Read With Friends encourages the love of reading through read alouds and related hands-on activities. Shared reading develops children’s language, knowledge of print features, and understanding of the world around them. Featured books include both fiction and nonfiction and bring the best of children’s literature to kids in the Tampa Bay region.
Interested in hosting a Read With Friends? Contact our Education Team.
A New Kind of Wild
When Ren moves to the city, he misses the nature that was outside his door back home. Until his new friend Ava makes the city feel special too – and just like home. Hands-on fun includes WHAT? Kids can extend the discovery fun at home with PBS KIDS Nature Cat
I Am Jim Henson
From the "Ordinary People Change the World" series
This book from the series that inspired PBS KIDS Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum shares the life story of the visionary puppeteer Jim Henson. We also share a video tour of the Henson archives, where an archivist shares Henson’s love of monsters! Kids are inspired to create their own hand-puppet monster to take home for storytelling and play.
Jayden's Impossible Garden
With the help of a friendly neighbor, Jayden plants a city garden and shows his mom that nature is everywhere! Hands-on fun includes planting seeds to take home for window-sill nurturing. Nature inspired episodes from PBS KIDS Elinor Wonders Why completes the experience.
Waiting for Wings
This colorful picturebook by noted children’s author Lois Ehlert, Caldecott Honor winner and illustrator of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, celebrates the life cycle of butterflies. Related STEAM activities include creating a butterfly with symmetrical wings, observing Florida butterfly specimens, and learning the butterfly life cycle with hands-on models. For extended butterfly fun, kids can watch the Pinkalicious “Butterfly Garden Party” episode.
