Reading Promise Week Brings 70 Events and 16,000 Children’s Books Across Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, October 2, 2023 (Newswire.com) - For its fourth consecutive year, Reading Promise Week, Philadelphia's annual family literacy festival is set to ignite a love for reading throughout the city. From Saturday, October 7th to Sunday, October 15th families will be able to take part in 70 free events designed to support the growth of young readers.

Reading Promise Week is a festival on a mission. Since its inception in 2020, community leaders from across Philadelphia have worked together to design a week-long celebration of reading to increase access to literacy resources and promote positive family literacy habits. 

“Community power is exceptional here in Philadelphia,” said Jenny Bogoni, Executive Director of Read by 4th, Philly’s early literacy movement and convening partner of Reading Promise Week. “Reading Promise Week is one of many ways community members are leading the charge to protect our children’s right to read.”

During Reading Promise Week, 11,000 literacy kits and 16,000 new children's books will be distributed across the city, thanks to the generous support and funding from partners like the Free Library of Philadelphia, PNC Grow Up Great, Aetna, Share Food Program, William Penn Foundation, and Vanguard.

An essential part of Reading Promise Week is reminding families of their power to support young readers. “Parents, we are our children's first and most important teachers,” said Diane Mills, Reading Captain and event host. “No matter our experience in school or how well we read, we have what it takes to help our children grow. And the community is here to support you.”

Families attending the festival will have the opportunity to choose from an array of enriching, free children's books. Clinton Drees, Reading Promise Week project manager, emphasized, “We wanted to offer titles that reflect the diversity of our city. This year, we've continued to source a portion of our books from local independent bookstores and Philadelphia-based authors, ensuring that children not only see themselves as readers but as future authors too.”

As cities grapple with the critical issue of addressing the early literacy crisis, Philadelphia stands as an example of using community strength and collaboration as a solution. Dr. Nyshawana Francis-Thompson, Chief of Curriculum and Instruction at the School District of Philadelphia shared, “Community traditions like Reading Promise Week complement what’s happening inside of our classrooms. This festival is an example of the type of school-family partnerships needed to accelerate literacy here in Philadelphia.”

Kelly Richards, President and Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia, remarked, “Reading Promise Week embodies the core of our mission at the library—advancing literacy, guiding learning, and inspiring curiosity. It's incredible to witness our libraries working hand in hand with the community to create rich learning experiences and expand access to reading resources.”

View the full schedule of Reading Promise Week events at: readingpromise.org/reading-promise-week.

Source: Read by 4th