*We’re teaming up with Barnes & Noble to tell you about their fun, free summer storytime programs.

One of the most valuable gifts you can give your child is the gift of literacy.

Literacy includes listening, speaking, reading, and writing and is the doorway to the world. It begins in the womb, as a growing infant hears his mother’s voice and the sounds of the world outside. Literacy continues from birth as a baby hears birds outside, laughter of siblings as they run around, and words and stories from books.

Never discredit the importance of exposing babies and children to books.

Pre-Literacy and the Fun Summer Storytime at Barnes & Noble

Reading to your child, at any age, is never a wasted breath. Babies especially benefit from being read to as it rocket boosts learning. The sounds of words, the inflection in your voice, and the colorful illustrations of a book provide your baby with sensory experiences that are critical to development.

You can expose your child to fun early literacy opportunities at Barnes & Noble this summer!

Saturday Storytime

When: Every Saturday at 11am

Where: Your nearest Barnes & Noble

What: Entertaining storytime and activities geared toward kids 2-5 years old that follow a fun, age-appropriate theme. Free.

Baby & Me Storytime

When: Sundays at 11am, starting June 2nd through August 25th

Where: Your nearest Barnes & Noble

What: A fun, free Baby & Me Storytime for parents and babies ages 0-24 months old.

Baby & Me Storytime is so much fun! It’s an interactive learning experience for babies to get hands-on with books and gain those pre-literacy skills.

Each month focuses on a popular board book series like Alpha Prints, Busy Bee Board Books, and STEM-based board books from Chris Ferrie.

Free Baby & Me Storytime Schedule

Make Barnes & Noble Storytime part of your summer fun. The best part…it’s free! Check out the Baby & Me schedule and mark it on your smart calendar:

June 2-16: Alphaprints: Colors, Sea Life, and Animal Opposites. Invite your little one to see, touch, and feel.
June 23-July 7: Hello, World! (Dinosaurs, Solar System, My Body). Activities to help build language skills. Simple card-matching games with early words and images.
July 14-August 4: Busy Bee book series with thinking skills and sensory activities.
August 11-25: ABCs of Engineering, Space, and Biology. STEM Sundays with Chris Ferrie.

Reading to children is more influential than we can possibly understand. Give your child a head start in literacy. Give them unique sensory experiences and language opportunities that will become the foundation of their learning and growth. Help your child become friends with books.