s Every Child Ready to Read to parents, families and cargivers: Talk, Read, Write, Play, Sing. 

Pictured left: I Got the Rhythm author Connie Schofield-Morrison and illustrator Frank Morrison, their tour reached over 1,300 young children throughout Michigan.

All 650 public library locations in Michigan were sent RTRM kits.  The Library of Michigan had 192 (30%) public library staff return surveys and reported the following:

• 77.5% of library staff either strongly agreed or agreed that the RTRM book kit improved services to the public.
• 92.6% strongly agreed or agreed that they were satisfied with the book kit resources.
• 66% library staff reported using the programming guide.
• Public libraries held or participated in community activities for total of 1,048 events.
• Total attendance of 24,892 children and their families. 
• Approximately 16,000 children attended community outreach programs conducted by the public libraries and nearly 9,000 attended RTRM programs in the libraries. 
• RTRM reached a survey-reported 24,062 children under age 5.

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), administered by the State of Michigan through the Library of Michigan.  Additional support provided by Bloomsbury Publishing, Consumers Energy Foundation and the Library of Michigan Foundation.     

NPR posted a must-read article, "What's Going On In Your Child's Brain When You Read Them A Story," based on the newly published study from the Pediatric Academic Societies on "ScreenQ."

The American Library Services for Children (ALSC) published a very important blog post on "Talking with Young Children (0-5) about Race," from the Early Childhood Programs and Services Committee. It features Grand Rapids Public Library's own Jessica Anne Bratt, Youth Services Manager, and shares her "Talking About Race in Storytimes" toolkit. The blog continues to cover the "why's" and "how's" to discuss race with young children, as well as providing book suggestions and resources.

WKAR features "Early Music Education" in a new set of short video segments featuring the MSU Community Music School.   

Sylvia Long's Big Book for Small Children illustrated by Sylvia Long. Chronicle, 2018.
ISBN: 9780811834414

A collection of nursery rhymes, songs, and short folktales illustrated by Long.  Includes a few extension activities.

How Are You? /  ¿Cómo estás? by Angela Dominquez.  Holt, 2018. ISBN: 9781250126863

Animal friends explore their many emotions in this bilingual story for young children.

For additional information on the Ready to Read Michigan program, please go to www.mi.gov/readytoread or contact Cathy Lancaster, Youth Services Coordinator at the Library of Michigan: LancasterC5@michigan.gov.