Read With ME.

Introduction
More than 100 Read With ME. volunteers pack and distribute books for kindergartners across the state each year.

“It is wonderful that this program exists …. Often times parents are so busy that reading with a child is not in the plans. But when the child presents an actual book, and is excited about sharing it, a parent is more apt to do so.” — Fort Fairfield Elementary School

Read With ME. is a statewide Maine Reads program aimed at improving literacy and reading skills among Maine’s students. Read With ME. is made possible by FairPoint Communications and the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein. All of the books and information are provided at no cost to the participating schools and students. FairPoint Technicians, FairPoint Pioneers, and members of the Maine Army National Guard are among the volunteers delivering books to the schools, swelling the program’s volunteer number to almost 100.

Through Read With ME., every kindergartner in the state has the opportunity to receive a book, which includes literacy information including an activities pages and a resource of literacy outreach contacts. An accompanying bookmark developed by the Maine Department of Education and the publisher is also distributed. Schools have been provided with videos (captioned versions available) about reading aloud produced by Maine Public Broadcasting.

Since 2000, Read With ME. has reached more than 19,000 kindergarten students in Maine annually. The Maine Army National Guard and more than 100 volunteers help to deliver the books. All of the books and information are provided at no cost to the schools or students.

If your child’s kindergarten class is not participating in Read With ME., please speak to the school principal and suggest they contact Maine Reads.

Teachers needing additional books should email Read With ME. coordinator Connie Cushing at nidoba@gmail.com stating the quantity needed and the complete mailing address. Please include a contact name.