Reach Out and Read Illinois

We’re thrilled to share the FY24 Reach Out & Read Illinois mini grant recipients! 🎉 Thanks to generous funding from the Illinois Department of Public Health, these grants are part of our expansion efforts to bring Reach Out & Read to even more families. Each clinic received up to $5,000 directly in their account to support their new Reach Out & Read programs, in total ROR IL provided $57,000 in start up funds during FY24!

Curious about how these grants are making a difference? Visit our website to learn more about our ongoing efforts and how we're supporting literacy in communities across Illinois! 🌟📖

- Advocate Medical Group Glenbrook Pediatrics in Glenview, IL
- Advocate Medical Group Orland Park Pediatrics in Orland Park, IL
- Albion Medical Clinic in Albion, IL
- Center for Family Health Galesburg Family Practice in Galesburg, IL
- Esperanza Health Centers Brighton Park in Chicago, IL
- Esperanza Health Centers Cultivate Collective in Chicago, IL
- Mile Square Health Center - L.P. Johnson in Rockford, IL
- Near North Health Service Corporation in Chicago, IL
- Rush Copley Medical Group Pediatrics in Aurora, IL
- Rush POB in Chicago, IL
- Rush Riverside in Riverside, IL
- Rush South Loop in Chicago, IL
- OSF Galesburg Clinic - Family Medicine with OB in Galesburg, IL
- OSF Healthcare in Peoria, IL
- OSF Medical Group in Knoxville, IL
- Suburban Pediatrics in Chicago Heights, IL
- Whole Child Pediatrics in Yorkville, IL

The 2024 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the # # Olympiad and officially branded as Paris 2024, is an upcoming international multi-sport event scheduled to take place from 26 July to 11 August 2024 in France, with some competitions starting on 24 July. The Reach Out & Read Illinois team is excited to cheer on Team USA.

If you're watching the games, what's the event you're most looking forward to?

To learn more about current and past Olympians, check out these books from your local library or bookstore today.

- "The Girl Who Figured It Out: The Inspiring True Story of Wheelchair Athlete Minda Dentler Becoming an Ironman World Champion" by Minda Dentler & Illustrated by Stephanie Dehennin
- "Swimming Toward a Dream: Yusra Mardini's Incredible Journey from Refugee to Olympic Swimmer" by Reem Faruqi & Illustrated by Asma Enayeh
- "World Cup Women: Megan, Alex, and the Team USA Soccer Champs" by Meg Walters & Illustrated by Nikkolas Smith
- "Unbeatable Betty: Betty Robinson, the First Female Olympic Track & Field Gold Medalist" by Allison Crotzer Kimmel & Illustrated by Joanie Stone
- "Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's Fastest Woman" by Kathleen Krull & Illustrated by David Diaz
- "She's Got This" by Laurie Hernandez & Illustrated by Niña Mata

Celebrated annually on July 26th, National Disability Independence Day or ADA Day commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. The ADA aims to eliminate discrimination against people with disabilities and ensure equal opportunities in all aspects of life.

Click here to see the early intervention resources offered in Illinois: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=32361

Check out these titles at your nearest library or independent bookstore:

- "Fighting for Yes! The Story of Disability Rights Activist Judith Heumann" written
by Maryann Cocca-Leffler & illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger
- "What Do You Do with a Voice Like That? The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan"
written by Chris Barton & illustrated by Ekua Holmes
- "We Want to Go to School! The Fight for Disability Rights" written by Maryann Cocca-Leffler and Janine Leffler & illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Summer is a great time to take a dip in your community pool. It's also the perfect time to visit your local library and borrow a few of your favorite books to enjoy during those pool breaks.

Here are a few of our favorite titles:

- "Jabari Jumps" written & illustrated by Gaia Cornwall
- "Hey, Water!" by Antoinette Portis
- "Mermaid With No Tail" written by Jessica Long & illustrated by Airin O'Callaghan
- "The Whale in my Swimming Pool" written & illustrated by Joyce Wan
- "Together We Swim" written by Valerie Bolling & illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
- "Saturday is Swimming Day" written & illustrated by Hyewon Yum

Happy National Ice Cream Day! Did you know people have been eating variations of ice cream for thousands of years? In those days, people in the Persian Empire put snow in bowl and added flavored syrup. Centuries later there are so many kinds of ice cream.

