The Literacy-Focused Collaboration Puts Wholesome Snacking and Learning Hand-in-Hand for Kids with Interactive Reading Resources and Access to More than 50,000 Books
After a summer of fun and play, kids everywhere are preparing to head back to school. To mark the beginning of the new school year, Sun-Maid Growers of California, maker of innovative snacks that feed imagination one little red box at a time, has announced a new collaboration with ABCmouse, the leading and most comprehensive digital learning program for children ages 2 – 8, and Little Free Library to expand access to literacy resources and bring bite-sized learning to every pack of its classic Sun-Maid Raisin boxes.
The multi-faceted literacy campaign presented by Sun-Maid, ABCmouse and Little Free Library will provide widespread access to at-home reading activities and books that inspire young readers, all while promoting better-for-you eating habits. As of August 7, the iconic and beloved red Sun-Maid box will feature exclusive, limited-edition ABCmouse flash cards with a sight word lesson on every carton. In addition, each pack of six boxes will feature a custom link to an interactive and engaging microsite hosted by ABCmouse that includes a variety of imaginative and engaging activities, ranging from a full collection of sight word flash cards to worksheets and coloring pages.
The announcement comes alongside recent data that revealed that only 35 percent of students are reading proficiently by grade 4, and National Assessment of Educational Progress reading scores are the lowest they have been in decades. With these challenges in mind, Sun-Maid will expand its literacy efforts even further by teaming up with Little Free Library, a nonprofit with a mission to build community, inspire readers and expand book access. Through the partnership, Sun-Maid will sponsor the creation and installation of 100 Little Free Library book-sharing boxes throughout the U.S.
“Sun-Maid has long been known as parents’ partner in better-for-you snacking, making sure kids have access to the snacks they need to succeed in the classroom as well as in imagination and play,” said Steve Loftus, Sun-Maid President and Chief Operating Officer. “With less time in the classroom and reduced access to libraries for many, the last number of years have been challenging for many families. ABCmouse and Little Free Library are two of the finest education and literacy resources available, and we’re proud to team up to inspire a love of reading and help feed hungry minds this back-to-school season.”
Reading lovers around the country can get involved by voting to have a Little Free Library installed in their area via an online voting portal on the Sun-Maid website. With a global network and a mission of “Take a Book. Share a Book,” the Sun-Maid sponsored Little Free Library book-sharing boxes will feature ABCmouse books and expand book access to thousands.
“Practicing sight words helps build more confident and fluent readers, and in teaming up with Sun-Maid we’re taking the idea of wholesome snacking and learning and making it accessible to millions of families in bite-sized moments,” said Christine Woertink, Senior Vice President of Consumer Product, Age of Learning, creator of ABCmouse.
As a whole, Sun-Maid’s back to school efforts will have significant reach, including:
- An anticipated 22 million cartons of raisins (bundled in packs of six), with access to the Sun-Maid x ABCmouse educational materials available, including ABCmouse 120 sight word flash cards and a link to a dedicated microsite.
- Sponsorship of 100 Little Free Libraries, bringing access to books to some of the biggest literacy deserts in the country, including ABCmouse donated books within each of the libraries.
- Access for young readers to an estimated 57,200 books shared through the Sun-Maid Little Free Libraries in the first year alone and an estimated 52,000 visitors to the Sun-Maid Little Free Libraries each year.
The Sun-Maid x ABCmouse packaging is available at retailers nationwide. For more information, please visit www.sunmaid.com
