Reach Out and Read: Interview with Dr. Gigi Chawla
Reach Out and Read is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that encourages reading by providing books for children during doctors visits. Ideally, these books promote reading between caregivers and children which can be a bonding experience. In 2024, more than 4.6 million children were provided with 7.7 million free books; approximately 70 percent of the children Reach Out and Read serves are from low-income families. Endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Reach Out and Read serves children in every state across the U.S., through 6,500 clinics and the expertise of 39,000 clinicians.
Dr. Gigi Chawla, the Chief of General Pediatrics at Children’s Minnesota, and Reach Out and Read advocate, recently discussed this initiative via an exclusive interview.
Q: How did you get interested in the medical field and why did you decide to focus on pediatrics?
Dr. Chawla: My parents were clinicians, so I don’t think there was ever a time in which I considered anything else for myself. Patient care and all of the wonderful opportunities to make a difference in someone else’s life were a daily conversation at the dinner table. In high school, I worked as a certified nursing assistant in a nursing home. That was hard work and taught me the nuances of the two-generational model of health care that would one day help me in pediatrics. In college, I majored in chemistry and biology, and did a bit of work as a teaching assistant. I took a year off between college and medical school to do some biology-related research on cholesterol, which helped me to understand that I really wanted to work in patient care instead. In medical school, I kept an open mind to all specialties, but pediatrics — and navigating the two-generational conversations and teaching parents — felt natural. During pediatric residency, I had my first daughter, and that blend of learning the medicine while learning the parenting at the same time helped to shape the type of pediatrician I’ve become.
Q: When did you become aware of Reach Out and Read and what most appealed to you about the initiative?
Dr. Chawla: I first learned about Reach Out and Read during my pediatric residency, and I was immediately drawn to its simplicity and impact. Early in my pediatric training, going into an office exam room by myself to offer care to a patient and family on the other side of the door seemed daunting. Walking into the exam room with a book in hand helped me to relax as a trainee, knowing that I had something to create a bond with a family and to start the office visit off on the right foot and get my bearings. At first glance, giving a book and talking to parents about reading during a checkup might seem like a small gesture, but it creates a profound ripple effect on a child’s development and a family’s daily routine. The program has such a far-reaching imprint, with clinics across all 50 states. In FY24, Reach Out and Read provided 7.7 million free books across 9.3 million well-child visits. Here in Minnesota where I practice, we have 305 active sites, and in FY24 alone, we served 165,784 children and distributed nearly 300,000 books. It’s incredible to see how a simple act like reading together can have such a lasting impact on early literacy, brain development, and family bonding.
Q: What are the benefits of reading that you wish everyone knew about?
Dr. Chawla: Reading is so much more than just learning letters and sounds — it’s one of the most powerful tools we have to support a child’s overall development, starting from birth. What I wish everyone knew is how much is happening in a child’s brain when their parents read with them. In those early years, the brain is developing at an incredible rate, forming neural connections that lay the foundation for future learning. Reading aloud stimulates those connections, especially in the areas tied to language, memory, and emotional regulation. And when a child is read to — especially in the lap of a loving caregiver — it becomes a source of comfort, security, and joy. That emotional bond can help regulate stress, increase a child’s sense of safety, and even build resilience. Books are also powerful because they serve as both mirrors and windows. When children see themselves reflected in the stories they read, it helps validate their identity, experiences, and emotions — it shows them that they matter. At the same time, books can open windows into other people’s lives, cultures, and experiences, helping to build empathy, compassion, and a deeper understanding of the world. Sharing books that feature diverse families, communities, and cultures is so important in raising children who are kind, curious, and accepting of others. It’s why having access to a wide range of books that are both age appropriate and culturally relevant matters so much. What’s also amazing is how early reading impacts success in school and beyond, years later. Children who are read to regularly in the first five years, starting at birth, are more likely to do well academically, have stronger social skills, and develop a lifelong love of learning. It’s a simple, everyday activity that has a lasting impact — and that’s something I wish every parent, caregiver, and community could fully understand and embrace.
Q: Why is reading such a good bonding activity for children and their caregivers to engage in?
Dr. Chawla: When a child hears their caregiver’s voice while cuddled close with a book, it creates a sense of love, safety, and security. You likely remember it from your own childhood or have experienced it with a child: That physical closeness, paired with the rhythm and flow of language, becomes a soothing ritual — something a child can look forward to and rely on. It’s not just about reading the words on the page — it’s about the shared experience: the warmth of a lap, the comfort of a familiar voice, the magic of a story unfolding together. In those quiet moments, children feel seen, heard, and cherished. That emotional connection builds trust and attachment, both of which are critical for healthy brain development and social-emotional growth. For the caregiver, it’s also a powerful time to slow down and be fully present. In our busy lives, reading offers a pause — a chance to connect without distractions, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Q: How are the books selected for the program?
Dr. Chawla: The books we use in Reach Out and Read are chosen very carefully. Each book in our catalogs is age appropriate, developmentally relevant, and culturally responsive, ensuring that it resonates with the diverse families we serve. Books are also selected to align with the developmental stages of children from birth through age 5. For infants, sturdy board books with bright images and simple text are preferred to engage their emerging senses. As children grow, the books include more complex narratives and themes that match their cognitive and emotional development. Cultural responsiveness is key to the selection process. Reach Out and Read’s curated booklists feature stories that reflect the diverse experiences, languages, and cultures of the families participating in the program. This approach ensures that children see themselves and their communities represented in the stories they read, which is vital. Ultimately, every book we give out is meant to spark connection — not just between a child and a story, but between the child and their caregiver. When a trusted adult reads that book aloud, it’s more than just reading time — it’s a moment of bonding, learning, and growth that can stay with a child for years to come.
