Place in Kachin State, Burma
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ABOUT THIS EPISODE Learning and loving to read is a journey for every child. Today, we're focusing on that particular moment when a child is building their reading confidence to make a leap from picture books to chapter books. It's an exciting time, but it's also high stakes: it presents a small window that can either launch a child into a love of reading on their own or intimidate them if they find it overwhelming. That's where Scholastic comes in. In today's episode, former elementary school teacher and current Editorial Director of Scholastic's Acorn early readers and Branches early chapter books lines, Katie Carella, is back in the studio with guest-host Billy DiMichele to talk about this magical moment in a child's literacy journey. And joining the podcast for the first time is Bernard Mensah, author of beloved Branches series Kwame's Magic Quest. Over the years, Branches has helped grow so many readers through highly illustrated, early chapter books that kids devour. Currently with 58 million books in print and 34 published series, the line has experienced a “meteoric” rise since we last spoke about this important line in 2019 when it had about 17 million books and about 25 series in print. Listen on to find out what's behind this meteoric rise, to get a glimpse of Kwame's magical world, and to learn about Bernard's passion for writing for the Branches age group and representing Ghanaian culture in children's books. And stay to the end for a read aloud sneak peek! →Resources About Branches: https://www.scholastic.com/site/branches.html About Kwame's Magic Quest: https://www.scholastic.com/site/branches/kwame-s-magic-quest.html Fuse #8 Blog Review from Betsy Bird: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2025/02/04/the-fast-paced-page-turning-adventure-series-thats-a-celebration-of-african-cultures-bernard-mensah-discusses-kwames-magic-quest/ More listening: Scholastic Reads! EVA-DORABLE: Rebecca Elliott Talks a Decade of the Owl Diaries, Eva the Owlet, and more! More listening: Scholastic Reads! Growing Readers with Branches and Acorn from 2019! →Highlights _Katie Carella: Editorial Director, Acorn & Branches, Scholastic _ “Having been a 1st-3rd grade teachers myself, I'm always excited to talk about that very exciting point in a child's reading journey where they begin to read books independently. You get to see that light go off and it's just the best feeling ever.” “All of the Branches books have a second grade reading level. But the books all feature really rich, layered plots so they do appeal to children across many grade levels. From Kindergarten, I'd say up through fourth and even fifth grade, especially now with reading levels behind where they should be. So it's more important than ever to have these “high-low” books. These books are high-interest, layered plots and yet written at a lower reading level.” “If a child chooses a book that's too easy for them the child can speed through it and they gain fluency and stamina. If they choose a book that's slightly too hard for them, the child might struggle, but if they want to read they will do the work. And they'll learn decoding skills along the way. So both experiences ultimately grow a child's vocabulary and their reading skill set.” “The accolades [for Kwame's Magic Quest] keep coming in…it was highlighted on Betsy Bird's Fuse #8 blog…I just wanted to say a quote she had in her blog, ‘it's amazing how much story Mensah and Nayo [the illustrator] are able to pack into this thing.' You are getting this really rich and magical world that Bernard has created but in this really digestible format.” _Bernard Mensah, Author, Kwame's Magic Quest _ “[Kwame's Magic Quest] has got that mix of authenticity, friendship, lots and lots of magic, some peril and danger, there's evil magicians and spells. I think it brings together a lot of things that you would typically find exciting if you wanted to read a book about magic or an epic adventure.” “[on working with the illustrator Natasha Nayo] Having an illustrator who came from the same background who understands the cultural context of some of things that I was trying to put across, I could rely on the art to do some of the talking for me. She brought her own unique flare.” “My son, when he was about five years old, I remember looking at his bookshelf and thinking to myself, well, I've managed to find stories for him or write something that speaks to his culture at every age. Where is the book that speaks to him from five to eight years old? And I couldn't find it so foolishly I thought to myself, well, I'll write it. And that's where the idea for Kwame's Magic Quest came from.” On what the characters would do over summer break, “By the end of the summer they would probably save the world again because that's what they do in every book. They come close to not doing it but they find a way to rally together and make magic safe again for everybody.” →Special Thanks Producers: Anne Sparkman, Allyson Barkan, and Maxine Osa Sound engineer: S. Shin Music composer: Lucas Elliot Eberl →Coming Soon The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards 2025
Nayo Campbell is an Emmy nominated journalist, Webby Nominated producer, and host. She is the Utah Jazz Digital Content Reporter and Producer and entering fourth season serving as one of the In-Arena Hosts for the Jazz.Born and Raised in PG County Maryland, Nayo is a proud graduate of Howard University and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Boasting and impressive resume in communications, her expertise includes all things media from digital, television, radio and more. With the Jazz she dives into the human interest of players, focusing on stories centered around their journeys to the NBA, hobbies outside of basketball and more. Which gained her three Emmy nominations for her long form content. When not sitting down with players she can be seen, hosting content centered around the organization and fans! Outside of sports she has interviewed notable people such as Kevin Hart, Ava Duvernay, Mary J. Blige , Jamie Foxx, and more.She was the lead producer on the Webby-nominated “Power Players” highlighting the black women behind the 2020 democratic campaigns.
En este episodio nos acompaña un invitado muy especial, Nayo Escobar, emprendedor y empresario, y nos contó su increíble historia de emprendimiento. Nos platica cómo desde pequeño siguió sus sueños y todo lo que tuvo que aprender y vivir para llegar a ser el empresario que es hoy. Quédate para escuchar una de las historias de éxito más increíbles.
Bernardo Feta nos platica como el episodio que grabo con Nayo Escobar para su podcast le cambió la vida. También nos platica cosas sobre su paso por la cárcel o al estar privado de libertad y lo que le toco vivir durante esa etapa de su vida. Como logró mantener el ánimo para estar siempre positivo y tener a su familia unida. Si queres ver el episodio anterior que grabamos con Bernardo hace mas de 2 años, aquí te lo dejo... https://youtu.be/XV0_LJ3oe1c?si=7jHSAgVvLblFXraW INSTAGRAM: @elcanaldemomoTIKTOK: @elcanaldemomoFACEBOOK: El canal de MomoX: @ElcanaldeMomo_________________________Distribuido por: Genuina Media
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Emmy Winner and Utah Jazz Reporter Nayo Campbell joins in to explore the highs and lows of this year's All-Star Weekend, from the All-Star game to the thrilling dunk contest. Plus, we discuss bold ideas like adding a one-on-one competition and debate fan-favorite moments versus areas for improvement. Nayo shares insights some the Jazz' young core including Keontae George, Kyle Fillipowski, and more. Nayo also shares thoughts on the art of the interview and the evolution of journalism! Sign up on PrizePicks using the promo code “Combo” Make a deposit of $5 or more and receive $50 instantly here: prizepicks.onelink.me/ivHR/COMBO
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