Read With a Child
When you read with a child for 20 minutes every day, it promotes healthy brain development, strengthens bonds and nurtures language, literacy and other school readiness skills.
You Can Make a Difference!
Every child deserves the chance to grow up loving books and believing in themselves. The Children’s Reading Foundation of Greater Chicago works with families, educators, and community partners to make early literacy a priority—especially where it matters most. Whether you read, volunteer, or give, your support helps open doors for young readers across our region.
Reading Research
Decades of research clearly demonstrates the power of reading with a child every day. Learn more about the lifelong benefits of reading.
Take the Pledge
Pledge to read with a child for 20 minutes every day. This daily routine helps children reach their full potential in school and in life.
How You Can Help
Your support helps put books in children’s hands and makes reading part of everyday family life across our communities.
Our Programs & Services
Our vision is to ensure every child learns to read early and well, thereby reaching his or her full potential in school and in life. We do this important work by offering programs and services like READY! for Kindergarten and READ Up that engage families, schools and community members in supporting children’s literacy and early learning.
Read With Your Child Long Before They Begin School.
Reading together from an early age helps children build language skills, curiosity, and confidence—well before they ever step into a classroom. These early moments lay the foundation for learning, relationships, and a lifelong love of books.
