Cleveland Public Library Offers Reading Programs for Families to Nurture a Love of Reading

 I’ve learned from traveling the world and becoming an author. I hope that the breadth of my experience will inspire others to never give up and go full force in the direction of their dreams

Echo Brown

Cleveland Public Library is celebrating the love of literacy and discovery.

In partnership with the Case Western Reserve University Schubert Center for Child Studies, we will host a virtual conversation with Cleveland native and author Echo Brown on Thursday, April 8 at 1 p.m. The discussion is part of the 2021 Cleveland Humanities Festival. This year’s festival theme, Identity, will address how we identify ourselves and why it matters. 

Brown, who wrote critically-acclaimed Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard, will share what motivates her and the experiences that shape her books. She will also raise awareness about the need for more people of color to become organ donors. Brown is currently battling kidney disease and working on her second book, which will be published by the Hachette Book Group. “I am so honored and humbled to return to Cleveland to share everything I’ve learned from traveling the world and becoming an author. I hope that the breadth of my experience will inspire others to never give up and go full force in the direction of their dreams,” said Brown

Registration is required for the Echo Brown conversation. Visit echobrown.com to learn more about the author and her work.

Other literacy programs at Cleveland Public Library for children, teens, and families:

Children can explore empowerment, identity, and self-expression through a four-part series of interactive, online art classes with The Art Therapy Studio. Registered participants will receive FREE supply kits at our neighborhood branches.

CLASS DESCRIPTION	DAY & DATE	TIME	GRADE
Puppet Power!	Mondays, March 1 – 29	6 p.m. – 7 p.m.	Kindergarten – 5
Puppet Power!	Wednesdays, March 3 – 31	6 p.m. – 7 p.m.	6 – 8
Art of Words	Mondays, April 5 – 26	6 p.m. – 7 p.m.	Kindergarten -3
Art of Words	Wednesdays, April 7 – 28	6 p.m. – 7 p.m.	4 – 8
Sowing Seeds	Mondays, May 3 – 24	6 p.m. – 7 p.m.	Kindergarten – 3
Sowing Seeds	Wednesdays, May 5 – 26	6 p.m. – 7 p.m.	4 – 8

For more information about Art Therapy, contact Outreach & Programming Services at (216) 623-2921 or ops@cpl.org. 

READ TO THE BEAT

Groove to music and words every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. In partnership with The Music Settlement, Read to the Beat introduces young readers to books and storytelling through musical instruments, singing, listening, and movement. Read to the Beat is offered LIVE on the Cleveland Public Library Facebook page.

STORYTIME

Our staff, community partners, and local celebrities recorded classic children’s stories for families to enjoy. Virtual Storytime can be viewed on cpl.org or our YouTube channel.

No computer? No problem! Dial-a-story is available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Call (216) 777-6500 to hear a recording of children’s stories and jokes.

KINDERGARTEN READINESS

 You’re never too young to start reading. Young Scholars Academy prepares children ages 3-6 and their families for Kindergarten. The yearlong program will teach young learners about caring and sharing, counting, alphabets, and more. For more information on the Young Scholars Academy, visit here.

SAVE THE DATE!

Spend summer with CPL’s Summer Lit League, June 7 – July 31. Children of all ages can get reading and get prizes with this annual summer reading initiative.

Cleveland Public Library in-person browsing is available at most locations Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. To order your next read, movie, or audiobook by mail, visit cpl.org to learn about our Homebound Service and Words on Wheels program.