60 Years of Reading is Fundamental with Alicia Levi and Jack Remondi
In this special 60th anniversary episode of Reading Inspires, Dr. Erin Bailey speaks with Alicia Levi and Jack Remondi about Reading Is Fundamental’s six-decade commitment to closing the book access gap for children. They reflect on how RIF has stayed true to its mission while adapting to today’s complex literacy challenges and share a bold vision for the future, including the milestone of providing every child in America with access to 100 free books through Skybrary, underscoring the life-changing power of accessible, joyful reading and the collective responsibility to sustain it.
About Alicia Levi:
Alicia Levi currently serves as President and CEO of Reading Is Fundamental (RIF). Over the last five years, Alicia’s vision and guidance has led to an increased digital presence offering substantial book resources, a greater depth and breadth of community engagement, growth of program offerings including its eBook library, Skybrary and an enhanced focus on the importance of race, equity and inclusion within children’s literacy. During Alicia’s tenure RIF reached the milestone of serving its 100 millionth child. Throughout her career, Alicia has been focused on education and has worked to transform the lives of children through smart strategies to improve academic outcomes.
About Jack Remondi:
Jack Remondi currently serves as the Chair of Reading Is Fundamental's Board of Directors. Jack is a Financial Services Chief Executive Officer recognized for numerous industry firsts. A seasoned change agent, he innovates strategically and operationally, yielding sustainable growth, enhanced profitability, and greater shareholder value. He finds ways to solve the most complex organizational challenges with integrity and a balanced commitment to shareholders and employees.
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Erin Bailey: Welcome to Reading Inspires by Reading is Fundamental.00:00:03.112 --> 00:00:04.942
I'm your host, Dr. Erin Bailey.00:00:05.182 --> 00:00:08.692
This podcast celebrates the power of books and the joy of reading.00:00:08.932 --> 00:00:15.837
In each episode, we talk with educators, librarians, families, authors, and literacy champions to explore one big question.00:00:16.687 --> 00:00:18.397
What does Reading inspire for you?00:00:18.817 --> 00:00:27.277
Through stories, research, and real world experience from classrooms, libraries, and homes, we explore what literacy looks like and why it matters.00:00:27.607 --> 00:00:33.217
Whether you're nurturing young readers, shaping learning spaces, or simply love a good book, we're glad you're here.00:00:33.397 --> 00:00:34.447
Let's get inspired.00:00:34.807 --> 00:00:43.507
Today I'm chatting with Alicia Levy, president and CEO of Reading as Fundamental, and Jack Raimondi, chairman of Reading as Fundamentals Board of Directors.00:00:43.897 --> 00:00:45.997
Throughout this year, we will be celebrating riffs.00:00:45.997 --> 00:00:50.317
60th anniversary as the nation's leading children's literacy nonprofit.00:00:50.647 --> 00:00:52.477
Welcome, Alicia and Jack.00:00:52.975 --> 00:00:53.485
Jack Remondi: Good morning.00:00:53.485 --> 00:00:53.935
Thank you.00:00:54.140 --> 00:00:55.190
Alicia Levi: Thank you For having us.00:00:55.834 --> 00:00:57.004
Erin Bailey: we'll jump right in.00:00:57.004 --> 00:01:06.994
As RIF celebrates 60 years, I would like each of you to reflect and think about what stands out to you as the most defining moments in the organization's history.00:01:06.994 --> 00:01:08.614
And we'll start with you, Alicia.00:01:09.424 --> 00:01:11.104
Alicia Levi: Thank you so much for having us.00:01:11.104 --> 00:01:12.454
Thank you so much for doing this.00:01:12.454 --> 00:01:14.344
I think this podcast is so important.00:01:14.614 --> 00:01:20.384
It provides such great inspiration, I think for people who have the opportunity to listen.00:01:20.624 --> 00:01:31.984
But when I think about R'S 60th anniversary, what stands out to me most is the scale of trust that RIF has earned over six decades from our earliest days.00:01:31.984 --> 00:01:34.589
Placing books directly in the hands of children who need the most.00:01:35.449 --> 00:01:38.659
To really becoming a nationally recognized literacy leader.00:01:38.959 --> 00:01:45.199
We have always met children where they are and put them at the center of everything we do.00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:52.999
There are so many defining moments at partners that we've worked with, schools and community organizations that we've had the opportunity to.00:01:53.344 --> 00:01:56.074
To really meet and build capacity for.00:01:56.374 --> 00:02:09.184
But I think that the defining moments for me continue to be every time I have the opportunity to watch a child experience the joy that comes with owning a book that they've been able to choose for themselves.00:02:09.394 --> 00:02:12.049
And those moments never, ever get old.00:02:13.229 --> 00:02:13.679
Erin Bailey: Thank you.00:02:13.679 --> 00:02:15.779
And Jack, what's been a defining moment for you?00:02:16.485 --> 00:02:16.715
Jack Remondi: Yes.00:02:16.715 --> 00:02:19.175
Well, thank you for including me in today's podcast.00:02:19.175 --> 00:02:31.585
And Alicia, I would certainly, that last statement is so true when you go to a a book event and you see the joy in the children's eyes and the emotion that they have about being able to keep a book and put their name in it.00:02:31.635 --> 00:02:34.665
it's breathtaking and, and certainly stays with you.00:02:35.055 --> 00:02:42.865
Look, I think, you know, one of the most amazing things of an organization that is 60 years old is how much its mission has remained true.00:02:44.010 --> 00:02:47.010
And consistent with the mission of day one, right?00:02:47.010 --> 00:03:04.560
When Margaret McNamara founded RIF 60 years ago, she recognized that there was a gap, a gap in the access to books in different parts
of the community in the Washington DC area, and she tried to solve that gap and close it, and that is what Rift does still today.00:03:04.560 --> 00:03:05.670
We close that gap.00:03:05.730 --> 00:03:09.870
We provide books to children who otherwise wouldn't have them.00:03:10.650 --> 00:03:23.590
Through that we hope to foster a lifelong love of reading so that they become engaged more in the literacy development of themselves, but also more active participants in their communities.00:03:23.590 --> 00:03:29.950
And again, it comes back to the joy that you see when you indicate a book or let them pick a book.00:03:29.950 --> 00:03:32.570
More importantly that they can call their own.00:03:32.660 --> 00:03:37.770
It's just 60 years of a wonderful, consistent mission for the organization.00:03:38.823 --> 00:03:39.423
Erin Bailey: Thank you, Jack.00:03:39.423 --> 00:03:50.843
