Welcome to Nebraska Growing Readers! 

We believe that reading with children from an early age is the foundation for lifetime success and that having books available in the home is crucial to reading success. Did you know that having 100 or more books in the home is a predictor of much higher reading proficiency for children? Based on this knowledge, Nebraska Growing Readers wants to get books into the homes of families with young children and encourage families and educators to read with our state's youngest children.

Thoughts on Setting Up Your Display

When we started, we thought the best place to have our Nebraska Growing Readers display was in the family resource room, but soon realized that this was a barrier because parents must go into the room to get the books. I decided to move the shelf to the main entry of our building to increase access and participation. Having the books out in the open ensures our families know they can take books whenever they want. It’s taken time for families to understand there are no limits to the books they can take home.

--Janelle Nissen, School Director, Educare of Omaha Indian Hill

The families appreciate having access to free books on a regular basis. I think they really love the self-selection of it, letting their child choose the titles they want to take home. Our families are also excited to see that they can continue to have new book options. Now that they are noticing new titles each month, there is more excitement and engagement.

My hope is that we see increased shared reading at home which will lead to more student success. I look forward to seeing the long-term effects the Nebraska Growing Readers initiative will have for our students and their families.

Learn more about Nebraska Growing Readers and find resources to help you connect with families by visiting our website.

Nebraska Book Spotlight

Children who live on a farm or are growing up in a farming community are sure to connect to Corn by Laura Cady. But even Nebraska's city dwellers will recognize those green rows that are an every day part of the state's landscape.

Corn gives kids a chance to learn new terms, to talk about foods made from corn, and to share their own experiences with this very Nebraska plant.

Did you enjoy Corn? Want to read more Nebraska books or see other books available in the NGR Library?

Reading Tips

Reading aloud with young children is the best way to support their rapid brain growth and early learning success. Help your families develop a daily habit of reading by asking about their child's favorite books and offering ideas for fitting some time to read into their busy days.

Recommend a Friend: Do you know a licensed early childhood professional that isn't part of Nebraska Growing Readers? Share with them how to get their own free books for families by registering with us.

Send us your family pictures!

We'd love to see pictures of your family reading Nebraska Growing Readers books and include them in our newsletter. Please send your photos to Ivan Young and feel free to include comments on what your children enjoy about reading and the books you read to them.

Completed Family Surveys Help Us Help You

If you are a registered NGR early childhood professional, please encourage your families to complete the family survey you'll find using the QR code below (or copy and paste the link provided into your browser). This information helps us continue to fund the Nebraska Growing Readers initiative so that we can keep providing your families with free books. You'll soon be receiving posters you can display to make it easy for families to link to the survey.

When all of your families have completed the survey, please send an email to Wendy Keele, and we will enter your name in a drawing for a chance to win a $25.00 Amazon gift card. Thank you for your cooperation!

Click on image to download a copy.

Scan the QR code with your phone to access the family survey.

Copy and paste link: https://ncff.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1BondGGIrUJr6v4 

Want to keep up with the latest information on Nebraska Growing Readers? Be sure to follow Nebraska Children and Families Foundation on Facebook for updates.

Nebraska Growing Readers is a collaboration between Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, the Nebraska Department of Education, the Statewide Family Engagement Center, and Unite for Literacy. If you need more information or have questions, please contact Wendy Keele.

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