After 15 years of bringing cherished childhood stories to families across the state, Reach Out and Read‑Alabama is marking its 16th annual summer campaign by urging families to unplug and play.

This year’s Rx for Summer Reading initiative spotlights “Baby Unplugged: PLAY!” by pediatrician John Hutton. The book celebrates classic childhood moments — from building with blocks to playing with pets — that foster learning, exploration and connection without screens, batteries or Wi‑Fi.

Reach Out and Read works within pediatric practices to embed early literacy into routine care. Beginning with a newborn’s first well‑child visit, clinicians educate families about the critical role reading aloud and meaningful moments play in nurturing resilience and brain development.

The campaign, which launched June 2 and runs through Aug. 1, features “Baby Unplugged: PLAY!” activities across Alabama. In Baldwin County, Fairhope Pediatrics hosted an event June 20 at its practice at 19087‑B Greeno Road. The practice, a program site since 2010, provides roughly 2,500 books each year to families it serves.

If you missed the June 20 event, don’t fret — there are more coming your way. Additional Baldwin County events include:

• Eastern Shore Children’s Clinic, 7 Medical Park Drive, Fairhope, July 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• South Baldwin Pediatrics, 1090 E. Laurel Ave., Foley, July 25 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Gulf Shores Pediatrics, 232 Office Park Drive, Gulf Shores, July 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Reach Out and Read‑Alabama has partnered with All About Books and Blue Manatee Press, led by Hutton, to expand access to high‑quality, affordable books. Hutton, a respected pediatrician and researcher, has pioneered studies on the impact of shared reading and developed the SHARE/STEP method, a structured approach for reading with infants.

"I am thrilled and honored for ‘Baby Unplugged: PLAY!’ to be featured in support of this vital, impactful initiative," Hutton said. "The ‘Baby Unplugged’ series is very special to me, as these were the first books I wrote, inspired by a pediatric residency project. Each book celebrates an alternative activity to screen time, and ‘PLAY’ is a greatest‑hits summation of these. It’s the ninth in the series, showcasing wonderful things kids can do indoors and outdoors to get them away from screens and plugged into the real world."

With more than 30 peer‑reviewed studies and a recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Reach Out and Read is an evidence‑based initiative that uses the parent‑clinician relationship to build early literacy and help families support their child’s growth.

Today, 90 pediatric and family practices and clinics across 28 Alabama counties serve as Reach Out and Read‑Alabama sites, reaching 38 percent of the state’s children under five. The initiative operates under the Alabama Chapter‑American Academy of Pediatrics.

For more information, visit www.roralabama.org.