I wanna highlight one thing that you said for our listeners who might not be familiar with RIFS Books for Ownership program, and that is the act of a child writing their name in the book.00:03:50.943 --> 00:03:52.923
When I first joined rif.00:03:53.448 --> 00:03:58.518
I discovered something called a name plate and I wasn't sure what that was.00:03:58.518 --> 00:04:00.948
So I asked Alicia, what is a name plate?00:04:00.948 --> 00:04:06.108
And she lit up and said, oh, that's one of the most important parts of books for ownership.00:04:06.108 --> 00:04:08.238
It is a name plate, is a sticker.00:04:08.368 --> 00:04:12.418
You've probably seen versions of this that says this book belongs to with a line.00:04:12.638 --> 00:04:14.888
And we put those stickers inside of the books.00:04:15.218 --> 00:04:21.668
And when a child selects a book at one of our events, they write their name in it and that shows that it is their.00:04:21.863 --> 00:04:22.883
Book to own.00:04:22.883 --> 00:04:24.323
It is their very own.00:04:24.543 --> 00:04:29.583
And for many of these children that starts their home library for the very first time.00:04:29.613 --> 00:04:39.243
So I just wanted to emphasize that, and thank you for sharing that, Jack, because throughout the years of RIF, that has been an essential component that will continue to live on.00:04:39.673 --> 00:04:44.833
So this is something that Alicia and I have talked about in the past, the wider literacy landscape.00:04:45.103 --> 00:04:46.333
It has changed.00:04:46.393 --> 00:04:51.643
So much since 1966 and yet some things are also cyclical.00:04:51.803 --> 00:04:57.143
So what were the challenges then, and how do they compare to the challenges today?00:04:58.221 --> 00:05:03.531
Alicia Levi: from my perspective, and we touched a little bit on this just in the first, kind of part of our discussion, right?00:05:03.623 --> 00:05:06.473
the idea of access, right?00:05:06.773 --> 00:05:12.720
The challenge in 1966, I think was, an amazing woman, right?00:05:12.720 --> 00:05:17.010
Pulling a book off of her child's shelf to ensure that a child in a community.00:05:17.140 --> 00:05:19.510
that didn't have one, had access.00:05:19.750 --> 00:05:27.790
And I think that challenge still exists, but the complexity is so much more today than it was 60 years ago.00:05:28.080 --> 00:05:31.170
I think in 1966, people just didn't realize it.00:05:31.200 --> 00:05:34.140
It was hard to imagine that a child didn't have a book in their home.00:05:34.440 --> 00:05:40.740
That problem still exists today, but I think it's compounded by just the complexities of.00:05:41.320 --> 00:05:44.170
Society today, we have a more diverse society.00:05:44.380 --> 00:05:46.900
Learning loss is real, right?00:05:46.930 --> 00:05:54.520
Particularly coming out of COVID, inconsistent access to instructional models and digital inequities, right?00:05:54.520 --> 00:06:01.950
Digital was not a component of education in 1966 or home reading libraries, but today.00:06:02.285 --> 00:06:10.515
Information it delivers to children in so many ways, and the challenges today are making sure that we meet kids where they are.00:06:11.200 --> 00:06:17.972
So that they have access to the opportunities that reading provides wherever they are, so they can read anytime, anywhere.00:06:18.062 --> 00:06:20.852
And that is different than it was in 1966.00:06:20.852 --> 00:06:31.922
But the fundamental foundational question of do children have access to books, so they are on a pathway to be able to read proficiently is still here today and it's more urgent than ever.00:06:33.038 --> 00:06:33.908
Jack Remondi: I would agree with that.00:06:33.998 --> 00:06:40.633
And I would add, you know, the other additional complexities that exist today that are different is, different languages, right?00:06:40.693 --> 00:06:49.553
So many of our youth speak have a primary language other than English, or it's not, not constant across their classroom or even in their community.00:06:49.880 --> 00:06:53.510
and being able to reach those children and provide.00:06:54.030 --> 00:07:03.780
Books that they can relate to and participate in, particularly even with their parents if there is a different language spoken at home is a critical difference.00:07:04.220 --> 00:07:11.125
And the competition of alternative interests or what you know, or distractions or however you wanna call 'em.00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:17.320
is far larger and more prevalent today than it was I think in 1966.00:07:17.420 --> 00:07:25.420
And you know, that's everything from social media to gaming to you know, those are probably the biggest ones that, that impact our children.00:07:25.420 --> 00:07:33.900
And you know, I think one of the things that is a, been a positive development, I think in the last year is a growing awareness of.00:07:34.980 --> 00:07:39.760
How much harm some of these things can cause to children and their learning development.00:07:39.810 --> 00:07:42.880
Process and, and starting to make some changes there.00:07:42.880 --> 00:07:45.020
So hopefully, we'll, see some results.00:07:45.590 --> 00:08:04.518
And then the last thing I just would add that I think is a big positive is, is the science of reading is becoming more, is better understood in terms of the tools and
techniques we need to deliver to our children so that they can develop their reading skills despite, you know, what learning differences they might have amongst themselves.00:08:04.608 --> 00:08:04.848
So.00:08:04.938 --> 00:08:06.318
If that's a positive.00:08:07.008 --> 00:08:07.908
Alicia Levi: If you don't mind, Erin.00:08:07.908 --> 00:08:08.988
I couldn't agree with that more.00:08:08.988 --> 00:08:26.328
And I think, again, one of the reasons I'm so excited about this podcast is I know that you are talking to experts on the science of reading on some of
those issues that Jack just raised, that help people better understand them and then find solutions that can impact the children that they're serving.00:08:26.328 --> 00:08:28.158
So I, I couldn't agree with that more.00:08:28.158 --> 00:08:30.378
And I think it's one of the reasons this podcast is so important.00:08:31.018 --> 00:08:31.238
Jack Remondi: Mm.00:08:31.798 --> 00:08:35.463
Erin Bailey: I think an interesting point that you both brought up is the competing with.00:08:36.243 --> 00:08:37.953
Digital technology.00:08:37.953 --> 00:08:48.273
So in 1966 it was hard to imagine children that didn't have books in their home yet, these issues of access have always existed.00:08:48.603 --> 00:08:50.313
A couple things have happened since then.00:08:50.313 --> 00:08:56.073
We have more sophisticated data collection instruments, so now we have research that can.00:08:56.828 --> 00:09:03.398
In some of our most needing communities, there is just one book for every 833 children.00:09:03.398 --> 00:09:05.108
We call that a book desert.00:09:05.288 --> 00:09:16.718
