About

Jessica Ralli is a parent, author, proud library worker, and Coordinator of Early Literacy Programs at Brooklyn Public Library where she develops and manages initiatives for children 0-5 and their families, including BPL’s popular early literacy storytime series, Ready, Set, Kindergarten. Jessica curates the Early Childhood Educator Series at BPL, supporting educators, librarians, and practitioners working with young children in a variety of settings. In 2023, Jessica joined BPL’s Books Unbanned Initiative, helping to expand the program to young readers through Books Unbanned Storytimes. Jessica received her M.A. in Early Childhood Special Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and taught for 10 years in early childhood settings. She writes about early literacy and library initiatives, most recently for the First Steps Column in School Libray Journal. Jessica has presented on early literacy, multilingual storytimes, and the important role of play at libraries at the American Library Association Conference, Young Child Expo, Bank Street Center for Children’s Literature, and the Urban Librarians Conference. In 2020, Jessica won the notable Library Journal “Movers and Shakers” award for her advocacy work in libraries. Jessica co-authored the critically acclaimed, award-winning First Conversations Series with author Dr. Megan Pamela Ruth Madison, for Rise x Penguin Workshop.