Reading Inspires by Reading Is Fundamental

In this episode of Reading Inspires, author and illustrator Dan Yaccarino joins Dr. Erin Bailey to discuss his creative journey from childhood drawings to beloved children's books and animated series like Oswald and Doug Unplugs. He shares insights on collaborating versus working solo, teases upcoming projects including Piccolo and two new animated series, and reflects on how reading inspires possibility—the same gift he now creates for young readers.

For information on the Rally to Read Reading Inspires live event visit: Event | Rally to Read Reading Inspires Event – Live, virtual national reading month celebration

About Dan Yaccarino:

Dan Yaccarino is the author and illustrator of more than fifty books for children, including Piccolo, Unlovable, Every Friday, and The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau. Awards and honors include The New York Times 10 Best Illustrated Children’s Books, the Bologna Ragazzi Award, ALA Notable Children’s Books, the Parents’ Choice Award, and has had the honor of being invited to the White House to read his books. Dan is also the creator and producer of the animated series Doug Unplugs, Oswald, and Willa’s Wild Life, as well as the character designer behind the series, The Backyardigans.

Website: http://www.danyaccarino.com/ 

Instagram: danyaccarino 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dan.yaccarino.2025/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@danyaccarino8149

TikTok: danyaccarino

Books:
The Luna Sisters Battle for the Moon Blossom 

Piccolo

I Am Murphy and I Am Waiting

In this episode, Erin Bailey sits down with literacy expert Lori Oczkus to explore reciprocal teaching and the "Fab Four" comprehension strategies. Lori shares her journey from classroom teacher to literacy coach, explaining how she transformed the research-based reciprocal teaching method into an engaging, accessible approach for students of all ages. The Fab Four—predicting, questioning, clarifying, and summarizing—work together like the Beatles, each powerful on their own but transformative when combined. Lori emphasizes the importance of gradual release, modeling, and student talk in making these strategies stick, while demonstrating how teachers can implement reciprocal teaching with any text or curriculum they're already using.

The conversation highlights the impressive research behind reciprocal teaching, including its ranking as #9 in John Hattie's meta-analysis of effective teaching strategies and its ability to produce nearly two years of growth in a single year. Lori shares real-world success stories, from Australian schools climbing from 14th to 2nd place in literacy rankings to Berkeley intervention programs achieving two-year gains in just three months. Throughout the discussion, Lori and Erin explore how choice and metacognition play crucial roles in student engagement, how reciprocal teaching fits within the science of reading framework, and why these comprehension strategies strengthen both reading and writing skills—ultimately giving students the skill, will, and thrill of reading.

About Lori Oczkus:
Lori Oczkus is a literacy coach, author, and popular speaker across the United States. Tens of thousands of teachers have attended her motivating, fast paced workshops and read her practical, research-based professional books. Lori has extensive experience as a bilingual elementary teacher, intervention specialist working with struggling readers, and staff developer and literacy coach. She works with students in classrooms and knows the challenges that teachers face in teaching students to read!

Lori's best selling books on comprehension and literacy have been featured in the Reading Teacher journal. The third edition of Reciprocal Teaching at Work: Strategies for Improving Reading Comprehension foreword by John Hattie (ASCD, 2018 book and video) features 40 new lessons and is endorsed by many noted reading experts including Donalyn Miller, Tim Rasinski, Doug Fisher, and Regie Routman. Lori has been inducted into the California Reading Hall of Fame for her many contributions to literacy in California and internationally.

In this episode of Reading Inspires, host Dr. Erin Bailey speaks with Dr. Deborah Pope, Executive Director, and Jocelyn McCarthy, Associate Director of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, about the legacy of beloved children's author Ezra Jack Keats and the foundation's mission to champion diversity in children's literature. The foundation, established in 1964 after the publication of The Snowy Day, was created to fulfill Keats' vision that all children should see themselves reflected in the books they read—a vision born from his own experience as a child who felt invisible. The foundation's programs include the prestigious Ezra Jack Keats Award, which recognizes early-career authors and illustrators (with no more than four books published) who create diverse, high-quality children's literature, and the innovative Bookmaking Program where students in grades 3-12 write and illustrate their own books.

