Chelsea Clinton celebrates efforts to support children’s literacy in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH — Chelsea Clinton visited Homestead on Thursday to highlight local efforts supporting children’s literacy. The event took place at B is Books on 8th Avenue.

B is for Books is a free children’s bookstore operated by Reading Ready Pittsburgh, allowing families to access books and build home libraries. Reading Ready Pittsburgh is one of 15 area organizations partnering with Too Small to Fail, an early childhood initiative of the Clinton Foundation that promotes early language and learning.

With support from The Grable Foundation, Too Small to Fail created the Pittsburgh Peer Learning Collaborative. The cohort of local organizations works together to implement literacy strategies in everyday locations where families gather, including bookstores, libraries, child care centers and laundromats.

Clinton’s visit also connected with the “Won’t You Be a Reader?” campaign. The regional literacy initiative involves The Grable Foundation, Reading Ready Pittsburgh and more than a dozen other organizations working to ensure children have access to books and encouraging adults.

Gregg Behr serves as the executive director of The Grable Foundation. He emphasized the broad community effort involved in expanding early literacy throughout the region.

“We know it takes a neighborhood to spark a lifelong love of books and to nurture the literacy skills that unlock life’s potential,” Behr said. “Together, Too Small to Fail and literacy leaders in neighborhoods all across this region are working to make Western Pennsylvania the best place in the world to be — and to raise — young readers.”

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