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2025 Survey

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Changing Children's Lives With the Gift of Literacy

Changing Children's Lives With the Gift of Literacy

Imagine a young child receiving a book in the mail every month until the age of five. What better way to say reading is important? Children enrolled in the Ferst Program receive a new book every month in the mail until their 5th birthday. There is absolutely no cost (ever) to registered children in participating areas! The program is made possible through the partnership with local, all-volunteer Community Action Teams (CATs).

Ferst Readers is a 501C3 organization whose funding is provided through private donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants. Contact us to help with a local program or get a new one started in your area so that we may work together to bring the gift of literacy to every child from birth-5 years old. Partnering together, we can help prepare every child for success in school and in life.

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Watch the full length video by clicking here.

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  • For Parents

    The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children. Read More >>>
     

  • Program Overview

    Our Mission: Strengthening communities by providing quality books and literacy resources for children and their families to use at home during the earliest stages of development. Read More >>>

  • Get Involved

    Approximately 61 percent of low-income families do not have a single piece of reading material suitable for a child. Find out how you can help. Read More >>>
     

Nikki B.

"Let me begin by stating that I cannot thank you enough for the work that you do. As an educator, I have seen firsthand the effects of the program. In the past I would begin a read aloud and ask if any of my students were familiar with the text, and no one would be; however, now they say 'Yes. That's one of my books I got in the mail.'
Thank you again for the work that you do.""
—Nikki B.

Ashley B.

“I am the mother of Heavenleigh. Heavenleigh is 5 months old. She love for me to read the book called Read to Me. When I read this book she just smile and look at me in my eyes. She is really smart for her to be only 5 months.”
—Ashley B.

Rebecca Thomas

“Poverty is one of our greatest barriers to education in Johnson County, and I believe that the Ferst Readers is helping us to lessen the impact of this barrier. In just two years our enrollment in the program has grown to more than 50 preschoolers, and we are seeing steady improvement in the readiness skills of our students entering school.”
—Rebecca Thomas, Johnson County Superintendent of Schools

Christina S

“My son loves the excitement of getting a new book in the mail. I love the suggestions (in the newsletter) of what to ask while reading and ways to involve my son in the reading process. So far, his favorite book is Flying.”
—Christina S.
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Thank you for visiting Ferst Readers!

Ensuring that children develop early literacy skills is one of the most important things we can do - as parents, as teachers - and as a society.

Won't you help us make a difference?

Adopt a reader today!   Make a Donation!