Our team hopes you and the little ones in your lives can snuggle up and cool down with some of the titles featured below.

- "Ice Cream Face" written & illustrated by Heidi Woodward Sheffield
- "Do Lizards Eat Ice Cream?" written by Etta Kaner & Illustrated by Jenna Piechota
- "Paletero Man" written by Lucky Diaz, illustrated by Micah Player, & translated by Dr. Carmen Tafolla

Observed on July 18th, World Listening Day is a reminder to take the time to listen to the sounds around you, especially to those in your natural environment. Mindful listening can foster a greater sense of connectedness with your environment and community.

Check out the titles below at your nearest library or local bookstore:

- "Sounds All Around: The Science of How Sound Works" written by Susan Hughes & illustrated by Ellen Rooney
- "Are You Listening?: A Picture Book (Sensing Your World)" written by Susan Verde & illustrated by Juliana Perdomo
- "Wild Symphony" written & illustrated by Dan Brown
- "The Sound of All Things" written by Myron Uhlberg &
illustrated by Ted Papoulas
- "So Many Sounds" written by Tim McCanna & illustrated by Andy J. Miller

The Reach Out & Read Progress Report window opens on July 15th. These biannual reports help our team understand what support you need from us and how the program is being implemented in your clinic.

We're also raffling off a box of books and swag to those who submit their reports by the deadline! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to ROR IL Program Manager Veena Villivalam.

Join ROR IL in celebrating National Kitten Day today with some of our favorite children's books. Snuggle up and read the books featured here with the little ones in your life for the purrfect end to your day.

Check these titles out at your nearest library!

- "Jet the Cat (Is Not a Cat)" written by Phaea Crede & illustrated by Terry Runyan Creative
- "Cat's First Baby" written & illustrated by Natalie Nelson
- "Scaredy Cat" written & illustrated by Michael Buxton

Happy Fourth of July from the ROR IL team! We hope you have a safe and fun celebration.

Featured here are a few of our favorite children's books recognizing this holiday. We hope these books help you explore what the Fourth of July means to you and your family. Check them out at your nearest library or bookstore.

- "Blue Sky White Stars" written by Sarvinder Naberhaus & illustrated by
- "Apple Pie 4th of July" written by & illustrated by .chodosirvine
- "America, My Love, America, My Heart" written & illustrated by Daria Peoples-Riley
- "We Came to America" written & illustrated by
- "Pie is for Sharing" written by .parsley2 & illustrated by
- "The American Wei" written by Marion Hess Pomeranc & illustrated by

Every July, we celebrate Disability Pride Month to recognize the American Disability Act of 1990. Did you know that over 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. have some type of disability yet they make appearances in less than 5% of children's picture books?

Our ROR IL team is excited to share some of our favorite books that inspire, empower, and build understanding. Reading and sharing books is a wonderful way to celebrate this month. Check them out at your nearest library or bookstore and enjoy some family reading time.

- "We Move Together" written by Kelly Fritsch and Anne McGuire & illustrated by Eduardo Trejos
- "Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You" written by Justice Sonia Sotomayor & illustrated by Rafael Lopez
- "Benji, the Bad Day, and Me" written by Sally J Pla & illustrated by Ken Min
- "A Day with No Words" written by Tiffany Hammond (Fidgets and Fries) & illustrated by Kate Cosgrove
- "Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah" written by Laurie Ann Thompson - Author & illustrated by Sean Qualls

International Mud Day aims to connect children around the globe through the earth, by playing in the mud! International Mud Day is children and early childhood professionals all over the world celebrating nature, outdoors, and mess by getting really muddy. We believe it's okay to get dirty!

If you'd rather not get dirty today, and would like to read about it instead, check out "Mud!" by Annie Bailey & Illustrated by Jen Corace from your local library or independent bookstore today!

On June 26, we celebrate the 9th anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodges. This case was a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the United States where they ruled that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by both the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution.

To celebrate with us at Reach Out & Read, check out "Ritu Weds Chandni" by Ameya Narvankar from your local library or independent bookstore!

National Pink Day is celebrated annually on June 23rd to recognize the many shades of pink and their meanings. People can show their love for the color by wearing pink, decorating with it, or enjoying a pink sunset. Other ways to participate include parades, parties, and fireworks displays. Of course, we're reading a story to show our love and appreciation for the beautiful hue!