We may not have had those statistics to paint that picture for people back then, but I think the other thing that you brought up, Alicia, was back in 1966, if you gave a child a book.00:09:17.198 --> 00:09:20.828
It seemed obvious that they would take it home and read it.00:09:21.428 --> 00:09:24.008
That may not be the case anymore.00:09:24.008 --> 00:09:35.048
We need to add in, to your point, Jack, science of Reading and what we know works to support children to be able to read the books that are given to them in their homes, and there are competing priorities.00:09:35.318 --> 00:09:38.648
A child is sent home with a book, they're super excited about it.00:09:38.908 --> 00:09:39.718
But they get home.00:09:39.718 --> 00:09:47.650
And then there's also a game that they can play on a tablet or other social media that may draw their attention.00:09:47.650 --> 00:09:52.630
So these are all competing priorities that didn't exist in 1966.00:09:53.470 --> 00:09:54.910
Such an interesting landscape.00:09:55.665 --> 00:10:05.025
Alicia Levi: I actually think that's such an important point too, Erin, because those competing priorities, right, enable kids to experience stories in a whole lot of different ways today.00:10:05.355 --> 00:10:09.735
I think that also is not just a threat, it's an opportunity for us.00:10:09.735 --> 00:10:10.185
Right.00:10:10.395 --> 00:10:12.375
Well, attention is fragmented.00:10:12.785 --> 00:10:14.705
Kids are looking for connection.00:10:14.705 --> 00:10:29.242
And I think that's what RIF and the power of our mission has done so well for 60 years is recognize that when a child is engaged in the act of reading, wherever they're doing that they're engaged because they see a connection.00:10:29.422 --> 00:10:34.332
And I think that connection is critical to create an opportunity, right?00:10:34.332 --> 00:10:36.162
Like these are challenges that we're talking about.00:10:36.162 --> 00:10:39.342
Now our job, I think, is to figure out how we.00:10:39.907 --> 00:10:44.437
Understand those challenges and find solutions for them to ensure that these kids have these tools.00:10:45.418 --> 00:10:53.023
Jack Remondi: You mentioned, you know, meeting our children where they are and you know, too often I think in society we look for problems that have a single.00:10:53.233 --> 00:10:58.003
And in today's world, it really needs to be in all of the above.00:10:58.003 --> 00:11:01.993
So it doesn't mean just physical books with in print.00:11:01.993 --> 00:11:03.943
It can also mean digital strategies.00:11:03.943 --> 00:11:08.993
It can mean group learning options or individual learning options.00:11:09.073 --> 00:11:09.193
Those are.00:11:10.153 --> 00:11:11.413
You know, it, it's so important.00:11:11.413 --> 00:11:17.143
And I think that's one thing that RIF has done very well and very differently than it did in 1966, right?00:11:17.143 --> 00:11:24.042
Where we had a single way of, providing books and now we're doing it in so many different ways in order to reach more kids and reach them where they are.00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:34.240
Alicia Levi: And Jackie even mentioned earlier, you know, the fact that, you know, a, a more diverse society means home life is more diverse as well.00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:44.410
And when you think about even that, right, like parents who are in many cases not reading proficient themselves, might not speak the language of the books that are going home.00:11:45.040 --> 00:11:50.537
Creating that culture of reading and riff evolving to recognize that we need to.00:11:51.582 --> 00:11:56.322
Reach not just the kid, but the community that surrounds them with tools that help advance.00:11:56.322 --> 00:11:57.687
This is important as well.00:11:59.572 --> 00:12:02.962
Erin Bailey: You both have set up our next question perfectly.00:12:03.092 --> 00:12:16.722
You've talked about R'S ability to adapt and innovate, so you've both been around what innovations in literacy, you've mentioned technology, program models, research, support all these things.00:12:16.722 --> 00:12:20.332
How have these made a significant impact on rifs work?00:12:20.332 --> 00:12:21.742
What changes have you seen?00:12:22.618 --> 00:12:27.543
Alicia Levi: we have been so lucky to have Jack as a, a partner on our board for many years, so he's.00:12:27.888 --> 00:12:30.438
Also an expert in the education space.00:12:30.438 --> 00:12:33.288
He's got such great experience to bring.00:12:33.648 --> 00:12:46.368
He's watched this innovation, not just for R, but for the education community writ large, and I think that the power of rif, lots of organizations come and go in the education space.00:12:46.728 --> 00:12:49.548
I think one of the things that has really.00:12:50.693 --> 00:12:55.763
Allowed RIF to stay relevant because again, there are a lot of organizations that are out there that just aren't relevant.00:12:55.763 --> 00:13:07.163
I think what's kept RIF relevant is, to answer your question, Erin, the fact that we have evolved and adapted to meet the changing needs of the, I'll call it the marketplace, right?00:13:07.163 --> 00:13:09.053
Where the education marketplace is.00:13:09.353 --> 00:13:12.333
We've stayed dedicated to our.00:13:12.798 --> 00:13:20.028
Place in a child's reading journey, but we have innovated and adapted to meet the needs of the market.00:13:20.058 --> 00:13:21.978
And that is not just about technology.00:13:21.978 --> 00:13:23.688
Technology's the easy answer, right?00:13:23.718 --> 00:13:26.988
Technology came around and we created technology solutions.00:13:27.408 --> 00:13:33.618
In my view, technology is an enabler of learning, not a solution to learning.00:13:33.828 --> 00:13:39.528
So the, the challenge I think that RIF took on and, and has done remarkably effectively in my.00:13:39.863 --> 00:13:44.753
Estimation is we've leveraged technology to advanced learning outcomes.00:13:44.993 --> 00:13:49.913
And that's one tool in homes, in classrooms and community centers.00:13:50.213 --> 00:13:55.793
But it's not the only solution because I think research is a critical element as well.00:13:55.823 --> 00:14:01.723
And, and you've seen RIF over the years use research to inform solutions that.00:14:02.798 --> 00:14:07.208
That then provide tools for the communities that we serve.00:14:07.458 --> 00:14:09.768
So I, I would say it's both of those things.00:14:10.923 --> 00:14:11.283
Jack Remondi: That's right.00:14:11.463 --> 00:14:24.298
And you know, I think, we have used those, that research and analysis and, and the ability to gather data and understand, gain a deeper understanding of the reading challenges that students face.00:14:24.718 --> 00:14:28.738
And, and that's led to a recognition that not all kids learn the same way.00:14:28.798 --> 00:14:29.098
Right.00:14:29.098 --> 00:14:41.330
