— Photo by Bobbie Toner

November is here, and Somerville is proud to celebrate Family Literacy Month to inspire a love for reading and learning among families. This year, we are thrilled to announced several engaging events and activities that will make Family Literacy Month in Somerville truly special: Story Walks, Intergenerational Family Story Time, and access to multilingual books at multiple locations.

• Story Walks: Somerville invites families to embark on a literacy adventure like no other. Throughout November, the City of Somerville will host Story Walks across the city. Families can follow a trail featuring pages from a beloved children’s book, creating an engaging outdoor reading experience. You can find story walks at the following locations from November 1 to November 30:
  • East Somerville Community School (50 Cross Street)
  • Hodgkins-Curtin Park (Holland Street at Simpson Avenue and Paulina Street)
  • Chuckie Harris Park (Cross Street East)
  • Foss Park (49 Fellsway West)
  • Hoyt-Sullivan Park (115 Central Street)
  • Capuano Early Childhood Center (150 Glen Street)
  • Central Public Library Playground (79 Highland Avenue)

• Intergenerational Family Story Time: Building strong connections across generations is a priority during Family Literacy Month in Somerville. The Somerville Council on Aging, the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative and SomerPromise invite parents and young children to a heartwarming gathering where generations will bond through shared stories and books. Join us on Wednesday, November 29 at 11 a.m. at the Holland Street Senior Center, 167 Holland Street, 2^nd Floor.
• Access to free books at multiple locations: Somerville residents have access to three public libraries conveniently located across the city. You can find libraries by going to www.somervillepubliclibrary.org, and apply for a library card online by completing this form.

Families can also find free books at Somerville’s Little Free Libraries, located across the city (https://app.littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap) including the exciting launch of three new Little Lending Libraries at the Capuano Early Childhood Center. There is a Little Free Library located at the Glen Street entrance (outside the building), Franklin Street entrance (outside the building), and outside the door adjacent to the field behind the school. These Little Free Libraries were designed, built, and installed by Somerville High School CTE Carpentry students.

We invite families to join us in celebrating the power of literacy throughout November. Let’s come together to create a more literate and connected community for the future of our children.

For more information about Family Literacy Month events and activities in Somerville, please visit the Somerville Hub website at https://somervillehub.org.

About Family Literacy Month

Family Literacy Month is a nationwide initiative aimed at promoting the importance of literacy and reading within families. It encourages parents and caregivers to engage in reading activities with their children, fostering a love for books and learning from an early age.