Top 10 Popular Children's Books

This is a list of the top ten children's books according to TIME's 100 Best Children's Books of All Time. These books, and others like it, are examples of books distributed by Reading is Fundamental (RIF) at book give a ways and distributions across the US. These works of literature can be found at your local public library. With your donation with Read 2 Feed the Need to RIF you can provide educational opportunities for children who lack the chance to have their own books. Comment below with your favorite children's book!

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak









The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats










Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

 Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey

 Little Bear (Series) by Else Holmelend Minarek

 Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

 The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

 The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by John Scieszka

 Tuesday by David Wiesner









Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

Literacy Statistics & Reseach

           According to RIF, "literacy - the ability to read and write - is essential to fully developing a sense of well-being and citizenship." It is estimated that 40% of 4th graders in the United States have failed to meet reading proficiency levels. Additionally, this lack of proficiency is more common among low income and minority groups. Even more alarming is the fact that among different ethnic groups, especially low income African-Americans and Hispanics, the ability to read can be even more scarce. White peers, by 4th grade, are sometimes close to 3 academic years ahead of their multicultural peers. What's more frightening is that "two-thirds of classrooms in the US have fewer than 50 children's books," according to RIF's website. The National Assessment of Educational Progress tested children's reading skills nationwide and found 38% were below the most basic level. 
          Additionally, according to a study by US Department of Education, there are reportedly higher-than-average test scores for those students with reading material at home. 
RIF's goal is to enhance and motivate reading among children who fall into this statistic. Clearly, the organization does so by getting books into the hands of these children. RIF also uses fun activities such as read aloud events, book hand-outs, etc. in their organization.

(http://schenkgr4.blogspot.com/2013/04/why-read-20-minutes-pinterest-inspired.html) 

But is it working?
Here is a testimony from children who have been inspired by RIF…

http://www.rif.org/us/about/literacy-facts-and-stats.htm

Video: Mission of Reading is Fundamental

Click Here for a glimpse into Reading is Fundamental (RIF)

Calendar of April Events at the Fayetteville Public Library

Click to enlarge this month's calendar and view event!

Event: Fayetteville Public Library: Baby Bookworms

Livestream Link

         Each Monday and Thursday at 9:45 am, the Fayetteville Public Library hosts an event called Baby Bookworms. It is a wonderful story time for infants ages birth to 24 months.  According to FPL, Baby Bookworms "recognizes the developmental needs and attention spans of the children this age. Parents/Caregivers interact with their babies through a variety of nursery rhymes, action rhymes, songs, and stories." This event allows your child maximum exposure to books and reading as early as possible and in a nurturing and playful environment. Even better, if you are unable to make it to the event, the library now has a live streaming feature. It enables you and your child to be a part of this reading experience in the comfort of your own home. This feature just recently became available at the start of the year and has been successful ever since. Through the link at the top of this post, you are easily able to add the live streaming time and date to your calendar, as well as watch the event when it's time. Participating is simple and convenient, whether you're actually at the library or just watching from a computer. Another great feature the Fayetteville Public Library offers is "Dial-A-Story" where the local librarians read to your children via telephone call. To participate, call 479-856-7200. 
        In addition to Baby Bookworms and the telephone option, the Public Library offers even more events to expose children to reading. More activities include Toddler Time, Preschool Storytime, and Elementary Storytime. Because these are routine events occurring on a weekly basis, it is easy to make reading time a priority in your child's life from a young age. The sacrifices parents make now to enhance literacy in their children will be well worth it in the end. 

          Baby Bookworms takes place in the Walker Community Room of the Public Library and sign up is not required. 401W Mountain Street - Fayetteville, AR 72701. 

Event: Book Give-A-Way

News Channel 5 Video Description

In this video, News Channel 5 interviews Vice President of Reading is Fundamental, Ernestine Walls Benedict, on an event on November 10 for those of you in the Washington DC area. The event will take place at Martin Luther King Elementary School. This school is located at 3200 6th Street SE. From just 1:30 to 3:00 pm, over 16, 000 books will be given away. Children will get to choose whichever book they want, empowering and encouraging their specific interests. Over 47 public and charter schools in the DC area are included in this event. Therefore, for everyone who has children as students in these schools, you won't want to miss this opportunity! The event is free of charge and all students at the included schools are welcome.

We support this event because allowing children the opportunity to read is our mission. Through RIF and Martin Luther King Elementary, we are moving one step closer in getting books in the hands of children. Clearly, having books readily available, these children gain the tools necessary in learning to read. Once they can read, these children become smarter individuals for tomorrow. We encourage you to raise awareness about this great opportunity. Use social media to spread the word and the hashtag "#RIFMLK" to inform the community and surrounding area. We don't want anyone to miss this incredible occasion, especially as we watch the next generation go home with the opportunity to read one day. Once again, this event is made possible by the donations each of our supporters has made towards Read 2 Feed the Need, which in turn supports Reading is Fundamental.

Welcome!

Welcome to the official blog of the charity Read 2 Feed the Need sponsoring the children’s literacy nonprofit organization, Reading is Fundamental (RIF). 

According to dosomething.org, in the US one in four children grow up without learning to read, nonetheless these children are eager to obtain the knowledge and reading skills and are passionate about reading as soon as they get a book in their hands. That is why we are here: to raise funds and spread awareness of our blog’s mission to support RIF in motivating all children to gain the ability read.  

To support and enable this, we help to fund RIF, which in turn provides new books to children as well as present them with enticing literacy activities. Read 2 Feed the Need raises money to donate to RIF which helps children’s literacy in different ways such as collecting and distributing books, presenting group reading, hosting literacy events, providing parent and teacher training, as well as teaching literacy activities. This is possible across the United States due to our volunteers in schools, libraries, child care centers, and community centers. 

With increased literacy comes improvement in child development and therefore a better education. With a better education comes more opportunities and more self-confidence. Read 2 Feed the Need’s goal is to help RIF make a difference in the lives of children by improving literacy and to encourage teachers and parents to help these children’s imaginations grow and their education progress. This is all possible through RIF.