So, and we've developed, I, you know, my programs and my timeline at, RIF that really try to address some of those, items and use research and data to show those impacts.00:14:41.330 --> 00:15:00.935
Read for Success is one of my favorite RIF programs because it actually is not just about providing kids with access to books, but
providing the them and their family members and teachers the support materials that they need to help kids learn the skills to read.00:15:01.939 --> 00:15:08.059
The results of those programs have been mapped and tracked, and they are remarkable in that.00:15:08.629 --> 00:15:10.849
You know, as we all know, kids during the summer.00:15:11.209 --> 00:15:17.249
Usually show a decline in reading proficiency when they're outta school known as the, the summer slide.00:15:17.249 --> 00:15:29.559
And the Read for Success program that operated across multiple states over several years showed that those reading declines can actually be reversed and, and show reading increases.00:15:29.559 --> 00:15:31.549
So, the tools are available.00:15:32.049 --> 00:15:37.289
You know, I take our own family history as an example in that my son, when he was young.00:15:37.994 --> 00:15:45.564
Had struggled with reading and he we got him the resources he needed through an OG type program.00:15:45.894 --> 00:15:47.454
And he gained the reading skills.00:15:47.454 --> 00:15:51.354
And today he's a avid lifelong reader, right?00:15:51.354 --> 00:15:57.290
And those are building blocks that had he not developed, he would've struggled through.00:15:58.041 --> 00:16:01.151
Grade school, high school, college for the rest of his life.00:16:01.291 --> 00:16:11.090
So solutions that we can help provide and help our children develop at an early age can be really life altering in terms of their educational development.00:16:11.940 --> 00:16:12.090
Erin Bailey: Yeah.00:16:12.150 --> 00:16:25.440
Thank you, Jack, for sharing that personal story too, to bring that to life, and I think it speaks to what I. Fell in love with about RIF when I first joined a little over four years ago was rifs Yes.00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:26.370
And approach.00:16:26.450 --> 00:16:28.760
Print books are never going to go away.00:16:28.790 --> 00:16:30.470
They're always going to be important.00:16:30.470 --> 00:16:35.660
They're always going to be a part of our mission and we can integrate technology.00:16:36.595 --> 00:16:46.255
And we can create books in multiple languages so that families can access them at home and still build those essential literacy skills at home.00:16:46.585 --> 00:16:55.455
And we can reach children from birth all the way up through eighth grade and maybe even into high school to in the future to, setting that up for, for you all.00:16:55.735 --> 00:17:02.605
But I, I just love the way RIF continues to evolve while still staying true to its mission.00:17:02.605 --> 00:17:03.865
It's a balance.00:17:03.865 --> 00:17:06.115
It's a difficult balance to find.00:17:06.115 --> 00:17:11.545
And I think to Alicia's point, that is what's kept RIF sustaining over time.00:17:11.545 --> 00:17:14.425
It's not always the flashy and the new.00:17:14.455 --> 00:17:20.395
Those things come in and out of style, but staying true to the mission, being able to adapt, that's what.00:17:20.660 --> 00:17:22.730
Help sustain the organization over time.00:17:23.600 --> 00:17:25.610
Alicia Levi: Aaron, I, I appreciate that so much.00:17:25.610 --> 00:17:28.846
And I would, add to that, it's kind of in our name, right?00:17:28.876 --> 00:17:30.466
Reading is fundamental right.00:17:30.466 --> 00:17:33.406
It's that fundamental foundational building block, and it's.00:17:34.096 --> 00:17:43.786
I think it's the power of RIF because Jack's story is modeled in homes across the country.00:17:43.996 --> 00:17:48.376
Everybody has a reading journey, whatever it is.00:17:48.376 --> 00:17:50.836
They have a, they might have had a child that struggled.00:17:50.836 --> 00:17:51.766
I certainly did.00:17:52.036 --> 00:17:58.876
They might have just loved reading that, but they all have a reading journey and that makes our brand and our work.00:17:59.956 --> 00:18:02.236
Relatable to everybody.00:18:02.266 --> 00:18:03.886
It's a universal truth.00:18:03.916 --> 00:18:07.846
I've never come across one person that has said, I disagree with you, Alicia.00:18:07.876 --> 00:18:08.896
Kids shouldn't be able to read.00:18:09.256 --> 00:18:16.546
And by being able to read it doesn't have an impact on their life, you know, and, and their ability to, you know, achieve things.00:18:16.696 --> 00:18:23.318
And that, I think, coupled with all the things that you guys have said, I think that's part of our secret sauce.00:18:23.723 --> 00:18:30.783
That allows us to continue to be relevant and be able to innovate and, you know, and, and adapt.00:18:31.023 --> 00:18:35.793
The problem, my goal, and I, joke with everybody about this all the time.00:18:35.973 --> 00:18:37.803
I'd like to work all of us out of a job.00:18:37.863 --> 00:18:39.813
I love working with all of you.00:18:40.683 --> 00:18:42.944
And it's, been the joy of my life for sure.00:18:43.244 --> 00:18:45.194
Wouldn't it be great if we could.00:18:45.974 --> 00:18:58.037
Leave riff and say, we close the doors because every child in this country has the ability to read the exciting part of working for this organization, in my view, is that this is one of those problems you can solve.00:18:58.727 --> 00:19:00.407
This every child can read.00:19:00.557 --> 00:19:03.467
We just need to provide them with the resources and the tools they need.00:19:03.767 --> 00:19:14.547
And, and that is something that I think is unique to rif and part of why we've been able to kind of, remain relevant over 60 years and, and for the next 60.00:19:14.667 --> 00:19:25.778
Because while I'd love for that to be our aspirational goal, I am, you know, I recognize that it's unlikely that we will solve the problem in our lifetime, but boy, we should work on it until we can.00:19:26.872 --> 00:19:30.652
Erin Bailey: And I think that brought up for me another point that, Jack, you mentioned what.00:19:31.657 --> 00:19:34.837
A lot of people don't understand is that reading is not simple.00:19:34.867 --> 00:19:46.477
It is a complex process and there, this is an estimation, but anywhere between 15 to 25% of people struggle with reading at some point in their journey.00:19:46.477 --> 00:19:52.357
So each of us personally knows someone who has struggled to learn to read.00:19:52.357 --> 00:19:58.297
Everybody listening to this podcast has known someone in their life who has struggled to learn how to read.00:19:58.297 --> 00:19:59.737
And Jack's point about.00:20:00.012 --> 00:20:05.382
Not every child learns the same way, is something that we can't overlook.00:20:05.382 --> 00:20:07.362
It is not a simple process.00:20:07.392 --> 00:20:14.442
