The Solution - StoryBook Ottawa

Books at Home

Children are more likely to improve their reading skills if they choose their own books and have books at home.

However, low-income families often cannot afford to buy books for their children.

The number of books in the home is one of the greatest indicators of a child’s success, both academically and in life.

Research shows that having as few as 20 books in the home has a significant impact on a child’s ability to reach a higher level of education.

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Children Who Own Books

Studies show that children who own their own books compared to those who do not:

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How StoryBook Ottawa Helps

StoryBook Ottawa partners with elementary schools in low-income Ottawa neighbourhoods to give children their very own book.

We select four different books for each grade in the school which will appeal to either boys, girls, or both. The selections are made with input from the school.

We create a book selection sheet for each grade. The sheets contain a picture of each book and a place for the child to make their selection.

We purchase the books from local booksellers.

Inside each book we place a sticker for the child to write their name, indicating that “This Book Belongs to…”.

Each book is placed in a gift bag and the books are distributed by the school.

Many of the books we purchase have won children’s book awards, such as the Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal, the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, the Prix jeunesse des libraires du Québec, and the Governor General’s Literary Award.

Children always receive a new book that they can keep and treasure.