The conversation highlights the foundation's Mock EJK Award program, which brings the award process into classrooms across the country, allowing students to evaluate books using kid-friendly criteria that mirror the actual award rubric. Through this program, students engage in critical thinking discussions about diversity, illustration quality, and storytelling while developing a deeper connection to literature—some even write to authors and illustrators to share their evaluations. Both guests emphasize how reading provides power and perspective, enabling children to see themselves in stories while also opening their hearts to new adventures and wider worlds. The foundation continues to evolve its programs to meet educators' needs while staying true to Keats' core mission of making all children feel visible and valued through literature.

Watch Tell Me Another Story, a documentary on the power of picture books.

About Dr. Deborah Pope, Executive Director:

Deborah Pope has focused the work and mission of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation on increasing diversity in children’s literature and enriching the quality of public education.Through her efforts, the Ezra Jack Keats Book Award is recognized internationally as an imprimatur of quality diverse children’s books, and the New York City EJK Bookmaking Competition has become  a program easily transferred to school districts across the country. Deborah was co-executive producer of the 2016 Amazon Snowy Day Holiday Special which earned two Daytime Emmys®, two Kidscreen Awards and a BAFTA nomination. She successfully campaigned for the 2017 USPS Snowy Day Stamps series honoring EJK’s classic book.

About Jocelyn McCarthy, Associate Director:

Jocelyn has spearheaded the expansion of the Foundation’s presence on all social media platforms, representing our mission and programs with an accurate and engaging voice since 2020. In addition Jocelyn manages the technical aspects of recording and presenting our various online events, and participates as a creative force in the constant need to update our website interface. She became aware of the Foundation while visiting New York, and was impressed by its programs and mission. Jocelyn has an entrepreneurial spirit, 20 years experience in marketing and promotions, and is a dedicated advocate for quality early childhood education. Jocelyn lives in Los Angeles.

In this Every Book Counts webinar, host Erin Bailey welcomes Dr. Jill Pentimonti, Associate Research Professor at the University of Notre Dame and Executive Director of Research Advancement, to explore shared book reading as one of the most powerful tools for building young children's language, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. Dr. Pentimonti explains the essential building blocks of early reading success—word recognition and language comprehension—and how shared book reading uniquely supports pre-reading skills including print knowledge, phonological awareness, and oral language development. She emphasizes that reading is not a simple process but requires building neural pathways through deliberate practice and instruction, and that decades of research confirm shared book reading's significant impact on children's literacy outcomes when done interactively.

The session provides practical, evidence-based strategies for making shared reading more intentional and engaging, including asking open-ended questions, building vocabulary with child-friendly definitions, pointing out initial sounds and letters, and having conversations before, during, and after reading. Dr. Pentimonti stresses the importance of reading a balanced diet of both narrative books (which build story structure and comprehension strategies) and information books (which introduce technical vocabulary, content knowledge, and text features like tables of contents and indexes). She demonstrates these strategies through a live read-aloud of "A Den for Bay Bay," showing how even a simple information book with few words can spark rich conversations about letters, vocabulary, and real-world knowledge. The webinar concludes with resources from Reading is Fundamental to help educators and families implement these high-impact strategies in their daily reading routines.

About Dr. Jill Pentimonti:
Dr. Jill Pentimonti is an Associate Research Professor in the Institute for Educational Initiatives and the Executive Director of Research Advancement in the Office of the Vice President for Research at the University of Notre Dame, where she also leads the Early Learning Foundations (ELF) Lab. Her work focuses on language, literacy, and learning in the preschool and early elementary years. 

Dr. Pentimonti’s research centers on supporting young children’s language and literacy development, particularly for those at risk for reading difficulties. She has led multiple large-scale, federally funded studies examining classroom practices, instructional supports, and interventions that foster children’s early learning. Her work has also advanced the use of innovative tools and methods—including AI-powered assessments—to better understand and improve early learning experiences for children, families, and teachers.

In this episode, Erin Bailey interviews Dr. Dowan McNair-Lee about her experiences teaching literacy to middle school students. They discuss the importance of student choice in reading, the appeal of graphic novels and diverse texts, and the challenges educators face in balancing classic literature with contemporary works. The conversation also addresses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student literacy, the debate between teaching full novels versus excerpts, and the inspirational power of reading for personal growth and connection.

