Family Engagement is Critical for Success

09.29.2025 From the CEO

At Raising a Reader, we’ve always believed that family engagement is the cornerstone of children’s literacy and learning. Families are children’s first and most important teachers—long before they ever enter a classroom. Research continues to validate what we see every day: when parents and caregivers are empowered to share books and read together, ask questions, and engage in joyful conversations, children build not only literacy skills but confidence, curiosity, and connection. 
 

Across the country, educators and organizations are finding new ways to support families—whether through book-sharing programs, nudges and text reminders, or home libraries that last a lifetime. These strategies remind us that reading is not a solitary act; it’s a shared experience that strengthens relationships and builds a foundation for lifelong learning. 
 

We’re proud to lead with programs that meet families where they are, from our Classic Red Book Bag Program to our Home Library Programs. Each bright red bag and every forever book represents more than a story—it’s an opportunity for a child to see themselves in a book, for a parent to find joy in reading aloud, and for families to create routines that foster both literacy and love. 

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