Here at FableVision, we believe in the power of stories. And with a mission to tell “stories that matter, stories that move,” it’s no surprise that storytelling, literacy-learning, and engaging people young and old in the joy of reading are close to our hearts.
This year, we’re joining long-time partner and leader in publishing and education Scholastic in celebrating World Read Aloud Day. Founded by nonprofit LitWorld in 2010, World Read Aloud Day is all about the power of reading and sharing stories. You can visit Scholastic’s website for more information on the holiday, literary resources for parents and teachers to support their children’s love of reading, and artwork by FableVision founder and award-winning children’s book author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds. The site also features four quick and easy steps to join in on the World Read Aloud Day celebrations:
Select a book
Find a buddy
Read aloud
Share your favorite read-aloud moments on social media with #WorldReadAloudDay, and tag @Scholastic, @LitWorldSays, and three friends so they can join, too!
In honor of World Read Aloud Day and the month of love, we’re sending valentines to some incredible organizations doing important work promoting literacy, many of whom we’ve been lucky to partner with on literacy-based projects. Here’s who we’re crushing on this month:
Scholastic
Our first love letter is, of course, for Scholastic. Scholastic is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, including FableVision founder Peter H. Reynolds’ collections! Scholastic provides a number of resources for educators and caregivers, including Scholastic Literacy, which combines incisive standards-informed instruction with access to quality, culturally relevant books and texts “to engage readers, support social-emotional development, and help students become lifelong independent thinkers, readers, and writers,” according to their site. The studio has collaborated with Scholastic on a number of projects, most recently on film adaptations of Peter’s books, such as The Dot, Ish, and The North Star.
Jumpstart
Next up is our next-door neighbor and shared-kitchen companion: Jumpstart! Jumpstart is an early education organization that trains college students and other community volunteers to help children develop key skills to succeed in kindergarten. With a focus on language, literacy, and social-emotional programming for preschoolers from under-resourced communities, Jumpstart promotes accessibility in learning, specifically early learning, with the hope that every child in America will be able to enter kindergarten ready to succeed. And their Read for the Record celebration is a staff favorite.
Classroom, Inc.
We’re also sending a lil love note to Classroom, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to helping students develop literacy and leadership skills through digital learning games and curriculum. Classroom, Inc. connects academics to the professional world through research-based digital learning games and curriculum that encourage literacy-learning and leadership skill development in an authentic work environment. FableVision partnered with Classroom, Inc. to develop three literacy learning games as part of the Read to Lead series. The three games After the Storm, Community in Crisis, and Vital Signs use real-world simulations—leading a daily news website, running a community center, and managing a community-based family clinic—to put players in a leadership position where they’ll acquire and apply literacy skills.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Our fourth letter is for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a book-gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth until they begin school, regardless of family income. The program has launched in five countries—the United States, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Canada, and Australia—mailing millions of books to kids around the world. The library began as Dolly’s way to honor her father’s memory and pursue her mission of inspiring children to love to read.
Reading Is Fundamental
Last but certainly not least is Reading Is Fundamental, the nation’s largest children’s literacy nonprofit. Reading is Fundamental provides access to books and quality content that helps children learn to read and obtain the fundamental building blocks needed to succeed and reach their full potential. Their work aims to directly impact and engage communities to inspire a passion for reading among children across the United States. FableVision partnered with Reading Is Fundamental to create two literacy projects: Our Book By Us!, an app comprised of six minibooks featuring an original Peter H. Reynolds character, and Water Wonders, an ebook app that introduces readers to themes of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM).
But the celebrations don’t have to end after today. Reading and telling stories are important to everyday development and fun, for people of any age every day of the year! Check out our portfolio for more FableVision-developed literacy and other educational projects, and keep sharing your stories and love of reading with the people you love.
