Information for Parents | Reading to Kids

Reading Club Information

What?	Reading clubs for elementary school students featuring interactive read aloud sessions, engaging craft activities, and a free book to take home.
When?	Second Saturday of every month! Drop-off: 9:30am Pick-up: 11:30am
Where?	Meet at the school by the lunch tables. Parents/guardians can choose to attend a workshop hosted by the school (and get a free book themselves!) or leave campus and return for pick-up.

A group of four children are gathered around a volunteer holding an open book with colorful illustrations. The children are focused on the pages as the volunteer reads in a classroom setting.

About Reading to Kids

Reading to Kids is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring underserved children with a love of reading. Founded in 1999, we are driven by the belief that reading enriches children's lives and opens up opportunities for future success.

Reading to Kids provides fun monthly reading clubs at 8 elementary schools near Downtown Los Angeles. We give a free book to every child who attends the reading clubs, and we donate new hardcover books to LAUSD libraries!

"The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children." - National Commission on Reading, 1985

Why our work matters

California faces a literacy crisis, with one of the lowest literacy rates in the country!
Only 40% of LAUSD students read at grade level by third grade.
Just 9% of LAUSD English learners meet reading standards by third grade, with less than 1% meeting reading standards by eighth grade.
In the US, 61% of low-income families have no books in their homes for children.

How we make a difference

Interactive Read Alouds: Research shows that read aloud sessions enhance reading comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency, while building recall, critical thinking, and listening skills. Additionally, they foster a love of reading and bring children and volunteers together, creating a sense of community.

Craft-Based Activities: Incorporating hands-on craft activities into reading sessions boosts cognitive engagement, strengthens motor skills, and improves memory retention. This combination makes learning to read more effective and fun!

Free Books: By donating books, we help children build their home libraries and encourage continued reading at home, a proven factor in fostering literacy development.

Parent training session at Alta Loma Elementary with parents seated at a table listening to a speaker.

A boy in a 'Black Panther' costume holds up a Black Panther book that he received at the reading club.

Parents and guardians also earn free books by attending the parent workshops during the reading clubs!

Monthly Themes

A young woman in a red dress plays guitar and sings into a microphone while a drummer plays behind her. Children in the audience are seated on the floor, watching the performance.

A person dressed as Santa Claus stands in a classroom, pointing. Children and two smiling volunteers are seated on the floor, all raising their hands.

January:Mysteries & New Adventures February:People & Places Around the World March:Music & Entertainment ↳ Live Entertainment! April:The Wonders of Science & Technology May:Fantasy, Folklore, & Fairy Tales June:Friendship & Fun July:Amazing Animals August:Back to School Fun ↳ School Supplies Giveaway! September:Arts & Creativity October:Halloween, Magic, and Monsters ↳ Magic Show! November:Seasons & the Natural World December:Family & The Spirit of Giving ↳ Meet Santa!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is Reading to Kids?

Our reading clubs are on the second Saturday of every month, including school breaks. Kids gather on campus at 9:30am and are read to for 90 minutes, between 10am and 11:30am.

2. Where is Reading to Kids?

We host our reading clubs at 8 different elementary schools in Los Angeles. Kids attend the reading club at their own school and meet by the lunch tables.

3. Who can attend?

Our reading clubs are for students who attend one of our partner elementary schools.

4. What do parents/guardians do?

Parents and guardians can stay on campus after drop-off or leave and return at 11:30am for pick-up. Parents who stay on campus are invited to attend a parent workshop hosted by the school admin. All who attend the parent workshop can take home a free book!

5. Who reads to the kids?

Our dedicated volunteers are the heart of Reading to Kids, making our monthly reading clubs possible. Each new volunteer application is carefully reviewed by Reading to Kids staff to ensure child safety.

Two volunteers and four children stand outside at school, all smiling. One child holds a sign that says 'Room 12, Kindergarten,' and a volunteer holds a bag of supplies.

Five kids' arms are grouped together, showing their colorful bracelets made of beads. In the background, a book and a paper dinosaur craft are visible.

A group of children are working on a craft activity using colorful popsicle sticks. The children are arranging the sticks on colored paper, and an adult volunteer assists one child.

A group of children holds up their paper penguin crafts, while a volunteer holds up a penguin-themed book.

A child's handwritten note in pink crayon reads: 'I came here today because I want to have fun and read books

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