In this episode we head to Southern California to catch up with high school student and change agent, Carter Beardsley. Carter was the catalyst for bringing an Inchy Bookworm book vending machine to students at Delano Elementary and La Vina Middle schools! His grassroots efforts to enhance literacy at his former schools is nothing short of amazing and a study in how visions become reality through hard work and determination!

Joining me on this episode is award-winning podcaster and talk show host, entrepreneur, and author Debbie Nigro. Debbie hosts The Debbie Nigro radio show/podcast and is the author of "The Working Mom on the Run" and recently "How to Talk to Strangers." She delves into the world of writing, publishing and publicity. Hear her show here: https://shorturl.at/hxQZ2

In this episode, I am joined by Ymani Wince, owner and proprietor of the Noir Book Shop in St. Louis, MO. The Noir Book Shop is bookstore dedicated to the Black experience designed to build community through its educational programming and product offerings. The shop has also recently installed a Inchy Bookworm vending machine to help sustain it's three pillars: education, inspiration, and community. https://www.noirbookshop.com/

For 17 years, Read to Succeed Buffalo has been combining exposure to high quality, intentional instruction, and literacy rich environments for birth through 3rd Grade children, regardless of economic or social challenges, to help them reach their highest potential. In this podcast, I sit down with Director of Program Julia Brueckl to explore how Read to Succeed Buffalo is making a difference in the lives of Western New York children. www.readtosucceedbuffalo.org/

Join us for a unique twist on food and literacy and how they have come together at Melba's PoBoys in New Orleans! Restaurant owner and author Jane Wolfe shares her secret to success combining reading and cuisine in a fun and unique way in the Big Easy. From book signings to read-alongs, literacy and good food go hand-in-hand at Melba's! Check them out: https://www.melbas.com/

Dr. Maria Murray, President and CEO of the Reading League joins us to discuss the awareness, understanding, and the use of evidence-aligned reading instruction. Their group facilitates collaborations and connects the findings from the science of reading to the practices of multiple stakeholders within the education, publishing, and policy communities. For more: www.thereadingleague.org

BPS School #61 Arthur O. Eve School of Distinction Principal Nathaniel Barnes joins me to talk about the impact of their Inchy the Bookworm book vending machine and how it has changed the school's approach to literacy. Barnes engages his students and families with a variety of unique and engaging activities, both in the classroom and out and is proud to lead his teachers with the very first Inchy machine ever created. Visit their website: https://www.buffaloschools.org/o/ps61

In this episode, I am joined by children's author, artist and assistant professor of General and Special Education of the graduate school at Touro University, Timothy Bellavia. A former Western New York native now residing in New York City, Tim is the creator of the popular We Are All the Same Inside series of books and dolls and is currently preparing educators for the classroom. Check out his work at www.timothydbellavia.com.

In this episode, I am joined by local children's author and former educator, Dee Romito. Check out her work at www.deeromito.com and writeforapples.com. Dee was also instrumental, unknowingly, in initial online promotion of Inchy the Bookworm's first Book Vending Machine!

The countdown is on! Join Global Vending Group/Bookvending.com on your favorite podcast platforms and YouTube for the #ReadingRevolution kicking off on Wednesday, January 10! Check out local children's author Dee Romito on Episode 001! #literacyforall #literacymatters