Growing a Love of Reading on the Playground

As an assistant principal and children’s author, Anthony Tucker knows how important early literacy development is for children to develop a love of reading. The former Johnson Houses resident created libraries at selected NYCHA development playgrounds to help provide a fun environment for children and their parents to read.  

“This is personal for me,” Mr. Tucker said. “I grew up without books in the home. The only time we were exposed to books was inside of school or in the library. I think the way we present reading to children can help them spark a love for reading as a fun and leisurely thing and not something that feels like a chore.” 

He started installing playground libraries in 2018, inspired by small library initiatives throughout the city. He reached out to his social media community for book donations. Through those donations, he was able to set up 10 playground libraries at NYCHA developments – five in the Bronx and five in Harlem – and stock the libraries with books for kids of all ages, including picture books, middle grade, and young adult books.  

Even if the children are too young to read, Mr. Tucker said, “the child can hold the book, turn the pages; these are emerging reading skills that promote literacy, and parents can sit and read with their children together.” 

Initially, he used cloth bags purchased from Ikea, but those didn’t hold up well against rain and he had to pull them down. He found a new solution – waterproof literature boxes – and is in the process of relaunching playground libraries with this long-lasting solution. 

On April 9, he officially relaunched a playground library at Jackson Houses with help from students from Boys 2 MEN, an initiative of Community School District 7 for boys and young men of color to empower and engage them and close disparities in achievement and opportunity gaps. 

“This is showing the boys that they don’t have to wait for outsiders to come in, that they have the ability to do it themselves and give back, and this helps strengthen their sense of belonging,” Mr. Tucker said. 

Mr. Tucker hopes to continue adding playground libraries to other developments near schools where there are Boys 2 MEN chapters so that the members can visit and help replenish the sites. He and Boys 2 MEN members will have an event during Father’s Day weekend at Adams Houses to launch the development’s playground library. 

NYCHA residents interested in hosting a playground library at their development, or who are looking for more information about the project, can email Mr. Tucker at anthony.tucker82@gmail.com.  

Feature photo caption: Anthony Tucker (second from left, back row) and students from Boys 2 Men after installing a playground library at Jackson Houses.