Since 2022, the bioMérieux Endowment Fund has supported the Book Babies program, an innovative initiative led by Book Harvest in the United States. Its ambition: to give every child, from birth, the keys to reading and lifelong learning.

Measurable impact

Over three years, 711 children and 686 parents and caregivers have benefited from the program, with the support of 28 bioMérieux volunteers.
The results speak for themselves:

• More than 90% of families now read with their children at least three times a week;
• 100% say the books provided have made it easier to establish reading routines;
• 100% report that applying Book Babies strategies has had a positive impact on their child’s learning, better preparing them for preschool and kindergarten.

Building on this success, the project has been submitted for renewal in the 2025 Call for Projects to continue and expand its impact.

Addressing critical local needs

Founded in 2011 in Durham, North Carolina, Book Harvest works to ensure that every child can own books, experience the joy of reading, and develop the language and cognitive skills essential for success in school and in life.
In a region marked by persistent inequalities — where more than half of elementary school students are not proficient in reading, and one in three babies is born into a low-income family — the Book Babies program offers a tangible, inclusive solution.

A parent-centered, evidence-based approach

Designed as a parent-centered, evidence-informed initiative, the program supports families from birth through school entry.
Each family benefits from:

• Over 100 books provided gradually from birth to kindergarten;
• Quarterly home visits by literacy coaches to strengthen parents’ confidence and promote shared reading;
• School readiness workshops, held three times a year, to help parents understand preschool expectations and enrollment steps;
• Individualized support to facilitate the transition to school and connect families with local community resources.

Each year, families completing the five-year program are celebrated at a graduation ceremony, recognizing their commitment to their children’s education and future success.

Looking ahead

The bioMérieux Endowment Fund intends to extend its partnership for the 2026–2028 period, with the goal of reaching even more families and strengthening the program’s long-term impact on children’s language development and school readiness.