Greater Mankato Area United Way Book for Kids

Books for Kids

Books for Kids is a free program designed to instill the joy of reading in children by providing free books and parenting resources to families who live or work in the greater Mankato, Minnesota area. Reading at an early age has been proven to increase school readiness by developing literacy skills, language patterns, attention spans and creativity. As a child grows, reading becomes increasingly important for understanding the world, achieving academic success and succeeding in the workforce. Reading is linked to high school success; without strong reading skills, children fall behind, disengage and often drop out. Reading books aloud with children every day not only builds language and pre-literacy skills, but exposes them to new ideas, builds their social/emotional and problem solving skills and inspires them to become life-long learners. The Books for Kids program is also intended to increase the bond between caregiver and child as they read together.

Books for Kids — Children between the ages of 2 months up to their 5th birthday receive a free book in the mail every other month along with the First Steps Newsletter and Early Learning Digest. All of the books are generously donated by Coughlan Cos., a local publisher.

First Steps Newsletter — First Steps is aimed at ensuring that all children in our community have an opportunity to grow up healthy and school ready. The monthly First Steps Newsletter includes information from local providers including: Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), Ready! for Kindergarten, and Childcare Resource and Referral Network.

Early Learning Digest — Early Learning Digest is research-based information provided through a partnership between the Minnesota Department of Education and the Working Family Resource Center.

Calendar of Events — Parents receive an overview of some of the family-friendly events going on around our community each month.

Click on a month below to read the most current newsletters:

February 2012 First Steps Newsletter

February 2012 Early Learning Digest

January 2012 First Steps Newsletter

January 2012 Early Learning Digest