Key Points:

• Student choice and engagement are crucial for fostering a love of reading.
• Graphic novels, manga, and stories offering escapism are especially popular with middle schoolers.
• Graphic novels are legitimate and valuable reading materials.
• Balancing classic literature with newer, diverse texts is important for a well-rounded curriculum.
• Reading full novels allows for deeper understanding, but time and testing pressures often limit this.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting negative effect on literacy scores and student well-being.
• Reading inspires hope, connection, and a sense of possibility, particularly for students from underrepresented backgrounds.

This webinar, part of the Every Educator Counts series, explores how generative AI and large language models (LLMs) can be thoughtfully and responsibly integrated into writing instruction. Dr. Shannon Kane, an expert in literacy and technology integration, leads the session, focusing on both the opportunities and challenges of using AI in education.

Key Points:

• Generative AI as a Tool: AI can create new content (text, images, code) based on human prompts. LLMs predict language patterns but do not truly “understand” content, so their outputs can sometimes be inaccurate or biased.
• AI in the Classroom: When used intentionally, AI can support lesson planning, model revision strategies, provide differentiated feedback, and help students experiment with voice, tone, and structure.
• Joy and Creativity: Contrary to fears that AI stifles creativity, it can actually foster joy, curiosity, and risk-taking in writing when used as a co-writer or brainstorming partner.
• Responsible Use: Teachers should set clear policies and expectations for AI use, emphasizing authenticity, critical thinking, and ethical considerations (such as bias and hallucinations in AI outputs).
• Student Engagement: Students can use AI to brainstorm, revise, and experiment with writing, but should always reflect on and justify their choices. Portfolios can include both original and AI-assisted drafts to track growth.
• Instructional Strategies: The “Echo and Amplify” model encourages teachers to model AI use transparently and metacognitively, then have students extend and reflect on these practices.
• Practical Examples: The session includes demonstrations of using AI to revise sentences for tone, change point of view, and generate engaging leads, with an emphasis on critical evaluation and justification of edits.

About Dr. Shannon Kane:
Shannon M. Kane, Ed.D., serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Teaching,Learning, Policy, and Leadership at the University of Maryland. Her academic and professional endeavors focus on literacy education, teacher preparation, and teacher professional growth. Dr. Kane’s career beganin the field of international development, where she worked on initiatives centered on women’s empowerment and access to education. She later joined the inaugural DC Teaching Fellows cohort, teaching in both traditional public and public charter schools in Washington, D.C. Her professional experience includes time as an instructional coach, curriculum developer, professional development consultant, school leader, teacher-researcher, and adjunct faculty member. Dr. Kane holds a doctorate in Reading, Writing, and Literacy from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as master’s degrees in International Development and in Elementary Education/TESOL. Her research examines multiple dimensions of literacy and teacher development, including K–12 literacy instruction with an emphasis on critical literacy, the preparation and mentoring of teachers as literacy practitioners, the integration of technology into literacy pedagogy, the role of classroom discourse in literacy learning, and the ways identity shapes literacy practices and experiences.

In this episode of the Reading Inspires podcast, host Erin Bailey sits down with Dr. Shannon Kane, an assistant clinical professor and literacy expert, to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and literacy education. Dr. Kane shares her unique journey from international development to K-12 education and higher ed, and discusses how she and her colleagues began investigating the role of AI in teaching. The conversation delves into the varying comfort levels with AI among pre-service and in-service teachers, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that come with integrating new technologies into the classroom. Dr. Kane emphasizes the importance of intentional training and ethical, critical engagement with AI, both for educators and their students.

The discussion covers practical applications of AI in education, such as supporting foundational reading skills, differentiating instruction for multilingual learners, and scaffolding the writing process. Dr. Kane and Erin address equity concerns, noting the need for accessible AI tools and thoughtful policy decisions to ensure all students benefit. They also reflect on the evolving capabilities of AI, the importance of teacher and student agency, and the critical role of feedback in reducing bias and improving technology. The episode concludes with Dr. Kane sharing how reading inspires creativity, connection, and courage, leaving listeners with a hopeful vision for the future of literacy and technology in education.

