Free Books For Babies Program Expands In Union County

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — More Union County families can now take part in the free Books for Babies program as The Mothers’ Center of Central New Jersey expands it into Scotch Plains, Rahway, Linden, and Roselle.

Founded by the MCCNJ members Melissa Bernstein, Nicole Eng, and Trina Junod in September 2018 the Books for Babies initiative is intended to promote childhood literacy and family bonding by reading to children. It initially kicked off at Cranford, Clark, and Garwood libraries.

"Aside from wanting to give back to the community, we wanted to get this started because we are really passionate about family bonding and childhood literacy," said Eng.

Here are some of the benefits of reading aloud to your baby on a daily basis, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics:

• Strengthens parent/child bonds
• Improves vocabulary and reading ability
• Stimulates brain development
• Provides lasting effects on reading skills and vocabulary visible in kindergarten
• Builds social and emotional skills

Families participating in the Books for Babies program receive a reusable tote bag, new board book, list of suggested reading material, and information on benefits of reading to children. In addition, tote bags will include information about family programs at the local libraries.

A storybook time hosted in conjunction by MCCNJ and participating libraries will also be scheduled to promote the continuation and expansion of Books for Babies.

All Union County residents who are expecting a newborn or who have welcomed a newborn in the last year are eligible for the program.

"We are encouraging parents to read to children, promote bonding and promote a love of reading," Eng said.

The first year the program was launched the MCCNJ funded it themselves. This year they received a $1,000 2019 HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

"This is our passion project and is something we really love doing," Eng said. "We are excited to expand it and hope everyone takes advantage of it."

If you’d like to learn more about Books for Babies email [email protected]. To learn more about the Mothers’ Center of Central New Jersey, visit motherscentercnj.org.

List of Recommended Books for Baby from MCCNJ:

• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr & John Archambault
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By Bill Martin Jr & Eric Carle
• My Heart Is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall
• First 100 Words by Bright Baby
• Numbers Colors Shape (First 100) by Priddy Baby
• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
• Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss
• The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
• The Colors of Us by Karen Katz
• Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
• Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
• Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
• I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt
• Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae & Guy Parker-Rees
• The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
• Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
• The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin

Have a news tip? Email [email protected].

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.