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We made the Sports Page!
https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/03/18/larry-rubama-former-mlb-star-ryan-howards-books-are-a-hit-with-local-students/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJHuuJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHcLq6yKQ4lFR_qi850PBkOuZsxrvcRIMc3D1bTBDS_7L4nGFurV29BQZXg_aem_K149gt9GIWDt42ixubxDCQ
Reading Rally Caps All Norfolk Reads Program
The fall All Norfolk Reads program closed with a bang on October 11th as students at W. H. Taylor Elementary School participated in a Reading Rally. Fourth and fifth-grade students excitedly answered comprehension questions about the books they had read using an app...
All District Reads Announces New Executive Director and Elects New Board Officers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9/5/2024 Norfolk, VA — All District Reads (ADR), a Norfolk-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting family literacy, is pleased to announce the appointment of Retired U.S. Navy Captain Mike Dillender as its new Executive...
All District Reads receives $5,000 from Sentara Health
Funding supports collaborative partnership with Sentara Health Norfolk, Virginia, January 18, 2024 -- All District Reads, a Norfolk-based nonprofit organization, is pleased to announce a generous contribution of $5,000 from Sentara Health to assist with the All...
All District Reads featured in Boulevard Magazine
All District Reads featured in Boulevard Magazine, Spring Edition 2024. This article highlights ADR’s impactful work in promoting family literacy and showcases the program's impact. An excellent article about our program in Virginia Beach Public Schools and The...
All Northampton Reads brought “The magic of reading back”
Shore Daily News Talks about how All Northampton Reads brought “The magic of reading back…” Northampton County elementary students recently wrapped up a magical month of reading through the All Northampton Reads program. The program culminated in a recorded magic...
A magical end to a reading adventure
Suffolk recently celebrated a heartwarming conclusion to its reading adventure, marking the successful culmination of the "All Suffolk Reads" program. This initiative aimed to engage families in literacy through a shared reading experience, and it culminated in an...
Program provides chapter books to Hampton Roads children
A heartwarming initiative is making waves in the Hampton Roads area, as a new program aims to instill a love for reading among children by providing them with chapter books. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance literacy and foster a passion for...
Interview with Dr. John B. Gordon
All District Reads (ADR) recently made a splash on Coast Live, showcasing its commitment to enhancing literacy and fostering a love for reading among children and families in the region. The segment highlighted ADR’s innovative programs and partnerships designed to...
Suffolk Public Schools launch innovative reading program
Suffolk Public Schools is excited to announce the launch of its innovative family reading program, designed to engage students and families in the joy of reading together. This initiative aims to strengthen literacy skills while fostering a love for books in a...
Click HERE to listen to the Platinum Podcast with Clenise Platt
2023 Launch Event
All District Reads Videos
School Partners Videos
Blogs
Take Me Out to the Ballgame (for Free with a Book)!
Books and baseball—a winning combination. On April 13 and April 27, students who brought a copy of Little Rhino: My New Team to Harbor Park Stadium received free admittance to the Norfolk Tides baseball game. Dozens of area families took advantage of this special offer from the Tides to enjoy a Sunday afternoon at the ballpark.
From the Baseball Diamond to the Bookshelf: Ryan Howard and Krystle Howard Inspire Young Readers with Little Rhino
We are thrilled to share highlights from our recent interview with Ryan Howard, the legendary MLB first baseman, and his wife, Krystle Howard, about their inspiring children’s book series, Little Rhino. During the conversation, Ryan opened up...
We made the Sports Page!
https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/03/18/larry-rubama-former-mlb-star-ryan-howards-books-are-a-hit-with-local-students/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJHuuJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHcLq6yKQ4lFR_qi850PBkOuZsxrvcRIMc3D1bTBDS_7L4nGFurV29BQZXg_aem_K149gt9GIWDt42ixubxDCQ
The Power of Partnership
“Fostering family literacy through developing partnerships between communities and public schools.” Our mission statement sums up what makes the All District Reads model so powerful—it brings together four key elements to support a potent reading experience: Community...
The Magic of Reading Aloud
I think this was a wonderful idea and a great way to help busy families instill a joy for reading. I also love that it was a definite excuse for digital detox! Thank you for all that you do and your joy in teaching my little to read!!!! This excerpt from a letter by a...
Sharing the Gift of Reading This Holiday Season
‘Tis the season—for reading! Here are some ideas for sharing the gift of reading during the holiday season. Ask, “What are you reading?’: At gatherings this holiday season, ask what books your family and friends are reading. This may start some interesting...
Labeling Events Mix Work and Camaraderie
The success of the All District Reads model revolves around community involvement and volunteerism. A prime example involves the labeling events that take place prior to program launches. At these events, volunteers place hundreds—or even thousands—of labels in copies...
Research Supports the Value of Reading Aloud and Reading for Pleasure
All District Reads is built upon the belief that encouraging families to read aloud together can enhance family engagement with schools, support children’s language and comprehension skills, and help children develop a love of reading. Specifically, ADR’s programs are...
Volunteering for ADR: A Win-Win Experience
All District Reads is built upon the belief that encouraging families to read aloud together can enhance family engagement with schools, support children’s language and comprehension skills, and help children develop a love of reading. Specifically, ADR’s programs are...
All District Reads Update
This new blog from All District Reads will provide regular program updates and features about our work. This article spotlights a wrap-up of our spring programs, a look ahead to fall, and recent media coverage of All District Reads. Spring Wrap-Up and Fall Preview“I...
