Ready for Reading

The Role of Books and Reading in Addressing Mental Health in Military Families

In this episode of the Ready for Reading podcast, host Penney Letrud-Samons discusses the role of literacy in the recovery journey of military personnel and their families. She is joined by award-winning author and filmmaker David Barclay Moore and licensed clinical social worker Crystal Bettenhausen-Bubulka LCSW, MSG. They explore the importance of promoting mental health awareness and breaking the stigma surrounding it, especially in the military community. David shares insights from his book Boyogi, which addresses invisible wounds and the need for mental wellness advocacy. Crystal discusses her journey into the mental health field and the importance of normalizing discussions about mental health. Books play a crucial role in teaching resilience and coping skills to children. They serve as mirrors, reflecting our experiences and identities, and as windows, offering glimpses into different cultures and perspectives. Reading allows children to escape, learn, and develop empathy. Books can help normalize challenges and celebrate failure, teaching children that mistakes and trials are growth opportunities. Reading also strengthens bonds between parents and children, fostering healthy relationships and connections. United Through Reading facilitates this bonding through reading, especially for military families who may be geographically separated. Resources From This Episode: Dollar General Literacy Foundation Guides [https://unitedthroughreading.org/literacy-guides/] United Through Reading Literacy Resources [https://unitedthroughreading.org/resources/] Download the United Through Reading App [https://unitedthroughreading.org/app/] Read our latest blog posts [https://unitedthroughreading.org/news/] Books Referenced in the Show Boyogi [https://unitedthroughreading.org/book/boyogi-how-a-wounded-family-learned-to-heal/] The Kissing Hand [https://unitedthroughreading.org/book/the-kissing-hand/] The Invisible String [https://unitedthroughreading.org/book/the-invisible-string/] Night Catch [https://unitedthroughreading.org/book/night-catch/] Our Guests Connect With Crystal [https://throughthekaleidoscopetherapy.com/] Connect with David [https://www.davidbarclaymoore.com/] How You Can Help Our Mission Donate to United Through Reading [https://unitedthroughreading.org/support/] Buy books for military families [https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/11J7D95WKUY2O?ref_=wl_share] UTR on Social Media Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/utr4military/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/unitedthroughreading] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-through-reading/] Subscribe to our newsletter [https://unitedthroughreading.org/newslettersignup/]

United Through Reading’s 2024 Book for the Military Child: Ty’s Travels All Aboard

In this episode, Penny Letrud-Samons interviews Kelly Starling Lyons and Niña Mata, the author and illustrator of the book -Ty's Travels All Aboard-, which has been selected as the 2024 Book for the Military Child, in conjunction with April’s Month of the Military Child. The Book for the Military Child unites and celebrates military children across the globe through their shared experiences. Kelly Starling Lyons is an award-winning author with over 30 children's books to her name. Niña Mata is an award-winning illustrator known for her diverse artwork. They discuss Kelly and Niña’s creative journey, the inspiration behind the book, and their feelings about Ty's Travels All Aboard being chosen for military children and their families. They also advise aspiring artists and encourage kids to find adventure through creativity. The episode highlights the importance of reading and storytelling and the impact of books on children's lives. Resources from this episode: Dollar General Literacy Foundation Guides [https://unitedthroughreading.org/literacy-guides/] United Through Reading Literacy Resources [https://unitedthroughreading.org/resources/] Download the United Through Reading App [https://unitedthroughreading.org/app/] How to Find a UTR Story Station [https://unitedthroughreading.org/how-it-works/where-we-are/] Watch this episode on YouTube [https://youtu.be/l0m-HGzM7QE] How you can help our mission: Donate to United Through Reading [https://unitedthroughreading.org/support/] Buy books for military families on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/11J7D95WKUY2O?ref_=wl_share] Connect on social media: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/utr4military/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/unitedthroughreading] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-through-reading/] Subscribe to our newsletter [https://unitedthroughreading.org/newslettersignup/]

