Black Hills Reads Programs
Baby’s First Book Bag
The purpose of the Baby’s First Book Bag program is to provide at-risk families in the Black Hills additional resources to build a home library. The goal of this program is to help parents feel confident about reading to their children and give them tools to be successful.
For more information, please contact the Black Hills Reads Director at hanna@unitedwayblackhills.org.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a program funded by United Way of the Black Hills to allow children ages 0-5 to receive an age appropriate book mailed to their home once a month.
Power Hour
Power Hour is an interactive, virtual learning event for child care providers and other early learning professionals in South Dakota. Providers can expect to hear from amazing speakers, participate in breakout conversations for reflection and collaboration, and have the opportunity to win prizes during each quarterly event.
Annual Race to Read Challenge
Each year, Black Hills Reads hosts a statewide ‘Race to Read Challenge’ in which readers across the state accumulate ‘miles’ for every book they read. These miles are then used to determine how far our figurative book mobile travels as we ‘race’ around the state! The goal with this challenge is to get kids and adults alike excited about reading. As such, any school, community organization, business, individual, or family in SD are welcome to participate!
Young Readers One Book
Each year, Black Hills Reads partners with the SD Humanities Council and other local organizations to bring students across the Black Hills the selected ‘Young Readers One Book’ (YROB) for the current year.
Teacher/parent supplemental materials are provided along with fun Black Hills Reads swag for the students. There is also an opportunity for students to meet the author of the current year’s book in person or via live stream during the annual Festival of Books.
Young Writers 3rd Grade Writing Contest
Each year, Black Hills Reads hosts a writing contest for all third graders in the Black Hills. Writers are encouraged to submit a short story or poem based on themes from the current year’s Young Readers One Book. More information about this year’s writing contest will be announced in September.