About Dr. Shannon Kane:
Shannon M. Kane, Ed.D., serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Teaching,Learning, Policy, and Leadership at the University of Maryland. Her academic and professional endeavors focus on literacy education, teacher preparation, and teacher professional growth. Dr. Kane’s career beganin the field of international development, where she worked on initiatives centered on women’s empowerment and access to education. She later joined the inaugural DC Teaching Fellows cohort, teaching in both traditional public and public charter schools in Washington, D.C. Her professional experience includes time as an instructional coach, curriculum developer, professional development consultant, school leader, teacher-researcher, and adjunct faculty member. Dr. Kane holds a doctorate in Reading, Writing, and Literacy from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as master’s degrees in International Development and in Elementary Education/TESOL. Her research examines multiple dimensions of literacy and teacher development, including K–12 literacy instruction with an emphasis on critical literacy, the preparation and mentoring of teachers as literacy practitioners, the integration of technology into literacy pedagogy, the role of classroom discourse in literacy learning, and the ways identity shapes literacy practices and experiences.

This webinar, hosted by Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), explores the critical role of reading aloud in fostering literacy and language comprehension for children of all ages. Dr. Molly Ness, a literacy expert, shares research-backed insights on the cognitive, emotional, and physiological benefits of read-alouds, both at home and in classrooms. Key points include:

• Reading aloud is the single most important activity for literacy success, building vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills.
• Interactive read-alouds—with conversation and engagement—are most effective, and should include high-quality texts across genres, including nonfiction.
• Scientific studies show that frequent read-alouds activate brain regions linked to language development, reduce stress, and even improve health outcomes in children, including premature infants and hospitalized kids.
• Author visits and read-alouds boost children’s motivation to read and write, especially when students can interact with authors.
• Practical strategies for families include modeling reading, creating cozy reading spaces, tracking books read, and integrating reading into daily routines beyond bedtime.
• Fight the “decline at nine”: Continue read-alouds beyond age nine, as children still value and benefit from them.
• Use “think-alouds”: Model your thought process during reading to help children develop comprehension skills.
• Read above grade level: Children’s listening comprehension exceeds their reading ability until adolescence, so expose them to more complex texts.
• Highlight print features for young children to build early literacy skills.
• Include nonfiction: Intentionally read informational texts to prepare children for academic demands.
• Multiple readings: Re-reading books allows for deeper vocabulary and comprehension work.

The session concludes with a Q&A on best practices for think-alouds and multiple readings, and encouragement for educators and families to make reading aloud a joyful, regular part of children’s lives.

About Dr. Molly Ness:
Molly Ness is a former classroom teacher, a reading researcher, and a teacher educator. She earned a doctorate in reading education at the University of Virginia, and spent 16 years as an associate professor at Fordham University in New York City. The author of five books, Molly served on the Board of Directors for the International Literacy Association and is a New York state chapter founder of the Reading League. Dr. Ness has extensive experience in reading clinics, consulting with school districts, leading professional development, and advising school systems on research-based reading instruction. She provided literacy leadership for nationally recognized literacy non-profits, as well as major educational publishers.   

In 2024, Molly was invited to serve on the New York State Dyslexia Task Force. A frequent speaker and presenter, her happy place is translating the science of reading to schools and teachers. As a tireless literacy advocate, Molly created the End Book Deserts podcast, which brings awareness to the 32 million American children who lack access to books. She is currently writing a forthcoming Scholastic book, helping teachers understand orthographic mapping. In 2024, she founded Dirigo Literacy, a literacy consulting firm supporting schools, districts, and states align with and implement the science of reading.  

When she is not reading and writing about reading and writing, Dr. Ness is driving her ice-hockey obsessed teenage daughter to the rink, learning how to fly fish, or hiking with her poorly behaved goldendoodle.  

Dr. Molly Ness’s books:

Read Alouds for All Learners

Making Words Stick by Molly Ness, Katie Pace Miles | Scholastic Education

In this episode of the Reading Inspires podcast, host Erin Bailey welcomes Khari Arnold, the founder of Library Dads, to discuss his journey and the mission behind his organization. Khari shares the story of how Library Dads began, highlighting the importance of father figures and male role models in promoting reading among children. The conversation explores the challenges and successes Khari has experienced in building a supportive network that encourages dads to become more involved in their children's literacy development.

