Ready for Reading

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 t...

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...

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 wi...

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, alo...

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 t...

Samantha Hagan-Lingad, the woman behind our book selection, joins us on this episode with special guest interviewer and Communications Director at UTR, Jessica Hall. They discuss how United Through Reading chooses books for our library, why it’s important for those books to be diverse, and some great titles that you can read to your kids and request from our library, especially for kids in the 4 t...

Marty Martinez is the CEO of Reach Out and Read and a champion of children’s health. He and Josie discuss why reading builds connection, and also why that connection and bonding is so important to a child’s healthy development. They also discuss the research on why reading routines are so important for kids and families, and how those little moments of reading matter. Books mentioned in this show:...

If you have a military teen, this podcast is a must-listen. Matt and Elena join Josie and share stories on what it’s like to be a military teen and how that led to the creation of their organization, Bloom Military Teens. They also talk about what books they’ve found helpful over the years. Books mentioned in this show: Dear Mil Teen The Field Guide to the Military Teen Percy Jackson series Moon O...

Victoria Jamieson is the author of the graphic novel and New York Times Best Seller Roller Girl , and she joins Josie to discuss how she became an author and illustrator and why graphic novels are great reads for kids. In this interview, you’ll hear Victoria talk about her hit book Roller Girl as well as her most recent book When Stars Are Scattered. Josie and Victoria also share a few more of the...

Dr. Dorinda Williams is an infant and early childhood mental health expert with Zero to Three, an organization dedicated to ensuring that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. She’s also a military spouse and has spent much of her career working with military families. Dorinda is the author of Over There , a book that can be found on the bookshelves of many military families and a p...

United Through Reading’s own Molly Haskin, a licensed, certified Speech Language Pathologist, joins Josie to discuss what reading looks like at every reading stage, from newborn all the way through the teen years. As an active duty spouse, Molly is very familiar with military life and how reading can be an important part of bonding as a family. And, she’s an expert in the world of how reading conn...

Patty Barron is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy and she joins us in Episode 2 to discuss the programs and resources her office provides to help support military families. She also shares how the DoD is working to make accessing resources even easier through technology. Patty is a military spouse and the mother of a military spouse, so she has a de...

For over 30 years, United Through Reading has been helping connect service members and their families through reading aloud, no matter the distance. With our new CEO, Tim Farrell, on board, we are excited to look to the future for how we can support our military families with even more opportunities to bond through reading. Listen to Tim and Josie discuss Tim’s background as an Airman, what he’s l...

United Through Reading is back with a new season of Ready for Reading . This podcast is a resource for military families to help strengthen bonds and grow stronger through the magic of reading. Ready for Reading is hosted by military spouse, mom, and bookworm Josie Beets, and she'll introduce you to 8 people who share tips and recommend books to fuel your family's reading routine. So snuggle up an...

Listen to Christy VanVleck, a Navy military spouse and mom, as she shares why she began a reading routine and why she feels it's so important for her family to have a reading routine together. You'll also hear from Dr. Lee Savio Beers, a pediatrician in Washington, DC, a professor of pediatrics at Children's National Hospital, and a former president of the American Academy of Pediatrics (2021). Do...

Hear from Navy Lieutenant Commander Graham Van Hook on how his family focuses on routines and how he makes reading time fun. You'll also hear from Alicia Levi, CEO of Reading is Fundamental, on why reading routines matter and tips for reading to your children. Download the United Through Reading app Find reading tips and resources from Reading is Fundamental To learn more, visit our website

Listen to mom, teacher and Marine Corps military spouse Liz Castro share how reading routines help family readiness and her advice to her fellow military spouses. You'll also hear from Dr. Mark Pisano, a clinical psychologist who has been working with military kids for 39 years, on why connection between military family members is so important and how reading together can help build that connectio...

Military children are faced with many changes in their young lives, leading to disruptions in routines that can have lifelong implications. They can even fall behind in reading skills, which can have profound effects on their academic careers and futures. Listen to Ready for Reading, hosted by military spouse, mom, and United Through Reading staff member Josie Beets, to learn why your military fam...