From Decoding to Comprehension: How Reading Aloud Empowers Emergent Readers

In this episode, our host, Penney Letrud-Samons, speaks with United Through Reading's Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, Molly Haskin, MS CCC-SLP, to discuss the importance of reading aloud and its impact on comprehension. They introduce the concept of P.I.E. and how it relates to reading: * Promotes brain development * Improves language and learning skills * Encourages a positive association with literacy) as the critical ingredient for successful reading. They also explore the traditional reading-aloud experience in the classroom and the challenges emergent readers face in comprehension. Mrs. Haskin shares best standard practices for reading, including playing with sounds and reading together. They highlight how United Through Reading supports literacy in military families and provides resources for parents and children. Mrs. Haskin received her Master of Science in Communication, Speech, and Hearing Disorders from East Carolina University. She has practiced in her field for ten years and finds the development of early childhood literacy skills a specific area of interest. As a United Through Reading Programs team member, Mrs. Haskin facilitates program distribution and implementation to Army, Air Force, and Space Force commands worldwide. By disseminating the program across commands, she maximizes the number of Soldiers benefitting from the program to ultimately increase connections for military families affected by service-related time apart. Resources from this episode: Dollar General Literacy Foundation Guides [https://unitedthroughreading.org/literacy-guides/] United Through Reading Literacy Resources [https://unitedthroughreading.org/resources/] Download the United Through Reading App [https://unitedthroughreading.org/app/] Watch this episode on YouTube [https://youtu.be/vTzQVUGU9Zg] How you can help our mission: Donate to United Through Reading [https://unitedthroughreading.org/support/] Buy books for military families on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/11J7D95WKUY2O?ref_=wl_share] Connect on social media: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/utr4military/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/unitedthroughreading] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-through-reading] Subscribe to our newsletter [https://unitedthroughreading.org/newslettersignup/]

Introducing Book for the Military Child, with Laura Steiner

Military children deserve to be celebrated and to connect through their shared experiences. We’re helping grow that connection with each other and between military parents and their children with our new initiative, Book for the Military Child. You’ll hear from our program manager, Laura Steiner, on the book we chose, The Kissing Hand. You’ll also hear from the author of the book, Audrey Penn, along with special guest and longtime military spouse and mom, Melodye Whitesell.This year’s book for the military child: The Kissing Hand [https://unitedthroughreading.org/book/the-kissing-hand/]Learn more about Laura Steiner [https://unitedthroughreading.org/staff/laura-steiner/]Learn more about Audrey Penn [https://www.audreypenn.com/]Visit our resources page [https://unitedthroughreading.org/resources/]Download the United Through Reading app [https://unitedthroughreading.org/app/] today and request your copy of The Kissing Hand. You can even watch a special Spotlight Video of Audrey Penn reading her book just for our military families.

How ordinary people change the world, with Brad Meltzer

Ever wondered what it takes to change the world? Meet author Brad Meltzer in this special bonus episode of Ready for Reading, hosted by United Through Reading’s CEO, Tim Farrell. Brad’s Ordinary People Change the World children’s book series are always featured on our reading lists because they illustrate just how normal the most accomplished of people were before they became the legends we know today. Listen to Brad discuss his experience with military families, why he wrote these books, and why, especially for military kids, the real heroes are the ones they live with every day.From this show:About Brad Meltzer [https://bradmeltzer.com/About/]Visit his webpage [https://bradmeltzer.com/Discover.html]Learn more about the Ordinary People Change the World series [https://www.ordinarypeoplechangetheworld.com/]View his latest book, I am Temple Grandin [https://www.ordinarypeoplechangetheworld.com/Books/I-Am-Temple-Grandin]Chris Eliopoulos [https://chriseliopoulos.com/], the illustrator of the seriesOrder your book [https://www.utrapp.org/] from the Ordinary People Change the World series from utrapp.org [http://utrapp.org]Learn more about UTR and how you can strengthen your military family’s bond through reading at UTR.org [http://UTR.org].- Download UTR’s reading app: utr.org/app [http://utr.org/app]- Help keep military families reading by supporting UTR: Give.utr.org [http://Give.utr.org]- What do you think of the Ready for Reading podcast? Review us in your podcast app, or let us know at communications@utr.org [communications@utr.org]