Reach Out and Read-Alabama clinicians write a prescription for
summer reading

Reach Out and Read-Alabama hosts an annual summer campaign to encourage families to read together with a chosen book as inspiration. Copies of the book are distributed by pediatric healthcare providers statewide throughout the summer months.

Over 17 summers, the Rx for Summer Reading has evolved into a beloved tradition for families and providers alike. This initiative has showcased an array of cherished characters and stories, such as a hungry caterpillar, dancing barnyard animals, a big red dog caught in a storm, a bunny visiting the doctor, a superhero kid, a sleepy tiger, a cat in sunglasses, a cookie-loving mouse, a curious monkey, and some playful children. Each book is chosen on the basis of “finding the right book at the right time” with a focus on what is happening in the world around us, not only helping families strengthen their connections but also fostering the empathy and resilience that children will carry throughout their lives.

The Rx for Summer Reading campaign was initiated 17 years ago as a component of the national Reach Out and Read initiative, known as the Summer of a Million Books. Our first campaign featured the beloved classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar. In that inaugural year, 32 program sites organized engaging events and distributed more than 3,000 books to families across the state. This event proved to be a remarkable success for the families we serve, and our program sites have continued to uphold this cherished campaign each summer since then.