April Jones Prince, Children's Book Author
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    • Snowy Race
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    • Goldenlocks and the Three Pirates
    • 101 Dinosaurs
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    • Who Was Mark Twain?
    • Who Was Frederick Douglass?
    • Jackie Robinson: He Led the Way
    • Dig In!
    • Dive In!
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  • In-Person Visits
    • You Are a Juicy Writer
    • From Idea to Picture Book >
      • From Idea to Picture Book-Historical Fiction version
      • From Idea to Picture Book-Fractured Fairy Tale version
    • Writing a Brilliant Biography
    • What Happens When You Wonder 'What If...?'
    • Working With Wheels
    • Ideas! Words! Action!
    • Write What You Know
    • Be a Detail Detective
    • Share Your Story
  • Virtual Visits
    • You Are a Juicy Writer
    • From Idea to Picture Book
    • Writing a Brilliant Biography
    • Landlubbers' Literacy Night
    • Free Virtual Mini-Visits >
      • Free Virtual Visit Inquiry
    • + Online Read-Alouds
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Literacy Resources for Parents + Caregivers

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art by Christine Davenier

“It’s not the toys in the house that makes the difference in children’s lives; it’s the words in their heads. The least expensive thing we can give a child outside of a hug turns out to be the most valuable:  words.”
- Jim Trelease, 
​
The Read-Aloud Handbook
Reading is a gift we give our children—and the world. And the earlier we start (from birth!), the more impact we have. The more we read, the better we read AND write.
​Below I've compiled my favorite resources and tips for dynamic, joyful reading and writing experiences.
​Happy downloading. Here's to adventure, storytelling, and lifelong learning! 
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Reading Rockets is national literacy initiative that offers an embarrassment of riches: accessible, research-based information and resources on how young kids learn to read, why many struggle, and how caring adults can help create strong, confident readers. Check out all they have to offer, including their fantastic video series Writing SOS: Expert Answers to Family Questions About Writing. Each helpful video about nurturing writing at home is only 2 minutes long.

The National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance (NCBLA) is a literacy action and education organization that advocates for young people's access to reading materials, their right to read, and their development as lifelong readers, proficient writers, and skilled communicators. Their website is full of Education and Advocacy resources.

Also check out Mary Amato’s Tips for Parents: How to Encourage Creative Writing, which is chalk-full of ideas for making writing fun at home. Explore using her WOW acronym to make crafting stories easier and more accessible for new writers.🤩
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Interested in supporting organizations that provide books to those in need and writing programs for youth in underserved communities? Ideas abound:
  •  Click to give books for free at the Literacy Site
  • Find a Little Free Library near you
  • Build a Little Free Library!
  • Donate books you no longer need to Little Free Libraries, your local public library, or places like Goodwill or The Salvation Army. Or, if you're near Boston like me, donate to the More Than Words job training and youth development program.
  • Help provide books where there are few by supporting the End Book Deserts nonprofit organization 
  • Shop the 826 Writing Network to support youth writing programs in underserved areas. The programming, tutoring spaces, student writing, and products are SO CREATIVE AND FUN!
    • 826 LA Time Travel Mart
    • 826 Valencia Pirate Supply Store
    • 826 Minneapolis Oceanographic Institute
    • 826 Chicago Secret Agent Supply Co.
    • 826 Michigan Robot Supply Co.
    • 826 NYC Superhero Supply Store
    • 826 Boston Bigfoot Research Institute
    • 826 DC Tivoli's Astounding Magic Supply
    • 826 New Orleans Haunting Supply Co.
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art by Christine Davenier
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more art by Christine Davenier!
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  • Home
  • Books
    • You Are a Reader!/You Are a Writer!
    • Snowy Race
    • 101 Trucks
    • Goldenlocks and the Three Pirates
    • 101 Dinosaurs
    • What Do Wheels Do All Day?
    • Twenty-One Elephants and Still Standing
    • Who Was Mark Twain?
    • Who Was Frederick Douglass?
    • Jackie Robinson: He Led the Way
    • Dig In!
    • Dive In!
    • Valentine Friends
    • Meet Our Flag, Old Glory
  • In-Person Visits
    • You Are a Juicy Writer
    • From Idea to Picture Book >
      • From Idea to Picture Book-Historical Fiction version
      • From Idea to Picture Book-Fractured Fairy Tale version
    • Writing a Brilliant Biography
    • What Happens When You Wonder 'What If...?'
    • Working With Wheels
    • Ideas! Words! Action!
    • Write What You Know
    • Be a Detail Detective
    • Share Your Story
  • Virtual Visits
    • You Are a Juicy Writer
    • From Idea to Picture Book
    • Writing a Brilliant Biography
    • Landlubbers' Literacy Night
    • Free Virtual Mini-Visits >
      • Free Virtual Visit Inquiry
    • + Online Read-Alouds
  • For Teachers
  • For Kids
  • Literacy Resources
  • About
  • Contact