Downloadable Resources for Families & Educators

Reading is Everywhere

Through its Reading Is Everywhere program, Lead to Read KC strategically places baskets of books in places where children are often waiting to encourage reading outside of school. Children can select a free book to take home, and dedicated outreach volunteers replenish the baskets with new titles each month.

Locate baskets near you!

Reading Mentor Tips

These tips were created by a local Science of Reading-trained expert for Lead to Read KC mentors to deepen their time with students and increase their impact. These tips are helpful for anyone who spends time reading with children in grades 1-3.

 
 
Reading Mentor Tips

Reading at Home Tips

Free reading guide for K–3 parents. It covers the four skills children build in these grades and gives you easy things to do at home: talk in the car, clap out word parts, read together, sound out tricky words. Short videos and activities included. No special training needed.

 
Supporting Your Child’s Reading at Home

Build Engage Absorb – Beatrice Henry

As a parent representative on SchoolSmartKC’s Literacy Advisory Council, Beatrice Henry makes an impact on our ecosystem through her initiative, Build Engage Absorb (BEA). The Joy of Reading Project by BEA offers a weekly virtual story time, hands-on activities, family engagement opportunities, and guidance for parents, ensuring the learning continues beyond weekly story time sessions. Her role on the Advisory Council is crucial in guiding and supporting SchoolSmartKC’s strategic investments in early literacy.

Explore Resources Here:

Build Engage Absorb – YouTube

Build Engage Absorb – Facebook

Turn the Page KC – Family Reading KC

Turn the Page KC’s mission is to mobilize the entire community to ensure children gain the literacy skills they need to create a lifetime of opportunity. We serve children and families through programming that centers the voice of the parent and increases access to literacy-rich opportunities across the city. Turn the Page KC continues to support literacy development through its Family Reading KC initiative, offering free resources that support families reading with their young children.

Explore Resources Here:

Family Reading KC

Parent Leadership Training Institute

Developed by Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) in partnership with Horizons Academy, this toolkit helps families understand early reading development and how to support strong literacy instruction in the early grades. It offers practical guidance for parents seeking clear information about curriculum, instruction, and how to advocate for effective reading support.

Explore More Here:

Leading with Literacy Toolkit