ReadBoston - Boston Redevelopment Authority

2012 ReadBoston Storymobile Applications

The ReadBoston Storymobile program is a six-week summer program that will run weekdays from July 9-August 17 in 2012. Each week, a professional storyteller will visit host sites, and all children in attendance will receive a new, high-quality book to keep. The Storymobile program has served children in Boston for the past 15 years, playing a key role in promoting storytelling and reading during the summer months.

For the chance to become a Storymobile site, please fill out this year's application. The application can be accessed online by clicking here. For a Microsoft Word version of the application, click here. If selected to be a ReadBoston Storymobile site, you commit to hosting the Storymobile program on the same day and at the same time each week. You are also expected to welcome neighboring programs or families who would like to attend. Additional guidelines can be found at the end of the application. Applications are due to ReadBoston by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, March 7, 2012. If you have any questions regarding the Storymobile program, please contact 617-918-5289.

ReadBoston Hometown Authors Reception

Wrap up your holiday shopping at a Hometown Authors Reception to benefit ReadBoston. Mayor Thomas M. Menino joins some of Boston’s top authors at a holiday reception where you can purchase books straight from your favorite writer and have them personally inscribed. The holiday party will also include a special performance by Bill Janovitz of beloved Boston band Buffalo Tom. This year’s featured authors include: Dennis Lehane, Ben Mezrich, Mary Ann Esposito, Amy Traverso, Erin Murray, Joseph Finder, Casey Sherman, Michael Blanding, Andrew Rimas, Victoria Abbott Riccardi, David Becker, Marianne Leone Cooper, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Bill Martin, Dr. William Henderson, Jef Czekaj and more! Tickets are $35/person (all proceeds benefit ReadBoston); includes complimentary beer, wine and light hors d’oeuvres. Please Note: Books are not included in the price of admission; books are available for purchase separately at the event. Click here to purchase tickets. Questions? Call 617-918-5289.

Another Everybody Has a Story!

Another Everybody Has a Story! ReadBoston's second storybook CD featuring classic and new stories read by local Boston celebrities including Mayor Thomas M. Menino, New England Patriot QB Tom Brady, WBZ's Lisa Hughes, Cam Neely of the Boston Bruins, Author Irene Smalls and many more!

CDs are available for $10 (includes postage). Your can purchase CDs by clicking here. Please Call 617-918-5289 or email readboston@cityofboston.gov with questions.

ReadBoston's After School Reading Initiative

After Schools in Boston are invited to apply for ReadBoston's After School Reading Initiative. Created in 2000, ReadBoston's After School Reading Initiative has worked with over 90 after school programs throughout the city of Boston promoting reading, literature, and literacy. To accomplish this, ReadBoston works closely with after school directors and staff, coaching staff to lead engaging literacy activities. These activities include reading aloud with groups of students, creating independent reading times, and promoting book-related activities. ReadBoston also purchases and develops diverse book collections in after school programs, creating inviting spaces for reading.

Both school-based and community-based programs are invited to apply. Organizations may choose to apply for more than one site, but must submit separate applications for each site.

Programs should submit all application materials by 5 p.m. Friday, May 20, 2011. Mailing instructions and other details for submission are located in the enclosed RFP. All questions about the application process should be addressed to Anna Adler, Manager of Literacy Programs, ReadBoston, 617-918-5247, Anna.Adler.jcs@cityofboston.gov

Early Words

Early Words Campaign, in partnership with Staples

Every Word Counts

For nearly a decade ReadBoston has been driven by our mission to have children in Boston reading on grade level by the time they complete third grade. Founded by Mayor Thomas M. Menino in 1995 to address low literacy levels among Boston’s youth, ReadBoston has since grown into a city-wide leader in the field of early literacy.

Our programs reach into every level of a child’s life from birth through elementary school. In a child’s early years, ReadBoston staff provide child care centers with materials and training to set up home reading programs and work with teachers to improve their literacy teaching skills. At the elementary level ReadBoston helps schools to foster home-school connections, and provides classroom libraries that allow students to take books home to read with their families.

ReadBoston also provides students with three free books each year to create their own libraries at home. Outside of school, ReadBoston focuses effort to integrate literacy into after school programs and provides children with free books and fun storytellings during the summer.

ReadBoston and Early Literacy

ReadBoston's Early Words program, a partnership with Staples, seeks to increase verbal interaction between parents and caregivers and very young children. Click here for more information

Another program that focuses on early childhood literacy is The Reading Trail. This program promotes family involvement in children's literacy development. The Reading Trail establishes home lending libraries in day care centers around Boston. Children are encouraged to read, have a family member read with them, visit the library, and use individual "trail guides" to keep a record of books read. As children reach benchmarks along the Trail, they receive take home books and other reading incentives. Reading Trail sites receive books to establish libraries as well as training on how to integrate family reading activities into their current curriculum.

ReadBoston in the Boston Public Schools

ReadBoston also devotes much time and energy to promoting children's literacy in Boston's elementary schools. Our largest in-school program is the Family Literacy Project. The Family Literacy Project encourages family involvement in children's literacy by two central methods. The program sets up home lending libraries in classrooms and promotes twice yearly parent-teacher conferences. The FLP provides books for classroom libraries, as well as teacher training and support to help each school incorporate the program into the existing curriculum. The Family Literacy Project is currently working in 21 BPS elementary schools, and hopes to eventually expand to every elementary school in Boston.

The Reading Is Fundamental program (RIF) is another ReadBoston program that operates in the Boston Public Schools. The program provides three new books to each student that participates. Fun activities that encourage reading as a worthy pastime are also a hallmark of this program. Each year, 15,000 children in the Boston Public Schools receive books through ReadBoston's RIF program.

ReadBoston and Out-of-School Time

ReadBoston literacy specialists promote literacy instruction in Boston's after-school programs. The specialists provide literacy training, advice, and books to increase the presence of literacy instruction in the after-school arena. Families And Books also endeavors to reach Boston's children during out-of-school time, by setting up lending libraries in 15 of Boston's Family Homeless Shelters. During the summer months, ReadBoston's colorful Storymobiles roll out to community locations to promote reading. Two Storymobiles visit 40 neighborhood sites each week from July through August accompanied by storytellers and 10,000 take-home books for children.