Blog

Check back often for our latest updates and news!

Literacy Tracker
09/19/23

Get to Know RIF’s Literacy Tracker - A Free Formative Reading Assessment Tool

Erin Bailey is the Director of Literacy and Content at Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), and a former reading specialist with over 10 years of experience as an educator. A major focus of her tenure at RIF has been the development of RIF’s new Literacy Tracker, a free, adaptive formative assessment tool designed to provide educators with valuable data while monitoring and encouraging students’ reading progress. Read on to learn more about the Literacy Tracker and its many benefits to students, families, and educators.
Michelle Hall Macy's Guest Blog
08/29/23

20 Years of Partnership, Countless Lives Impacted – Catching Up with our Friends at Macy’s

This year marks 20 years of partnership between Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and Macy’s. While looking back on the many accomplishments this partnership has achieved in the shared mission to help close the youth literacy gap in the United States, RIF caught up with Michelle Hall, Macy’s Director of Social Impact, to reflect on important mission moments and the reasons why Macy’s continues to partner with RIF and join our cause to inspire a joy of reading for children nationwide.
Kiwanis and RIF
08/17/23

Kiwanis partner boosts literacy and language skills

Kiwanis International and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) share a common mission of driving local impact in the communities we serve and have long partnered to help change children’s lives. Read on to learn how RIF and one local Kiwanis club helped provide reading resources for their community through a RIF matching grant, inspiring students to strive to be their best, and engaging families to join in their children’s reading fun.
Alicia Levi
06/23/23

Macy’s and RIF: 20 Years of Partnership, A Lifetime of Impact

Two Decades. Over 15 Million Books. This year marks 20 years of Macy’s partnering with Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) to empower youth through literacy, bringing over 15 million books and literacy resources to children across the country. While achieving this milestone is undeniably impressive, more than anything, it demonstrates Macy’s unwavering commitment to advocating for and advancing children’s literacy. Throughout the last two decades, Macy’s has helped to raise over $45 million for RIF’s mission and worked closely with RIF to make sure that millions of children in the U.S.

06/02/23

Amplifying Underrepresented Voices in the Publishing World with Stirred Stories

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is dedicated to diversity and inclusion, working hard to amplify underrepresented voices within the literary world with the books we offer to students in communities across the country. That’s why we’re so pleased to share with you a blog post from our friends at Stirred Stories, an independent publishing company that helps elevate these voices through their publishing.

At a RIF Reading event, a seated women reads A Sofia Special to two children, a girl to her left and a boy to her right.
05/18/23

Driscoll’s Children’s Book “A Sofia Special” Brings a Moment of Sweetness to Young Readers

In this guest blog, Frances Dillard, Driscoll’s Vice President of Brand and Content Marketing, discusses a recent RIF book celebration event supported by Driscoll’s in New York City, and shares some details about “A Sofia Special,” their new children’s book focusing on the themes of love, empathy, and resilience. Read on to learn about Driscoll’s commitment to supporting communities nationwide as well as their drive to help nurture children’s literacy and the joy of reading.
A parent reads a board book with her child.
04/25/23

How to select the best books for babies: 7-12 Months

Welcome to part 2 of our guest blog from Stefanie Paige Weider, the Director of Education and Content at Barefoot Books. In case you missed it, catch up on part 1 where Stefanie discusses great options for books that will aid in infancy early development, 0-7 months. This week Stefanie dives into some wonderful selections for babies reaching older infancy and explains the benefits that come from exposing them to reading early.
04/18/23

How to select the best books for babies: 0-7 Months

In this two-part blog post, hear from our friend Stefanie Paige Wiedner, the Director of Education and Content at Barefoot Books, an independent children’s publisher. Here she shares recommendations for selecting books to engage and educate children from the very youngest ages. She includes a wonderful set of suggestions for educators and families to utilize as you introduce babies to the wonder of books!
The Free Book Buggie, a bus with a design of a bookshelf along a road
03/20/23

The Free Book Buggie and RIF Bring Book Joy Across Minnesota

This blog post is part of our National Reading Month series focused on how reading unites communities and inspires endless possibilities. Read this post from Debbie Beck, Executive Director and Founder of The Free Book Buggie, RIF’s local program partner in Minnesota and a 2022 -2023 RIF Matching Grant recipient, who inspires a love of reading and ensures children’s access to books across the state.
Chris Baron, author of the Magical Imperfect, All of Me, and a new book coming out this summer.
03/13/23

Ask the Author: A Conversation with Author Chris Baron

This blog post is part of our National Reading Month series focused on how reading unites communities and inspires endless possibilities. Read this post from Chris Baron, celebrated author of titles including All of Me, The Magical Imperfect and a new book coming out this summer! Read on to learn how Chris inspires empathy and healing for kids across the country through his middle grades novels.
Two girls read in the new library created with the help of RIF and Dollar General. They are seated in bean bag chairs beside each other with books open.
03/06/23

Dollar General Literacy Foundation and RIF: 20 Years of Inspiring Reading

This blog post is part of our National Reading Month series focused on how reading unites communities and inspires endless possibilities. Read on to learn about how the Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) have empowered thousands of children to read, learn and grow over nearly two decades of collaboration.
Orion Jean, the 2021 TIME Kid of Year and friend of RIF
03/01/23

