Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms throughout the United States by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud. The program began in 1989 at what was then called Boston City Hospital, and is now known as Boston Medical Center. Today, Reach Out and Read doctors and nurses at more than 4,900 health centers, hospitals, and pediatric clinics provide books and literacy advice to more than 4 million children and families annually. The program begins at the 6-month checkup and continues through age 5, with a special emphasis on serving children growing up in low-income communities. In addition to the "traditional" program, Reach Out and Read also has Special Initiatives targeted at three communities (Spanish-speaking, American Indian/Alaska Native, and military families) for whom the Reach Out and Read intervention has been found to be especially beneficial. While Reach Out and Read is primarily an American initiative, several programs worldwide mirror this format of early literacy intervention via the pediatric clinician. Such programs can be found in Israel, England, Canada, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Italy (Born to Read).