FY25-WAC-Impact-Report-FINAL - Report - Page 23
ALLIANCE THEATRE PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
Mayor’s Summer Reading Club
Storytelling, theater, and literacy come together in a
powerful way through the Mayor’s Summer Reading Club,
an annual citywide initiative that brings books and joy to
young children across Atlanta. Now in its 13th season,
MSRC promotes early literacy and vocabulary enrichment
for children ages birth through eight.
Through a collaboration between the City of Atlanta,
Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students,
PNC, United Way of Greater Atlanta, and many other
dedicated partners, including the Alliance Theatre and
High Museum of Art, families receive free, original books
and access to enriching events that bring each story to
life. In 2025, MSRC proudly launched its seventh original
picture book The Great Ant Sleepover written by Madhuri
Shekar (The Incredible Book Eating Boy, In Love and
Warcraft) and illustrated by Nicole Kang Ahn (Bina’s Harvest,
The Curious Cardinal). With more than 15,000 copies
distributed to early learners, The Great Ant Sleepover is
sparking imagination and conversation among Atlanta’s
youngest readers. Throughout the summer, programming
transforms familiar spaces such as libraries, museums,
child care centers, and even farmers’ markets into vibrant
learning environments where children and families gather
for “book club reads” in which trained facilitators model
research-based reading practices.
The stories are further brought to life through drama, arts
and crafts, and hands-on activities, ensuring the language
and lessons within each book become meaningful and
memorable, instilling a lifetime love of learning and
literature in every child.
Presented in partnership with
WOODRUFF ARTS CENTER 2025 IMPACT REPORT
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