Palmetto Project's My First Books SC

My First Books SC is a statewide partnership led by the Palmetto Project and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Its’ goal is to provide a brand new age-appropriate book each month to all South Carolina children under age five…at no cost to the child’s family.

Each month the books are selected by a team of educators for each age group and are mailed directly to the children at their homes. The program includes popular titles such as The Little Engine That Could, Madeline, Corduroy, and many, many more.

In South Carolina, it is estimated that one-third of South Carolina children do not have the literacy skills needed to be successful in kindergarten.  Recent testing suggests that as much as 67% of the state’s third graders are not reading at grade appropriate levels.  Children who fall behind in reading proficiency are more likely to drop out of school, be unemployed, and live in poverty.

Having books at home is the key to a child’s success.  It sounds too simple to be true, but research has shown than children growing up in homes with books get three years more schooling than children from bookless homes, regardless of income or their parents’ education.

For more information on My First Books and other initiatives by Palmetto Project call 843-724-7100 or visit their website link for My First Books.