Page Ahead

continue to read at grade level throughout her academic career. A child who succeeds in school will remain there, earning a chance at a better job and a better life in the years ahead. A child who lacks early exposure to reading often suffers from low self-esteem, struggles academically, and is at higher risk for substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and delinquency. Children with literacy problems typically come from low-income families, have no books at home, and have caregivers who are not aware of the importance of reading to their children. Yet studies have proven, beyond dispute, that access to age-appropriate books and reading aloud to children are essential to developing language and reading skills. Page Ahead was founded in 1990 as "Books for Kids" by individuals from the Seattle Chamber of Commerce's "Leadership Tomorrow" program. This team of volunteers developed the concept and raised money to hire a coordinator to operate the program. Books for Kids established its own office in October, 1994. The name was changed to Page Ahead in 2001. Since 1990 Page Ahead has placed over 4 million new books into the hands of more than 950,000 at-risk children through collaborations with schools, social service agencies, preschools, and early childhood centers across Washington State. Our Mission Statement

Guided by the fact that literacy is essential to lifelong success, Page Ahead provides new books and develops reading activities that empower at-risk children.