Reading Inspires by Reading Is Fundamental

Reading Is Fundamental

Reading Inspires is Reading Is Fundamental’s new podcast celebrating the power of books and the joy of reading. Each episode invites educators, librarians, families, authors, illustrators, and all who champion children’s literacy to explore one big question: What does reading inspire for you? Through engaging conversations and storytelling, Reading Inspires bridges the gap between research and real-world practice—showing what literacy looks and feels like in classrooms, libraries, and homes. Grounded in evidence yet open-ended in approach, this is a space for curiosity and connection. Whether you’re an educator seeking fresh ideas, a parent hoping to spark a love of reading, or simply a lifelong bookworm, you’ll find inspiration, practical insights, and stories that remind us all why reading matters—and how it changes lives.

  1. 1 day ago

    Eric Litwin / Pete the Cat

    About This Episode What happens when reading becomes joyful, musical, and deeply interactive? In this episode of Reading Inspires, Dr. Erin Bailey talks with Eric Litwin, the award-winning author of the original Pete the Cat books, about helping children build a lifelong relationship with reading. Eric shares how his experience as a classroom teacher led him to create books built around call-and-response, repetition, movement, humor, and prediction. They discuss why playful language and human connection matter so much for early literacy, how families can turn everyday routines into songs and chants, and why reading instruction works best when children experience both strong foundations and genuine joy. What You’ll Learn How call-and-response and repetition invite children to participate in readingWhy music, movement, and playful routines help develop language and phonemic awarenessHow families and educators can make ordinary moments opportunities for joyful languageWhy human interaction is essential when children are learning language and readingHow the idea of becoming a reading hero can guide intentional, engaging practice Chapters 0:00 — Welcome and introduction1:00 — Eric Litwin’s journey from classroom teacher to author8:00 — Call-and-response, repetition, and joyful reading16:00 — Building literacy through language, movement, and routines25:00 — Screens, human interaction, and the reading foundation32:00 — The Poop Song, phonemic awareness, and playful learning39:00 — Becoming reading heroes through human, engaging, recurring, intentional practice45:00 — What reading inspires for Eric Resources Eric Litwin — Learn more about Eric’s work, books, music, and literacy resources.Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes — The interactive picture book that invites children to sing, predict, and respond.Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons — A story about counting, resilience, and responding to change with joy.The Poop Song — A playful example of using humor, repetition, and music to support language and learning.The Power of Joyful Reading: Help Your Young Readers Soar to Success! — Eric’s guide, co-written with Dr. Gina Pepin, to making reading joyful and engaging.

  2. 20 Oct

    Kate DiCamillo and Kelly Yang on the Stories That Help Children Find Their Voice

    Summary Kate DiCamillo and Kelly Yang are two of the most beloved and influential voices in children's literature. In this episode of Reading Inspires, they talk about the stories, characters, and experiences that help young readers discover friendship, hope, belonging, resilience, and the confidence to find their own voices. Kate DiCamillo is a two-time Newbery Medal winner and the author of Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and Flora & Ulysses. Kelly Yang is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Front Desk series, New from Here, Finally Seen, Finally Heard, and Parachutes. Together, they reflect on the power of children's books to help readers see themselves, understand other people, and recognize what stories can make possible. Show Notes Kate DiCamillo: https://www.katedicamillo.com/Kate DiCamillo's The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane Deluxe Collector's Edition: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/824943/the-miraculous-journey-of-edward-tulane-deluxe-collectors-edition-by-kate-dicamillo-illustrated-by-bagram-ibatoulline/Kelly Yang: https://www.kellyyang.com/StoryKind: https://storykind.org/Kelly Yang's Front Desk: The Graphic Novel: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1338856448 Reading Inspires is a podcast from Reading Is Fundamental about the people and ideas helping children discover the joy and power of reading.

  3. 13 Oct

    Growing Up Bilingual: Grace Bastidas on Books, Culture, and Raising Connected Readers

    Summary Grace Bastidas joins Reading Inspires to talk about the stories, books, and cultural traditions that shaped her as a reader—and how she is passing those gifts on to her own children. Grace is a journalist, speaker, parenting expert, and the former editor in chief of Parents. Drawing on her Colombian heritage and experience raising bilingual children in a multicultural home, Grace shares practical ways families can use books, language, and storytelling to build connection, curiosity, and a stronger sense of identity. Chapters 0:00 — Welcome and meeting Grace Bastidas 0:43 — Family stories, Colombian roots, and discovering books 2:31 — The reading medal Grace still treasures 3:09 — Passing culture and language on to the next generation 5:05 — Encouragement for parents raising bilingual children 8:30 — Making language learning consistent and joyful 12:00 — Books as a bridge to culture, identity, and belonging 17:30 — Grace’s advice for helping children become readers Show Notes Guest: Grace Bastidas — gbastidas.com Instagram: @brooklynwriter LinkedIn: Grace Bastidas Grace’s work has appeared on Today, Good Morning America, CBS Mornings, and NBC News Now, and in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and New York Magazine. Reading Inspires is a podcast from Reading Is Fundamental about the people and ideas helping children discover the joy and power of reading.

