Launching Young Readers is a series of half-hour television programs that look at different reading strategies to help young children learn to read. The programs also feature practical advice for parents,and interweaves the personal stories of children, families, and teachers.

Filmed in schools, childcare centers, libraries, research centers, and homes around the country, each program also includes a profile of a prominent children's book author. The programs are hosted by Fred Rogers, Annette Bening, Deborah Norville, Vivica A. Fox, Frank McCourt, Al Roker, Rita Moreno, Henry Winkler, and Molly Ringwald.

The individual titles are:

• Roots of Reading
• Sounds and Symbols
• Fluent Reading
• Writing and Spelling
• Reading for Meaning
• Becoming Bilingual
• Empowering Parents
• Reading and the Brain
• A Chance to Read

Also included in this package is Reading Rocks!, an empowering, upbeat show hosted by Nick Spano that features ordinary kids who struggle with reading. Told with humor and honesty, the program shows viewers ages 7 - 12 how to give reading another chance.

The programs are available as a VHS set (boxed set of first 5 shows, plus 5 separate VHS tapes for Reading Rocks! and the most recent LYR shows) or as a DVD set with bonus material (1 DVD for the first five shows, 5 separate DVDs for Reading Rocks! and the most recent Launching Young Readers shows). A viewers' guide and a family guide are included.


Available in DVD or VHS format.

Running time: 260 minutes