The purpose of this manuscript was to describe information about an animal-assisted therapy, specifically the Reading Education Assistance Dog (R.E.A.D.) program. In this manuscript I provide information about R.E.A.D. programs in general. Next, I share perspectives solicited from R.E.A.D. participants, specifically teachers, parents, students and…

Suggests guidelines for schools that are developing volunteer tutoring programs to help young children who are at risk for reading failure. Discusses the "America Reads Challenge," and what is known about volunteers. Discusses several components essential to the success of tutoring programs in reading. (SR)

Describes an early intervention reading program in Gentofte, Denmark, that is designed to maintain rather than remediate reading skills. (FL)

Responds to an article in the April 1998 issue of this journal. Shares evidence about the effectiveness of peer tutoring. Discusses literacy tutoring of K-3 emergent readers by volunteers. Explains why tutoring is not teaching, and offers a model for successful tutoring practices. (SR)

Replies to an article in the same issue of this journal, which responded to this author's earlier article. Elaborates two fundamental points of disagreement (the definition of tutoring and the characteristics of the children being tutored). (SR)

Reports on a reading program that showed parents of underachieving inner-city primary school children how to help their children improve their reading performance. Concludes that the parents not only helped their children but also improved their own reading ability. (FL)

Reports results of a 2-year program to put high-quality children's books in urban child-care centers. Gives an overview of the project, detailing its progress, processes, and impact on children's literacy development. Suggests to increase the volume, quality, and intensity of young children's stimulating experiences with good books at an early age…

Describes a cross-age reading and writing program in which sixth-grade students (all average and low-average readers) were paired with kindergarten children to read and write collaboratively on a regular basis. Finds evidence from the students themselves, their parents, the teachers, and the school librarian showing how students' attitudes toward…

Describes a cross-age tutoring program that provides benefits to both the university student athletes who serve as tutors and the elementary school students with whom they work. Gives reasons for the success of the program, as well as evidence of the success. (MG)

Describes the Charlottesville (Virginia) Volunteer Tutorial, a one-on-one tutorial program that promotes the literacy development of young children and involves a wide range of community volunteers. Suggests that the program offers one model of an affordable, alternative form of early intervention. (SR)