Reading Rocket
The Reading Rocket lands at sites all over Clay, Platte, and Jackson counties, delivering quality storytimes and opportunities to help families play, learn, and grow together.
In collaboration with partner organizations and staff from nearby MCPL branches, the team brings library services out of the branch and into the community at large.
The Reading Rocket team works to bring the best parts of the Library experience out of the branch and into the community.
Services include:
- Early Literacy Storytimes for preschools, daycares, afternoon care programs, and other facilities with classes or groups of children
- May be provided in-person or virtually.
- May also provide Storytime Kits, which enable facilities and caregivers to produce their own high-quality storytimes.
- Play & Learns at open, ‘come-and-go’ style functions such as family-focused events, school literacy nights, and resource fairs, often in cooperation with staff from nearby branches
- Encouraging kids and families to engage in many different kinds of valuable play
- Building connections in the community
- Sharing information about early learning, library resources, and more
- Lobby Stops at schools and community programs to provide programming, storytime kits, and introductory library experiences.
Reading Rocket Donors
While generous grants from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and Royals Charities played a major role in the initial outfitting of the Rocket, gifts from individuals and other organizations have gone a long way in supporting the growth of this unique early literacy outreach program.
The Reading Rocket’s Forever Book Fund has made it possible to provide brand new books for many more babies, toddlers, kids, and teens so that they can begin to build the home libraries that are so critical to academic success.
In October 2021, North American Savings Bank made a donation to the Forever Book Fund on behalf of its customers that will help keep the Rocket stocked full of books for children throughout the coming year.
To learn more about how you can support the Reading Rocket and other initiatives at Mid-Continent Public Library, visit mymcpl.org/donate.
Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award Books
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The Pigeon Has to Go to School!
The Pigeon Has to Go to School!
I Can Only Draw Worms
I Can Only Draw Worms
Bad Dog
Bad Dog
The Pigeon Wants A Puppy!
The Pigeon Wants A Puppy!
The Watermelon Seed
The Watermelon Seed
Crunch, the Shy Dinosaur
Crunch, the Shy Dinosaur
Bear Sees Colors
Bear Sees Colors
The Book Hog
The Book Hog
That Is Not A Good Idea!
That Is Not A Good Idea!
The Rabbit Listened
The Rabbit Listened
I Want A Dog
I Want A Dog
Ragweed's Farm Dog Handbook
Ragweed's Farm Dog Handbook
Rex Wrecks It!
Rex Wrecks It!
What Does An Anteater Eat?
What Does An Anteater Eat?
Buddy and the Bunnies in Don't Play With your Food
Buddy and the Bunnies in Don't Play With your Food
The Duckling Gets A Cookie!?
The Duckling Gets A Cookie!?
