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 activities, giveaways, and take-home books to build their home libraries. There will also be family-friendly entertainment like face painting and balloon art, as well as a special visit from Clifford the Big Red Dog!
More than 71,000 VPK–5th graders in Hillsborough County qualify to receive free books and resources from this free state program administered by the UF Lastinger Center for Learning. Established to support nearly one million Florida students who are not yet reading on grade level, New Worlds Reading strives to make reading more fun and accessible. Kids can choose 9 free books each school year to receive as a special package addressed to them. Plus, each delivery comes with reading activities families can use together to strengthen kids’ reading skills. Books are available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and braille.
Just in time for summer break, eligible kids who apply by June 9, 2025, will receive nine free books for this school year, plus three bonus books perfect for summer reading!
New Worlds Reading has already distributed more than 8.8 million books to Florida children! To be eligible, kids must be VPK–5th graders who are not yet meeting grade level expectations in reading in Florida VPK programs, public schools, and charter schools.
“New Worlds Reading wants to do more than give books to students–we want to create experiences that inspire a lifelong love of learning,” said Robin Gregory, Interim Assistant Director of New Worlds Reading at the UF Lastinger Center for Learning. “Our annual Book Bash is always an exciting event, bringing families together to explore the joy of reading and emphasize the importance of literacy.”
“New Worlds Reading wants to do more than give books to students–we want to create experiences that inspire a lifelong love of learning,” said Robin Gregory, Interim Assistant Director of New Worlds Reading at the UF Lastinger Center for Learning. “Our annual Book Bash is always an exciting event, bringing families together to explore the joy of reading and emphasize the importance of literacy.”
This year’s Book Bash will take place at Raymond James Stadium from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on April 5, 2025, located at 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33607. Free parking will be available on site.
Families are encouraged to pre-register for this free event.
Media Contact
Olivia Levada
Olivia.Levada@edelman.com
Edelman for New Worlds Reading
About New Worlds Reading
New Worlds Reading is Florida’s free at-home program that helps eligible VPK – 5th graders strengthen literacy skills and spark a lifelong love of reading. Enrolled children receive 9 free books that they choose each school year through fifth grade, along with reading activities and resources families can use to help build kids’ reading skills. Books and materials are available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and braille.
New Worlds Reading is administered by the UF Lastinger Center for Learning. Book titles are selected in partnership with the Florida Department of Education and Scholastic. Families interested in receiving books and reading activities from New Worlds Reading can apply at www.newworldsreading.com.