Raising Readers

Overview

Early Learning Tips for Parents

Research shows one-on-one interaction between parent and child is critical for early learning. You can help your child develop important literacy and pre-reading skills. Five simple practices that help your child get ready to read are: Reading, Writing, Talking, Singing, and Playing. Attending storytime helps children develop imagination, comprehension and attention skills.  

Explore the 5 Practices

Preschool Learning Tools

Practicing preschool skills can be both educational and fun. Explore our online learning tools together.

Go to Preschool Learning Tools

StoryWalks

Not all reading happens on couches. Walk (and jump and run) and read at a CADL StoryWalk.

Learn More

Early Learning Calendar

Print a calendar with daily activities that prepare children for success in kindergarten.

Get the Calendar 

Raising Reader Backpacks

Backpacks filled with books, toys, music CDs and DVDs on a kid-friendly theme.

Browse the Backpacks

CADL Tales

Tune in for CADL Tales, a show that features CADL librarians reading stories and sharing activities.

Watch CADLtales

 

Raising Reader iPads

Check out the full list of educational apps that we provide on our in-branch iPads!

Learn More

Blog Posts

CADL youth librarians are your partner in developing your child's love of reading.

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Color Our World
Everything you need to know about CADL's summer reading challenge.
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March Into a Good Book
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Celebrate Literacy During March is Reading Month
Celebrate reading for fun at your local library!
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CADL Recommends: Local Authors
Discover titles by authors with deep Greater Lansing roots.
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All Together Now - Let's Read 20 Minutes or More Each Day!
Join us for our Summer Reading Challenge.

All Raising Reader Blog Posts

Raising Readers

Storytimes & Playtimes

Discovery Playtime

Friday Jan 23, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am Leslie - In Library

Due to the weather, CADL Leslie will be hosting Discovery Playtime instead of Discovery Storytime fo...

Discovery Storytime

Friday Jan 23, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am Stockbridge - In Library

 Join us for stories, songs, crafts and activities that build early literacy skills. 

All Storytimes

Staff Picks

Jennie H. Recommends

The Bletchley Riddle
Siblings Jakob and his younger sister Lizzie are both on missions of their own to solve different riddles.  Jakob is working at Bletchley Park to crack the code for the Nazi's Enigma cipher...
Read More

Jessica T. Recommends

Mrs. Nobody
This beautifully detailed picture book with art by Marie Lafance has a nice twist on learning to set boundaries as a little girl must establish her needs within a relationship with her occasionally...
Read More
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