It is complex and every child may need a different approach, and that's something that we continue to work on.00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:17.330
Okay, so we headed into this a little bit.00:20:17.430 --> 00:20:20.910
We're starting our 60th anniversary this year.00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:29.110
If you had to describe where RIF is headed in the next decade, what would you say is the boldest part of our vision?00:20:29.855 --> 00:20:33.315
Alicia Levi: Well, I think you kind of teed it up in your last comment.00:20:33.435 --> 00:20:35.655
I think the boldest part of our commitment.00:20:36.450 --> 00:20:41.160
To Universal access is aligning it to personalized engagement.00:20:41.520 --> 00:20:41.880
Right?00:20:41.880 --> 00:20:42.900
And that's complicated.00:20:43.230 --> 00:20:52.860
60 years ago, you know, you could generally say that kids liked these kinds of stories and they would likely be able to relate to these kinds of stories.00:20:53.280 --> 00:20:59.040
We have a very different society that we live in today, and kids relate to things in lots of different ways.00:20:59.340 --> 00:21:03.120
So creating a personalized experience at.00:21:03.855 --> 00:21:14.645
Scale to provide universal access, I think I think that's super complex, but I think that is a bold vision and I think that's how we solve this problem.00:21:14.855 --> 00:21:18.815
And we need lots of people to work with us to make sure that we can do that.00:21:19.624 --> 00:21:21.154
Jack Remondi: that is absolutely correct.00:21:21.154 --> 00:21:30.254
And, you know, we talked, we've talked a little bit about using technology and, and how the different medium approaches are coming into play here.00:21:30.614 --> 00:21:34.154
But this is one area that RIF can.00:21:34.669 --> 00:21:42.739
Leverage technology to accomplish more than it could have ever done before, which is universal access today through Sky.00:21:43.219 --> 00:21:44.209
We do that, right?00:21:44.209 --> 00:21:47.524
We provide free access to books, to anyone.00:21:47.944 --> 00:21:50.264
Who comes into the sky network.00:21:50.774 --> 00:22:01.204
And then customization or, or individualization for kids so that they can read books where they see themselves, they can read books in different languages.00:22:01.534 --> 00:22:01.844
Those are.00:22:02.381 --> 00:22:19.081
Things that are more easily delivered and certainly more efficiently delivered when leveraging technology, and, and again, it's not the only solution, but it is a critical component that allows, I think, rift to adopt a bolder strategy.00:22:19.531 --> 00:22:21.841
Then it would be able to without it, right?00:22:22.081 --> 00:22:27.981
In that we can serve more and we can be more to students and families across the country.00:22:28.965 --> 00:22:30.705
Erin Bailey: Thank you, Jack, for bringing up Sky.00:22:31.035 --> 00:22:32.985
I know Alicia is grateful to.00:22:33.015 --> 00:22:38.295
For those of you listening who are unfamiliar with Sky, it's like a library in the sky.00:22:38.355 --> 00:22:40.335
This is our ebook platform.00:22:40.555 --> 00:22:59.755
And I'll go ahead and announce it here on our first episode of the podcast, and to kick off our 60th anniversary now through skybird, anyone in the country with access to a device, tablet, computer, you name it, can access a hundred free books completely free.00:23:00.120 --> 00:23:01.050
Ad free.00:23:01.780 --> 00:23:05.260
Don't need the internet to access it all in your hands.00:23:05.260 --> 00:23:11.290
That means we have put a hand, a book in every child's hand across this country.00:23:12.649 --> 00:23:17.779
Alicia Levi: That was a bold goal 60 years ago when Margaret McNamara started on this journey.00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:22.759
I don't think she necessarily thought she was gonna create this movement.00:23:22.949 --> 00:23:26.369
I don't think I, I mean, I can't obviously speak for her, but I can't imagine.00:23:26.584 --> 00:23:31.834
That she envisioned that she would be able to ensure that every child has a book in their home.00:23:32.014 --> 00:23:35.014
she set us on a path to ensure we could deliver that.00:23:35.074 --> 00:23:44.014
And as we enter, as RIF enters our 60th year, we're not just providing one book or two books to every child in this country, 100 books.00:23:44.014 --> 00:23:45.484
And Erin, you are.00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:52.384
A brilliant researcher, you know that a hundred books has a direct impact, the number of books in the home.00:23:52.384 --> 00:23:56.944
If you have a hundred books in your home, you are more likely to have a proficient reader in your home.00:23:57.214 --> 00:24:12.574
So we used research, we used our history, we used our knowledge of the marketplace, and we used technology to hit a bold, aspirational goal and be able to say that every child in this country, no matter their circumstance, if they have a device.00:24:13.159 --> 00:24:16.909
Most children in any part of this country have access to a device.00:24:17.179 --> 00:24:21.289
Then they have access to a hundred books that they can call their own.00:24:21.474 --> 00:24:24.414
I'm jumping out of my seat every day when we talk about it.00:24:24.609 --> 00:24:27.976
I cannot express how Exciting.00:24:27.976 --> 00:24:40.846
That is both for us as an organization, but for every parent or educator or community leader in the country that cares about ensuring that children can read, they know that this is transformational.00:24:41.446 --> 00:24:45.646
And our our, we wanna spend this year and every year from now on.00:24:46.321 --> 00:24:54.241
Providing more books through that platform, but also making sure that people know it's there, it's available, they can, all they have to do is download it.00:24:54.241 --> 00:24:56.131
They don't need a credit card, they don't need it.00:24:56.311 --> 00:25:01.831
They don't need anything fancy, they just need access to the device and they can pick these books and own these books.00:25:01.831 --> 00:25:14.051
So it is a great way to start our 60th year and to really reinforce, the central component of our mission, which is providing access to children to have books that they can have at home and call their own.00:25:14.621 --> 00:25:17.346
Erin Bailey: If you can't tell, we are very excited about Sky.00:25:18.306 --> 00:25:21.066
Check out the show notes for the link to Sky Ray.00:25:21.066 --> 00:25:21.906
Download it today.00:25:21.906 --> 00:25:23.016
Start using it today.00:25:23.466 --> 00:25:29.166
Just to reiterate, these are a hundred completely free books that you can access anytime, anywhere.00:25:29.556 --> 00:25:35.176
You can start to transform the, those 10 minutes that you're waiting in the dentist's office with your children.00:25:36.016 --> 00:25:37.516
Into reading time.00:25:37.606 --> 00:25:48.046
