How we work…
At your child’s regular pediatric checkup, Reach Out and Read doctors give free books to children and talk with parents about the benefits of reading books aloud at home.
Parents and caregivers are a child’s first and most important teachers. Reading, singing, playing, and talking with infants and toddlers help strengthen the parent-child relationship and create small moments of joy every day. Reach Out and Read supports parents and caregivers in this important role by encouraging early learning for healthy development.
Reach Out and Read is built on and backed by science.
- Parents are 2.5X more likely to read with their infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
- Families are 2.5X more likely to enjoy reading together or to have books in the home.
- Children’s language development is improved by 3-6 months.
- Implementation of Reach Out and Read increases attendance at well-child visits.
- Clinic culture and clinician well-being is improved.
We’re changing New York.
230 program sites in Greater New York
250,000 children served annually
3-6 mo. advantage in early vocabulary
6 million books for 1 million families since 1999
In the News
- Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky Visits Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care to Highlight Investment in Early Literacy
Elmsford, N.Y. — Reach Out and Read of Greater New York (ROR GNY) welcomed New York State Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky to Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care in Elmsford to meet with… Read more: Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky Visits Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care to Highlight Investment in Early Literacy - ALSC Blog Post by Jessica Lizzio: New Research on the Ecosystem that is Changing Early Literacy in NYC
New Research on the Ecosystem that is Changing Early Literacy in NYC June 7, 2026 I’m sure everyone reading this has had the privilege of experiencing that magical moment when… Read more: ALSC Blog Post by Jessica Lizzio: New Research on the Ecosystem that is Changing Early Literacy in NYC - Reach Out and Read of Greater New York to Present Landmark Early Literacy Research at the 2026 Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting
NEW YORK, NY — April 21, 2026 — Reach Out and Read of Greater New York is proud to announce that the latest research into the population-level impact of integrated… Read more: Reach Out and Read of Greater New York to Present Landmark Early Literacy Research at the 2026 Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting - Reach Out and Read of Greater New York Staff Recognized on the City & State List of 2025 Unsung Heroes
Whenever a candidate for mayor, governor or president is elected for the first time, the conversation quickly turns to who will make up their inner circle – and how qualified… Read more: Reach Out and Read of Greater New York Staff Recognized on the City & State List of 2025 Unsung Heroes - Aaron Judge announces ALL RISE Mini-grant recipients, including Reach Out and Read of Greater New York
by Adjoa AikinsWed, October 22, 2025 at 8:06 PM FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — New York Yankees Captain Aaron Judge and his ALL RISE Foundation have announced the October 2025 Mini-Grant recipients, awarding… Read more: Aaron Judge announces ALL RISE Mini-grant recipients, including Reach Out and Read of Greater New York - Juana Martinez-Neal Will Be Named the Children’s Literacy Author Award Winner at Reach Out & Read of Greater New York Annual Benefit, A Book For Every Child
New York, NY – October 14, 2025 – Reach Out & Read of Greater New York is delighted to announce that internationally acclaimed author and illustrator Juana Martinez-Neal will receive… Read more: Juana Martinez-Neal Will Be Named the Children’s Literacy Author Award Winner at Reach Out & Read of Greater New York Annual Benefit, A Book For Every Child
See what people are saying…
“Studies of Reach Out and Read show that participating parents read more and children’s preschool vocabularies improve when parents read more.”
“It has doctors, actually has doctors distribute books, almost like prescribing reading for children.”
“A large body of research has shown that children who are exposed to books at a young age go on to do better on a wide variety of measures…”
“Dr. Mogilner and thousands of doctors throughout the city take literacy promotion one step further.”