NGR in the Media

We’re thrilled to announce that Nebraska Growing Readers (NGR) has been honored with the 2025 Read Aloud Nebraska Award! This recognition celebrates our dedication to promoting healthy, successful children and families through the power of reading together.

At the recent Read Aloud Nebraska biennial conference in Seward, Greta Carlson proudly accepted the award on behalf of NGR. After her inspiring presentation, several librarians shared their excitement to start writing their own books!

The Good Life in Early Life podcast, Season 1, Episode 19, produced by Nebraska Extension Early Childhood Program Area and featuring Wendy Keele of Nebraska Growing Readers. A discussion of how "reading to children and exposing them to literacy at an early age can have positive outcomes such as developing creativity and increasing the chances of graduating high school. Reading to children is also a great way to connect with children and open their eyes to a world of possibilities."

KMTV's coverage of a book launch at Educare Indian Hill

See a video of KMTV's coverage of Nebraska Growing Readers in North Omaha.

The Nebraska Department of Education announced a $2 million commitment to Nebraska Growing Readers, which will distribute books to early childhood centers across the state.

Mary Jo Pankoke is the CEO of the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation which is partnering with the state. She said one of the goals of the program is to address book deserts. The book distribution began at Educare Indian Hill in Omaha, and will expand to 18 other sites statewide.

To read the full article click on the heading above.

Seeking to eliminate “book deserts” in Nebraska, the State Department of Education has directed $2 million toward getting more than a half-million books into households with the youngest Nebraskans.

The Nebraska Growing Readers effort kicked off Monday with a batch of books distributed to Educare of Omaha at Indian Hill, one of 18 urban and rural child care providers and other statewide sites that will help get the books to families.

To read the full article click on the heading above.

"Half a million books will soon find their way into the homes of Nebraska children as part of a new project aimed at boosting early childhood literacy.

The Nebraska Department of Education announced Monday that it's committing $2 million to the Nebraska Growing Readers Initiative, a project that will provide age-appropriate books to preschoolers at 18 locations around the state. The funds are coming from the department's share of federal COVID-19 relief."

To read the full article click on the heading above.