Q; Why is combining book-giving with doctor’s appointments so effective?
Dr. Chawla: As a Reach Out and Read clinician, I see firsthand how powerful this model is. Well-child visits are already moments when parents are especially tuned in to their child’s growth and development. By introducing a book, modeling how to use it, and talking about the value of shared reading, we’re doing more than handing out a resource — we’re opening a window into how families can build strong, positive routines. The combination of trust, timing, and guidance make this a powerful intervention. During checkups, parents are looking for ways to support their child’s healthy development. When we show them how to engage their child with a book — how to ask questions, point out pictures, and follow the child’s lead — we’re empowering them with simple but strong tools that foster language skills and strengthen parent-child bonds. Reach Out and Read also allows me to connect with each family. I start each visit with a book — what could be better than that? Using a book during a well-child visit provides me with valuable insights into a child’s developmental progress. For instance, if a baby starts reaching for and even putting a book in their mouth, it indicates the development of sensory-motor skills and hand-eye coordination, important milestones in early development. These small but meaningful moments allow us to track and discuss a child’s progress with parents in real time. The evidence backs it up: Families who participate in Reach Out and Read are more likely to read together, more likely to have books in the home, and children often show stronger language development — sometimes up to six months ahead of their peers. It’s a small moment during a checkup, but it plants the seeds for a lifelong love of reading and learning.
Q: Be honest, do you have a personal favorite children’s book? If so, which one and why?
Dr. Chawla: My favorite children’s book is Eric Carle’s “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” I love everything about this book: the colors, the counting of fruits, and the days of the week. I love the little lesson about healthy foods and, the science lesson about metamorphosis is pretty fantastic, too.
Q: What do you personally believe is the most impressive aspect of Reach Out and Read?
Dr. Chawla: Reach Out and Read seamlessly integrates into pediatric care. It’s not an additional task or something that requires a huge time commitment — it enhances the work we’re already doing with families during well-child visits. As a pediatrician, I’m already focused on a child’s overall health and development and Reach Out and Read allows me to build on that by encouraging something simple but impactful: reading together. What makes it even more powerful is that Reach Out and Read’s impact is measurable. We see it in real, concrete ways — families who participate in the program read more often with their children, and that routine helps foster important cognitive and emotional skills. Children who are read to regularly are better prepared when they enter school because they’ve had exposure to language, story structure, and early literacy concepts. They’re more curious, empathetic, and patient. The small moments of connection forged while reading together have long-term benefits. They help create strong, supportive relationships between caregivers and children that can support a child’s well-being and development not just in childhood, but across a lifetime. Shared reading only requires minutes each day, but its effects ripple outward. That’s what makes Reach Out and Read so special — it’s simple, it’s effective, and it’s a tool that can have lifelong benefits for families.
Q: What have been some of the reactions you’ve gotten from people who participated in this program?
Dr. Chawla: The reactions I’ve seen from families participating in Reach Out and Read have been overwhelmingly positive and heartfelt. Parents are often surprised and genuinely touched when they receive the first book during their well-child visit. Such a simple moment, but it makes a lasting impression. For many families, the book becomes a cherished part of their daily routine, and I hear that it becomes their child’s favorite bedtime story. It’s incredible to see how something as small as a book can become such a big part of a child’s life. But only a third of U.S. children under 2 — and barely a quarter of those in low-income households — are read to every day. One barrier to that is not having books at home. Nearly 70 percent of the families we serve are under-resourced, and for some kids, these are the first books they’ve ever owned. Giving families access to these resources can have a profound impact. Families have told me that the Reach Out and Read books have inspired them to start building a home library. That sticks with me, because it shows how the program not only provides immediate joy and connection but also sparks a larger interest in reading and learning at home. The gratitude from parents is so rewarding to witness. There’s something truly special about hearing them express how much these books mean to them, and how they’ve become more than just a tool for learning — they’ve become a source of comfort, bonding, and joy. The enthusiasm from families is contagious, and it’s a reminder of how powerful reading can be in shaping a child’s future.
I love how this work creates a ripple effect, encouraging families to prioritize reading and make it an ongoing part of their everyday lives. Most families say that receiving a book is the best part of the well child check, and the reason that they convince their child to come!
Q: What are your ultimate goals for the future and is there anything else that you would like to mention?
Dr. Chawla: I’d love to see Reach Out and Read continue to grow — to ensure that every child, no matter where they live or their family’s income, has access to books and that joyful, shared reading experience. We want to be a population-level intervention, transforming pediatric care across the country. Reach Out and Read should be wherever young children are getting well-child visits — in cities, rural areas, and suburbs, and in all kinds of clinics, guided by pediatricians, family physicians, or nurse practitioners. By embedding early literacy into every well-child visit, we’re working to make it as standard as vaccinations, ensuring that all children, regardless of background, are given the opportunity to build early literacy skills and strong connections with their caregivers. The vision is to create a world where every child, regardless of their circumstances, has access to books, experiences that nurture their development, and relationships that support them.