Perfect for long-distance relationships with kids!
Here's the interview with REACH founder, Donna Boock:
1. Did you ever have a reading buddy? If so, what did you like about it?
Absolutely! My first reading buddy was my mom. We read together every night, and I loved getting lost in stories with her, but I especially loved The Monster at the End of this Book starring lovable, furry old Grover and all the chaos! When I became a mom, I was happy to carry on the tradition and read at least 3-5 books a night with my kids. I chose a book, and they each got to pick a book and if we had time, more!
Benefits For Kids
If kids need ideas about reading buddies, who should they ask?
Kids can start with their own family:
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- parents,
- siblings,
- grandparents,
- or even cousins.
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Teachers and librarians are also great resources; they might help set up a classroom or school-wide buddy reading program. And if they want a reading buddy that really listens without interrupting, a pet or stuffed animal is a fantastic option! (That’s where my Rescue Readers program comes in!)
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On your website, you talk about how important it is for kids to read fluently by third grade (or age 8-9). It’s easy to understand why kids need REACH.
Yes! Research shows that kids who are fluent readers by third grade are more likely to succeed in school and beyond.
But beyond academics, reading fluency:
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- builds confidence,
- fosters imagination,
- and helps kids feel connected to stories
- and to people!
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REACH helps families turn reading into a shared, joyful experience—something kids look forward to, rather than something that feels like homework.
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Benefits For Adults
If adults need ideas about reading buddies, where can they look?
Instead of just looking for a reading buddy, adults can think about who might need them as a reading buddy! Maybe there’s a child in the family that they don’t get to see or talk to as often as they’d like:
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- a grandchild,
- niece,
- nephew,
- or cousin
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REACH makes it easy to turn those moments into something special.
One great way to start is by sending a book (even better if it already has a REACH guide!) and inviting the child to plan a video reading date. The guide provides:
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- Conversation starters
- Book-themed activities,
- Interactive fun 🙂
- A simple way to build connections
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All while ensuring kids get valuable reading time!
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Why might adults be interested in participating? REACH sounds like a great way to strengthen a long-distance relationship with a grandchild or young relative. What other benefits might there be for adults?
You hit the nail on the head! REACH is a wonderful way for grandparents and long-distance family members to stay connected. But it’s also a fantastic way for busy parents to bond with their kids, for teachers to spark deeper conversations in the classroom, and for caregivers to make reading time more engaging. Plus, adults get the added benefit of reliving childhood favorites (or discovering new ones)!
2. You are the founder of REACH, but you are also a children’s author. Have any of your books featured in a REACH newsletter?
Yes! Several of my books have featured, including all three Kinzie’s Kinventions books,  Moo-La-La-Ti-Da!, and both Claw & Order: Fairy Goose Unit books. While it was important to me to write guides for my books, it is equally important to me to write them for other books. Kids need to read a lot of books to find what they love and to fall in love with reading, so I extended the scope beyond my own. I love creating activities that bring books to life, and it’s so rewarding to see families and educators using them in fun ways.
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3. If teachers, librarians, or family members are looking for activities for a specific celebration, where can they find past REACH newsletters?
All past REACH newsletters are available on my website! They’re organized by they’re organized by book title, so it’s easy to find just what you need.
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- Which holidays do REACH newsletters cover?
If there’s a great book to pair with a celebration, I’m all in. But, since REACH is just shy of a year old, it’s still a work in progress and I don’t have a defined calendar of holidays it includes yet. - Is there a list of activities by type? (crafts, indoors, outdoors, recipes, etc.)
I love mixing things up—crafts, STEM projects, movement activities, scavenger hunts, and even simple recipes that tie into the books, but I don’t have a list of activities by type, just by book title at the moment. - Is there a list of book titles that have REACH guides?
Absolutely! Every guide features a different book, and I add a new one each month. Find the full list.
4. On your website, you mention your background in nutrition. Do you use your nutritionist skills in preparing your REACH newsletters? Your books for kids?
I love incorporating fun and simple food-related activities in the REACH guides—things like making a snack inspired by a book or learning about different foods mentioned in a story. While none of my books focus directly on nutrition (but never say never 😊), with the REACH guides, I try to weave in themes of curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving—just like in healthy eating.
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Join REACH and get these guides delivered straight to your inbox! Donna Boock creates new guides every month for new books. Each guide includes activities and discussion questions.
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Personally, I think they’re excellent.
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BONUS Audiobook!
Bonus! If you sign up between February 10 and March 31, 2025, Donna Boock will run a list of new subscribers in April and send each of them a FREE Kinzie’s Kinventions audiobook redeemable on Spotify as a thank-you! 🎉📚
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