You don't have to worry about returning these books to the library and getting a late fee because you forgot this is the easiest way to access books at at your fingertips.00:25:48.376 --> 00:25:49.706
Um, so we're very excited.00:25:49.926 --> 00:25:51.381
Alicia Levi: do you mind if I jump in one more time?00:25:52.129 --> 00:25:55.699
if you have a struggling reader, there is a read aloud component to this.00:25:55.729 --> 00:26:00.469
If you're a multicultural family, several of the books are in, in other languages.00:26:00.679 --> 00:26:02.989
We are all the things we've talked about here today.00:26:02.989 --> 00:26:04.009
How do we make sure that.00:26:04.099 --> 00:26:31.099
We engage kids, we meet them where they are, we provide them with tools that they can relate to, and Skybird does all of that, and it brings it directly to the child who might not be able to get to a library or have access
to a bookstore or have parents who can afford to buy them books or didn't have the pleasure of attending a book celebration event in one of the many communities that we support them with print books across the country, it.00:26:31.624 --> 00:26:35.794
Every child, most children in this country have access to some device.00:26:36.184 --> 00:26:45.364
All they have to do is go to skybird.org and download the app, and now they have access to all these books in lots of different ways that engage them as well.00:26:45.964 --> 00:26:48.604
I know this isn't a podcast about skybird, but thank you for bringing it00:26:48.689 --> 00:27:03.629
Erin Bailey: I was just thinking, Alicia, I think we may need to have an episode dedicated to Skybird because this is exciting and
hopefully all of you who are listening are excited about it, as excited as we are, and continue to be excited throughout this year.00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:08.009
So we will move into what inspires each of you.00:27:08.009 --> 00:27:11.009
So starting with you, Alicia, from a CEO perspective.00:27:11.224 --> 00:27:15.779
What inspires you the most about leading RIF into this transformative moment?00:27:16.817 --> 00:27:19.920
Alicia Levi: So as you can tell, I'm passionate about our work.00:27:20.040 --> 00:27:23.670
I definitely drink the Rift Kool-Aid because I believe.00:27:24.034 --> 00:27:26.734
I've been in this space for a very long time.00:27:26.764 --> 00:27:30.604
I've been in the education space my entire, really, my entire career.00:27:30.914 --> 00:27:41.114
And I got into it because I believe that education is the great equalizer that every child has a right to an education.00:27:41.444 --> 00:27:43.934
And education starts with the ability to read.00:27:44.474 --> 00:27:52.664
So I, for me, I'm motivated every day by the idea that there are children who are not as lucky as my children.00:27:52.914 --> 00:28:01.584
As not as lucky as Jack's son was, he had parents that understood, recognized that there was a problem, and then understood that they needed help to.00:28:01.979 --> 00:28:04.679
Build a solution and then got him the help he needs.00:28:04.769 --> 00:28:08.729
And he is a remarkable young man with enormous potential.00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.239
Right?00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:11.669
And I would say that about my children.00:28:11.669 --> 00:28:17.894
I would say that Aaron, about your amazing three kids every parent in this country wants what's best for their kids, right?00:28:17.894 --> 00:28:21.254
There's, there's nobody out there that doesn't want their kids to have opportunity.00:28:21.614 --> 00:28:24.344
And it starts with the ability to read.00:28:24.344 --> 00:28:27.944
So when I think of where, where I can have an impact.00:28:28.784 --> 00:28:33.404
I think this is the foundational tool that children need, and if you give them the tools they need.00:28:34.109 --> 00:28:35.159
Then they have opportunity.00:28:35.159 --> 00:28:37.019
You can't solve every problem.00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:39.119
Our job is not to solve every problem.00:28:39.429 --> 00:28:41.619
It's just to focus on our issue.00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:46.091
And I am motivated every day by the, when I wake up and look at my kids' picture.00:28:46.331 --> 00:28:50.081
I think my kids have had lots of great opportunities.00:28:50.201 --> 00:28:52.571
I wanna make sure every child has that.00:28:52.871 --> 00:28:55.211
And I think that the idea that.00:28:55.731 --> 00:29:09.381
Education is that foundational building block and reading is the tool you need because if you can read, you can stem and science and math and all the other things, but if you can't read, you can't get to that next level.00:29:09.741 --> 00:29:17.791
And so I'm motivated and inspired every day and I'm inspired by the amazing people that I get to meet, not just the kids that are recipients of the.00:29:18.091 --> 00:29:29.661
Of the work that we do, but their families and their educators you know, the people I work with, the experts in the space that I feel like we learn from every day because, and we talked a little bit about this.00:29:30.569 --> 00:29:35.729
Like, we can be inspired by the work, but the data has to drive the solutions.00:29:35.999 --> 00:29:43.899
And I think research is critical to ensure that we're providing the right tools that can have the deepest impact.00:29:43.899 --> 00:29:49.654
So, it was probably a bigger answer than you were looking for, but I, you know, again, I drink our Kool-Aid every day.00:29:50.449 --> 00:29:58.159
And I have never, ever come across a person who isn't inspired by the idea that every child should be able to read.00:29:58.549 --> 00:30:04.729
And I've rarely come across a person that isn't surprised by the fact that so many children in this country don't have access.00:30:04.819 --> 00:30:13.434
And when they learn that they want to participate, and I would that's, you know, my other big goal, my aspiration for 2026 and beyond.00:30:14.144 --> 00:30:26.514
Is to ensure that more people participate in the solution, work with us, work with other groups in in their communities to ensure that, that we, we solve this problem and create this opportunity for children nationwide.00:30:27.470 --> 00:30:30.050
Erin Bailey: I drink the Kool-Aid as well, Alicia, so I'm with you.00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:32.450
Jack Remondi: Yes, I think we're all in that camp.00:30:32.810 --> 00:30:41.600
You know, I think, you know, you used a phrase at the beginning that education is the great equalizer, and you know that that is, I, I couldn't agree more with that statement.00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:43.640
And it does start with reading.00:30:43.670 --> 00:30:50.050
You know, it's hard to do math, science, history in most jobs today, you don't have reading.00:30:50.575 --> 00:30:52.585
