Bedtime Story Comeback

The mission of Read to Kids US is to encourage parents and grandparents to read to their kids. In this age of 24/7 telecommunications, with parental dual careers or parents with multiple jobs, where kids of younger and younger ages are signed up in organized sports or dance, and there are innumerable video games, social media sites, and other time-wasters, parents get very little alone time with young children. Grandparents, often now in remote cities or separated by COVID, get even less. Even during the pandemic, parents were challenged with stressful full days of confinement with children of multiple ages, needs, and attention spans.

The market size for Read to Kids activities is large and diverse. There are three target groups: parents of children 3-6 years old; grandparents of children 3-6 years old; and service providers for families with children this age. Read to Kids encourages parents and grandparents to save 15 minutes a day to read to children 3-6 years old.  If this becomes a habit, it can reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, improve literacy, inspire learning, instill positive values,  and create wonderful, lifelong memories. For service providers, such as pediatricians, dentists, and beauticians/barbers, it is a nice addition to reading material in waiting rooms or gifts/rewards that can help entertain, calm, and educate young, first-time visitors. 

Read to Kids US Inc is a collaboration of children's books’ authors, non-profit organizations, and supportive donors/customers.  The non-profit identifies and promotes paperback and online, age-appropriate books for parents and grandparents. The revenue of the books about the key character—Arry, a young, miniature red poodle, whose adventures provide valuable, positive life lessons for young kids—help fund Read to Kids US activities—such as donations of books to schools, hospitals and other non-profits that benefit children, particularly in underserved communities; financial assistance to animal charities; volunteers for Read to Kids activities, such as appearances as senior or children’s’ centers; marketing; and administration.  Goals would include involving older students as interns.

My team consists of a CEO, very small Board of Directors, small group of authors, and a professor of education and parenting expert (Dr. Sally Goldberg). Denise Meridith, an accomplished entrepreneur, professor, author, and community leader, is the founder and CEO. The Board of Directors includes DeVerges Jones (a nationally successful private brand manager), Deb Whitcas (an Emmy-winning television producer and sports reporter), and Ilana Lowery (a non-profit CEO and former newspaper editor). The current children’s authors are Lynn Austin, Caren Cantrell, and Rodo Sofranac.

You may remember the emotions you felt when a parent read you a story about The Little Engine that Could or even scared you with a tale from the Brothers’ Grimm?  You may have scheduled time for Pilates today;  can you carve out 15 minutes sharing The Dog Who Wished He Could Fly with your five-year-old? This will be a diet that you will love and not want to quit, and its impact can be life-long memories for both you and the child. 

If you have a company, especially one that involves children or pets, your influence can be even greater and grander! Think of the benefits you will be helping provide to all the families in your community! Thank you, in advance, for your help, support and, most importantly, for participating in the Bedtime Story Comeback.

The market size for Read to Kids activities is large and diverse. There are three target groups: parents of children 3-6 years old; grandparents of children 3-6 years old; and service providers for families with children this age.

Read to Kids encourages parents and grandparents to save 15 minutes a day to read to children 3-6 years old.  If this becomes a habit, it can reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, improve literacy, inspire learning, instill positive values,  and create wonderful, lifelong memories. For service providers, such as pediatricians, dentists, and beauticians/barbers, it is a nice addition to reading material in waiting rooms or gifts/rewards that can help entertain, calm, and educate young, first-time visitors.

Read to Kids US Inc is a collaboration of children books’ authors, non-profit organizations, and supportive donors/customers.  The non-profit identifies and promotes paperback and online, age-appropriate books for parent and grandparents. The revenue of the books about the key character—Arry, a young, miniature red poodle, whose adventures provide valuable, positive life lessons for young kids—help fund Read to Kids US activities—such as donations of books to schools, hospitals and other non-profits that benefit children, particularly in underserved communities; financial assistance to animal charities; volunteers for Read to Kids activities, such as appearances as senior or children’s’ centers; marketing; and administration.  Goals would include involving older students as interns.

My team consists of a CEO, very small Board of Directors, small group of authors, and a professor of education and parenting expert (Dr. Sally Goldberg). Denise Meridith, an accomplished entrepreneur, professor, author, and community leader, is the founder and CEO. The Board of Directors includes DeVerges Jones (a nationally successful private brand manager), Deb Whitcas (an Emmy-winning television producer and sports reporter), and Ilana Lowery (a non-profit CEO and former newspaper editor). The current children’s authors are Lynn Austin, Caren Cantrell, and Rodo Sofranac.

You may remember the emotions you felt when a parent read you a story about the Little Train that Could or even scared you with a tale from the Brothers’ Grimm?  You may have scheduled time for Pilates today;  can you carve out 15 minutes sharing The Dog Who Wished He Could Fly with your five-year-old? This will be a diet that you will love and not want to quit, and its impact can be life-long memories for both you and the child.

If you have a company, especially one that involves children or pets, your influence can be even greater and grander! Think of the benefits you will be helping provide to all the families in your community! Thank you, in advance, for your help, support and, most importantly, for participating in the Bedtime Story Comeback.