Born to Read

Born to Read is the official national program of Croatia, introduced in 2023 as a permanent cultural and public health measure to support children’s early development. Based on scientific evidence about the benefits of reading aloud from birth, the program builds a coordinated network of pediatricians, librarians, kindergartens, visiting nurses, and volunteers.

Following the international bookgifting model, pediatricians present families with high-quality picture books during regular health check-ups (at 6 months, 18 months, 3 years, and 5 years), along with guidance and encouragement to establish daily reading routines. Each child receives four age-appropriate books before starting school, while parents are supported with information and advice on the importance of shared reading.

By integrating book distribution with pediatric care, the program ensures nationwide reach—covering around 32,000 newborns annually—and strengthens local capacity through partnerships with libraries, kindergartens, and volunteers. In this way, Born to Read symbolically and practically introduces every child in Croatia to the world of books, laying the foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing.