Kansas READS to Preschoolers

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Instigated in 2005 Kansas Reads to Preschoolers is an ongoing Kansas program. Public libraries, child care centers, and homes across Kansas look forward to the week before Thanksgiving to participate in reading events for children and families! Mayors, other government officials, high school athletes, and families participate in programs by reading books chosen by the State Librarian to demonstrate a love of reading. Children’s librarians spend countless hours designing activities for children during this special week for this very special project.

Our History ► 2007 | 2006 | 2005

2006 ► Read Full Report
Bunny Cakes
by Rosemary Wells

Governor Kathleen Sebelius reading BUNNY CAKES at the opening of the 2006 Kansas Book Festival, Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in Wichita September 30, 2006 ◄ Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius | The 2006 Kansas Reads to Preschoolers reading initiative, a project that was conceived and implemented by the State Library of Kansas, was very successful! The book, Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells, is a delightful tale about a brother and sister and the trials and tribulations of making a birthday cake for grandma! Children of all ages were at once familiar with the Max and Ruby characters. Public Libraries, Childcare centers, and others partnered to produce activities for children birth to age five before and during Children’s Book Week, the week before Thanksgiving, November 13-19, 2006.

This reading initiative for preschoolers was initially kicked off at the first Kansas Book Festival, early Friday, September 30, at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium with Governor Kathleen Sebelius reading Bunny Cakes to over 300 children! Governor Sebelius was the Honorary Chair for the 2006 Kansas Reads to Preschoolers project. Additionally, the Kansas State Historical Society provided many activities for children in relation to Bunny Cakes in the Children’s Tent at the Kansas Book Festival. Many hundred’s of children made baker’s hats, bunny ears, and other coloring projects that first day of the festival.

2005 ► Read Full Report
No Matter What
by Debi Gliori, author/illustrator

◄ State Librarian Christie Brandau | Kansas Reads to Preschoolers 2005, the first One Book, One State project to highlight the importance of reading to preschoolers, had the benefit of Governor Kathleen Sebelius as Honorary Chair. Christie P. Brandau, State Librarian, announced the selection of No Matter What by author/illustrator Debi Gliori on June 1, 2005. Governor Sebelius read the book at a special story time at libraries in Syracuse, Colby, and Ulysses prior to the Children’s Book Week event week of November 14-20, 2005. The goal was to read to the estimated 226,453 children birth to age 5 (according to the Kansas Action for Children 2004).

The project reached about 10% with a State Library donated budget of less than $10,000. Public and school libraries and countless day care providers, teachers, families, elected officials, and many others embraced the reading initiative. New partnerships were created between libraries, Early Childhood programs and local civic organizations like Kiwanis, Lions clubs, and other organizations to purchase many thousands of dollars of books and other programming needs.