ALSC and LEGO® DUPLO® team up to create the Read! Build! Play! 2013 Summer Reading List for children 5 and under

CHICAGO — The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has teamed up with LEGO® DUPLO® to expand the Read! Build! Play initiative by creating the LEGO® DUPLO® Read! Build! Play! 2013 Summer Reading List. This reading list features recommended titles that inspire play for children age 5 and under and is free to download.

To accompany the Read! Build! Play! 2013 Summer Reading List, LEGO® DUPLO® has created a free downloadable parent activity guide. This guide includes inspirational building instructions matched with each book for children and their caregivers.

In 2012 ALSC released The Importance of Play, Particularly Constructive Play, in Public Library Programming white paper. This white paper discusses the role of play in encouraging healthy brain development while fostering exploration skills, language skills, social skills, physical skills and creativity.

“Through play, young children learn about their world. With this knowledge, they can understand books and stories once they begin to read,” said Starr Latronica, ALSC’s vice president/president-elect. “Our member librarians are often asked by parents for age-appropriate book recommendations and tips to develop early literacy skills. By extending our successful partnership with LEGO DUPLO on the Read! Build! Play! initiative, we can offer new ways to engage children to develop even more readers.”

Titles were selected, compiled and annotated by members of the ALSC Early Childhood Programs and Services Committee. The full list and activity guide can be found at http://readbuildplay.com.

About ALSC

ALSC is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,000 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC, visit their website at www.ala.org/alsc.

About LEGO®

LEGO Systems, Inc. is the North American division of The LEGO Group, a privately-held, family-owned company based in Billund, Denmark, one of the world's leading manufacturers of creatively educational play materials for children. The company is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities, and its employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen: "Only the best is good enough." Visit www.LEGO.com.