News
Read more about the ways in which we're reaching Florida families and communities.
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Florida Student’s Love of Reading Highlights the Importance of Braille Books During National Reading Month
GAINESVILLE, Fla., March 16, 2026 – Reading is one of Rosie Williams’ favorite ways to explore the world. The Clay County fourth grader is one of nearly 600,000 children in the U.S. with blindness or visual impairment. To help her education journey, she receives braille books through New Worlds Reading, a free statewide literacy program…
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Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company Helps Illuminate Literacy: Quarterback Dan Marino joins New Worlds Reading at Driftwood Elementary
Hollywood, FL — Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (“Universal”) and the UF Lastinger Center’s New Worlds Reading Initiative were welcomed by students and administrators at Driftwood Elementary to host a Family Literacy Event on Friday, December 5, and spark excitement for reading. Attendees enjoyed a…
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"I Was Afraid to Read": Florida Students Share How One Free Program Helped Them Fall in Love with Books
New video series from New Worlds Reading highlights the transformative power of literacy as families gear up for the back-to-school season. Gainesville, Fla. (August 25, 2025) — Nearly one million children in Florida are not yet reading on grade level, but this back-to-school season, students like Jahara and Faustino are proving that one book can…
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New Worlds Reading Initiative Celebrates Major Milestone: 10 Million Books Delivered to Florida Families
Gainesville, Fla. – Since 2021, New Worlds Reading has shipped 10 million books to more than 460,000 students across the state of Florida, including more than 300,000 students this academic year. This milestone marks a significant step forward in Florida’s effort to foster a love of reading and improve literacy outcomes for children. Each month…
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Books and Buccaneers: Families Chart their Course Towards Literacy at New Worlds Reading 2025 Book Bash
Led by a map marked with reading quests through Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, over 1,800 children and adults embarked on a free, pirate-themed literacy adventure at New Worlds Reading’s 2025 Book Bash. On Saturday, April 5, Tampa families engaged with interactive read-alouds in English and Spanish, face painting and Clifford the Big Red Dog…
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New Worlds Reading Brings Free Book Program to Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium!
Arrr you ready to read, Tampa? As the school year winds down, families with VPK–5th graders are invited to join the New Worlds Reading crew at the 2025 Book Bash on Saturday, April 5, at Raymond James Stadium. This free pirate-themed event will bring families together for a reading adventure featuring story read-alouds, fun reading…
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TECO and New Worlds Reading Partner for Fun Family Literacy Event
Riverview, FL – Peoples Gas and Tampa Electric (TECO) and the UF Lastinger Center for Learning’s New Worlds Reading Initiative hosted a Family Literacy Event on Thursday, Jan. 30, at Warren Hope Dawson Elementary School in observance of Celebrate Literacy Week. Attendees enjoyed a bilingual read aloud, reading activities, and meet and greets with Clifford the Big…
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Florida educators bolster their literacy skills with New Worlds Reading Teacher Professional Learning
Over 900 educators from 56 counties participated in professional learning sessions throughout the summer. Leaving with a 216-page, evidence-based Science of Reading handbook and enhanced literacy skills, Alachua County educators attended a New Worlds Reading Teacher Professional Learning session to enhance student learning outcomes. “I think it’s full of great information,” said Lacy Roberts, a…
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New Worlds Reading Offering Free Books to Help Young Readers
Excerpt from Tampa Bay's Morning Blend — Read the full article here "More than one million VPK – 5th grade students in Florida are currently eligible to receive FREE books and reading activities each month of the school year through the New Worlds Reading Initiative. As students transition into the new school year, the program…
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Newly-Signed Bill Creates UF Lastinger Center for Learning Statute and Tutoring Program
[Tallahassee], Fla. – School districts, educators and students will receive extra support from the University of Florida to improve student outcomes in early learning, literacy and math thanks to House Bill 1361, which was signed into law Thursday. Funded by the Legislature and approved by the Governor, the statute entrusts the UF Lastinger Center for Learning with…
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