Florida kids enrolled in New Worlds Reading had some extra fun reading in the sun this summer with two free bonus books thanks in part to a $1 million donation through Florida’s Tax Credit Program from Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas (TECO).
New Worlds Reading is Florida’s free at-home literacy program that mails nine books and reading activities to enrolled students each school year. Books are available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, or braille, and are delivered along with a reading guide monthly from October through June each year.
“Summer reading support is critical to help students avoid learning loss, sometimes called the summer slide,” said Robin Gregory, assistant director of New Worlds Reading. "We're both excited and grateful for TECO's contributions to provide families with additional resources to help bridge that gap for our students."
Since the program began in 2021, New Worlds Reading has mailed more than 15 million books to almost 600,000 children across the state. The program is administered by the UF Lastinger Center and is funded by both the Florida Legislature and corporate partners like Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas.
This year, TECO increased their donation amount by $1 million through Florida’s Tax Credit Program and joined another supporter to ensure that New Worlds Reading could send 2 extra books to 364,422 enrolled students for summer break. That’s almost 729,000 extra books for summer in the hands of Florida kids!
“Every child deserves the opportunity to discover the joy of reading,” said Stephanie Smith, vice president of State and Regional Affairs for TECO. "We're proud to be partners with New Worlds Reading to help provide hundreds of thousands of additional books to Florida students this summer, supporting literacy, learning and brighter futures for the families and communities we serve."
Karmen Santiago Ríos’ daughter, Isabela, is a fifth grader enrolled in the program. “She gets super excited because the package has her name and it comes with a surprise book (even though she kinda knows what the topic will be),” Santiago said. “And they’re books at her school and they’re talked about in her class, so it’s easier for it to click and for her to get involved.”
That ability to click with the books has helped Isabela spark her love for reading. “She’s so excited for her books this summer, especially because summer is her birthday. She’s made a goal to read a book a day, because she has more time in the summer to do the things she loves,” Santiago said.
New Worlds Reading applications are open for the 2026 - 2027 school year. Families can learn more and apply at newworldsreading.com.
Interested in supporting New Worlds Reading as a partner? Please contact Jessica Long at jessicalong@coe.ufl.edu or visit newworldsreading.com/en/donations/ to learn how you can support striving public and charter school students with free books and reading guides through a donation.
About New Worlds Reading
New Worlds Reading is Florida’s free at-home literacy 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 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. Learn more at newworldsreading.com.