Throughout the episode, Khari and Erin delve into the impact that positive male involvement can have on young readers, as well as the broader implications for families and schools. They discuss practical strategies for engaging fathers, overcoming barriers to participation, and fostering a love of reading at home and in the community. The episode concludes with reflections on the transformative power of reading and the ways in which initiatives like Library Dads can inspire lasting change in children's lives.

Episode Links:
Library Dads: Home | The Library Dads
Jim Trelease's Read-Aloud Handbook: Jim Trelease's Read-Aloud Handbook: Eighth Edition
Murdoch Children's Research Institute: Dad's reading is new chapter of child language development - Murdoch Children's Research Institute
Let Them Theory: The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About

In this episode, Dr. Erin Bailey hosts a conversation with bestselling children's authors and educators Susan Verde and Emma Walton Hamilton, exploring how to nurture a lifelong love of reading in children amidst the distractions of the digital age.

The discussion highlights the cognitive and emotional benefits of reading, contrasts the effects of screen time versus print, and offers practical strategies for parents and educators to foster curiosity and joy around books. Key takeaways include starting to read with children early and often, modeling reading as a pleasurable activity, connecting books to children's passions and daily life, and allowing autonomy in book choices.

The guests also introduce the Enlightened Generation initiative, which pairs books with themed clothing to reinforce learning and curiosity. The episode concludes with a Q&A, emphasizing the importance of preserving the connection between reading and joy, and encouraging flexibility and patience in supporting young readers.

About Susan Verde:

Susan Verde is a #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning author and yoga-mindfulness expert. Susan has written over 20 books for children and adults, including all nine books in the New York Times bestselling I Am series illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Her picture book The Water Princess was an ALA Notable Children’s Book, Amazon Best Book of the Month, and New York Public Library Best Book. Her nonfiction book for adults, Say One Kind Thing, is an original essay collection about the power of positive self-talk and her reflections on motherhood.  

In addition to her writing career, Susan co-founded Enlightened Generation, a groundbreaking children’s clothing brand with an impact-driven mission. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in reading remediation and was an elementary school teacher for many years. She is now certified in yoga and mindfulness and teaches workshops for kids of all ages. Susan currently lives in East Hampton, New York with her rescue dogs, 2 cats, and three children.  

About Emma Walton Hamilton:

EMMA WALTON HAMILTON is a best-selling and award-winning author, editor, producer and writing coach. 

Together with her mother, Julie Andrews, she has co-authored over thirty-five books for children and adults, nine of which have been on the New York Times best-seller list, including The Very Fairy Princess series (#1 NY Times Bestseller) and Andrews' second memoir, Home Work: A Memoir of My Hollywood Years. A Bridport Prize-winning poet, Emma's poetry collection, Door to Door, was published by Andrews McMeel, and her book for parents and caregivers, Raising Bookworms: Getting Kids Reading for Pleasure and Empowerment, premiered as a #1 best-seller on Amazon.com in the literacy category and won a Parent's Choice Gold Medal. 

Emma was a two-time Emmy Award nominee for her role as Executive Producer and Writer for Julie's Greenroom, a children's television program about the performing arts created for Netflix, starring Julie Andrews and co-produced by the Jim Henson Company. Emma is also a Grammy Award-winning voice-over artist, having provided voicing for numerous audiobooks, including Julie Andrews’ Collection of Poems, Songs and Lullabies (2010 Grammy Award, Best Spoken Word Album for Children), as well as numerous radio, television, theater and industrial spots. Currently, she and her mother co-host and co-produce Julie's Library, a story-time podcast for family audiences produced by American Public Media.

 A faculty member for Stony Brook University’s MFA in Creative Writing and Literature, Emma teaches all forms of children’s book writing at the graduate and undergraduate level and serves as Director of their annual Children’s Literature Conference, as well as Executive Director of the Young Artists and Writers Project (YAWP), an interdisciplinary writing program for middle and high school students. A former actress and theatre director, Emma was a co-founder of Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, where she served as co-Artistic Director and Director of Education and Programming for Young Audiences for 17 years. 

Emma is also the co-creator of Picture Book Summit, the world-class, annual online conference for picture book writers, and The Complete Picture Book Submissions System. Independently, Emma o`ers home-study courses and other products and resources for writers at her website, EmmaWaltonHamilton.com. An accomplished public speaker, she regularly addresses conferences, schools, universities and other groups about the value of, and synergy between, the arts and literacy.