We further the reading and language skills of children through reading sponsors to achieve equality of opportunity.

The ability to read is much more than simply putting letters together to form words. Someone who reads improves his vocabulary and concentration, discovers the world and develops his personality. Before a child learns to read for itself, having stories read aloud is an important introduction to the world of books. It creates a climate of caring and security, permits the imagination to journey to different universes and stimulates questions, conversations and discussions.

There are many people in Stuttgart who are keenly interested in literature and are also capable of communicating this fascination to others. At the same time there are children who never or only rarely have stories read to them. The reading project was initiated in 2003 by the Breuninger Foundation in cooperation with the Stuttgart Youth Office, the Municipal Library, the House of Literature and the State Education Authority with the aim of bringing these two groups together. The association integrates the work of the Stuttgart institutions involved and coordinates the volunteers, so far more than 260 women who hold about 9,000 reading sessions a year and reach roughly 35,000 children.

The association selects the readers, organizes their training and advises on suitable reading material. Since March 2008 more reading sessions in their  native language can be held for Turkish-speaking children thanks to the support of the Louis Leitz Foundation.

• Leseohren e.V.

contact: Ute Heimberger