Raising A Reader (RAR)

Raising A Reader (RAR) is a national nonprofit family engagement and literacy program that helps families develop, practice, and maintain home literacy habits essential for school success. RAR is operated through a diverse national network of affiliates (e.g., school systems, libraries, or community agencies) at more than 2,900 locations nationally, serving families with children between the ages of 0 to 8 years old. Children participating in our programs are exposed to high-quality, developmentally appropriate children's books, providing them with both a mirror reflecting their own world and a window to the world beyond. Through initial training and ongoing support, Raising A Reader parents, even those with limited English proficiency or low literacy skills, learn how to engage their children in storytelling with picture books. The program also includes an introduction to community resources, such as the public library, setting up families for a lifetime of book enjoyment. More than 39 independent evaluations confirm the valuable impact of RAR on family engagement and early literacy skills.