The Importance of LitCamp

Guest post by Pam Allyn, founder of LitWorld and author of many acclaimed books for educators and families including ‘Every Child a Super Reader’, co-authored with LitWorld board member Dr. Ernest Morrell.

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This summer more than ever, LitCamp has meant so much to so many children across the country. With its social-emotional learning framework and authentic literacy skill building activities, LitCamp provides a welcoming, caring community of belonging at a time when all of us really need that - especially our nation's kids.

LitCamp began as a seed idea in Harlem, NY and Nairobi, Kenya in 2010. That summer, the LitWorld team co-created a strengths based approach to meet the needs of summertime learning with two of our cherished local partners. Together, we recognized the power of this work when many more children than the original participants started to come, more and more each and every day! It turned out everyone was telling their cousins and friends and neighbors, so everyone wanted to come to LitCamp and we made space for them all! It was the first sign of what would become a sustaining feature of this program: a powerful community of belonging and learning that wraps each and every LitCamper in an environment of serious joy.

Pam Allyn and Dick Robinson

The CEO of Scholastic, Dick Robinson left an extraordinary legacy with his dedication and support of LitCamp. After hearing the story of how much the first of our LitCampers loved their experience, he asked: "How can Scholastic help grow this amazing work?" And with that question, thousands more children were able to join into the power of LitCamp.

Many times, I have LitCampers say to me: "Only 323 days left until LitCamp... Only 12 days left.." Children count down the days. They count them down because they love that their stories matter at LitCamp. They count them because they love improving their reading and writing skills in record time. They count them because they love how LitCamp values and understand matters of the human heart: friendship, joy, optimism and courage.

This year, we see so profoundly the value of a program that intersects social emotional learning and academic development. But most of all, we see how much it matters to connect to others. LitCamp does it all.

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About LitCamp

LitCamp is LitWorld's innovative literacy program that combines engaging, motivational literacy lessons with an interactive summer camp approach for Pre-K through 8th Grade and centers our 7 Strengths. LitCamp, in English and Spanish, and deeply culturally responsive in the LItWorld core values, celebrates and builds on kids’ strengths, helping them reach their full potential as empowered literacy learners across all subject areas.

Together, LitWorld and Scholastic - the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books - bring LitCamp to thousands of classrooms every summer, reaching over a million kids across the U.S. since 2015!

Memorable Read Aloud Moments

Guest post by Abigail Calkin, author of The Soul of My Soldier. Read more of her writing by visiting her blogs here or here.

My grandson loves ocean fishing and caught his first salmon and first halibut as a preschooler. However, even as a nine-year-old, he doesn’t love schoolwork and had not brought a book with him for our weekend together. He decided the book I was reading, Crawford’s Mariner’s Weather, reading level probably technical university graduate, would do fine and opened to the first chapter. He slowly read the first two paragraphs to me, then interpreted them to tell me we live on the vast ocean floor of the atmosphere.

At one school where I was principal, we had twenty minutes of silent reading every day after lunch. Occasionally a teacher would read to the classroom during that time. Yes, students reading out loud would have been better but far noisier. In today’s world, perhaps 20 minutes of twenty-five children reading aloud in one room might work, but we didn’t think of it then. In the school, we also had a gallon jar in the office that held all positive tickets any staff member had given a student whether for good learning, good behavior, or a special kindness. By the end of the week, the jar had always filled.

One March during Read Aloud Month, I said if the slightly more than 200 students from very nonacademic homes read 1,000 books, I planned to spend a day doing my work on the roof of the school. The students made lists of books read at school and home. Parents signed for those at home. We vastly exceeded our aim as they collectively read over 5,000. I drew a name from the jar for one student who would get to eat lunch on the roof with me. Ten-year-old Kim climbed the ladder and we had a delightful, chatty lunch in the sunshine. Some 1990s Topeka Capital Journal has a photo and short article of the rooftop event.

Waiting for laundry to finish—two parents, two children, two books.

Another memorable reading moment occurred when I watched my son, daughter-in-law, and their infant daughter cuddle between them to listen to her nightly bedtime story. Reading aloud doesn’t have to occur at bedtime only, though. Laundromats in an Alaska winter are fine.  

When I was a graduate student supervisor, Daisy, in the graduate program, had a high school student who wanted to be on the football team, but his grades were too low. When he came to the university reading clinic, he had a beginning second grade reading level, not high enough to absorb the content of high school texts and pass all courses.

University terms were ten weeks, thus Daisy would work with him for ten weeks. Daisy did one thing I thought was crazy. She had him read Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. Oral reading fluency is 200 to 250 words per minute. The young man read 40 words a minute. At the end of ten weeks, neither gave up. Daisy volunteered her time for the next six and a half months to continue to teach him to read better. Yes, with the training she had, they did more than just read from the book. She also worked to improve his phonic and comprehension skills. Nine months after they started, the young man finished Of Mice and Men, still at a frequency of 40 to 45 words per minute. He improved his reading scores from beginning second grade to mid-fourth grade level, a two and a half year gain in nine months. He got on the team and graduated from high school.

The benefits of reading aloud are at least twofold—teach the love of reading and teach the habit of reading. Have books in your house. Let your children and others see you read a book or magazine. Let people see you absorbed by the words, pictures, and stories.  

Reading Aloud: A New Appreciation

Guest post by Scott Rubin. Scott Rubin’s super nerdy and uplifting baby name book, Naming Your Little Geek, was published by Familius in 2020.

We can all agree that books are the best. I grew up with parents and grandparents instilling in me a deep love and respect for books, and as a geek and author I’ve only grown in that appreciation. My favorite books take me to fantastical worlds and into the depths of space, and to meet ancient evils, secret societies, and superheroes hiding in plain sight. For most of my life, reading was a solitary endeavor, best enjoyed by myself in quiet surroundings. Recently, though, I’ve gained a huge appreciation for reading aloud, and you should too. 

Why read out loud? Let’s start with the obvious; it’s crucial for kids. I have two young sons, 2 and 6 as of this World Read Aloud Day. Before becoming a parent, I expected to read them a lot of silly stuff, marking time until I could start filling their heads with “real” science-fiction, fantasy, and the like. Boy, was I wrong! There is so much incredible kid literature out there, and a lot of it is really fun to read out loud. I’m not just talking about rhymes and goofy sounds, but unique characters, interesting stories, and emotional beats that will stick with you and them.

Best of all, reading to my children has given me a new love and appreciation for reading out loud. It’s a whole new way to enjoy your favorite stories! During the pandemic I started livestreaming, and reading aloud has become a major aspect of what I do. Whether it’s slogging through the complex prose of Frank Herbert’s Dune novels or channeling my inner bard with ancient epic poetry, I’m bringing to life incredible tales.

Heroes and villains speak through me, and I get to enjoy the richness of the author’s words like I never have before. Sounds and onomatopoeia literally become audible, and sometimes unintentionally hilarious. I’ve even discovered some instances when homophones can create alternate (hidden?) meanings in texts that you’ll only experience when reading out loud or listening to the reading!

 No matter what kinds of books you enjoy, I highly recommend doing some out loud reading. Even when doing it by yourself, the experience can be very different and offer you a new way to connect with stories, histories, and more. Even better, find yourself a kid and share the love of reading with a new generation!

Some of my favorite books to read aloud include Frank Herbert’s Dune, epic poetry like the Iliad, Prose Edda, and the Epic of Gilgamesh, and children’s books like Girl and Dragon series by Barbara Joosse and Randy Cecil and My Truck Is Stuck by Kevin Lewis and Daniel Kirk.

The Magic and Mystery of Reading: A Letter from Author Nancy Dearborn

Guest post by author and WRADvocate Nancy Dearborn. Nancy Dearborn’s picture book, Hugga Loula, will be published March 2, 2021 with Familius.

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Power of the Written Word 

I have a voice.

I want to be heard.

Each and every word.

Every human being longs to tell and share their stories because our stories are the very essence of who we are. Our lives and experiences are all stories waiting to be told. All of us have something to share, so each of us has a unique voice. Our voices may be bright and brilliant like a star or warm and wispy like clouds or they may be soft and smooth like freshly fallen snow.

And every one of us has a right to be heard regardless of our race, sex, age, etc. Through our words we can offer care, comfort, and hope to others and ultimately change the world for the better.

Our words can give others courage, strength, a spring in their step, and make them feel absolutely amazing. They can uplift and encourage others to keep going, to never give up, and to be the best person they can be.

Our words have hands that reach out and touch people deeply. And our words have breath, for they help people breathe and live. And ultimately, that is why most writers write – to share knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.

Life is a paradox – the more we give our words and ourselves to others, the more our own lives are enriched.

Why Read Aloud?

I look forward to reading every day because books bring me great joy.

Books are filled with magical, mystical pages that carry us to distant lands and faraway places. We can travel on an African safari, experience the rainforest in the Yucatan, and visit the great pyramids in Egypt – all within the comfort and safety of our home, school, or library. It is through books that we learn and come to understand more about others and ourselves as well. Books offer care, comfort, and hope. They help us realize that sometimes what seems impossible, is in fact, possible.

Books help us connect to those around us as well as those faraway. They help us realize that our lives are not so different from others after all. We are not alone in what we experience and in what we feel. Books help us to know and understand that we are not alone in this journey we call life.

Reading opens our hearts and our lives to imagination. Books make us more than what we were before we read them.

Reading aloud is music to our ears. It’s also a dance we listen to filled with rhythm, rhyme, and voice. Reading aloud helps stories come alive for others through facial expression, tone, voice, etc. Sharing and giving to others is the secret of life – that a person builds a life by what they give others.

So, grab one of your favorite books, your favorite reading buddy, and join us for World Read Aloud Day! 

Note: Three of my favorite picture books to read aloud are The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and THE BIG HUNGRY BEAR by Audrey & Don Wood, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, and Pete the Cat: I Love my White Shoes by Eric Litwin.

World Read Aloud Day Interview and Giveaway with Author Kathleen Burkinshaw

Kathleen Burkinshaw, author of The Last Cherry Blossom

World Read Aloud Day is a chance for book-lovers everywhere to celebrate, and authors are no exception.

Kathleen Burkinshaw, author of The Last Cherry Blossom and daughter of a Hiroshima survivor, takes a special joy in World Read Aloud Day. The Last Cherry Blossom, which details her mother’s experiences, is now a United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs Resource for Teachers and Students and was recently nominated for an NC School Library Media Association YA book award. Having presented her works throughout middle and high schools for the past 9 years, Kathleen shares with us some of what World Read Aloud Day means for her - as a mother, an author, and a book-lover - as well as an exciting giveaway ending February 21!

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Sara’s favorite story from this book, ‘The Little Airplane’ had to be read to her every night.

“Just one more book, please.”

“That was my daughter’s beloved nightly mantra as a child. My husband and I enjoyed every moment reading to her. I loved how she would look at the pages in the book and pretend to be reading by explaining what the pictures portrayed. Although, she’d eventually have most of the words memorized because we had read the book to her so often! Once she could read, it was so touching when she insisted to read to us after we read a book to her. That memory still makes my heart swell.”

“Starting with kindergarten, I volunteered to read a book to my daughter’s class at least once a year. I thought it would be a fun way to also discuss our Japanese culture. I enjoyed finding various books for each grade level along with a craft. I still remember the first book I read to her class in kindergarten – HOW MY PARENTS LEARNED TO EAT by Ina R. Friedman/illustrated by Japanese American author/illustrator, Allen Say. I brought in wooden disposable chopsticks and taught her classmates how to use them by picking up Cheetos and fruit.”

The Last Cherry Blossom by Kathleen Burkinshaw

“I think way back(well not too far back)  to when my elementary teachers read a book related to the chapter we were studying in history. It truly made me think beyond just memorizing dates and names. The characters in those books breathed life into that time period for me. I think that’s one of the reasons I have always loved reading (and now writing) historical fiction.”

“So, as I wrote The Last Cherry Blossom (TLCB) and I visited a class to discuss my mother’s experience in Hiroshima, it was a no brainer that I’d read some of my draft chapters to them and ask for their feedback. Now that TLCB has been published and I read either my favorite scene or the most difficult scene, I can’t help but feel a special connection made between myself, the students, and my mom’s story.”

“Reading out loud brings the story to life in the listeners’ imagination, no matter what the age.”

“It’s such an amazing compliment to me as an author when I’m told that a teacher has read TLCB to their class. Reading a book aloud is a fun and lovely way to open a reader’s heart as well as their minds. That is why I’ve enjoyed participating in World Read Aloud Day (WRAD), since TLCB published.”

“For this last World Read Aloud Day I enjoyed the opportunities to read and virtually meet so many students and teachers! To continue my celebration, I am doing a special TLCB Rafflecopter Giveaway  going ending February 21. Prize package includes what’s pictured here and some some surprise swag  Good Luck!

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Learn more about Kathleen Burkinshaw by visiting her site or reading her blog, and enter her giveaway by clicking here.

A Message About Reading Aloud from our Friends at Worldreader

With World Read Aloud Day less than 24 hours away, millions of communities near and far are preparing for an incredible day of celebration!

At LitWorld, we understand the incredible importance of reading aloud and the profound impact it has on development; that is what fuels our work to spread the joys of storytelling and literacy in communities across the world. Joining us in that mission is our friends at Worldreader, a global nonprofit that brings digital reading to underserved communities where paper books are scarce. Read on to learn more about Worldreader and why World Read Aloud Day is so important to their mission and their work!

According to our friends at Worldreader:

“Reading aloud to a child has a vital impact on their future. In the earliest years of a child’s life, the brain forms new connections at an astonishing rate. This gives shape to the child’s cognitive, emotional, and social development. LitWorld’s #WorldReadAloudDay on February 5th, 2020 draws crucial attention to the importance of reading aloud to children.”

“Sadly, millions of children are not able to enjoy read-alouds due to challenges that parents and caregivers around the world face, making the daily habit of reading to their children impossible. One of the biggest barriers is a lack of access to reading materials.”

“That is why Worldreader is bringing digital reading to underserved families, working with parents, caregivers, and schools to normalize a culture of reading and storytelling.”

“Affordable technologies provide an unprecedented opportunity to scale reading aloud. Simple devices, such as a mobile phone, provide unique opportunities to reach children in ways previously not explored. One example of this is Ms. Sapna, an Anganwadi trainer, who talks about how digital books have enabled a reading culture in her classroom.”

“This World Read Aloud Day, thousands of parents and caregivers across India and Jordan will be reading digital books with their children thanks to LitWorld and Worldreader. Together, we can stand up for the importance of reading aloud, sharing stories, and the idea of literacy as a human right for all - on World Read Aloud Day and beyond.”

To learn more about Worldreader’s work visit www.worldreader.org. We encourage you to join us this #WorldReadAloudDay, February 5, to celebrate the power of reading aloud!