Last week Heather K. and I had the privilege of meeting another hero in the fight against illiteracy. Diane Skog is the Program Director of Raising Readers, an innovative program in Maine that promotes reading aloud to children ages birth to 5 years.

Raising Readers provides Family Practice and Pediatric providers beautiful new books to give to children at well child visits two months to five years. For newborns, they give books in canvas totes to Maine hospitals, birth centers, midwives, and adoption agencies. Since the launch of their program in May 2000, Raising Readers has distributed over 825,000 books to children in Maine.

Diane and her team continue to improve their program with inventive new ideas. A special book of stories by well-known Maine children’s authors is distributed to five-year olds. The book includes a small card for the child certifying they were “Raised to be a Reader”, which they can take to their local library and exchange for their first library card. And on Friday, November 3rd, Raising Readers is celebrating the new Raising Readers Book Nook at the Children’s Museum of Maine in Portland.

First Book is excited to work with Diane and Raising Readers on initiatives with the First Book Marketplace. Diane is also helping us connect new volunteers with First Book Advisory Boards in Maine and sharing information about First Book with Recipient Groups. Thank you Diane for introducing us to the Great Lost Bear Restaurant and sharing such a wonderful evening with us!