In the Liberty Elementary School Family Room, families gather to read a new picture book, “Learning with Lulu.” The faces in the pictures look familiar. In fact, the stars of the book are in the room.
“Learning with Lulu” follows the adventures of Lulu Bustos Rodriguez, a home visitor at the school in downtown Omaha, as she embarks on a visit with toddler Mariano and his mom, Adriana.
On the first page, we see Mariano beaming, excited for Bustos Rodriguez to arrive. She shares games and activities with Mariano and his mom while supporting strong parent-child relationships, child development skills, and parent education. Together, they are building the bridge between home and school through these home visits.
“Learning with Lulu” is the first book in the School as Hub book series, which highlights key elements of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute’s School as Hub approach under the Superintendents’ Early Childhood Plan. The series celebrates the experiences of children and families while providing a firsthand look into School as Hub programming and inviting more families to participate.
For those new to the School as Hub approach, the book series provides an accessible introduction through age-appropriate language and authentic images. Each printed copy also includes a parent tip card with ideas for extending learning and connection during shared reading time.
“I love reshaping complex ideas into simple, visual stories that uplift families and reinforce that parents are their child’s first and most important teachers,” said Laura Cady, early childhood specialist at the Buffett Institute and author of the School as Hub book series. “The book’s authenticity is what makes them meaningful—we feature real families and the family engagement staff who walk alongside them every day.”
Early literacy is a central focus for many school districts, and research consistently underscores that early exposure to books, as well as a daily reading habit, leads to long-term success for young children. The book series promotes early literacy by placing books in the hands of children from an early age and helping families understand the importance of reading.
It also offers children and families a chance to see themselves reflected in the stories they read.
“Each book is designed to honor and celebrate families and staff, illustrate what the School as Hub approach looks like in action, and showcase the joyful relationships at its heart,” Cady said. “They are both a mirror, allowing families to see themselves, and a window, offering others a chance to look in, understand, and learn something new.”
The School as Hub approach highlights the central role that schools can undertake as “hubs” that connect young children—and their families—with high-quality, comprehensive, and continuous early childhood education and services.
Home visiting, an integrated component of School as Hub programming, supports expectant parents and families with young children by promoting healthy development, fostering strong home-school partnerships from the beginning of a child’s life, and connecting families with community resources when needed. These one-on-one visits take place at home or another location preferred by families.
“Home visiting within the School as Hub approach is unique because it gives children and families the chance to form strong relationships with educators and their school community before they formally enter a classroom,” said Molly Colling, an early childhood coordinator at the Buffett Institute. “This early connection lays the foundation for better academic outcomes and a lasting partnership that can grow and thrive for years to come.”
The Buffett Institute partners with the Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties to provide leadership and support for the Superintendents’ Plan—a collaborative initiative of the 11 metro-area school districts to develop programming for young children and families facing persistent economic and social challenges. The plan aims to close opportunity gaps so that all children can reach their full potential.
The School as Hub book series is done in partnership with Unite for Literacy, a community-based program designed to cultivate a love of reading for every child, starting at birth. Their virtual library provides access to thousands of picture books at no cost. The books focus on a wide variety of topics and are available in multiple languages.
“Learning with Lulu” is available in English and Spanish, in print, and on the Buffett Institute digital bookshelf on the Unite for Literacy site. All School as Hub family engagement staff, School as Hub schools, and Learning Community sites have copies of the books.
The second book in the series, “I Love Visiting My School” explores a School as Hub socialization and is available now. Future books will continue to explore elements of School as Hub programming.
Greta Morris joined the Buffett Early Childhood Institute in June 2023. In her role as public outreach communications specialist, she is responsible for media relations, communications, and public outreach.