End Book Deserts

Exploring Scholastic's Impact on Literacy and Book Access In this episode of End Book Deserts, the podcast discusses book access and literacy culture with Judy Newman, the Chief Impact Officer of Scholastic. Newman shares how Scholastic, a member of the National Book Access Association, is advancing the work of organizations that distribute books and promoting reading for pleasure among children. She touches upon the company's multiple initiatives, such as partnering with organizations like Comic Kids and Reach Out and Read, philanthropic projects, and exciting employee engagements. The discussion also highlights the role of teachers in building literacy, the impact of COVID-19 on their work, and the importance of a community in ending book deserts. Key Points: 00:00 Introduction to End Book Deserts 00:32 Exploring Scholastic's Impact on Literacy 01:19 Scholastic's Role in Building Literacy Communities 03:26 The Power of Comics in Literacy 04:34 Scholastic's Efforts to Encourage Young Writers 05:39 Impact of COVID on Scholastic's Work 07:24 Scholastic Employees' Contribution to Literacy Culture 10:14 Upcoming Initiatives and Partnerships at Scholastic 11:53 The Power of Story: The Story of Ruby Bridges 15:31 The Importance of Reading for Pleasure 17:28 Conclusion and Invitation for Future Discussion 17:48 End Book Deserts: Final Remarks and Contact Information

In this episode of the End Book Deserts Podcast, Dr. Molly Ness interviews authors Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr, who share their experiences and adventures during a year-long road trip to visit Title I schools in all 50 states. They discuss their mission to provide free books to under-resourced areas, the impact of their visits on students, and the research conducted during the trip. They also reveal their plans for the future, including online virtual school visits. Tune in to learn more about their inspiring journey and the importance of book access in under-resourced communities.

We kick off the new season with New York's Meet the Writers! Meet the Writers has reached more than 45,000 students citywide and distributed 25,000 books signed by visiting authors. Their collaboration with schools helps to create a culture of literacy and reading.

We revisit the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation working to end book deserts in Tennessee, with support from Scholastic.

Find out how the state of Florida is earmarking funds in recent legislation to #endbookdeserts.

I love when many people come to the table to bring books to kids. That's why we are excited to create this episode with Kathleen Ryan Mufson and Pitney Bowes. 

We're thrilled today to be joined by Jonathan Hamilton who is the executive director of the Drag Story Hour!

Join Carolyn Lyons and Kyle Zimmer to understand this new coalition advocating for literacy equity!

Brooklyn Book Bodega provides access to and ownership of books, builds community, and creates a passion for learning through free events and literacy-based community programming.

Find out how this financial firm commits to literacy.

Find out how Dollar General Literacy Foundation commits to the work to #endbookdeserts

Find out how parents can become literacy advocates.

Middle grade author Jennifer Nielsen chats libraries, book access, and building reading culture.

I turn the microphone on my youngest guest to discuss ways to motivate young readers. 

Tune in for a conversation with literacy expert Cornelius Minor and Jonathon Beatty - as we chat hip hop, literacy, and entrepreneurship.

Celebrate the power of connecting through text on February 2, 2022. Join me as I chat with Dwaine Millard, Senior VP of Literacy Initiatives at Scholastic.

Join authors Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr as they discuss their yearlong adventure - driving a school bus (with their four children) across the country visiting Title 1 schools in the work to #endbookdeserts.

A look into the work to #endbookdeserts in the greater Nashville area.

Director James Pond explains how almost 45 million books have found their way to Tennessee's children in the work to end book deserts.

A Chicago-based community literacy program provides students with educational programming and book fairs to #endbookdeserts.

Discover the partnership between Scholastic and Save the Children to #endbookdeserts and engage kids nationwide in summer reading.

Discover how former Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi went from ice skating to literacy activist and the work of her foundation Always Dream to #endbookdeserts.

Since 1966, this literacy giant has been leading the field in the work to #endbookdeserts

Join Cornelius Minor and Nawal Qarooni Casiano in a conversation about books and programs that reflect the stories of our diverse children.

Madison Reading Project connects our community with free books and literacy enrichment programs that ignite a love for reading.

This Chicago-based group works to #endbookdeserts by distributing affirming, representative books to black children.

Join literacy advocate Pam Allyn and Superbowl winner turned children's book author Malcolm Mitchell to celebrate the joy of reading aloud.

Discover how an Ohio-based bookstore turned into a full-scale community literacy project.

Find out how the pediatricians promote family literacy and work to #endbookdeserts.

Little Free Library holds a new role in the pandemic and their push to #readincolor.

Find out how DC teens publish books and work to #endbookdeserts in a literacy-building project

This organization donates literature featuring LGBTQ protagonists and coaches educators on LGBTQ themes and inclusive pedagogy - so that all children feel accepted in their communities.

BookSmiles, Book Depot, and United Through Reading respond to the pandemic and their creative solutions to end book deserts.

Find out how connecting authors and children to share stories is essential to #endbookdeserts.

This episode explores how the term 'book desert' was coined and overviews the presence of book deserts.

This Texas-based project aims to change the world through education equity and literacy for all.

Find out how LitCamp has pivoted during #covid19, and the resources from Scholastic to #endbookdeserts.

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and Padma Venkatraman create a literacy initiative and social media movement to end book deserts during the COVID19 pandemic.

We check back in with previous guests to see how they’re addressing book access during the COVID pandemic.

The Clinton Foundation’s early childhood initiative, Too Small to Fail, shows that talking, reading, and singing is learning.

Find out how books are an essential component of this organization, working to create safe bedtime routines for children living in book deserts.

Discover what a World Series winning pitcher is doing to promote reading culture.

The Conscious Connect and Barbershop Books work to end book deserts across community spaces

Join author-illustrator Jason Chin and Vermont-based CLIF for how to #endbookdeserts in rural communities.

Find out more about North Carolina-based Book Harvest and their belief that reading and learning are a right, not a privilege.

New York-based LINC ends book deserts through community programming.

Teacher Penny Kittle discusses her foundation’s work to #endbookdeserts by supplying classroom libraries to high school teachers.

Best selling author Nic Stone discusses her efforts to promote reading culture.

Pam Allyn explains the collaboration between LitWorld, Scholastic, and World Read Aloud Day.

#OneBookBaltimore and the Maryland Book Bank works to #endbookdeserts in Baltimore and the mid-Atlantic.

A Texas-based program, BookSpring launches children into a world of reading.