Reach Out and Read is a nonprofit organization that strengthens families with young children through guidance from medical clinicians about nurturing relationships through shared reading. Working to create a world where every child has the relationships and resources to learn and thrive, the organization integrates books and reading into pediatric care.
In partnership with clinicians, Reach Out and Read leverages the well-child visit to support caregivers in fostering early literacy and healthy relationships with infants and young children. The only literacy model endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, it annually serves 4.8 million children across every U.S. state.
Founded in 1989, the organization has grown from a single hospital program to a national network of over 6,800 program sites, distributing nearly 9 million books each year. Its mission is to give young children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together.
