Fort Bend Libraries Gift Newborns with Book Bags During Children’s Book Week to Promote Early Literacy
Families welcoming new babies into the world between June 1 and June 7, 2025, will receive more than just warm congratulations from Fort Bend County Libraries (FBCL). As part of its annual Children’s Book Week initiative, FBCL is once again offering complimentary baby book bags to infants born during that week—an effort designed to support early literacy from the very first days of life.
The initiative, made possible by the Friends of Fort Bend County Library, highlights the library system’s commitment to lifelong learning. Each baby book bag includes a book, a bib, a special certificate, a recommended reading list, and parenting information, all aimed at equipping families with tools to foster a reading-rich environment from the start.
“We hope to start every child born in hospitals in Fort Bend County on a successful road to life-long learning,” said Dana Brittain, Coordinator of Youth Services at FBCL. “We distribute the baby book bags to babies born during that week at area Fort Bend County hospitals, but ALL Fort Bend County babies who are born during the week of June 1 through 7 are eligible to receive one, while supplies last.”
Why Early Reading Matters
According to pediatric experts, reading to children—especially during infancy—plays a vital role in healthy brain development. Texas Children’s Hospital emphasizes that reading aloud from birth promotes early cognitive and language skills. In their health library, they note:
“Babies and young children who are read to regularly are more likely to develop stronger language skills, a richer vocabulary, and better early literacy skills by the time they reach school age.”
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Even newborns, though not yet verbal, respond to the comforting sound of a parent’s voice and the visual stimuli of books. Reading together strengthens the parent-child bond and lays the foundation for future educational success.
FBCL echoes this approach, highlighting that reading aloud to babies helps develop eye focus, introduces the rhythm of speech, and fosters early vocabulary acquisition.
Extending the Learning: Summer Reading Challenge & Infant Programming
To reinforce these benefits, FBCL invites parents to register their children—starting from infancy—for the library’s annual Summer Reading Challenge. Babies and older children alike can earn rewards for the number of books read to them over the summer through easy-to-use online reading logs available via the Beanstack app.
For families with pre-walking infants (up to 12 months old), the library system also offers Mother Goose Time—weekly caregiver-infant programs featuring lullabies, sign language, finger plays, and sensory-rich circle time. These sessions support social, emotional, and physical development through music and movement.
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How to Receive a Baby Book Bag
Babies born in Fort Bend County hospitals between June 1 and June 7 will automatically receive a book bag while supplies last. Families whose newborns arrive during that week but at non-participating locations can call the Youth Services department at 281-633-4762 to request one.
For program details and Mother Goose Time schedules, families can visit fortbend.lib.tx.us or contact the Communications Office at 281-633-4734.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