Skills and some reading proficiency.00:30:53.065 --> 00:30:57.355
I grew up in, when I was growing up, my dad always had something to read.00:30:57.445 --> 00:30:59.785
Wherever we went, he carried something to read.00:30:59.785 --> 00:31:05.095
And, and it really brought that sense that, you know, you don't go someplace to a doctor's office.00:31:05.095 --> 00:31:12.625
You don't go to, you know, an appointment or a meeting if you don't have something, or you don't go on the train ride to the office without something to read.00:31:12.625 --> 00:31:14.785
And when I first joined rif.00:31:15.739 --> 00:31:26.993
Many years ago that was, you know, that was the reason is that reading had been such a prominent, had such a prominent place in my childhood and continued into my adult life that I wanted.00:31:27.733 --> 00:31:32.093
To share that with others and share that through my participation in the R board.00:31:32.483 --> 00:31:34.463
But r is so much more than that.00:31:34.583 --> 00:31:46.993
And, you know, I think that's really where I see that as, as the the great opportunity and the great challenge of RIF is that we're more than just trying to provide access to reading.00:31:46.993 --> 00:32:01.745
It is, it's actually to develop a love of reading and, lifelong readers and, if you think about our society today there's any number of social challenges that people will list and their priorities might change amongst different responders.00:32:02.255 --> 00:32:05.735
But reading is that fundamental building block.00:32:05.785 --> 00:32:12.210
That, that I think it's hard to say we're going to solve income in inequality without.00:32:12.649 --> 00:32:24.344
Individuals who have reading skills, right, and can have a level of reading proficiency participation in our democracy, it's, it's hard to achieve if a portion of our society is not able to read.00:32:24.344 --> 00:32:39.189
So, those are the things that, that motivate me and continue to have me, play a role in riff and, and trust me, I am very honored for the role that I get to play at Reading is fundamental and will continue to drink that Kool-Aid with the two of you every day.00:32:40.074 --> 00:32:42.384
Erin Bailey: I think you make such a good point, Jack.00:32:42.444 --> 00:32:50.334
There are many intervention programs out there and you mentioned one that you used with your son that can teach children how to read.00:32:50.724 --> 00:32:57.804
What Rift does is unique in that we inspire children to have the desire to read.00:32:57.859 --> 00:32:59.269
And we believe that that.00:33:00.004 --> 00:33:06.184
Is the secret sauce, so to say, in creating lifelong readers and therefore lifelong learners.00:33:06.184 --> 00:33:16.754
And doesn't everyone wanna say that they are a learner from the day they are born until their final days, that they're always able to learn something new And reading is a way to do that.00:33:16.754 --> 00:33:18.406
So I think it's so important.00:33:18.856 --> 00:33:21.796
I would love if each of you could share a story.00:33:21.796 --> 00:33:27.556
It can be recent or from the past that captures the heart of riffs mission in action.00:33:28.426 --> 00:33:28.456
Okay.00:33:28.554 --> 00:33:34.814
Alicia Levi: Boy, that's a tough one, Aaron, because every time you have the opportunity, the privilege of working with a child.00:33:35.249 --> 00:33:40.380
Who gets a book for the first time They light up every time, every day is a story.00:33:40.650 --> 00:33:44.130
There I'll, if you don't mind, I'll share two that probably stick with me the most.00:33:44.130 --> 00:33:52.230
Recently we did an event, it was just back to school timeframe and two, you know, little ones, they could have been more than second grade.00:33:52.810 --> 00:33:57.280
We're walking by the gym where we were hosting a big book celebration event, balloons.00:33:57.965 --> 00:33:59.465
Creating joy, right?00:33:59.465 --> 00:34:07.175
Creating that joy, that experience where kids got to come in and then select, you know, up to three books and, you know, get all kinds of support resources.00:34:07.175 --> 00:34:13.445
But these two little ones, second grader walking by the gym and this little boy says he is like, what's going on in there?00:34:13.655 --> 00:34:18.785
And the girl walking next to him said, it's like Christmas with books.00:34:20.675 --> 00:34:22.445
Then all the kids are cheering.00:34:22.710 --> 00:34:23.945
It's, it's one of my.00:34:24.730 --> 00:34:28.210
Favorite recent ones because it was just so adorable.00:34:28.210 --> 00:34:30.890
I mean, it just, it couldn't have been more adorable.00:34:30.890 --> 00:34:48.630
But I think the one that, the story that is modeled at every book celebration event that we host, every story that we hear when books
are made available to children, is that question that a child who had otherwise not had access to books always asks, are you sure?00:34:49.260 --> 00:34:50.700
Is this mine?00:34:51.300 --> 00:34:54.060
And that's when that book plate becomes so critical.00:34:54.060 --> 00:34:54.960
Yes, it's yours.00:34:54.960 --> 00:34:55.320
Yes.00:34:55.320 --> 00:34:59.130
You get to write your name in it, and you see that moment where they light up.00:34:59.520 --> 00:35:07.306
And then half the time that children will, that child will look at you and say, can I take an extra one because I have a brother or sister?00:35:07.646 --> 00:35:09.386
So that they can have one themselves.00:35:09.386 --> 00:35:10.436
Those moments.00:35:11.021 --> 00:35:13.991
They inspire that, that's what keeps me going, right?00:35:13.991 --> 00:35:22.331
That, and I think that's what inspires me and EE even those that, that, you know, might not be as passionate as, you know, I can get about the mission.00:35:22.697 --> 00:35:27.917
it just melts your heart and it makes you realize that you're ha you're making a difference and that matters.00:35:27.947 --> 00:35:31.037
We're making a difference in these child's lives every day.00:35:31.955 --> 00:35:33.830
Jack Remondi: Oh, since you gave two, I'm gonna give two00:35:34.040 --> 00:35:34.190
Alicia Levi: Good.00:35:34.610 --> 00:35:41.420
Jack Remondi: And, and I do think, i, I'm gonna start with a role as a participant and supporter of rif.00:35:41.840 --> 00:35:56.550
And you know, when you're fortunate in life and you have the opportunity to do something to give back and you see that when you participate in that and do give back, that it has an impact that gives a tremendous amount of joy, right?00:35:56.550 --> 00:35:59.810
And and so my time with RIF has continued.00:36:00.620 --> 00:36:09.770
Much longer than I probably ever expected, in part because I get that joy every time I participate in something with rif.00:36:09.821 --> 00:36:18.881
this podcast is giving me that sense of joy coming to a board meeting, going, you know, doing something to support a RIF program at a local school.00:36:19.361 --> 00:36:22.456
