Our Difference
Foundations for reading, foundations for life
Reading aloud doesn’t just spark imaginations and build vocabulary, it lays the foundation for healthier futures.
Ready Readers brings the brain-boosting benefits of read-aloud sessions, new books, and reading resources to children and families living in low-income neighborhoods throughout the St. Louis metro area. Our outcome-based early literacy program engages little learners to help them thrive in school and life.
Shifting the narrative
Challenge
Books serve as a mirror for children, and they benefit when they see themselves in the books they read. However, nationwide, only 15% of children’s books are about African American characters.
Our response
On average, 60% or more of the books given out each year by Ready Readers feature characters of color.
Challenge
In high-income communities, there are 13 books for every child. In high-poverty communities, there is 1 book for every 300 children.
Our response
Ready Readers provides 6-8 new books for students to take home each year.
Challenge
Nationally, 60% of children and more than 80% of children experiencing poverty are not proficient readers by the end of third grade.
Our response
84% of children in the Ready Readers program demonstrated achieving at least one reading-related milestone.
Challenge
Only 55% of children ages 0-5 have a family member read books aloud to them at least 5 days a week.
Our response
Ready Readers volunteers read aloud to children once per week. They also provide resources and activities to keep students in the story between read-aloud opportunities.
Our numbers tell a story too
Our programming reaches more classrooms than ever. Plus, we’re making more connections to support families and bring books to kids where they live and play. Year after year, results show Ready Readers builds early reading skills in measurable ways.
16,000+
children served
1,300+
classrooms reached
140,000+
new books distributed in the ‘24-25 school year
1.2 million+
books distributed throughout our history
400+
volunteers annually
200+
hours at community events annually
It’s a collective effort
Neighbors, friends, family, caregivers, and community organizations all have a role to play in raising readers. Ready Readers works with hundreds of other organizations in St. Louis (and beyond) to spread the essential message that reading is fun.
Hoping to collaborate? Find out more.
Programs
Storytime Program
Children’s imaginations come to life as the same volunteer readers read to the same classroom, embarking upon literary adventures week after week.
Read-at-Home Libraries
Because the number of books in the home is a strong predictor of a child’s performance on reading exams, we send 6-8 new, curated books home each year, so children can create their very own libraries.
Neighborhood Reading Captains
We enlist passionate neighborhood residents to share books and resources, facilitate events and create opportunities that strengthen literacy from block to block.
Into The Community
With our Storybook Walks, Block Parties and Little Free Libraries, we spread imagination beyond the classroom walls with dynamic literacy-related experiences.
