Here at Raising A Reader we love the start of a new school year! It’s a time of busy excitement as our coordinators return to classrooms across the Bay Area to help kick off the program.

As those Raising A Reader red bags start their weekly journeys home again, among the hundreds of great titles to discover parents and teachers can keep an eye out for some of our new, school-themed books. Sharing stories about being at school can help remind children what they did during the day and spark conversations about new experiences.

Here are some of our favorites from the collection:

Family Reading Programs

Local public libraries have wonderful programming for children and families-make it a goal to participate in at least one library activity before the end of summer!

The San Francisco Public Library features a wide array of events, with a heavy concentration on storytime for toddlers, preschoolers, and families. Some programs are bilingual.

The Oakland Public Library also features terrific programming for children of all ages, and multiple read-alouds almost every day.

According to the Applied Research Center, sharing books with children regularly and interactively is the single most effective way to develop a child’s brain architecture and the language, emotional, and behavioral skills that prepare them to learn.

Take advantage of the fantastic, free programs the libraries in your community offer, in addition to the wealth of books and resources. If you haven’t yet made it a family tradition to visit the library, start today!

Celebrating Pride Month in Books

Helping children to feel comfortable in their community and in their “own skin” is an important part of their development! Children often feel alienated when they view themselves as somehow “different” from everyone else. Sharing books that are inclusive of LGBT families is an essential way to support the self-esteem of children in these families and also for teaching all children about the diversity of families. Children who feel included are more likely to have a secure sense of self, thrive physically, get along with others, learn well, and feel part of a community.

Incorporate some of these great books into your reading routines:

For more titles, check out this blog for some excellent suggestions: http://booksforkidsingayfamilies.blogspot.com/