Read to Grow
About Read to Grow
Read to Grow is a statewide nonprofit organization that helps build early literacy for Connecticut's children. The organization was founded in 1998 by Madison bookseller Roxanne Coady and a diverse group of individuals who recognize that a child's literacy begins at birth. We encourage parents—a child's first and most important teachers—to take an active role in their child's literacy development and begin reading to their newborns right from birth. We also provide free children's books to families and programs in need, and parental guidance on building a strong foundation for later literacy and learning. In addition to our staff, we have a dedicated team of more than 100 volunteers that helps us deliver our program services and leverage every donated dollar.
Reading aloud to babies promotes bonding and attachment, builds vocabulary and helps create a loving, language-rich environment in which children can thrive.
Read to Grow is the only statewide early literacy organization that places books in the hands of parents at their baby's birth. We encourage parents to seize the window of opportunity for bonding and brain development that exists early in each child's life. This is the critical first step in preparing children to read, grow, prosper and contribute to the state as workers and citizens.
A Continuum of Services Starting at Birth
Books for Babies connects with parents of newborns in eight Connecticut hospitals, while families are on the maternity unit. Books for Babies volunteers, trained in talking with parents on early literacy development, visit with families to introduce the mission and services of Read to Grow. Before discharge, each family receives a bag with a new children's book and a guide that explains the many simple ways to stimulate their child's language development. Families can receive free new children's books through the first year of life and information on how to help their child develop early literacy skills. Through Books for Babies, we reach 50% of Connecticut newborns—21,000 young minds-—and their families annually in partnership with hospitals in the Greater New Haven, Hartford, New London and bridgeport areas.
Books for Kids distributes free new and gently used books for children from birth through middle-school age, directly to families and through partnerships with 300 educational, health care, child care and other community organizations.
Read to Grow provides more than 100,000 children's books each year to thousands of families throughout Connecticut.
Our FRC is a local Book Place location where you can receive free books! Please contact our office for more information.
To contact Read to Grow:
Call (203) 488-6800
Visit https://readtogrow.org/