The Born to Read statewide initiative and its related program, Prescription to Read, were created and launched by the Maine Humanities Council in 1997 to bring reading, books, discussion and the power and pleasure of ideas to every Maine family with young children. Born to Read has grown rapidly to meet a clearly demonstrated need to introduce families with newborn children to the joys and rewards of reading aloud together. Maine's only statewide family literacy program, Born to Read has served several thousand families in its first few years with the help of local partners in Maine communities. Child care providers, health care providers, and social service agency home visitors are excited about joining this statewide effort that makes such a significant contribution to both family health and reading and school readiness.
Trainings present recent brain research information.
These sessions also offer tips and techniques for reading a picture book aloud to a child, talking about the pictures and story, doing simple finger rhymes, and reciting Mother Goose rhymes together. Born to Read book sets include a book by a Maine author, a Mother Goose collection, an alphabet book, and a classic story. Book donations have come from community book drops at businesses, members of professional, alumni, and youth groups and individuals. Time Volunteers who read to children, deliver books, and coordinate local efforts are a growing and essential component of Born to Read, along with the dedicated professionals who have embraced Born to Read as an integral part of their services. The combined generosity of individuals, businesses, private foundations, and public agencies makes the enormous undertaking that is Born to Read possible.