Combining the expertise of our clinical advisors with our early literacy advisor allows us to enhance provider messages about reading and brain development with specific messages parents can use to support the early literacy skills of their children. We're delighted to introduce the team to you here.
Colette Sabbagh, MD has worked in Bangor with Husson Pediatrics since1999. She completed her medical training in Chicago at University of Illinois College of Medicine and residency at Loyola University and splits her time between working part time for Husson Pediatrics and volunteering via board participation with the Make a Wish Foundation, Maine Chapter, the Maine Discovery Museum and the Bangor Ballet. Dr. Sabbagh lives with her husband and two girls in Brewer. "I've been involved with Raising Readers since its inception in 2000, serving on the Advisory Committee and the Book Selection Committee. This program has been invaluable to the children of Maine."
Brian Youth, MD has been the Residency Program Director for Pediatrics at Maine Medical Center (MMC) since 2004, and has been the Medical Director of the Newborn Nursery at the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at MMC for the last 10 years. He is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine (MMC campus), attends on the newborn teaching service at MMC and has a general pediatric practice at Maine Medical Partners - Pediatrics in Westbrook. Dr. Youth completed medical school at the Dartmouth-Brown Program in Medicine, his Pediatrics Internship, Residency, and Chief Residency at the Univ. of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics in 1996. "Raising Readers is an amazing program. I've been involved on the book selection committee for about eight years now and it's so rewarding to be part of such a diverse group of reviewers."
Susan Bennett-Armistead, PhD is an assistant professor of literacy education and the Correll Professor of Early Literacy at the University of Maine. She completed her doctorate in Teacher Education, Curriculum and Policy at Michigan State University with an emphasis in early literacy, while serving as the the Program Supervisor of the MSU's Child Development Laboratories. Prior to doctoral study, she was a preschool teacher and administrator for 14 years. Dr. Bennett-Armistead speaks internationally on literacy development in young children as well as on the role that families can play in that development and is the co-author of several published books. Dr. Bennett-Armistead lives in Bangor with her husband and four children. "I am delighted to work with Raising Readers! One of the things that drew me to Maine was the variety of strong initiatives that have made such a difference to the literacy levels in Maine in such a short amount of time."
Books, Books Everywhere! Books from Raising Readers are a great start. Know that whether you have your own books, or borrow them from friends or from the library, exposure to books will create a love of literacy that will benefit your child all through life.
You can get more books and attend free story hours for little ones at your local library. You can look for the library nearest you by visiting www.mainelibraries.com.
Sneak Peek: 2012 Books
We use a book for about a year and then rotate to a new title to keep things fresh and interesting. The collection doesn't turn over all at once, however, titles turn over at various times throughout the year. For example, we may start using a book in May 2011 and use it through May 2012. Another may run December 2011 through December 2012. Here's a sneak peek at the books that we will begin distributing in 2012.
Join Us on Social Media You can stay in touch with Raising Readers daily or weekly by joining us on Facebook or by following our blog. It's a great way to engage in conversation with us or with other families across Maine.
Let us know what you're thinking about reading with your kids. Or read parent reviews of favorite Raising Readers books. We hope to create a community of Maine families helping one another to raise a new generation of readers in Maine.
Husson Pediatrics since1999. She completed her medical training in Chicago at University of Illinois College of Medicine and residency at Loyola University and splits her time between working part time for Husson Pediatrics and volunteering via board participation with the Make a Wish Foundation, Maine Chapter, the Maine Discovery Museum and the Bangor Ballet. Dr. Sabbagh lives with her husband and two girls in Brewer. "I've been involved 
Director for Pediatrics at Maine Medical Center (MMC) since 2004, and has been the Medical Director of the Newborn Nursery at the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at MMC for the last 10 years. He is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine (MMC campus), attends on the newborn teaching service at MMC and has a general pediatric practice at Maine Medical Partners - Pediatrics in Westbrook. Dr. Youth completed medical school at the Dartmouth-Brown Program in Medicine, his Pediatrics Internship, Residency, and Chief Residency at the Univ. of 
of literacy education and the Correll Professor of Early Literacy at the University of Maine. She completed her doctorate in Teacher Education, Curriculum and Policy at Michigan State University with an emphasis in early literacy, while serving as the the Program Supervisor of the MSU's Child Development Laboratories. Prior to doctoral study, she was a preschool teacher and administrator for 14 years. Dr. Bennett-Armistead speaks internationally on literacy development in young children as well as on the role that families can play in that development and is the co-author of several published books. 
have your own books, or borrow them from friends or from the library, exposure to books will create a love of literacy that will benefit your child all through life. 