Those are things that I, I hold precious to me.00:36:23.006 --> 00:36:25.880
But as, Alicia said, nothing can really top.00:36:26.240 --> 00:36:30.830
Going to a book distribution program at a school or an event.00:36:31.230 --> 00:36:35.250
I've had the privilege to be able to do a number of these over my time.00:36:35.410 --> 00:36:48.390
Serving with riff, you know, reading stories out loud to the kids helping them select books and just seeing that that pure joy is, I don't know who's happier, I think the kid or me in that process.00:36:48.390 --> 00:36:52.040
But it is, it is such a great there's such great events.00:36:52.040 --> 00:36:52.940
They're amazing.00:36:52.940 --> 00:36:54.230
They're truly amazing.00:36:55.401 --> 00:36:55.941
Erin Bailey: Thank you.00:36:56.481 --> 00:37:12.726
And last, as we're wrapping up, I would love if you could each share a message with our listeners, which are educators, families supporters, literacy advocates how they can join RIF in shaping the next 60 years of reading in this country.00:37:13.764 --> 00:37:16.344
Alicia Levi: I, we've talked a lot about it here today.00:37:16.454 --> 00:37:20.234
And, you know, talk about it to anybody that will listen.00:37:20.564 --> 00:37:21.914
But reading changes lives.00:37:22.754 --> 00:37:29.024
It changes lives if we make it accessible, if we make it relevant, and if we make it joyful.00:37:29.084 --> 00:37:35.444
I think your listeners here today have, it's impossible not to hear the joy in our voices, right?00:37:35.444 --> 00:37:37.874
In our, our passion for our work.00:37:38.184 --> 00:37:41.764
Whether you're a parent, an educator, a donor or an advocate.00:37:41.944 --> 00:37:44.824
E everybody has a role to play.00:37:45.154 --> 00:37:49.968
But it will start and end with joy because you know you're making a difference.00:37:49.968 --> 00:37:52.008
But there are such, such simple things.00:37:52.008 --> 00:38:02.268
Just this idea, you know, you heard Jack talk about, you know, you feel it when you're at these remarkable events that a child saying getting a book is like Christmas.00:38:02.358 --> 00:38:02.898
Right?00:38:03.048 --> 00:38:05.088
It such simple things.00:38:05.383 --> 00:38:14.893
You know, the such simple things can have such an outsized impact on a child and, you know, my final message would be join us.00:38:15.103 --> 00:38:15.613
Right?00:38:15.823 --> 00:38:21.403
And it doesn't have to be just through a donation, although I love donations because it allows us to do more.00:38:21.643 --> 00:38:30.408
It doesn't have to just be as a, a board member, but I value our board members and our partners and volunteers that work with us.00:38:30.783 --> 00:38:34.083
It can be something simple that you do in your own home, read to a child.00:38:34.373 --> 00:38:38.693
If you can't read, use Skybird to help you read to a child.00:38:38.913 --> 00:38:40.863
Support literacy in your community.00:38:41.133 --> 00:38:45.033
Make a culture of literacy part of your environment.00:38:45.033 --> 00:38:49.323
I, you know, we always, at my house, at dinner talk about what books we've read.00:38:50.053 --> 00:38:55.333
That, that's just creating that culture of reading that makes reading relevant.00:38:55.333 --> 00:38:59.803
And I have a 16-year-old and she will often say to me, mom, I didn't pick up a book today.00:38:59.893 --> 00:39:01.963
And I'll say, but what device were you on?00:39:01.963 --> 00:39:03.583
You what she's driving?00:39:03.583 --> 00:39:05.653
What sign did you read on the way to work?00:39:05.983 --> 00:39:10.303
Reading happens everywhere and I think the more we as a community.00:39:11.203 --> 00:39:16.123
Make it relevant, it will become something that people are aware of.00:39:16.373 --> 00:39:24.093
And so I encourage people to share the message making sure that we make reading part of our everyday lives.00:39:24.423 --> 00:39:29.403
And I would argue that our next 60 years begin with what we do today.00:39:29.493 --> 00:39:34.873
It's those small everyday actions that we take that over time create change.00:39:36.129 --> 00:39:36.879
Jack Remondi: So, so true.00:39:36.879 --> 00:39:37.869
We're not gonna change.00:39:38.289 --> 00:39:41.409
Big problems don't get changed with the snap of a finger, right?00:39:41.519 --> 00:39:44.759
They require small individual steps on a long journey.00:39:44.879 --> 00:39:49.309
And so, so my message would be really about modeling.00:39:49.379 --> 00:39:56.369
You know, I think if you have young children model reading, so show how important it is in your household, read to them.00:39:56.849 --> 00:40:02.984
We, we read to our kids before they were born, we were, we were reading to them and you know, continue that process.00:40:02.984 --> 00:40:12.094
But as Alicia said at the beginning, you know, we also, I think everyone recognizes that RIF can't fulfill its mission without.00:40:12.649 --> 00:40:13.729
Financial support.00:40:13.819 --> 00:40:29.999
And so if you're able and so motivated, we would love to have you on board with us and join us in supporting this tremendous organization that delivers results and impact real results and real impact to children across this country.00:40:30.419 --> 00:40:38.629
And, you should know that if you do participate and contribute, that those dollars will be used wisely and, and judiciously.00:40:39.079 --> 00:40:46.649
And I hope you will join us in supporting riff and modeling reading and literacy in your household each and every day.00:40:46.649 --> 00:40:46.799
And.00:40:47.970 --> 00:40:50.580
Erin Bailey: Thank you both for joining us today.00:40:50.580 --> 00:40:52.530
It was a pleasure talking with you.00:40:52.563 --> 00:40:53.463
we could keep going.00:40:53.463 --> 00:40:57.993
This could be a six hour long podcast, but we, we won't do that.00:40:57.993 --> 00:40:59.433
But you've inspired for me.00:41:00.118 --> 00:41:08.788
A lot more topics to cover in future episodes, such as using multicultural literature and various languages in reading.00:41:08.968 --> 00:41:12.868
How to use eBooks to effectively read aloud with your children.00:41:13.048 --> 00:41:16.588
How to motivate children to read as a social activity.00:41:16.978 --> 00:41:17.968
I could go on and on.00:41:17.968 --> 00:41:24.898
So thank you both for inspiring me today, and thank you all for listening to Reading Inspires by Reading is Fundamental.00:41:25.138 --> 00:41:30.838
I hope today's conversation sparked new ideas, meaningful connections, and a renewed love of reading.00:41:30.838 --> 00:41:31.948
I know it did for me.00:41:32.158 --> 00:41:41.368
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, share it with a fellow literacy champion, and join us next time as we continue to explore what reading inspires.00:41:41.398 --> 00:41:41.428
Okay.
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