Read and Grow

Our new Read and Grow wall, painted by former teen aide
and local artist, Bella Cain.

We made some updates to this program when we moved the youth services department upstairs in 2025. It's completely self-run and I don't attach any age limits to it. I generally describe it as a program for kids who are still listeners and patrons are welcome to repeat when they get to the end. It was inspired by the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program.

We attached brochure holders to the wall (other side of the sunflowers) which have folders, extra reading logs, and a small basket with blank caterpillars and strips of stickers. I purchase the folders in bulk from Walmart during back to school season. The "caterpillars" are unfinished wood discs with two holes (purchased from Amazon) and Twisteez wire. Each folder includes instructions, four sheets of reading instructions, two logs, and a strip of smiley-face stickers.

Sample caterpillars on the wall

Link to folder contents on Canva

Prizes

• Colored wooden beads are added to the caterpillar for each two logs completed (which I have just realized isn't actually explained anywhere... oh well, most people have figured it out.)
• Read and Grow plant kit - small clay pot with the Read and Grow logo on it (Cricut stickers) and a pack of seeds.
• Rubber ducky
• Finger puppet set
• Reading bag (sewn by a library patron)
• Reading buddy (I sewed these myself - and I need to make more soon.)
• Free book (donations and Book Depot) and a 3-D butterfly finger puppet, created on the Cricut.

I am very casual about "keeping track" and I don't care if caregivers don't write down the books, use 50 stickers instead of 5, or do the program twice.

You are welcome to borrow and adapt our materials, but please remove the  graphics as they were purchased and are copyright (purchased as part of an iRead program - the artist is Yuyi Morales). For the Cricut files Jessica used to cut the lettering, email her at jdowling@elkhorn.lib.wi.us.