Maya's Favorites, Community, Diversity & Inclusion, Library & Literacy Advocacy . By Maya Smart | August 11 , 2025

Help Close the Reading Gap: Donate Reading for Our Lives to Families Who Need It

Give the gift of literacy at scale. Support book donations to family-serving groups that nurture young readers and

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Seasonal & Holidays, Parent-School Partnership . By Maya Smart | August 04 , 2025

Summer Reading Crisis? Not in My House (And Not in Yours Either)

Author Maya Payne Smart talked to Fox 6 about how to sidestep the summer reading crisis by turning lazy days into summer learning

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Maya's Favorites, Kids Books, Family Activities, Community . By Maya Smart | June 23 , 2025

Why You Should Bring Your Kids to Author Talks—Especially Ones Like This. 

Want to raise a real reader? Discover how bringing kids to author talks sparks curiosity, confidence & love of books—one

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Seasonal & Holidays, Community, Diversity & Inclusion . By Maya Smart | July 01 , 2024

July 4th Reflections on Liberty and Literacy

Author Maya Payne Smart reflects on the boundaries of the freedoms the 4th of July extols— and who enjoys them—plus how

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Maya's Favorites, Literacy Skills, Early Language, Letters & Sounds . By Maya Smart | September 16 , 2024

Spelling Champs Beat the Odds, But Reading Itself is a Stretch Goal for Too Many

Discover the history of black spelling bee contestants who beat the odds, even as strong reading & spelling remain stretch goals

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Early Language, Personal Development . By Maya Smart | November 04 , 2024

I Made These New-Mom Mistakes. Then I Wrote a Book So You Won’t Have To.

Parenting author Maya Payne Smart shares her inspiring journey to becoming a literacy advocate and what new parents can learn

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Literacy Skills, Early Language, Letters & Sounds . By Maya Smart | November 11 , 2024

5 Tips for Parents from Reading for Our Lives by Maya Payne Smart

Empower your child’s literacy journey with these five actionable tips from Reading for Our Lives by Maya Payne Smart. Discover

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A Crisis Is Brewing: Learning Gaps and How to Avert Them

Parenting author Maya Payne Smart explains the overlooked phonological awareness skills kids need to become thriving

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Literacy Skills, Early Language, Letters & Sounds . By Maya Smart | October 14 , 2024

Phonological Awareness: The Overlooked Skill Kids Need Before They Can Read

Parenting author Maya Payne Smart explains the overlooked phonological awareness skills kids need to become thriving

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Literacy Skills, Early Language, Letters & Sounds . By Maya Smart | August 26 , 2024

How to Develop Your Child’s Phonological Awareness in Easy, Fun, Free Ways

Discover how to develop phonological awareness in easy, fun, free ways. It’s a key but often-overlooked skill kids need to read

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