Check out "Pink is NOT a Color" by Lindsay Ward from your local library or independent bookstore today!

Join us today as we formally recognize World Refugee Day. World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe. It falls each year on the 20th of June and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. World Refugee Day shines a light on the rights, needs and dreams of refugees, helping to mobilize political will and resources so refugees can not only survive but thrive. While it is important to protect and improve the lives of refugees every single day, international days like World Refugee Day help to focus global attention on the plight of those fleeing conflict or persecution. Many activities held on World Refugee Day create opportunities to support refugees.

One way we at Reach Out & Read IL know how to turn our attention to those voices that need to be heard is by reading their stories. Though not all stories are able to be known, reading the ones bravely published is a wonderful start. Check out the following titles from your local library or independent bookstore today:
- "A Different Pond" by Bao Phi & Illustrated by Thi Bui
- "Refugees and Migrants (Children in Our World)" by Ceri Roberts & Illustrated by Hanane Kai
- "Calling the Water Drum" by LaTisha Redding & Illustrated by Aaron Boyd
- "My Beautiful Birds" by Suzanne Del Rizzo
- "The Treasure Box" by Margaret Wild & Illustrated by Freya Blackwood

Celebrate the day of freedom with us at Reach Out & Read IL! Juneteenth is a holiday celebrated every June 19th to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S., which came a full two and half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. We acknowledge how important and vital it is to hear stories from the voices who understand them most, and that's why we encourage you to check out the following titles from your local library or independent bookstore today and everyday:

- "The Juneteenth Story" by Alliah L. Agostini & Illustrated by Sawyer Cloud
- "Juneteenth for Mazie" by Floyd Cooper
- "Opal Lee and What it Means to Be Free" by Alice Faye Duncan & Illustrated by Ketura A. Bobo
- "Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem" by Sojourner Kincaid Rolle & Illustrated by Alex Bostic

We at Reach Out & Read Illinois know how treasured Nursing Assistants are in the healthcare setting and beyond. Do you know a nursing assistant that you want to give a shout out to? Tag them in the comments!

Today, we look back at history and are reading more about "Florence Nightingale" written by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara & Illustrated by Kelsey Garrity-Riley. Check out this title, and many many more, from your local library or independent bookstore today!

DEADLINE EXTENDED!!

Did you know that Reach Out & Read Illinois has a mini grant opportunity for clinics both newly launching and currently implementing the ROR program? Clinics that are in need of financial support for book funds and haven't previously received this grant are eligible to receive up to $5,000. For more information, criteria, and to apply for the mini grant please visit our Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/roril

Eligible clinics should apply by June 17, 2024.

Every year on the second Saturday of June, families across the country observe Family Health and Fitness Day. If your family would like to check out hiking trails in Illinois, visit the Illinois Department of National Resources here to see which trails might be of interest: https://dnr.illinois.gov/recreation/hiking.html

Also, check out the following titles at your nearest library or bookstore:
- "From My Head to My Toes" written by Aly Raisman & illustrated by Bea Jackson
- "Ready, SET, GO!: Sports of All Sorts" written by Celeste Cortright & illustrated by Christiane Engel
- "Strong" written by Rob Kearney and Eric Rosswood & illustrated by Nidhi Chanani

Today is National Donut Day! This holiday, celebrated on the first Friday of June, was established by the Salvation Army in 1938 to honor the “Donut Lassies” — women who served donuts (originally a European delicacy) to hungry American soldiers during World War I. Once they returned home, soldiers longed for the donuts they had overseas. Thus, they grew increasingly popular in the U.S., and Americans have been loving donuts ever since.

To celebrate, grab yourself a donut and "If You Give a Dog a Donut" by Laura Numeroff & illustrated by Felicia Bond from your local library or independent bookstore!

June is Immigrant Heritage Month! Formally recognized in 2014 by former President Barack Obama, this annual celebration honors and recognizes the contributions and diverse cultures of immigrants to the country.

Featured here are children's books highlighting the stories of immigrant children and their families. Consider adding these titles to your home library!

