Programs | The Reading Connection

"One of the best small charities in the Washington, D.C. region"

Catalogue for Philanthropy

Our programs give away books and make reading fun

Statistics tell us that time spent listening to books being read aloud and the presence of books in the home are the two greatest multipliers of academic success for impoverished children.

Because food, shelter and medicine necessarily come before books and reading for impoverished families, TRC steps in with book give-aways, volunteer readers and workshops that show parents how to make reading a part of their family routine.

Four programs offer a continuum of service from the time families enter sheltered housing until they move to homes of their own.

The Read-Aloud Program
The Book Club
Reading Families Workshops
Literacy Advocates Trainings

Inside TRC

1-day Giving Campaign Supports TRC's Alexandria Programs

Mark your calendar for April 17. On April 17, go to TRC's Razoo page, make a donation of $10 or more, and help TRC win participation prizes! Especially, but not exclusively, for residents of Alexandria.

TRC Top 10 Read-Aloud Books

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What makes a great Read-Aloud book? Large, colorful illustrations, memorable characters, writing that begs to be heard, that's meant to be whispered, bellowed, sung, rhymed, repeated. Here are some tried and true picture books that kids will love!

1. Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain by Verna Aardema
2. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
3. The Owl and the Pussy Cat, by Edward Lear, illustrated by Jan Brett
4. Click, Clack, Moo by Doreen Cronin
5. Llama, Llama, Red Pajama by Anne Dewdney
6. Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox
7. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
8. Dog and Bear by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
9. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
10. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems