Reading Inspires by Reading Is Fundamental

About This Episode What happens when reading becomes joyful, musical, and deeply interactive? In this episode of Reading Inspires, Dr. Erin Bailey talks with Eric Litwin, the award-winning author of the original Pete the Cat books, about helping children build a lifelong relationship with reading. Eric shares how his experience as a classroom teacher led him to create books built around call-and-response, repetition, movement, humor, and prediction. They discuss why playful language and human connection matter so much for early literacy, how families can turn everyday routines into songs and chants, and why reading instruction works best when children experience both strong foundations and genuine joy. What You’ll Learn How call-and-response and repetition invite children to participate in readingWhy music, movement, and playful routines help develop language and phonemic awarenessHow families and educators can make ordinary moments opportunities for joyful languageWhy human interaction is essential when children are learning language and readingHow the idea of becoming a reading hero can guide intentional, engaging practice Chapters 0:00 — Welcome and introduction1:00 — Eric Litwin’s journey from classroom teacher to author8:00 — Call-and-response, repetition, and joyful reading16:00 — Building literacy through language, movement, and routines25:00 — Screens, human interaction, and the reading foundation32:00 — The Poop Song, phonemic awareness, and playful learning39:00 — Becoming reading heroes through human, engaging, recurring, intentional practice45:00 — What reading inspires for Eric Resources Eric Litwin — Learn more about Eric’s work, books, music, and literacy resources.Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes — The interactive picture book that invites children to sing, predict, and respond.Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons — A story about counting, resilience, and responding to change with joy.The Poop Song — A playful example of using humor, repetition, and music to support language and learning.The Power of Joyful Reading: Help Your Young Readers Soar to Success! — Eric’s guide, co-written with Dr. Gina Pepin, to making reading joyful and engaging.

Summary Kate DiCamillo and Kelly Yang are two of the most beloved and influential voices in children's literature. In this episode of Reading Inspires, they talk about the stories, characters, and experiences that help young readers discover friendship, hope, belonging, resilience, and the confidence to find their own voices. Kate DiCamillo is a two-time Newbery Medal winner and the author of Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and Flora & Ulysses. Kelly Yang is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Front Desk series, New from Here, Finally Seen, Finally Heard, and Parachutes. Together, they reflect on the power of children's books to help readers see themselves, understand other people, and recognize what stories can make possible. Show Notes Kate DiCamillo: https://www.katedicamillo.com/Kate DiCamillo's The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane Deluxe Collector's Edition: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/824943/the-miraculous-journey-of-edward-tulane-deluxe-collectors-edition-by-kate-dicamillo-illustrated-by-bagram-ibatoulline/Kelly Yang: https://www.kellyyang.com/StoryKind: https://storykind.org/Kelly Yang's Front Desk: The Graphic Novel: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1338856448 Reading Inspires is a podcast from Reading Is Fundamental about the people and ideas helping children discover the joy and power of reading.

Summary Grace Bastidas joins Reading Inspires to talk about the stories, books, and cultural traditions that shaped her as a reader—and how she is passing those gifts on to her own children. Grace is a journalist, speaker, parenting expert, and the former editor in chief of Parents. Drawing on her Colombian heritage and experience raising bilingual children in a multicultural home, Grace shares practical ways families can use books, language, and storytelling to build connection, curiosity, and a stronger sense of identity. Chapters 0:00 — Welcome and meeting Grace Bastidas 0:43 — Family stories, Colombian roots, and discovering books 2:31 — The reading medal Grace still treasures 3:09 — Passing culture and language on to the next generation 5:05 — Encouragement for parents raising bilingual children 8:30 — Making language learning consistent and joyful 12:00 — Books as a bridge to culture, identity, and belonging 17:30 — Grace’s advice for helping children become readers Show Notes Guest: Grace Bastidas — gbastidas.com Instagram: @brooklynwriter LinkedIn: Grace Bastidas Grace’s work has appeared on Today, Good Morning America, CBS Mornings, and NBC News Now, and in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and New York Magazine. Reading Inspires is a podcast from Reading Is Fundamental about the people and ideas helping children discover the joy and power of reading.

Summary What does it take to help children see themselves in the story of space exploration? Lane Polak, a technical writer and strategic communications professional for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) at Marshall Space Flight Center, joins Reading Inspires to talk about his unconventional path to NASA and the creative work behind making the Artemis program accessible to young readers. Lane explains how his background in writing, drawing, and neurodivergent creativity shaped his approach to outreach, why NASA needed materials designed for the youngest members of the Artemis generation, and how children’s books can turn technical achievement into curiosity, connection, and possibility. He also reflects on school visits, storytelling, and the questions every writer should ask: Why am I telling this story, why this way, and where do I want it to go? Chapters 0:00 — Meet Lane Polak and the Artemis generation1:00 — From Huntsville and creative writing to NASA2:20 — What strategic communications does for the SLS program3:25 — Making NASA’s mission understandable for young readers4:30 — Creating *Hooray for SLS* and pitching the idea at NASA8:00 — Writing children’s books that build connection and curiosity12:00 — School visits, author events, and questions from students20:00 — Storytelling, vulnerability, and finding your purpose32:15 — Why reading helps us connect with people and community Show Notes - Guest: Lane Polak, technical writer for NASA’s Space Launch System at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.- NASA profile: I Am Artemis — Lane Polak- Lane’s Reading Is Fundamental books:- Hooray for SLS- Our Friend Orion- There and Back with EGS- Lane is available for school visits. Contact: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

Summary Erin Bailey talks with Denine Torr of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and Alicia Levi of Reading Is Fundamental about why literacy access is a community responsibility. They discuss the long partnership between Dollar General and RIF, the specific barriers facing rural communities, the importance of books in homes and schools, and the role of motivation, confidence, and practice in developing skilled readers. The conversation closes with practical ways listeners can support literacy through their time, talent, and treasure. Denine and Alicia share personal stories about the power of books, family reading, community programs, and the possibilities that open when children and adults have meaningful access to literacy. Chapters 0:00 — Welcome and introductions1:01 — How reading shaped Alicia and Denine5:37 — Why Dollar General made literacy a lasting commitment7:39 — RIF and Dollar General’s long-term partnership9:52 — Literacy access in rural communities14:38 — Books, confidence, motivation, and practice18:13 — Building literacy through community partnerships24:22 — Remembering Dolly Parton’s literacy legacy30:13 — Stories that show the power of books and family reading36:20 — What listeners can do to support literacy39:33 — What reading inspires Show Notes **Denine Torr** — Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy at Dollar General and Executive Director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. She leads philanthropic and social-responsibility efforts supporting communities nationwide and serves on several literacy and education boards.**Alicia Levi** — President and CEO of Reading Is Fundamental, the nation’s leading children’s literacy organization. She has expanded RIF’s reach through literacy programs, digital resources, partnerships, and professional learning.Reading Is Fundamental: https://www.rif.org/Dollar General Literacy Foundation: https://www.dgliteracy.org/ This episode was produced for Reading Inspires.