Children's Librarians Introduce a Summer Reading List Built for Little Ones

ENFIELD, Conn., May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- To help parents lay the foundation for early literacy, the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), the world's largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children and esteemed administers of the Newbery and Caldecott book awards, has created the first LEGO® DUPLO® Read! Build! Play! 2013 Summer Reading List. Featuring distinguished stories that are widely available at local libraries, the list has five books for children ages 1-3 and five books for children 3-5 years of age. The comprehensive list and a free downloadable parent activity guide can be found at www.readbuildplay.com. 

Adding playful interactions to story time gets kids excited about reading

Based on the most recent early literacy research, ALSC encourages parents and caregivers to engage in five simple activities of reading, singing, talking, writing and playing with their children to support their child's early literacy skills. Additionally, a recently released ALSC white paper, "The Importance of Play," shows how play encourages healthy brain development while fostering exploration skills, language skills, social skills, physical skills and creativity. 

"Through play, young children learn about their world. With this knowledge, they can understand books and stories once they begin to read," said Starr Latronica, Vice President/President-Elect of the Association for Library Service to Children. "Our member librarians are often asked by parents for age-appropriate book recommendations and tips to develop early literacy skills. By extending our successful partnership with LEGO DUPLO on the Read! Build! Play! initiative, we can offer new ways to engage children to develop even more readers."

10 Stories to Light Up Their Imagination

Created specifically for young children, each book was hand-selected by ALSC's Early Childhood Programs and Services committee for its age-appropriate content, engaging story, ability to inspire interactivity and creative play, and widespread availability at local libraries. The reading list consists of 10 books and is divided into two sections: five books for children ages 1-3 and five books for children 3-5 years of age. Inspirational LEGO DUPLO building instructions and activity suggestions are paired with each book offering creative suggestions for children to build along with the story.

• "Big Box for Ben" by Deborah Bruss (Star Bright Books, 2011)
• "The Construction Crew" by Lynn Meltzer (Henry Holt and Co, 2011)
• "Dig In!" by April Jones Prince (Abrams Appleseed, 2013) 
• "King Jack and the Dragon" by Peter Bently (Dial, 2013)
• "Meeow and the Pots and Pans" by Sebastian Braun (Boxer Books, 2012)
• "Doors in the Air" by David Weale (Orca Book Publishers, 2012)
• "Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building" by Christy Hale (Lee & Low Books, 2012)
• "Fly Blanky Fly" by Anne Margaret Lewis (HarperCollins, 2012)        
• "Isabella: Star of the Story" by Jennifer Fosberry (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2013)
• "Press Here" by Herve Tullet (Chronicle Books, 2011)

Hundreds of libraries across the country run ongoing LEGO DUPLO Read! Build! Play! programs; check with your local library for more information about story time schedules.

"For years we have seen how LEGO play naturally encourages children's storytelling abilities as they express their imaginations through building and explain their creations to parents and others," said Michael McNally, brand relations director for LEGO Systems. "By directly connecting LEGO building activities with these esteemed books selected by ALSC, we can encourage children to develop an early love of reading, foster early literacy skills and build a strong foundation for future learning."

Bricks Are Foundational

Further research indicates that construction play benefits toddlers and preschoolers on multiple dimensions and contributes to every stage of learning. DUPLO Read and Build ($12.99 each) sets blend early reading with construction play, encouraging youngsters to build along as their parents read to them. The series is comprised of three books: "Grow Caterpillar Grow!", "Busy Farm" and "Let's Go! Vroom!", each of which includes DUPLO bricks that can be used to build the main characters and objects in the story. The two new books, "Peek-A-Boo Jungle" and "A Fairy Tale", will be available in fall of 2013.

LEGO Systems, Inc. is the North American division of The LEGO Group, a privately-held, family-owned company based in Billund, Denmark, one of the world's leading manufacturers of creatively educational play materials for children.  The company is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities, and its employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen: "Only the best is good enough."  Visit www.LEGO.com

About ALSC

ALSC is the world's largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,000 children's and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC, visit their website at www.ala.org/alsc.

LEGO, DUPLO, their logos and the minifigure are trademarks of The LEGO Group. ©2013 The LEGO Group.

SOURCE Association for Library Service to Children