Storytime

Talking, reading, and singing are some of the best ways to help a child’s young mind grow.

You’re Invited to Take 5 and Read to Kids 2022!

Celebrity Readers will be joining us on May 4th and 5th at our Neighborhoods for Learning locations to foster a love for reading! The public is welcome to join us for bilingual storytime, crafts, and more on May 4th from 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm at: Ruben Castro Center, Rio Plaza Elementary, and Sheridan Way Elementary.

Take Five and Read to Kids! is part of First 5 Ventura County’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the importance of reading to young children. Part of what makes this event special is giving every child a bilingual book to build their home library! This isn’t possible without your support. A $50 donation covers books for an entire preschool classroom!

Share the Joy of Books!

Talk, Read, and Sing Every Day!

Can “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” help close the achievement gap? We think so. Every word a child hears impacts brain development and sets the foundation for future reading and literacy skills. By age three, a low-income child has heard roughly 30 million fewer of these words than her more affluent peers. Talking, reading, and singing to young children may be one of the best ways to level the playing field and help every child reach their potential.

Your words have the power to shape their world. 90 percent of brain growth happens before age 5 and it’s early exposure to words that lays a foundation for all that follows. First 5 commissions across the state are joining to bring this message to the forefront with the Talk, Read, Sing Campaign. It’s a simple message with a powerful impact, and it anchors our early literacy work with public libraries, bookstores, funded partners, and families throughout Ventura County.

Free children’s storytimes in your neighborhood

Help your child nurture a love of stories, books, and words by joining one of more than 40 free weekly storytimes at our local public libraries and bookstores. Find storytime locations and times near you.

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Take 5 and Read to Kids! Event

Take 5 minutes to make a difference that lasts a lifetime!

Take 5 and Read to Kids! is part of First 5 Ventura County’s ongoing effort to raise awareness about the importance of reading to young children, share the joy of books, build champions for early literacy, and build a lifetime love of learning.

You’re Invited to Take 5 and Read 2022!
Celebrity Readers will be joining us on May 4th and 5th at our Neighborhoods for Learning locations to foster a love for reading! The public is welcome to join us for storytime, crafts, and more on May 4th from 1:30 – 4:00 pm at: Ruben Castro Center, Rio Plaza Elementary, and Sheridan Way Elementary.

Give the Gift of Literacy!
Donations from the community allow us to provide a book for each child to take home to build their personal library. Make a donation in support of the Take 5 and Read to Kids! event.

Volunteer to Read!
If you would like to volunteer to read to children under 5 in 2023, please contact Lauren Arzu, larzu@first5ventura.org

Read about our 2019 event