- "Areli Is a Dreamer: A True Story by Areli Morales, a DACA Recipient" written by Areli Morales & illustrated by Luisa Uribe
- "Watch Me: A Story of Immigration and Inspiration" written by Doyin Richards & illustrated by Joe Cepeda
- "Saffron Ice Cream" written & illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh
- "From Far Away" written by Robert Munsch and Sadussan Askar & illustrated by Rebecca Green
- "Rostam's Picture-Day Pusteen" written by Ryan Bani Tahmaseb & illustrated by Fateme Mokhles
- "Undocumented: A Worker's Fight" written & illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh

Happy Pride Month, ROR IL family! Pride is an annual celebration that dates back to 1969. It is a time for LGBTQIA2S+ people and allies to gather, remember, and celebrate.

The origins of Pride date back to the Stonewall riots which served as a turning point for Gay Rights in the U.S. and around the world. A year later, thousands gathered in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago for the first Pride marches to commemorate Stonewall and demonstrate for equal rights.

Check these titles out at your nearest library or bookstore:

- "Sparkle Boy" written by Leslea Newman & illustrated by Maria Mola
- "It Feels Good to be Yourself" written by Theresa Thorn & illustrated by Noah Grigni
- "Strong" written by Rob Kearney & Eric Rosswood & illustrated by Nidhi Chanani
- "Pride Colors" by Robin Stevenson
- "Neither" written & illustrated by Airlie Anderson Illustration

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We're so proud to work with Esperanza Health Centers clinics in boosting early learning in Illinois. Thank you for all that you do!

Did you know that Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day? The first national observance of Memorial Day honored those who lost their lives in the Civil War that ended in 1865. Featured here is a children's book titled "A Day for Rememberin' " written by Leah Henderson and illustrated by Floyd Cooper. Snuggle up to read about Memorial Day as a family and learn about our nation's history together.

Here's a brief description of the book: With poignant prose and celebratory, powerful illustrations, "A Day for Rememberin’ " shines light on the little-known history of this important holiday and reminds us never to forget the people who put their lives on the line for their country.

Check it out at your nearest library or local bookstore!

Did you know that Reach Out & Read Illinois has a mini-grant opportunity for new and existing clinics implementing the Reach Out & Read model? Clinics that are in need of financial support and haven't received this grant prior are eligible to receive up to $5,000 in book funds to support their clinic needs. For more information, criteria, and to apply for the mini-grant please visit our webpage: https://reachoutandreadil.org/mini-grant-for-existing-sites.

Eligible clinics should apply by June 15, 2024.

Did you know that May 21 is recognized by the United Nations as the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development? This day celebrates the richness of the world’s cultures and the essential role of intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable development. Books are a great way to increase your awareness of what the world has to offer!

Today we are celebrating by reading "What Makes Us Human" by Victor D. O. Santos and Illustrated by Anna Forlati and "Your Name is a Song" by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and Illustrated by Luisa Uribe. Check these books out from your local independent bookstore or library today!

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Happy Children's Book Week from !

We love hearing from our ROR IL clinics. Thanks for all that you do to implement ROR and boost early learning in our state!

Through the Reach Out and Read Illinois, when your child, ages 6 months-5 years, comes for their well-child check, they will receive a book from their doctor!

It was so great to meet you all! Thanks for joining us. : )

We're just 1 day away from our 2024 Site Support Meeting and it's not too late to register! This gathering will be held at the Harold Washington Library in downtown Chicago from 1 pm to 5:15 pm.

One of our breakout sessions on Literacy-Rich Spotlights features ROR Champions from Esperanza Health Centers, UI Health, and Healthy Beginnings Pediatrics. Our panelists will share about their efforts to build literacy-rich waiting and exam rooms. We're also glad to have our partner Open Books joining us to share how they can support clinics with gently used books for their waiting rooms.

We hope to see you tomorrow afternoon!
Click here to register today: https://reachoutandreadil.org/may-9-events/

May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month! Celebrate with Reach Out & Read - Illinois by cuddling up and learning about the diversity of the AAPI community.

Featured here are books for the little ones by AAPI authors and illustrators. Check these titles out from your local independent bookstore or library today!

- "The Ugly Vegetables" written & illustrated by Grace Lin

- "My Bindi" written by Gita Varadarajan & illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan

- "Drawn Together" written by Minh Lê & illustrated by Dan Santat

- "Home is in Between" written by Mitali Perkins
& illustrated by Lavanya Naidu

- " 'Ohana Means Family" written by Ilima Loomis & illustrated by Kenard Pak