Blog

Why I Wrote The Unicorn Shore and Why Quality Early Chapter Books Matter

As a parent, teacher, and author, I’ve watched the early chapter book space slowly shift. Sometime in the last decade, many of the books meant for 6 to 9-year-olds began to reflect themes more suited for older readers. Snarky characters, mean girls, teen protagonists, and heavy social issues crept into stories designed for children still learning how to navigate friendship, kindness, and growing up gently.

The market...

How Books Help Children Build Resilience and Process Emotions

I shared in an earlier post about my family’s military experience and my role as a grief and trauma counselor. I simply cannot stress enough the potential power reading together has in helping children process difficult emotions (adults too).

Books teach empathy, courage, resilience and hope. When children see characters navigating fear, sadness, or loss, they begin to understand their own feelings in a safe and gentle way. Stories...

Understanding the Categories of Children’s Books

Welcome back to the Raising Readers blog series. Todays post will help parents learn what to expect from each age category, plus a few favorite books to help your child fall in love with reading.

Choosing the right books for your child can be tricky. With so many categories and reading levels, it’s not always clear where to begin, or when to move up. One of the most common questions parents ask is, How do I know when my child is ready for...

How Reading Fuels Writing (and Why They Grow Together)

How good reading habits help kids become confident writers—and what you can do to support both

Welcome back to Raising Readers, a blog series created to help parents support strong literacy skills in meaningful and manageable ways. Each post shares practical tips, personal insights, and the research behind why reading matters so much. In this post, we’re looking at how reading and writing develop side-by-side and why building both is one of...

How reading helps children think more deeply, feel more confident, and stay connected, one story at a time

Welcome to Raising Readers, a new blog series for parents who want to raise curious, confident kids without adding pressure to your already full plate. Each post will share simple tips, personal stories, and research-backed insight into how reading supports your child’s growth. Whether you’ve got a toddler or a tween, there’s something here for you.

If you’re like most parents, you want...