Newsletter
January 2026 Newsletter
We owe you an update—and a sincere thank you. Over the past six months, All District Reads has been doing some deep work. Not the kind that shows up quickly in newsletters, but the kind that requires listening, rethinking, and rebuilding so that what we offer truly...
June 2025 Newsletter
Book Talk on the Bus “Fostering family through developing partnerships between communities and public schools.” That’s the mission statement for All District Reads. But it’s the stories that result from these partnerships that truly reflect the power of district-wide...
May 2025 Newsletter
Take Me Out to the Ballgame (for Free with a Book)! Books and baseball—a winning combination. On April 13th and April 27th , students who brought a copy of Little Rhino: My New Team to Harbor Park Stadium received free admission to the Norfolk Tides baseball game....
April 2025 Newsletter
It's a Page Turner Spring All District Reads Programs Are a Big "Hit" Our baseball-themed spring reading programs have wound down, and everyone agrees they were a big hit. Indeed, they were more than just a hit—they were a home run, much like the 382 home runs hit by...
March 2025 Newletter
Former Baseball MVP Helps Launch ADR Spring Programs!
Batter up! As baseball season approaches, 31,000 elementary school families across Norfolk Public Schools, Portsmouth Public Schools, and Suffolk Public Schools are swinging for the fences as they all read Little Rhino: My New Team (Scholastic, 2015), part of a series written by 2006 Major League Baseball MVP Ryan Howard and his wife, Krystle Howard, a former elementary school educator.
February 2025 Newsletter
Three Districts, One Book At All District Reads, we often talk about the powerful sense of community built around reading when elementary families across an entire school division read and discuss the same book at the same time. Now imagine that power multiplied by...
January 2025 Newsletter
Lots to Look Forward to! All District Reads had a banner year in 2024! We anticipate even bigger accomplishments in 2025. In the works: Plans to make ADR even more integral in participating school divisions. Videos demonstrating the impact of our program. A book...
December 2024 Newsletter
Warm holiday wishes from All District Reads! May this season bring joy, peace, and the gift of stories shared with loved ones. Thank you for supporting literacy and community connections—here's to a bright and book-filled 2025! What a Year for All District Reads! In...
November 2024 Newsletter
All the Latest All District Reads News More than 20,000 families in Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, and Northampton have shared the joy of reading this fall together through the All District Reads program. Some programs have concluded, others are still underway....
October 2024 Newsletter
All the Latest All District Reads News A Reading Rally in Norfolk, more fall labeling events, book launches, and more. Read on to see how All District Reads programs continue to “light literacy fires” among families across southeastern Virginia.Fall ADR Updates...
September 2024 Newsletter
A Page Turner! Bringing You All of the All District Reads News Fall program launches, a new Executive Director and Board leaders, Suffolk students will receive their 5th book, labeling events, and more. All District Reads is on a roll! Read on to find out more about...
August Newsletter
Introducing the All District Reads Newsletter Welcome to All District Read’s new monthly newsletter! The newsletter summarizes how ADR’s programs are bringing the gift of family reading to elementary students across southeastern Virginia. We hope you will enjoy the...
Testimonials
Since instituting Hampton Reads One Book (HROB), Hampton City Schools has seen positive outcomes in all our 24 elementary schools with an increase in reading achievement, family involvement, and community engagement. This dynamic reading event is fostering a community wide “uplift” of literacy. Our PreK-grade 5 students’ families are able to experience the enjoyment of a great book together, as they read the same chapter aloud daily in their homes. The Hampton community has also embraced HROB, creating a true community book club. Old Point National Bank has graciously sponsored HROB since the inception of the book club, helping put books in the hands of our students and growing their home libraries. Community members throughout our great city have taken the time to read chapters aloud to our students. Our very own Hampton Police Division even provided a copy of the book and the book club schedule to each officer in their department which allowed an officer to engage with a few students while patrolling the city. One of the children in the group saw a copy of the HROB book on the officer’s front seat and immediately began discussing the book. The officer asked the boys about their favorite part of the book and even quickly created some trivia questions for the students. This one example is a true testament of our community engagement and how HROB is creating a love of reading and showing our students that everyone reads. We look forward to continuing HROB as our community book club will certainly impact student and family literacy for years to come and establish literacy as a core value in our city.
“Toast to the schools for making the project so exciting for the kids… That excitement continued onto their families, then on to their coworkers and friends.”
“Toast to the Dad who read the Wishtree to his young daughter while they waited for the Sing for the Soup Kitchen concert to start. What a great example of the purpose for this project!”
“Dear Bentonville School Family,
Thank you so much for providing our elementary students with the All Bentonville Reads Program. The program is a fantastic way to encourage the love of reading. My first grade daughter enjoyed reading Charlotte’s Web with me. On Tuesday night, Alyssa, my daughter, said to me, “I love reading Charlotte’s Web!” She looked forward to the daily trivia questions during morning announcements at school. My whole family appreciated the wonderful Celebration at Crystal Bridges. As a parent and teacher, I believe that the All Bentonville Reads Program is a fantastic way to combine the love of reading with community involvement. Thank you so much! You did an awesome job!
“My favourite part of Wish Tree was when all of the Grade Oners got to go outside and tie ribbons on the tree. It was super fun!”
I have experienced first-hand the difference it makes for a student when a community is able to focus on literacy for an entire week(s) by reading the same book.
“Our families absolutely love it,” Cedo says. “If we ever stopped doing the program, there would be real push back from the community.”