Raising A Reader® (Signature Program) is already proven in communities across the United States to effect first grade readiness in English and Hispanic families. Through a circulating book bag program supported by 4 Parent Workshops, parents are encouraged to “book cuddle” with their children from birth to age five. RAR is a results-oriented program that involves extensive, ongoing evaluation. Five components produce the change to readiness:

1. A child-driven process: Children discover the magic of books and run home each week with a book bag to share with their parents, leading very naturally to read-aloud routines.

2. Turnkey: The program works in a variety of different systems serving low-income families, including childcare settings, adult education classes, housing developments, home visiting programs, and more.

3. Trained Professionals: Through a train-the-trainer model implementers are trained in advanced “read-aloud” techniques and early brain development—and pass this knowledge on to parents.

4. Parents Are Trained: Parents are trained in effective read-aloud techniques through culturally-sensitive tools designed to address whatever their barriers to reading may be.

5. Families Use Libraries: RAR® program implementers partner with the local branch of their public library, introducing families and their children with their very own Blue Library Bag.

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