The Reading Revolution

Check out this insightful episode with Aleisha Marie Kelly, founder of 3koolkings.com and author of numerous children's books focused on diversity and inclusion. A mother of three boys, her focus is to help encourage young black and brown boys to see themselves as movers of the world, rather than passing participants. Join us for a great conversation, and visit 3koolkings.com for more! Follow us @bookvending.com

In this episode of Reading Revolution, we sit down with Laura Stewart, the Chief Academic Officer at 95 Percent Group, to discuss the future of literacy education and how we can empower young readers everywhere.Join us as we dive into the science of reading, effective literacy strategies, and how we can bridge the gap in education. Don't miss this insightful conversation with one of the leading voices in literacy reform.Follow us on Instagram @bookvending for more updates, behind-the-scenes content, and literacy resources! #ReadingRevolution #LiteracyMatters #BookVending

In this inspiring episode of Reading Revolution, we sit down with Principal Brianna Lanoye and Assistant Principal Courtney Champlin from Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School Elementary 2. Hear their incredible journey and the impact of introducing the world's first-ever STEM Vending Machine. Discover how this innovative addition has sparked curiosity and creativity among students, fostering a love for learning and STEM exploration. 📚✨ Don’t miss this uplifting story of leadership and innovation in education! #ReadingRevolution #STEM #EducationMatters Follow us @BookVending

Join us as Barbara Irwin, Tony Buttino, Sr., and Pam Johnson share the story of Creating Reading Rainbow, one of the most successful PBS children’s series in television history.Reading Rainbow is very much a story of humble beginnings and enormous perseverance. Over five summers, Tony Buttino Sr. and his colleagues at WNED-TV in Buffalo, New York, worked in collaboration with educators and librarians to experiment with summer reading programs. But after trialing these programs, the WNED team realized there was a big need for a new children's literacy series and believed they could create a new show with local and national collaborators and friends.After fits and starts, and enough twists and turns to fill a children’s book, Reading Rainbow premiered in the summer of 1983 and captured the attention of 6.5 million young viewers.https://www.amazon.com/Creating-Reading-Rainbow-Beloved-Childrens/dp/1493077325

The Write Kellys are an award-winning author and illustrator duo who have published four children’s books with many more (always!) in the works. The married couple (parents, creatives and professors in their day jobs) turn into their alter ego mystery writer, P. Knuckle Jones when it’s time to write, because—let's face it—that name is just way cooler than Rebecca and Kevin Kelly.Like their own favorite childhood mysteries, the Kellys’ children’s books feature kids as heroes because, whether facing bog creatures or machines run amok, it’s the kids who can be counted on to save the day! Their books offer to parents, teachers and librarians opportunities to help young readers learn along with the characters through comprehension support and other fun activities.Follow us @bookvending

In this episode of the Reading Revolution podcast, we sit down with Stephanie Davern, vice president of sales and marketing at Read-A-Thon. With over 26 years of experience, Stephanie shares her insights on driving growth in the education space, strategies for successful fundraising, and how Read-A-Thon is helping schools raise funds while inspiring a love for reading. Learn how innovative programs can transform education and empower young readers. Follow us on all platforms @bookvending

Tara Burgess is the Executive Director for EPIC, Every Person Impacts Children, a Buffalo NY-based organization dedicated to strengthening families and building community to raise children who make a positive impact in the world. With a variety of dynamic initiatives available to residents in the Western New York area, we delve into their reading programs that are changing the way families approach literacy.

In this episode of the Reading Revolution, we chat with Isis Asare, the visionary founder and CEO of Sistah Scifi. Discover how this Black-owned, women-owned, digital-first bookstore is making waves in the literary world, particularly in science fiction and fantasy. Learn about their innovative introduction of book vending machines in Seattle and Oakland, California, aimed at bringing books directly to the community through partnerships with local businesses and organizations. Don't miss this inspiring conversation! For more, please visit https://sistahscifi.com/

Grandma's Love, Inc. founder Theresa Monforte-Caraballo has been committed to combating childhood hunger and improving literacy in communities throughout New York City, especially in low income and at-risk neighborhoods, since 2015. Theresa has introduced Inchy Bookworm machines to many hospitals and institutions with an eye to expanding their footprint in the years to come to "feed the minds of our future."

