Kids Reading Across RI 2025

Kids Reading Across RI 2025 Kickoff

The 2024 Kids Reading Across Rhode Island (KRARI) program officially launched on June 14 with a kickoff event at the William Hall Library in Cranston, marking a new chapter for the statewide reading celebration.

This year’s event did double duty, kicking off both the 16th annual KRARI program and the 2025 statewide Summer Reading Program “Level Up at Your Library”. This year’s theme encourages Rhode Islanders of all ages to explore the power of play, from coding and STEM challenges to chess and game design.

The star of the day was acclaimed local author and illustrator Oge Mora, who inspired kids and families with her message that “stories are everywhere.” Mora shared her journey to becoming an author and illustrator and signed free copies of her picture book Saturday. Her award-winning titles Thank You, Omu! and The Oldest Student were also highlighted, making this the first year KRARI has celebrated an author’s body of work rather than focusing on a single title.

Moving the kickoff from its traditional home at the State House to the William Hall Library brought the spotlight to Rhode Island’s public libraries, the community hubs powering summer learning. The library’s auditorium buzzed with activity as 15 libraries and youth-serving organizations hosted tables with crafts, games, and program info. Groups like RIPBS, RI Latino Books Award, RI Food Bank, RI Middle School Book Award, CollegeBound Saver, and Girls on the Run joined libraries from Barrington, East Smithfield, East Providence, Johnston, North Providence, Porstmouth, and Providence to celebrate reading and play.

Kids enjoyed frosty treats from Kona Ice and got a special sneak peek at RIPBS’s new Student Reader Search interstitials featuring five young Rhode Island readers sharing Saturday on-screen alongside Oge Mora. This Student Reader segment will air on RIPBS all summer.

The RI Center for the Book also took the opportunity to help launch the new summer scavenger hunt, “Where is Gordon?” Gordon, the tapir mascot for this year’s Summer Reading Program, is hiding in 53 public libraries across the state. Kids who find him in 25 or more libraries can enter to win a Gordon stuffie in the grand prize drawing.

From author inspiration to community celebration, the KRARI and Summer Reading Program kickoff showed that books are just the beginning. Imagination, play, and community bring the story to life.

Want to explore more? Here's where you can learn about Oge Mora, the Summer Reading Program, or the RIPBS Student Reader Search contest.

About the Author

Oge Mora is a collage artist and storyteller. Her picture book, Thank You, Omu!, was a Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award winner, and Ezra Jack Keats Book Award recipient. Her second book, Saturday won the 2020 Boston Globe—Horn Book Picture Book Award. Oge’s artwork has been applauded by The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Boston Globe. She is also a 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 Lister in Arts & Style.

Oge grew up in Columbus, Ohio but resides in Providence, RI. She is a fan of all things colorful, patterned, or collaged, and enjoys creating warm stories that celebrate people coming together.

" I am so excited to be this year's author for 2025 Kids Reading Across RI! When I came to RI for college I fell in love with Providence and for many years it has been my community and home. I am so incredibly honored that my books will be shared with children all across our beautiful state." - Oge Mora

About the Books

Thank You, Omu!

Everyone in the neighborhood dreams of a taste of Omu's delicious stew! One by one, they follow their noses toward the scrumptious scent. And one by one, Omu offers a portion of her meal. Soon the pot is empty. Has she been so generous that she has nothing left for herself?

Saturday

A mother and daughter look forward to their special Saturday routine together every single week. But this Saturday, one thing after another goes wrong--ruining storytime, salon time, picnic time, and the puppet show they'd been looking forward to going to all week. Mom is nearing a meltdown...until her loving daughter reminds her that being together is the most important thing of all.

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read

In 1848, Mary Walker was born into slavery. At age 15, she was freed, and by age 20, she was married and had her first child. By age 68, she had worked numerous jobs, including cooking, cleaning, babysitting, and selling sandwiches to raise money for her church. At 114, she was the last remaining member of her family. And at 116, she learned to read. From Rita Lorraine Hubbard and rising star Oge More comes the inspirational story of Mary Walker, a woman whose long life spanned from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement, and who--with perseverance and dedication--proved that you're never too old to learn.

About Kids Reading Across RI

Kids Reading Across Rhode Island is Rhode Island's One Book, One State community read program for kids. This program, offered by the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services in partnership with the Rhode Island Center for the Book, encourages students across the state in grades 4 through 6 to read the same book, and engage in community discussions and programs. 

Learn about current and past programs on the KRARI LibGuide.