Project: Employees, corporate & groups collect new children's board books and assemble them in kits. MVNA nurses bring the book kits to their clients when the they determine the need.

Overview: Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency nurses are in a unique position to initiate, nurture and enhance literacy in the home environment of low income young families. Engagement in literacy through books is a developmental milestone that is continually observed and addressed throughout the time period a nurse is working with parents and children. Initial home assessment for literacy by MVNA nurses reveals that 95% of the clients' homes do not meet minimal literacy factors, which are at least 10 books of any type in the household. Type of book construction: Board books - best for durability and ease for children to turn pages.

Age range for books: Suitable for ages 0-4.

Subject matter of books: counting, colors, naming items, alphabet, simple stories

Languages: Please consider books in Spanish and Hmong. Please check to see if the pictures of the people are respresentative of a diverse community.

Suggestions: Books with simple, colorful images and illustrations, books with flaps.

Please contact Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency for a list of book suggestions or if you have any questions.