Cheerios Spoonful of Stories :: Why Books Matter

Books are not only a part of childhood, they are essential to a kid's development.

After all, the more kids know, the more they grow!

That's why Cheerios® is proud to work with First Book® to help get books to as many children as possible.

A Year's Worth of Books to Family Reading Programs across the Country

A recent study shows that for many kids, just having a book to read is the biggest obstacle to learning. That’s why, in addition to providing books inside boxes, Cheerios® is once again making a financial donation to First Book®, an award-winning children’s nonprofit organization that helps get brand new books to children from low-income families.

Our Impact Illustrated

The Cheerios® Spoonfuls of Stories® program is truly making an impact in the lives of children in need across the country. Click here to read testimonials from programs and parents and view thank you notes from children who have received new books through the Spoonfuls of Stories program.

Every year, Cheerios® features five children's books inside specially marked boxes of Cheerios® cereal, available across the country. As part of this process, we consult a variety of experts, including the publishers at Simon & Schuster, review lists of award winning books, authors, and illustrators, and even ask our kids!

We also look for a diverse range of titles and stories to find something that will interest every kid. We look at new books and classic stories. We turn the pages of family favorites and always have an eye out for those lesser known stories that really pack a punch to find five books that not only stand on their own but complement each other.

Our collection is most appropriate for children ages 4 to 8 to support the key development years for reading skills, but sometimes include books that appeal to children who are slightly younger or older. Ideally, we hope the Cheerios® Spoonfuls of Stories® books have a universal appeal that:
• Great to read aloud
• Are fun and make you smile
• Open new worlds and experiences to kids
• Make you want to read them again and again

The Cheerios commitment to kids doesn't stop with breakfast.

When children pick up their first book they are opening the door to a wonderful new world. It is a key building block for learning and for life. Introducing your children to reading is an important step in fostering a strong sense of curiosity and inquisitiveness as they grow.

According to studies, the more types of reading materials there are in the home, the higher students are in reading proficiency. According to the most recent Kids Count survey, 38 percent of fourth-graders scored below the basic reading level. Other surveys tell a similar story. In 1998, nearly four in 10 fourth-graders nationwide failed to achieve even partial mastery of the reading skills needed for school success. In the highest-poverty schools, nearly seven in 10 fourth-graders fail to read at this basic level.

That's why we created the Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories program. The program helps to nurture a love of reading by getting books into kids' hands and encouraging parents and kids to read together. Since 2002, Spoonfuls of Stories has given away 50 million books inside specially marked boxes of Cheerios® cereal and donated more than $3.5 million to First Book®, an award-winning children's literacy non-profit that provides children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books.

It is our honor to be able to able to work with such great partners like First Book® and Simon & Schuster to support families to become reading giants!

Babies and Toddlers (Children under 1 year)

Very young children are attracted by brightly colored pictures of simple objects.
They're listeners, and respond well to books with simple texts and good rhythms.
At this age, little ones are stimulated visually and mentally by wordless books. The books also encourage them to create their own stories.
They're delighted with board books and cloth books (which are practically indestructible).

Nursery School and Pre K (Children between 2-4 years)

Look for Mother Goose, nursery rhymes, and other books that show familiar objects and experiences.
Young children like listening to slightly complex texts with good rhythm and effective word repetition.
They're also coordinated enough to have constructive fun with toy-like books that pop up, move, or provide other astonishments.

Kindergarten and Early School Years (Children between 5-8 years)

Some kids may learn to read before they're in the first grade. Most learn during first grade, and many learn even later.
Picture books with strong storylines and character development are especially good for reading aloud or with kids.
If your child is reading independently, choose a book with a straightforward story that has familiar, everyday words. Some publishers produce "easy readers" that independent readers often enjoy.
Third-graders are often able to handle stories of some complexity. The vocabulary should be relatively familiar but include some challenging words.
A lot of informational books have been published for the early grades. These books encourage children to read about topics that interest them and to satisfy their curiosity about complex subjects.

Later Elementary and Middle School Years (Children between 9-12 years and older)

Think about your child's personality, likes, and dislikes. This will help you choose between an informational book or a novel in an area that your child is interested in.