First 5 San Bernardino promotes literacy by giving away thousands of books to children ages 0-5 at Nov. 18 event

Through its Gift a Kid a Book campaign, First 5 San Bernardino (F5SB) is helping parents and caregivers encourage a love of reading and learning in our youngest San Bernardino County residents. The fall campaign launched in October and will run through December, featuring information and resources in both English and Spanish.

Plan now to attend the upcoming Gift a Kid a Book Community Fair held in partnership with the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands on Saturday, Nov.18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event features a “Pop-up Bookstore” for children ages 0-5 to select up to four free books that appeal to them. Additionally, at the family-friendly event, there will be face painting, balloon creations, photos with Potter the Otter, a performance by Twinkle Time and Friends and a puppet show. Admission to the museum is also a complementary courtesy of F5SB during the hours of the event.

See what’s in store for attendees by checking out the highlight reel from F5SB’s first Community Fair, held in the High Desert on October 14 at the Victor Valley Museum.

Children develop much of their capacity for learning during the earliest years since this is the time when the brain undergoes its most dramatic growth, “Ninety percent of a child’s brain develops by age five, so it is crucial for us to educate our community on the role books play in a young child’s life,” explained First 5 San Bernardino Executive Director Karen Scott. “Reading to babies and young children builds the important foundation for language and writing skills that will have a lifelong effect on a child’s ability to learn,” Scott concluded.

Children under five have many milestones, which families often celebrate with toys, treats or clothing. Gift a Kid a Book introduces the idea of gifting a book instead! These milestones could be celebrating the first day of school, becoming a big sister, the first trip to the dentist and, of course, birthdays and the holidays.

The Gift a Kid a Book message is reaching San Bernardino County residents through digital advertising, radio spots, billboards, community events, publicity and social media. The campaign webpage, First5SanBernardino.org/reading, features a list of book recommendations by age, a collection of partner resources, reading activities and downloadable bookmarks in English and Spanish. Visit First5SanBernardino.org/reading or follow us at @First5SanBernardino for more information.

Additional County Update News – November 9, 2023