Better with Books

An organization designed to put books in the homes of Madison County children.

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Better with Books is designed to get books in the homes of every child in Madison County and promote shared book-reading early in every child’s life. Research shows reading to children beginning in early infancy can have lasting effects on their language and literacy, boosting vocabulary and foundational reading skills years later when they enter kindergarten.

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Better with Books is the local affiliate for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) of Madison County. With the support of local individuals and community sponsors, Better with Books partners with The Dollywood Foundation to mail free monthly books to children ages 0 to 5 in Madison County.

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Each affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has a local champion. Better with Books is proud to have Baptist Health Richmond as its champion.

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You can never get enough books into the hands of enough children.

-Dolly Parton

What Parents Need To Know

Read to Your Child Daily

Reading to children is powerful! Children who are read to tend to have larger vocabularies and more knowledge about the world. Listen to these podcasts to learn more about why Knowledge Matters for reading success!

Link: https://knowledgematterscampaign.org/podcast/

Why Early Literacy Matters

According to Little by Little School Readiness Program, “Research tells us that the first three years of life are critical for a child’s brain development. By age 2, a child’s brain is as active as an adult brain and by age 3, a child’s brain is twice as active as an adult brain. If a child is not stimulated during this critical period, learning is much more difficult and less successful for that child, even in a learning enriched environment.” 

Link: https://lblreaders.org/why-early-literacy-matters/?fbclid=IwAR1U56Ck7n3V3UPU1mPLRJqQKtYHeXlEGIxEfqSQWQlUtTfey9ASyAlRi1I

At-Home Literacy Activities

The Kentucky Department of Education has developed a Read at Home Plan Family Guide. Beginning on page 6, you will find tips for reading at home and activities to support your child’s literacy development. These are easy, purposeful activities you and your child can enjoy together now, and your child will reap the benefits for years to come!

Link: https://education.ky.gov/curriculum/conpro/engla/Documents/Read_At_Home_Plan_Family_Guide.pdf

Meet Our Board

Whitney Hamilton

Executive Director

Emily Brumley

Speech Language Pathologist

Sean Hamilton

Eastern Kentucky University

Kevin Presnell

Principal, Boonesborough Elementary

Rhonda Orttenburger

Retired National Board Certified Elementary Teacher

Emily Schneider

K-12 Parent / Community Representative