BOOK HARVEST CELEBRATES FOURTH ANNUAL BOOK BABIES GRADUATION 47 children graduate from the five-year early literacy program
Durham, NC, June 1, 2021 – On May 29, 2021, Book Harvest held its fourth-annual Book Babies graduation celebration. The Book Babies Class of 2021 was the program’s largest class yet, with 47 graduates from Durham County.
Prior to the virtual celebration, Book Harvest staff and volunteers drove to the homes of the graduates and hand-delivered graduation boxes each containing a diploma, books, learning activities, and art supplies. Graduates donned caps and gowns for this very special delivery.
Special guest, Governor Roy Cooper, kicked off the virtual celebration, delivering a hearty message of congratulations for the Book Babies Class of 2021 and their families. “I have no doubt our graduates are ready to take on the world,” shared Governor Cooper, adding that “by being a part of Book Babies and the Book Harvest family, you’re helping to build a brighter future.”
Book Harvest’s Associate Director for Early Literacy, Meytal Barak, also delivered a commencement speech: “When we met, you were a baby, surrounded by so much love. And we were invited to meet you and discover the magic of language and conversation, imagination and infinite worlds of books together.” Both messages of congratulations, along with scenes from the special day, can be viewed, here.
Launched in 2013, Book Babies partners with families of Medicaid-eligible newborns to develop their child’s early language and literacy skills over five years. Employing an evidence-informed curriculum, Book Babies Literacy Coaches build rich collaborative relationships with participating families and provide them with new, age-appropriate books during quarterly literacy coaching sessions; in addition to 100 books by kindergarten, they give parents the information and resources they need to develop a strong foundation for their children’s school readiness and school success.
Book Babies is enrolling newborns year-round; residents of Durham County can apply at www.bookharvest.org/book-babies.
About Book Harvest:
Book Harvest provides an abundance of books and ongoing literacy support to families and their children from birth and serves as a model for communities committed to ensuring that children are lifelong readers and learners. Since 2011, children in central North Carolina and beyond have harvested 1.5 million Book Harvest books, building home libraries. Learn more at www.bookharvest.org.
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