In this episode, I speak with the creator of Inchy's Bookworm Vending Machines and the long awaited children's book, The Adventures of Inchy the Bookworm: The Dream. Inchy's story captures the spirit of BookVending.com's mission to bring books to children and inspire reading everywhere. Jay also talks about what's new with the company and touches on some exciting programs on the horizon.

In this episode, I sit down with Greater Longview, Texas United Way Executive Director Dr. Reverend Evan Dolive and learn more about the group's mission to bring equal access to books in their community. Dr. Dolive talks about their success with the Inchy Bookworm program and its expansion outside of schools to provide kids with books. It's a great "How Funding Gets Things Done" Inchy story!

In this episode, I am joined by global business leader and philanthropist James Keyes as he talks about leadership, literacy and his new book Education is Freedom. Keyes is the former CEO of Blockbuster, Inc. and 7-11 and he shares about the importance of education, its impact on society, and how his Education is Freedom foundation is working hard to help high school students prepare for and succeed in college. For more, visit jameswkeyes.com and educationisfreedom.org

In this episode we head to Southern California to catch up with high school student and change agent, Carter Beardsley. Carter was the catalyst for bringing an Inchy Bookworm book vending machine to students at Delano Elementary and La Vina Middle schools! His grassroots efforts to enhance literacy at his former schools is nothing short of amazing and a study in how visions become reality through hard work and determination!

Joining me on this episode is award-winning podcaster and talk show host, entrepreneur, and author Debbie Nigro. Debbie hosts The Debbie Nigro radio show/podcast and is the author of "The Working Mom on the Run" and recently "How to Talk to Strangers." She delves into the world of writing, publishing and publicity. Hear her show here: https://shorturl.at/hxQZ2

In this episode, I am joined by Ymani Wince, owner and proprietor of the Noir Book Shop in St. Louis, MO. The Noir Book Shop is bookstore dedicated to the Black experience designed to build community through its educational programming and product offerings. The shop has also recently installed a Inchy Bookworm vending machine to help sustain it's three pillars: education, inspiration, and community. https://www.noirbookshop.com/

For 17 years, Read to Succeed Buffalo has been combining exposure to high quality, intentional instruction, and literacy rich environments for birth through 3rd Grade children, regardless of economic or social challenges, to help them reach their highest potential. In this podcast, I sit down with Director of Program Julia Brueckl to explore how Read to Succeed Buffalo is making a difference in the lives of Western New York children. www.readtosucceedbuffalo.org/

Join us for a unique twist on food and literacy and how they have come together at Melba's PoBoys in New Orleans! Restaurant owner and author Jane Wolfe shares her secret to success combining reading and cuisine in a fun and unique way in the Big Easy. From book signings to read-alongs, literacy and good food go hand-in-hand at Melba's! Check them out: https://www.melbas.com/

Dr. Maria Murray, President and CEO of the Reading League joins us to discuss the awareness, understanding, and the use of evidence-aligned reading instruction. Their group facilitates collaborations and connects the findings from the science of reading to the practices of multiple stakeholders within the education, publishing, and policy communities. For more: www.thereadingleague.org

BPS School #61 Arthur O. Eve School of Distinction Principal Nathaniel Barnes joins me to talk about the impact of their Inchy the Bookworm book vending machine and how it has changed the school's approach to literacy. Barnes engages his students and families with a variety of unique and engaging activities, both in the classroom and out and is proud to lead his teachers with the very first Inchy machine ever created. Visit their website: https://www.buffaloschools.org/o/ps61

In this episode, I am joined by children's author, artist and assistant professor of General and Special Education of the graduate school at Touro University, Timothy Bellavia. A former Western New York native now residing in New York City, Tim is the creator of the popular We Are All the Same Inside series of books and dolls and is currently preparing educators for the classroom. Check out his work at www.timothydbellavia.com.

In this episode, I am joined by local children's author and former educator, Dee Romito. Check out her work at www.deeromito.com and writeforapples.com. Dee was also instrumental, unknowingly, in initial online promotion of Inchy the Bookworm's first Book Vending Machine!

The countdown is on! Join Global Vending Group/Bookvending.com on your favorite podcast platforms and YouTube for the #ReadingRevolution kicking off on Wednesday, January 10! Check out local children's author Dee Romito on Episode 001! #literacyforall #literacymatters