New PLA booklet expands literacy efforts for young children

Contact: Louisa Worthington

PLA, Marketing and Communications Manager

312-280-5024

For Immediate Release

March 26, 2007

New PLA booklet expands literacy efforts for young children

CHICAGO –“Nursery Rhymes, Songs & Fingerplays,” a collection of more than 80 of the best rhyming verses for children, including classics as well as lesser-known rhymes, now is available for purchase at the ALA Online Store (www.alastore.ala.org). “Nursery Rhymes, Songs & Fingerplays” is brought to you by the Public Library Association (PLA), in partnership with the West Bloomfield Township (Mich.) Public Library, which originally produced the booklet as part of its Grow Up Reading™ initiative.

Young children who hear rhymes develop phonological awareness, the ability to hear the different sounds in words, an important pre-reading skill. Librarians are in a unique position to help parents and caregivers understand the importance of reading rhyming books and playing with rhyming words. Librarians can encourage parents to read nursery rhymes to their preschool children by sending them home with a copy of “Nursery Rhymes, Songs & Fingerplays,” a colorful, 20-page booklet.

“Nursery Rhymes, Songs & Fingerplays,” along with other PLA publications, also may be ordered by calling 1-866-Shop ALA (1-866-746-7252). For more information on PLA Publications, contact the PLA office at 800-545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or visit PLA’s Web site at www.pla.org.

PLA is a division of the American Library Association. PLA’s core purpose is to strengthen public libraries and their contribution to the communities they serve. Its mission is to enhance the development and effectiveness of public library staff and public library services.