Press Release from Read to Grow and Sparkler Learning

Branford-based non-profit Read to Grow, together with Sparkler Learning, have announced a special week-long presentation of picture book read-alouds by Connecticut authors and illustrators in celebration of Read Across America Week, which is from March 2 through Wednesday, March 6.

“Stories help babies, toddlers, children—and all of us—explore the world and big ideas,” said Suzannah Holsenbeck, executive director of Read to Grow. “We are thrilled to join hands with Sparkler to share a lineup of wonderful stories this week from a diverse group of creators who write and illustrate right here in Connecticut.”

Research shows that reading with children is one of the most effective ways to promote early language and literacy skills and prepare children for success in school. It also strengthens parent-child relationships, empathy, and improves behavior.

Featured stories include Pinkalicious and the Little Butterfly, written and illustrated by Victoria Kann of Westport; Barry Needs a Hug, written and illustrated by Sean Fournier of Portland; Bing, Bop, Bam: Time to Jam, written by Valerie Bolling of Stamford and illustrated by Sabrena Khadija; Which is Which?, written by Roy Adams of Wilton and Illustrated by Nayab Zahra; and We Are More, written by Janine LaMendola of Colchester and illustrated by Kayla Stone.

Connecticut families can access the read-alouds, along with related play activities for children aged 0 to 5, through the Sparkler mobile application, which is free to families with young children in the state of Connecticut thanks to the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood. Families who don’t yet have the Sparkler app can download it for free from the App Store or Google Play Store and use the statewide code CT, or a local program’s code, including Read to Grow’s code, RTG, to register

Learn more about this Read Across America initiative at playsparkler.org/readtogether.