Family Reading - Free Parenting Resources

Teach older siblings how to read to younger siblings.

The what, why, and how of thinking along with your children as you read.

Reading with preschoolers does more than get kids interested in reading.

Ways you can encourage the love of reading in your home.

An introduction to a few great reads.

Discover the resources and activities available for kids at the library.

Discover think-along reading and make reading time with your child a great learning experience.

In Tips for Parents: Summer Reading Programs, learn why reading during the summer is important, what summer reading programs offer, and how to find a summer reading program near you.

These books have been recommended by our staff and community members.

Learn how to encourage a love of reading in your children.

Celebrate book week by choosing books from the "Children's Choices" award winners.

Free publications for the public including brochures, fact sheets, and a “Reading Today” daily news publication.  Lists “Children’s Choices” books each year, and brochures for parents such as “Explore the Playground of Books: Tips for Parents of Beginning Readers,” “Making the Most of Television: Tips for Parents of Young Viewers,” and “Understanding Your Child’s Learning Differences.”

This booklet from the US Department of Education answers important questions parents have about helping their child learn to read, choosing an early reading program, strategies for creating strong readers, the five essential components of reading, and information about the No Child Left Behind act.

This multimedia site “offers hundreds of articles that provide research-based and best-practice information for educators, parents, and others concerned about reading achievement.”  Also checkout their shows on PBS, podcasts and videos, free guides, Spanish site, and tons of other information.

Includes comprehensive reading resources for educators and parents including motivating kids to read, literacy rich homes, school connections, lesson plans, activities, Gateways to Early Literacy videos, and tons more.  Also features a Spanish bilingual version of the site.

The LiteracyCenter.net serves as many as 1.7 million free literacy lessons a day to children in more than a 160 countries with safe learning activities for parents and teachers to share with young children. All online lessons are free of advertising and free of charge.  Also available in Spanish, German, and French. 

The site offers “exciting and friendly ways to make helping children develop vital early literacy skills easier than ever,” with separate pages for parents, educators, and health care professionals.  The parent page offers screening tools, literacy checklists, activities and much more. Also available in Spanish.

From the University of Wisconsin Madison’s School of Education.  Features author and illustrator links, a comprehensive listing of books for children and young adults, and an Intellectual Freedom department.

Visit the Book/Media Awards page for a huge list of recommended titles for kids, teens and adults.