Home reading packs of books and resources are sent every three months in March, June, September and December, to carers of children aged up to six years old.

The books are specially selected based on each child’s age.

Titles this month include Tjitji Lullaby, Backyard Footy, A Planet Full of Plastic and Please, Mr Panda among others.

Read to Meis a book gifting program run through Raising Literacy Australia that supports children in care to improve their reading and language skills.

The project recognises the importance of access to quality age-appropriate books and encourages positive adult–child interactions to support healthy brain development.

All children in care six years and under will automatically receive free books as gifts, creating a library that they can keep and enjoy for many years to come.

A start-up library launches each child’s reading journey, featuring:

• 10 age-appropriate picture and board books;
• a Read to Me library bag;
• carer resources, including an activity book and role-modelling DVD.

Raising Literacy Australia also has a YouTube Channel that shares book readings and activity videos.

Find out more at: https://www.youtube.com/c/raisingliteracyaustralia

A selection of video book readings for June includes:

• Backyard Footy writtenby Carl Merrison and illustrated by Samantha Campbell

Read by Deadly Kindies

https://youtu.be/ZTk6kQ5HDKc?si=Ukk_hzEbbYRg_twJ

• Please Mr Panda by Steve Antony

Read by Planet Storytime

https://youtu.be/OMZUTn7WojU?si=K2NgYh4v6Lofsj1V

• Ten Scared Fish writtenby Ross Moriarty, illustrated by Balarinji

Read by Little Lorikeets

https://youtu.be/vYKbYlCcOk8?si=utXZ9DIIpsqdohm_

• TjiTji Lullaby Words writtenby Michael Ross and Zaachariaha Fielding, artwork by Lisa Kennedy

Read by ABC Kids

https://youtu.be/KyDappOxDho?si=iHqdF5JOkYe94_4A

In response to carers’ feedback, Raising Literacy Australia has worked over the past year to secure ongoing funding for the Read to Me program, along with seeking additional support to provide further tips and ideas for play and craft.

The Lang Family Foundationhas committed to supporting the program with play ideas and add-ons to the packs from mid-2024.

Contact Janet Leske at janet.leske@raisingliteracy.org.au if you have any feedback or questions about the program, or visit the Read to Me page on the DCP carer portal, which also has the full June reading list.

The Read to Me project is run by Raising Literacy Australia with support from the Department for Child Protection, Variety – The Children’s Charity of South Australia, the Australian publishing industry and Cochrane’s Transport.