Books for Babies
Long-lasting benefits
Books for Babies provides over 1,000 reading packets to new parents in Tulare County every year. Packets contain a new book, a keepsake “Baby’s First Song Book,” and developmental cards listing babies’ milestones and suggested books for ages 0-5. Books for Babies packets’ are distributed through prenatal classes by healthcare professionals. This information explains to parents the importance of providing for their child’s intellectual development, as well as the child’s physical health.
For more information about the Books for Babies Program, or to volunteer contact Ann Brodersen at 559-731-7977, or annb@readforlife.org.
Pre-school Program
Foundation for education
Read for Life connects with families in varioius participating preschool programs by providing age-appropriate books and reading support through parent meetings. One of our key goals is to help parents learn how to encourage their children to embrace reading as a meaningful and enjoyable daily family activity.
Each year, approximately 4,500 books are distributed across the following Tulare County preschool programs: Bright Start Parent/Infant Program, TCOE Migrant Program Region VIII, Early Childhood Families’ Education Program, Home Based Head Start, Goshen Book Club, and Home Based Program Region 5.
For more information about the Pre-School Program, please contact:
Mimi Boyd – mimi@readforlife.org
Gloria Garza-Dávalos – gloria@readforlife.org
Books for Kids
Every child deserves a book of their own
Books for Kids distributes almost 20,000 books a year on a quarterly basis. We have over 46 locations that we distribute to. Some of our sites include Tulare County food pantries, Family Healthcare and Kaweah Health clinics, Porterville Crisis Center, Valley Children's Hospital, Visalia Family Services... to name just a few.
This program is supported in large part by financial donations and donations of new and gently used books by individuals and organizations throughout Tulare County.
For more information about the Books for Kids Program, contact Sue Sanders at sue@readforlife.org.
Teenage Parenting & Head Start Program
Teaching those who teach
The first program established by Read for Life in 1989, our teenage parenting program is a cornerstone of our work. Three times a year our volunteers attend teen parent programs throughout Tulare County to teach new parents about the importance of reading to their babies. We explain how exposure to reading, singing, and talking prepares children to read and succeed in school. After sharing tips on choosing and enjoying books with babies, parents select a new book from Read for Life. Financial support of this project comes from grants and donations from organizations and individuals.
In addition, we serve over 20 Head Start sites in Tulare County by providing presentations and distributing books three times each year.
For more information about the Teenage Parenting Program, contact Deborah Lagomarsino at deborah@readforlife.org.