A Race to Kindness and Even More Books Across the Country

This blog post is part of our National Reading Month series focused on how reading unites communities and inspires endless possibilities. Read our Q&A with 12-year-old Orion Jean, the 2021 TIME Kid of Year and friend of RIF, to learn how he has inspired thousands of children to read, learn, and grow nationwide.
A map of the United States of America with the typography "We're grateful you're part of our village. In 2022, RIF reached 33 million children in all 50 states."
11/21/22

We’re Grateful You’re Part of our Village

We are all familiar with the saying ‘it takes a village.’ As I reflect on this past year and the many ways Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) has made an impact on children’s literacy, that sentiment couldn’t be truer. From classroom teachers to media specialists, school leaders to community leaders, parents, grandparents and caregivers, community volunteers and donors; RIF’s village of literacy advocates is nationwide.
Allison Singer, the senior editor of special projects for Time for Kids
11/14/22

Career Exploration Starts Early

Allison Singer has been developing children’s books, magazines, and media for more than a decade. As the senior editor of special projects at TIME for Kids, she has helped lead the creation of Your 🔥 Job, a new, free career-exploration site for children ages 8 to 14. Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is excited to partner with TIME for Kids to support National Career Development Day and encourage younger and mid-grade students to consider all the possibilities of their future careers. RIF and TIME for Kids know that reading opens worlds of opportunity for all that children will become.
Alicia Levi, the President & CEO of Reading Is Fundamental, and Bobby Amirshahi, the Senior Vice President of Corporate Communication for Macy's Inc.
11/03/22

The Decline in Reading Scores is Threatening Our Economy. It’s Time to Make Literacy a Priority

The 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading results have been top of mind for us at Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) as well as for many of our partners. The nation saw a preview of this year’s disappointing reading scores with the NAEP Long-Term Trend results announced in September and more recently, the October 24th NAEP main scores were announced showing a disheartening drop in reading performance back to 1992 levels. The state of children’s reading is concerning but we believe we can unite to change the tide. Today, we want to share this opinion piece from Alicia Levi, RIF’s President & CEO, and Bobby Amirshahi, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communication who leads community and social impact for Macy’s, Inc.
11/02/22

8 tips to help make reading with your child this year achievable

Reading Is Fundamental is proud to have Lee & Low Books as a promotional partner in this year’s Rally to Read 100 initiative. RIF has long partnered with Lee & Low Books and shares their commitment to providing titles that reflect the diversity of children’s identities and lived experiences. We are proud to feature Lee & Low author Thelma Lynne Godin as part of Rally to Read 100.
With the latest release of NAEP results, it is evident that reading scores are on the decline.
10/24/22

The Nation’s Report Card: Declining Reading Scores

Erin Bailey is Reading Is Fundamental’s Director of Programs and Content, a former teacher, and is pursuing her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction. In light of the October 24th release of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results, Erin shares her thoughts and expertise on how we can work together to ensure our nation’s children have the support and resources they need to become passionate, lifelong readers.
Michelle Murphy, the Vice President of Human Resources for Trane Technologies’ Commercial HVAC Americas business and member of RIF's Board of Directors.
10/17/22

RIF Board of Director Michelle Murphy Shares her Thoughts on the Importance of Literacy, Sustainability, and a Bright Future for Our Nation’s Children

We’re excited to share this blog post from Michelle Murphy, a member of RIF’s Board of Directors and Vice President of Human Resources for Trane Technologies’ Commercial HVAC Americas business. Read up on Trane Technologies’ commitment to inspiring a passion for reading with RIF, creating sustainable futures, and Michelle’s lifelong love of books.
Jackie DeLeo, the Chief Merchandising Officer of Barnes & Noble, smiles at the camera. She wears tortoiseshell glasses and a gray jacket. She is standing in front of a shelf of books.
10/03/22

Rally To Read 100: Q&A with Alicia Levi, RIF President and CEO, and Jackie DeLeo, Barnes & Noble Chief Merchandising Officer

On October 1, 2022, RIF’s Rally to Read 100 reading initiative launched its second year with a pledge to read 100 books, engaging monthly themes, author read-alouds from acclaimed authors, book and theme activities, and a book sweepstakes to engage and inspire reading among elementary-aged children. This Year, RIF is excited to share our new Inspiration Partner, Barnes & Noble, has come aboard to join our rallying cry to create a nation of readers! Read below for a conversation with Alicia Levi, RIF President and CEO, and Jackie DeLeo, Barnes & Noble Chief Merchandising Officer, as they discuss the new partnership, their excitement for this year’s Rally to Read 100, and their joint commitment to children’s literacy.
The cover image for El Deafo. The main character, Cece Bell, flies in the sky between clouds. She wears a cape, a white shirt, and blue shorts. Her eyes are closed and she smiles as she flies upwards.
09/28/22

Ask the Author: A Conversation with Cece Bell

We recently caught up with our friend, author and illustrator Cece Bell! She was kind enough to tell us a little about her creative process, what inspires her, El Deafo’s success, and what she loves the most about writing children’s books. Read on for more!