Crash Course in Family Literacy Programs

The material in this slim volume is presented in a dry, unengaging, and somewhat disjointed manner, and the intended audience is unclear. Although the book seeks to address public and/or school librarians and library administrators, it is uncertain whether it succeeds at reaching any of these target audiences effectively. It begins by providing a general definition of literacy, and of family literacy specifically, and a discussion of the socioeconomic and cultural variables to development, at-risk populations, and barriers to literacy. Subsequent chapters include information about funding sources and the grant-application process; research about family literacy and the importance of reading; national model family literacy initiatives; the planning, publicity, and assessment of family literacy events; parent-child literacy interaction; and bilingual/multicultural family literacy. Samples of family literacy programs, with book titles and related activities, are provided. An appendix includes interviews with a public librarian, a school librarian, a school principal, and a reading specialist regarding family literacy. It is surprising that although the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) initiative, Every Child Ready to Read at Your Library, is briefly mentioned, there is no in-depth discussion of this program, although other national programs not as relevant to public and school libraries are discussed in greater depth. Although references are listed after every chapter, no list of recommended books, websites, and resources is provided. For more comprehensive information on this topic, see Susan B. Neuman and David K. Dickinson's Handbook of Early Literacy Research (Guilford, 2011) and Patricia A. Edwards's Children's Literacy Development: Making It Happen Through School, Family, and Community Involvement (Allyn & Bacon, 2003). For practical information regarding planning effective family literacy programs, see Saroj Nadkarni Ghoting and Pamela Martin-Diaz's Early Literacy Storytimes @ Your Library: Partnering with Caregivers for Success (ALA, 2005) and Kathryn Totten's Family Literacy Storytimes: Readymade Storytimes Suitable for the Whole Family (Neal-Schuman, 2009).—Francesca Burgess, Brooklyn Public Library, NY