reading

The annual child wellness report Kids Count found child poverty has improved in Kansas and Missouri compared to the years before the pandemic. But federal budget cuts could threaten access to food and health assistance for families in need.

When the school year ends, the need for literacy support does not. Here’s help in finding in-person and online summer reading programs around the Kansas City area.

Find books in every genre, hard to find titles, works by local authors and reading clubs and other events at Kansas City's many indie shops. Ahead of Independent Bookstore Day this April, here are some bookstores around the region to shop at.

A Pulitzer-prize winning play, trendy fantasy series, a whistleblower memoir and more were picked by Up To Date's panel of book lovers as their current favorites. Find recommendations from local booksellers and librarians, as well as suggestions from our listeners.

El Distrito Escolar de Lee's Summit dijo que los padres siempre han tenido la opción de pedir a los bibliotecarios escolares que impidieran que sus hijos sacaran ciertos títulos. Pero a partir de este mes, pueden hacer una listade hasta 20 títulos que su hijo no podrá sacar de la biblioteca escolar.

The Lee's Summit School District said parents have always had the option to ask school librarians to keep certain titles from their student. But starting this month, they can list up to 20 titles that their child won't be able to check out from their school library.

The National Assessment of Education Progress found Missouri and other states made small gains in some areas, but students are struggling to return to pre-pandemic math and reading levels.

Schools in Missouri received millions of dollars in federal pandemic aid to keep students safe and bolster learning. But with the deadline approaching to spend the money, districts now have to decide which new programs and staff they can pay for themselves.

Up To Date's book experts revisited classics and devoured new releases, too. Check out their recommendations from several Kansas City bookstore owners and more to add to your to-be-read list, or to gift this holiday season.

A literacy program has helped mothers and grandmothers in prison improve their reading abilities while also giving them the chance to bond with their loved ones.

Missouri legislators this year approved $11 million to fully fund Parton's program that sends free books to children ages 5 and under. Parton came to Kansas City's briefly-renamed Folly Theater to celebrate — and sing a few songs.

More than half of U.S. adults said that they’ve listened to an audiobook at some point. The industry is continuing to expand, and Up To Date’s panelists have a diverse range of recommendations for every listener’s needs.