Every day that children do not read, they are losing ground. Children need to read just as surely as they need food and shelter, and books can provide a foundation for their future during these tumultuous times.
At Literacy Inc. (LINC) we know that books are essential and we are eternally grateful to our champions at HarperCollins Children’s Books. With their generous donation of 17,000 books, LINC has continued to serve families across the five boroughs of New York City throughout the pandemic.
These books were the center of Literacy Inc.’s virtual gala in May and LINC’s monthly literacy celebrations like our virtual Back to School event in August. The week before the event, LINC community teams safely distributed HarperCollins books and activity toolkits in the neighborhoods LINC serves in New York City. Each family received a copy of the book that was read aloud, Pete the Cat and the Surprise Teacher, along with a set of additional titles. LINC has always worked hard to increase access to children’s books and reading opportunities in neighborhoods affected by systemic poverty, and that access is needed now more than ever.
Pete the Cat and the Surprise Teacher spoke to the unexpected changes and challenges in and out of the classroom. Amelia Bedelia brings us comfort throughout the summer. Fancy Nancy teaches us new fancy words. Paddington gets us ready to start school. The series My First I Can Read provides our staff with the tools they need to make reading a daily activity for parents and children.
For many LINC families these book donations are the beginning of home libraries, and as our families grapple with the many tragedies and inequities exacerbated by COVID-19, these books provide stress relief and countless learning opportunities. It’s no wonder the whimsical story of Pete the Cat sparked the imaginations of LINC families as they crafted their vision boards with their hopes and dreams for the new school year!
With HarperCollins Children’s Books as our partners, LINC is equipped to continue raising generations of resilient readers and leaders in New York City.
Thank you for supporting our work, HarperCollins Children’s Books. We look forward to sharing our children’s achievements with you.
To learn more about LINC’s virtual literacy programs, visit: www.lincnyc.org/events.