  4. 6 Oct

    From Rocket City to the Artemis Generation: Lane Polak on Making NASA's Story Matter

    Summary What does it take to help children see themselves in the story of space exploration? Lane Polak, a technical writer and strategic communications professional for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) at Marshall Space Flight Center, joins Reading Inspires to talk about his unconventional path to NASA and the creative work behind making the Artemis program accessible to young readers. Lane explains how his background in writing, drawing, and neurodivergent creativity shaped his approach to outreach, why NASA needed materials designed for the youngest members of the Artemis generation, and how children’s books can turn technical achievement into curiosity, connection, and possibility. He also reflects on school visits, storytelling, and the questions every writer should ask: Why am I telling this story, why this way, and where do I want it to go? Chapters 0:00 — Meet Lane Polak and the Artemis generation1:00 — From Huntsville and creative writing to NASA2:20 — What strategic communications does for the SLS program3:25 — Making NASA’s mission understandable for young readers4:30 — Creating *Hooray for SLS* and pitching the idea at NASA8:00 — Writing children’s books that build connection and curiosity12:00 — School visits, author events, and questions from students20:00 — Storytelling, vulnerability, and finding your purpose32:15 — Why reading helps us connect with people and community Show Notes - Guest: Lane Polak, technical writer for NASA’s Space Launch System at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.- NASA profile: I Am Artemis — Lane Polak- Lane’s Reading Is Fundamental books:- Hooray for SLS- Our Friend Orion- There and Back with EGS- Lane is available for school visits. Contact: [russell.l.polak@nasa.gov](mailto:russell.l.polak@nasa.gov)

  5. 30 Sept

    Building a Culture of Reading: Denine Torr and Alicia Levi on Literacy Access

    Summary Erin Bailey talks with Denine Torr of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and Alicia Levi of Reading Is Fundamental about why literacy access is a community responsibility. They discuss the long partnership between Dollar General and RIF, the specific barriers facing rural communities, the importance of books in homes and schools, and the role of motivation, confidence, and practice in developing skilled readers. The conversation closes with practical ways listeners can support literacy through their time, talent, and treasure. Denine and Alicia share personal stories about the power of books, family reading, community programs, and the possibilities that open when children and adults have meaningful access to literacy. Chapters 0:00 — Welcome and introductions1:01 — How reading shaped Alicia and Denine5:37 — Why Dollar General made literacy a lasting commitment7:39 — RIF and Dollar General’s long-term partnership9:52 — Literacy access in rural communities14:38 — Books, confidence, motivation, and practice18:13 — Building literacy through community partnerships24:22 — Remembering Dolly Parton’s literacy legacy30:13 — Stories that show the power of books and family reading36:20 — What listeners can do to support literacy39:33 — What reading inspires Show Notes **Denine Torr** — Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy at Dollar General and Executive Director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. She leads philanthropic and social-responsibility efforts supporting communities nationwide and serves on several literacy and education boards.**Alicia Levi** — President and CEO of Reading Is Fundamental, the nation’s leading children’s literacy organization. She has expanded RIF’s reach through literacy programs, digital resources, partnerships, and professional learning.Reading Is Fundamental: https://www.rif.org/Dollar General Literacy Foundation: https://www.dgliteracy.org/ This episode was produced for Reading Inspires.

  6. 22 Sept

    Life Really Socks: How Two Cousins Turned Mismatched Socks into Stories of Belonging

