We may be in the dog days of summer here in Philadelphia, but did you know that you can actually read to a dog—at the library?! Check out our PAWS Read to a Dog program at various Free Library locations, where children can improve their reading and communication skills in a fun, non-judgmental environment by reading with a trained therapy dog.

You can also celebrate summer with this fun-filled song that you can sing-along with your little ones that sums up all the great things about summertime!

This month's Early Literacy calendar and links, compiled by Free Library of Philadelphia's children's librarians, is once again full of great suggestions that parents and caregivers can engage in with their children to help nurture and develop the five necessary Early Literacy skills of Reading, Writing, Talking, Singing, and Playing.

Download Early Literacy Calendar for August 2016 »

Stop in at your local neighborhood library and ask a children's librarian for more tips and suggestions on Early Literacy; we're always here to help!