"When I think about children growing up in homes without books I have the same visceral reaction as I have when I think of children in homes without milk or food or heat. It cannot be, it must not be. It stunts them and deprives them before they have had a fair chance."

--Perri Klass, MD

Dear Friends-

Reach Out and Read was created to make sure that children have books in their homes! We're delighted that this month has generated attention to the great work of Reach Out and Read across the nation, and so we'd like to share those stories with you.

Every day at Reach Out and Read Washington State is cause for celebration around our love for libraries and librarians (confession, we have two on staff!). But this is also a week where Reach Out and Read is being celebrated BY libraries--in fact the biggest one of all, the Library of Congress. We are just thrilled that Reach Out and Read was honored with the prestigious David M. Rubenstein Prize this weekend in Washington, D.C. This honor recognizes Reach Out and Read's groundbreaking and sustained work over almost 25 years. And the next time you are in D.C., check out the Library of Congress itself. It is a beautiful building that I enjoyed touring with my son when he accompanied me on a Reach Out and Read "Hill Day" trip a few years ago.

This is also a great excuse to call attention to my friend and colleague Dr. Dipesh Navsaria at the University of Wisconsin. He's a great guy, and very uniquely trained as both a pediatrician and a librarian. He's become a sought after speaker and was recently on the radio in Anchorage, AK, interviewed by another pediatrician. When you have time to listen for a while, I encourage you to listen to one or both of the recordings of his presentations that I link to below.

And finally, The New York Times recently highlighted Reach Out and Read in a major education piece. Check out the link below!

Our household has had a busy transition into the new school year, and things seem to be settling in, and our program staff are busy out across the state supporting Reach Out and Read programs. We hope all is well for you, and that you, and the families you serve, will enjoy a book and visit the library one day soon!

Jill Sells, MD and the Reach Out and Read Washington Team

REACH OUT AND READ WINS NATIONAL HONOR

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ABOUT REACH OUT AND READ WASHINGTON STATE

Reach Out and Read helps prepare children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together. Our evidence-based proven program leverages the influence of children's doctors and makes literacy a standard part of well-child checkups from ages 6 months through 5 years. Reach Out and Read supports parents as their child's first teacher and helps children be ready for kindergarten. 

Through 158 programs in 31 counties, 1,200 medical providers serve an estimated 90,000 children and their families across Washington. Reach Out and Read Washington State is a Regional Office of Reach Out and Read, Inc., a national not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization.