E Train Talks: A Literacy Initiative

Ethan Minton: Founder of E Train Talks, Inc.

I'm Ethan, an award-winninliteracy advocate, book reviewer, and the host of E Train Talks. E Train Talks is a nonprofit dedicated to spreading book joy to children in low-income communities and schools. To date, I've donated over 8,000 new books throughout the Sacramento area. Please join my podcast community by subscribing to my channel and following my reading journey at www.etraintalks.org I accept no payment for my book reviews or interviews. If you'd like to support my non profit and help me give new books to underprivileged children, please donate at: https://www.paypal.com/US/fundr

  1. 1D AGO

    Purim Children's Book Author Panel Celebrating Three New PJ Library books!

    Purim is almost here, and I’ve the perfect way to start preparing for the holiday fun! Watch my interview to discover three brand new Purim themed stories that bring the holiday to life for young readers.In this special episode, I'm interviewing three wonderful children’s book authors: Nancy Churnin, Barbara Kimmel, and Varda Livney. Their stories beautifully capture Jewish holidays and traditions, bringing them to life for young readers. In this conversation, we spotlight their new board books, which help kick off PJ Library’s brand new Toddler Book Launch, a meaningful initiative that shares stories written especially for toddlers and distributed for families to enjoy in homes across the country and around the world by PJ Library. Watch and Enjoy! Purim begins the evening of Mon, Mar 2, 2026 – Tue, Mar 3, 2026Subscribe to my Channel to be kept in the know! BOOKS FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO:PURIM BASKETSWritten by Nancy Churnin ‪@nancychurninbooks‬ Illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford Publication Date: February 1, 2026Publisher: PJ Publishing ‪@PJLibraryOfficial‬ Publication Date: February 1, 2026Board Book: Ages 6 Months to 2 YearsPurim Baskets will be distributed to 20,000 one-year olds this February.Find out more at: www.nancychurnin.comPURIM POSSIBILITIESWritten by Barbara Kimmel @barbarakimmelIllustrated by Irina AvgustinovichPublisher: PJ Publishing ‪@PJLibraryOfficial‬ Publication Date: February 1, 2026Board Book: Ages 3 years and upFind out more at: https://barbarakimmelwrites.com/Purim Possibilities will be distributed to 39,000 three-year old subscribers this February.TODAY I AM A HAMANTASCH: A POEM FOR PURIMWritten by Varda LivneyIllustrated by Varda LivneyPublisher: PJ Publishing ‪@PJLibraryOfficial‬ Publication Date: February 1, 2026Board Book: Ages 6 Months to 2 YearsFind out more at: https://vardaart.com/Today I Am a Hamantasch will be distributed to 9,000 zero-year old subscribers in February.

    31 min
  2. 12/09/2025

    E Train Talks Hanukkah Heroes 2025 Author Panel!

    WELCOME TO MY HANUKKAH HEROES 2025 AUTHOR PANEL! In this video, I'm speaking with five wonderful Jewish storytellers, authors and illustrators, who've brought some of the sweetest and most meaningful Festival of Lights books to life. Their stories brighten the season for young readers from preschool through middle school. I invite you to join in the Hanukkah reading celebration, as we peek into these five amazing authors creative journeys.Henry Herz: https://www.henryherz.com/Dara Henry: https://www.darahenry.com/Janie Emaus: https://www.janieemaus.com/Dr. Kerry M. Olitzky: https://kerryolitzky.com/homeMartha Simpson: https://www.martha-seif-simpson.com/Now's your chance to click play and spend some time learning, smiling and celebrating Hanukkah! Thanks for tuning into my channel. Please support my literacy journey by liking and subscribing! E Train Talks, Inc.Where Every Child's Journey Begins with a Book. E Train Talks, Inc., is a 501©(3) nonprofit founded and led by Ethan (known as E Train), at 11-years-old. Now, 4 years later, at 15, Ethan is an award-winning literacy advocate, book reviewer, kindness ambassador and Giving Tuesday teen leader. E Train is committed to celebrating early literacy and inspiring a lifelong love of reading in children of all ages. Through engaging interviews with children's authors, book reviews, school visits, and literacy-focused events, E Train sparks curiosity and encourages children to discover the magic of reading. By championing diverse voices and stories, E Train not only supports language development and comprehension skills but also helps children build empathy, confidence, and a strong educational foundation.

    1 hr

Ratings & Reviews

4.1
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

I'm Ethan, an award-winninliteracy advocate, book reviewer, and the host of E Train Talks. E Train Talks is a nonprofit dedicated to spreading book joy to children in low-income communities and schools. To date, I've donated over 8,000 new books throughout the Sacramento area. Please join my podcast community by subscribing to my channel and following my reading journey at www.etraintalks.org I accept no payment for my book reviews or interviews. If you'd like to support my non profit and help me give new books to underprivileged children, please donate at: https://www.paypal.com/US/fundr