LINC PARTNERS WITH ADAM RUBIN, #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF
Dragons Love Tacos, PENGUIN, and Council Member Diana Ayala
There were giggles and squeals as a taco eating dragon helped LINC staff distribute books and resource materials at three New York City public housing locations. Both part of LINC’s programming to support parents in high poverty neighborhoods in providing their children with critical early literacy skills and a prelude to #TacoBoutBooks, LINC’s Giving Tuesday-Taco Tuesday-Dragons Love Tacos celebration, the book distribution was a collaboration with children’s author Adam Rubin and publisher Penguin Young Readers Group. Adam will be offering LINC families a live, interactive online read aloud of his new release, Dragons Love Tacos 2, on December 4th at: https://www.lincnyc.org/event-details/lets-tacoboutbooks.
Programs like the one Adam has partnered with LINC to offer are needed more than ever right now. Children across New York City, especially children too young for school and most especially children living in poverty, have had very limited access to books throughout the pandemic. With libraries closed, coronavirus cases rising and winter weather settling in, children and their parents are facing months of confinement at home. There is an antidote: by bringing books, providing virtual early literacy programs, and supporting parents in all five boroughs, LINC increases an at-risk family’s engagement with books and reading. We help parents to create a word-rich environment at home. Reading together and sharing books become family bonding experiences that will last a lifetime while also building foundational pre-reading skills in youngsters. LINC offers programming for both children and parents, supporting kids at a critical time in their development and giving parents the strategies they need to turn everyday at-home tasks into literacy building activities.
Books were distributed at three New York City public housing sites: Dyckman Houses and Marble Hill Houses (both in Northern Manhattan) and Metro North Plaza Houses (East Harlem). Each child received a packet with age appropriate books and resource materials, including information about Literacy, Inc.’s virtual programs.
LINC’s Giving Tuesday #TacoBoutBooks Campaign will raise resources and awareness about early literacy during COVID. Reading is essential, providing comfort and security during uncertain times.
“Thank you to our partners who make our community-based approach to early literacy possible, including New York City Housing Authority, Adam Rubin, Penguin Young Readers Penguin Random House, Inwood Community Services, NYS Assemblymember Carmen de la Rosa, NYC Councilmembers Ydanis Rodriguez and Andrew Cohen,” said Executive Director, Shari Levine. “The work LINC is doing with families across New York City is more critical and important than ever.”
“Literacy Inc. does such a great job of connecting children to books. There is nothing like having a book in your hand, reading it and feeling it...Especially during the time of Covid when many of our kids are stuck at home, distributing these wonderful books in this district is really helping our kids…” Said Council Member Diana Ayala. “I invite everyone to support Literacy Inc. during this Giving Tuesday. LINC builds literacy zones in some of the most high-need areas in New York City, which is now more important than ever during this period of social distancing, when schools and libraries are closed. Children and families need books. You can #tacoBoutBooks and raise awareness about the literacy crisis, and donate by visiting the website: www.lincnyc.org."
Donate now and spread the word: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/literacy-inc/be-a-dragon-fire-up-a-love-of-reading.
