September Is for Stories
Celebrate National Literacy Month with library programs and great books.
September is National Literacy Month, but every month is a great time to celebrate reading and help young children build lifelong literacy skills.
Discover activities at Tulsa City-County Library along with book recommendations that encourage readers of all ages—especially children who are just beginning their reading journey.
No conversation about early literacy would be complete without Tulsa City-County Library’s Build A Reader Storytimes. We host one almost every day of the week—even Saturdays! You can find them online or in our monthly event guides printed at every location. Our Build A Reader Storytimes are designed with five activities in mind, which are based on extensive early literacy research: Talk, Sing, Read, Write, Play. Together, these activities help build oral language, print awareness, phonological awareness and other foundational literacy skills. Attending our storytimes and engaging in those five activities every day will Build A Reader.
Looking beyond Oklahoma, the Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy (CLEL) Bell Awards recognize outstanding children’s books that support early literacy development for ages 0 to 5. The awards focus on the five literacy activities mentioned above. Here are a few of my favorites from past and current CLEL Bell Awards lists:
TALK:
How to Say Hello to a Worm: A First Guide to Outside by Kari Percival
The beautiful simplicity of a garden is depicted through digital woodcut illustrations and engaging nonfiction text presented as a series of sweet questions and gentle replies. Less of a traditional how-to and more of a how-to-appreciate, this soothingly sparse text paints an inviting and accessible picture of what a garden offers. And with an all-child cast, the absence of an adult presence empowers readers to view the garden and its creatures through their own eyes, driven by curiosity and wonder.
SING:
E-I-UFO by Zach von Zonk
Get ready to sing and laugh along with this intergalactic twist on the classic children’s song Old MacDonald Had a Farm in a rollicking picture book from author Zach von Zonk and beloved illustrator Benjamin Chaud. Old MacDonald had a farm—that is, until an alien spirits his animals away in a UFO. Now, Old MacMartian has a farm—in space—and young readers will delight in the out-of-this-world hijinks that result when cows, pigs, sheep and more create chaos in his spaceship.
READ:
When You Love a Book by Kaz Windness
An ode to childhood classics that celebrates the companionship books offer throughout all stages of life.
WRITE:
Don’t Draw in This Book! by Bill Cotter
Larry has a new sketchbook—a magical one—where readers “draw” using their finger to trace shapes. Tracing each shape makes something new happen on the next page! But you never know what’s going to happen… This touch-and-trace interactive story is a fun way to send Larry on a wild adventure, all in the silly, exuberant style that’s Bill Cotter’s trademark.
PLAY:
Ahoy! by Sophie Blackall
Join a child captain and a parent first mate as they embark on a wild high-seas adventure—all without leaving the living room! This imaginative romp of a picture book is filled with glorious illustrations from a beloved Caldecott Medalist and New York Times bestselling creator. Blackall was also the Tulsa City-County Library’s 2024 Books to Treasure honored illustrator.
Keep Reading Going at Home
Looking for simple ways to build literacy every day? Try these ideas:
- Pick up a free early literacy calendar. Tulsa City-County Library offers bilingual (English/Spanish) calendars each month, filled with easy, low-cost daily activities for families. Find a digital copy on the TCCL website or pick up a printed calendar at any library location.
- Read together every day. Even 15 minutes of reading aloud can make a big difference.
- Start a family book club. Let family members take turns choosing a book to read together.
- Bring stories to life. Extend the fun with crafts, cooking projects, dress-up or other activities inspired by the book.
- Model a love of reading. Let your child see you reading for enjoyment—they’ll be more likely to become lifelong readers themselves.
Kristina Acosta is the Children’s Services Coordinator for Tulsa City-County Library. She previously worked in education as an English teacher and was a youth librarian for 10 years.
