Books for Readers Award Party

press release: Celebrate with Madison Reading Project as we receive the SCBWI Books for Readers Award!

We are proud to announce we have been selected by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) to receive their Books for Readers Award!

The party is for kids and supporters, and includes several literacy (play) stations. Bring the whole family to enjoy!

5:30- Doors open / tour our Big Red Reading Bus

6:00 - 6:15- Announcements/ Speeches from SCBWI & MRP

6:15 - 8:00- Enjoy pizza and dessert while visiting the various literacy (play) stations- draw with local illustrators, design your own bookplate sticker, storytime with a local author, a photo booth, face painting, and a chance to pick out your own book to take home.

All of the books at the event have been donated by SCBWI members.

Madison Reading Project is expected to reach a gigantic milestone this week when it gives away its 100,000^th free book to a child at the celebration. One lucky child will be recognized for receiving the Project’s 100,000^th free book!

“It’s a remarkable feat—giving away a mountain of books to underserved area children-- in only six years of delivering upon our literacy mission throughout Dane County,” said Reading Project founder Rowan Childs. “This year alone we’ve given away more than 31,000 books and we plan to give many, many more in the years to come.”

Madison Reading Project delivers, at no charge, high quality multilingual literacy learning reinforcement programs with companion free books to underserved children in an ongoing commitment to reversing low literacy rates, closing opportunity gaps, building family libraries, and inspiring literacy delight!

Their programs engage children in differentiated literacy activities designed to create not only a love of learning, but build and reinforce age-appropriate skills needed to develop the young reader. Staff and volunteers bring storytime, arts and crafts, story discussions and free books to kids/care givers at family shelters, neighborhood centers, libraries, after-school child care programs, social services organizations and schools. They align with those of local school districts to focus on improving reading skills—especially the skills of children of color-- by making reading in the home an exciting family-wide activity, by nurturing a love for books, and for designing literacy skills improvement programming specifically designed to reach these children and their families.

The Society’s gift of books to the Madison nonprofit is a “literacy initiative that grew from the organization’s desire to create an opportunity for its members to make an important impact in the lives of readers, to increase book access to local communities nationwide, to expand its literacy advocacy, and to support the work of the many grass roots organizations working to improve literacy,” said Lin Oliver, SCBWI executive director.

      “We know that there are many book deserts in which underserved communities have as few as one book per 300 children,” added Oliver. “Our hope is to change these numbers and make high quality books available to all children. Our talented members create books of hope, and they’re committed to bringing this hope to readers–especially to those in great need. Our literacy initiative continues to advance our organization’s mission as children’s book creators and literacy advocates to build hopes and dreams!”