    Summary What happens when two cousins turn a drawer full of lost socks into a graphic-story universe? Erin Bailey talks with Shidan and Roshan Youssefian, creators of Life Really Socks, a playful book series about mismatched socks, friendship, individuality, and belonging. Shidan and Roshan grew up in Italy in a culturally mixed family, followed different professional paths, and came together during the pandemic to build a creative world where lost socks become characters with their own stories. They explain why they chose graphic storytelling, how humor helps children engage with big ideas, and why celebrating difference can be both meaningful and genuinely fun. Chapters 00:00 — Meet the creators of Life Really Socks01:44 — Growing up in Italy and finding a shared creative path05:08 — The origin of the Life Really Socks idea07:22 — Celebrating misfits, individuality, and belonging10:33 — Creating during the pandemic13:14 — Why graphic storytelling invites children into reading16:00 — Building the Sockverse and its cast of characters20:00 — Humor, empathy, and making big ideas approachable24:00 — From books and socks to a larger creative universe29:00 — Taking the risk to make something new34:18 — A message for readers and familiesShow Notes Erin Bailey is joined by cousins Shidan and Roshan Youssefian, the creators of Life Really Socks. The series follows lost and mismatched socks in a world where characters learn to navigate difference, friendship, and community. In this conversation, they discuss: How a simple idea about mismatched socks became a story universeThe influence of their multicultural family and international backgroundsWhy the Sockverse uses humor and adventure to explore belongingHow graphic novels can help children build confidence as readersThe creative possibilities of combining books, characters, and physical productsWhat the pandemic changed about their work and creative processWhy taking a creative risk can lead to unexpected connectionsLearn more about Life Really Socks: Website: lifereallysocks.comYouTube: Life Really SocksInstagram: @lifereallysocks_officialTikTok: @lifereallysocksReading Inspires is presented by Reading Is Fundamental. Share this episode with a reader, family, or educator who would enjoy the Sockverse.

  7. 15 Sept

    Read, Lead, Succeed with Abby Quammen Conrad

    Dr. Erin Bailey sits down with Abby Quammen Conrad, former Miss New York 2024, to discuss her lifelong passion for children's literacy. Abby shares how books became a source of stability after losing her home at age 12, and how that experience shaped her Read Lead Succeed initiative, through which she's run book drives, after-school reading programs in the Bronx, and tutored students one-on-one — including the powerful story of a struggling third-grader who's now an English major in college. The conversation covers practical tips for building a love of reading at home, the economic case for literacy investment, creative community efforts like her Book Buddies social media challenge, and why libraries and local businesses have a role to play in keeping kids engaged with books. About Abby Quammen Conrad:Abby Quammen Conrad, Former Miss New York and friend of RIF Bio: Abby believes reading is a human right, and she's spent more than a decade proving it. A former Miss New York and founder of Read → Lead → Succeed, she has helped distribute over 10,000 books and reached more than 20,000 students in a mission to make reading "cool" for a new generation and fight our nation's illiteracy crisis. Through after-school reading programs in Title I schools and one-on-one tutoring, she works directly with the students who need it most — turning reluctant readers into confident ones. As the coach and mentor behind her own pageant consulting business, CrownedByQ, she guides rising titleholders to find their voice, own their story, and compete with confidence. By day, Abby works in development for the nation's largest private university while earning her MBA at NYU's Stern School of Business. @abbyqconrad @crownedbyqcoaching

  8. 8 Sept

    Rethinking Kids' Media Habits with Dr. Tiffany Munzer

    Dr. Erin Bailey talks with Dr. Tiffany Munzer, a developmental behavioral pediatrician and digital media researcher at the University of Michigan, about screen time and children's development. They discuss how screen time guidance has shifted from rigid time limits to a focus on quality, content, and connection — emphasizing co-viewing, high-quality media (like PBS Kids and Skybrary), and using screens as conversation starters rather than passive babysitters. The conversation covers differences between print books and e-books, practical strategies for setting screen time boundaries with kids, and a deep dive into AI's role in children's literacy — including its promise for interactive learning, the risks of sycophantic LLM design fostering unhealthy engagement, and the irreplaceable value of embodied human connection. Dr. Munzer closes by encouraging families not to feel guilty about digital media use and to focus on the underlying needs its meeting, while reaffirming that reading builds empathy and perspective. About Dr. Tiffany Munzer:Dr. Tiffany Munzer is a Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician and digital media researcher at University of Michigan. Dr. Munzer’s research program is driven by the questions that families often present with related to digital media, parenting, and young children’s development. Her work also includes work includes translation of scientific findings to actionable clinical guidance for families. She serves as the Medical Director of Reach Out and Read Michigan and University of Michigan, an evidence-based intervention providing free books for young children. Tiffany G. Munzer | Faculty | University of Michigan Medical School Skybrary: Children’s Reading App for Kids Pre-K through Grade 3 | Skybrary

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About

Reading Inspires is Reading Is Fundamental’s new podcast celebrating the power of books and the joy of reading. Each episode invites educators, librarians, families, authors, illustrators, and all who champion children’s literacy to explore one big question: What does reading inspire for you? Through engaging conversations and storytelling, Reading Inspires bridges the gap between research and real-world practice—showing what literacy looks and feels like in classrooms, libraries, and homes. Grounded in evidence yet open-ended in approach, this is a space for curiosity and connection. Whether you’re an educator seeking fresh ideas, a parent hoping to spark a love of reading, or simply a lifelong bookworm, you’ll find inspiration, practical insights, and stories that remind us all why reading matters—and how it changes lives.

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