author

Playing With Riddles: 15 Fun Brain Teasers That Boost Reading Skills

“What has hands but can’t clap?” your six-year-old asks with a mischievous grin. You pause, think, then admit defeat. “A clock!” she shouts triumphantly, delighted that she stumped you with her riddle. That moment of playful thinking? It’s doing more for her reading development than you might realize. Riddles are sneaky learning tools disguised as […]

Decodable Books vs. Leveled Readers: Why the Difference Matters for Your Beginning Reader

You walk into the library, excited to find books for your kindergartener who’s just starting to read. The children’s section offers hundreds of brightly colored early readers. They all look educational. They’re all labeled for beginning readers. So you grab a stack, head home, and settle in for reading time. But ten minutes later, your […]

Celebrity Book Clubs for Kids: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Imagine your child’s excitement when a book arrives in the mail each month with their name on it; a personal gift that says reading is special and they matter.  This magical experience has become a reality for millions of children worldwide through celebrity-driven book programs, with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library leading the charge as the […]

Reading Across Subjects: Why Science and Social Studies Books Matter

Most parents naturally reach for storybooks when reading with their children. There’s something magical about cuddling up with a picture book or an exciting chapter book that sparks imagination. But what about science and social studies books? These content-rich texts often sit neglected on library shelves, yet they offer powerful benefits for young readers—especially those […]

Twice-Exceptional Readers: Gifted with Learning Differences

Your child demonstrates remarkable creativity and advanced thinking skills, yet struggles with basic reading tasks. They can discuss complex topics with sophisticated vocabulary but stumble over simple words on a page.  If this sounds familiar, you might be parenting a twice-exceptional reader—a child who is both intellectually gifted and has a learning difference. Understanding this […]

Newbery Medal 2025: This Year’s Outstanding Children’s Books

Imagine opening a book and discovering that reading can transport you not just to different places, but to different times entirely. This year’s Newbery Medal winner does exactly that, proving once again that the finest children’s literature combines compelling storytelling with profound themes that resonate across generations. The American Library Association’s announcement of the 2025 […]