Defend Every Child's #RightsToRead

The Children’s Rights to Read initiative, founded on 10 fundamental rights every child deserves, was developed to ensure that every child, everywhere, has access to the education, opportunities, and resources needed to read.

Download the Children's Rights to Read, available in 16 languages, and share with your network.

WATCH THE INTRODUCTION

Become a Children's Rights to Read Advocate

ILA created the Advocating for Children’s Rights to Read manual to help guide the enacting of the rights in classrooms, schools, libraries, and communities, along with other resources that can inform and support advocacy efforts.

Literature and Democracy: Children's Rights to Read
WEBINAR
(free for members)

Resolution to Adopt Children's Rights to Read
SIGN THE RESOLUTION

Censorship in School Libraries Across the Globe
WEBINAR
(free for all)

"ILA stands against book banning and censorship, both of which violate the principles of our Children's Rights to Read initiative. To advance literacy, we must advocate for access to books and the ability to choose which to read."

—Kenneth Kunz, Immediate Past President

Children’s Rights to Excellent Literacy Instruction

ILA’s position statement Children’s Rights to Excellent Literacy Instruction builds off of and supports the core principle of the 10 Children’s Rights by defining four tenets of exceptional literacy instruction. Each tenet is explored in more detail in these research briefs:

Learn more about the initiative in The Case for Children's Rights to Read, and then explore these additional resources that embody their values and principles:

Closer Reading for Deeper Learning
WEBINAR (free for members)
The Essential Leadership of School Librarians
Molly Ness, Margaret K. Merga, Julia E. Torres, and Susan J. Chambre
BRIEF
Using Culturally Relevant and Responsive Children's Literature
RESOURCE COLLECTION
Children's and Young Adult Literature
ILA RESOURCES

Stand Against Censorship

Several of ILA’s Children’s Rights to Read are against censorship by nature, but none more direct than Right 3: Children have the right to choose what they read. It is incumbent on everyone who believes in the rights of children to push back against the banning of books from schools and libraries. ILA is proud to stand with United Against Book Bans as a member of the growing coalition working to uphold every child’s right to read.

Join the Movement