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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Maya's Favorites, Literacy Skills, Early Language, Parent-School Partnership . By Maya Smart | July 14 , 2025

Reading Starts Before School—And Parents Are the Right Teachers

Empower your child from day one—discover how parents actually teach reading from the start through everyday moments, play, and

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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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Maya's Favorites, Family Activities, Literacy Activities . By Laila Weir | May 19 , 2025

How a Family Book Journal Can Help You Foster Reading, Reflection & Connection—and Cut Clutter

Start a family book journal to spark reflection, promote reading, and create a keepsake of stories that shaped your family.

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Maya's Favorites, Literacy Skills, Early Language, Family Activities . By Maya Smart | May 12 , 2025

Maya in Katie Couric Media: The Surprising Influence Grandparents Have on Raising Young Readers

Learn from parenting author Maya Payne Smart how everyday moments with grandparents are boosting many kids’ reading

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Maya's Favorites, Parent-School Partnership, Personal Development, Community . By Laila Weir | April 14 , 2025

Substitute Teaching as a Meaningful Side Hustle for Parents: Give Back and Make Money on Your Schedule

Looking for flexible work during school hours? Substitute teaching can be a great part-time job for parents—plus a way to

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Maya's Favorites, Literacy Skills, Early Language, Letters & Sounds . By Mary Follin | March 31 , 2025

5 Easy, Fun Phonemic Awareness Games for You and Your Preschooler to Play at Home

Lay the foundation for reading success! Discover 5 easy, fun phonemic awareness activities to help your child recognize sounds in

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Maya's Favorites, Kids Books, Community, Diversity & Inclusion . By Chrysta Naron | March 24 , 2025

11 Brilliant Black Female Authors You Should Be Reading With Your Kids

Inspire young readers with books by black women authors! Celebrate diversity, identity, and joy with must-read stories for kids.

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Maya's Favorites, Parent-School Partnership, Library & Literacy Advocacy, Books for Adults . By Maya Smart | March 17 , 2025

The Paperback Edition of Reading for Our Lives Is Here—And It Couldn’t Come at a More Critical Time

Awards serve as exclamation marks—chances to pause and say, this matters. Maya Payne Smart reflects on building change with

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Maya's Favorites, Community, Library & Literacy Advocacy . By Maya Smart | March 10 , 2025

Why Awards Matter: The Unexpected Benefits of Recognition, Connection, and Celebration

Awards serve as exclamation marks—chances to pause and say, this matters. Maya Payne Smart reflects on building change with

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