Ready for Reading

The Role of Books and Reading in Addressing Mental Health in Military Families

In this episode of the Ready for Reading podcast, host Penney Letrud-Samons discusses the role of literacy in the recovery journey of military personnel and their familie

United Through Reading’s 2024 Book for the Military Child: Ty’s Travels All Aboard

In this episode, Penny Letrud-Samons interviews Kelly Starling Lyons and Niña Mata, the author and illustrator of the book -Ty's Travels All Aboard-, which has been selec

From Decoding to Comprehension: How Reading Aloud Empowers Emergent Readers

In this episode, our host, Penney Letrud-Samons, speaks with United Through Reading's Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, Molly Haskin, MS CCC-SLP, to discuss the

Introducing Book for the Military Child, with Laura Steiner

Military children deserve to be celebrated and to connect through their shared experiences. We’re helping grow that connection with each other and between military parent

How ordinary people change the world, with Brad Meltzer

Ever wondered what it takes to change the world? Meet author Brad Meltzer in this special bonus episode of Ready for Reading, hosted by United Through Reading’s CEO, Tim

How we select books for our military children, with Samantha Hagan Lingad

Samantha Hagan-Lingad, the woman behind our book selection, joins us on this episode with special guest interviewer and Communications Director at UTR, Jessica Hall. They

Why military parents should be reading to their kids with Marty Martinez, Reach Out and Read

Marty Martinez is the CEO of Reach Out and Read and a champion of children’s health. He and Josie discuss why reading builds connection, and also why that connection and

Books for military teens with Bloom Military Teens

If you have a military teen, this podcast is a must-listen. Matt and Elena join Josie and share stories on what it’s like to be a military teen and how that led to the cr

Best books for military tweens with author Victoria Jamieson

Victoria Jamieson is the author of the graphic novel and New York Times Best Seller Roller Girl, and she joins Josie to discuss how she became an author and illustrator a

Why Military Families Should Read with their Babies and Toddlers with Dr. Dorinda Williams

Dr. Dorinda Williams is an infant and early childhood mental health expert with Zero to Three, an organization dedicated to ensuring that all babies and toddlers have a s

What reading as a family looks like at different stages with Molly Haskin

United Through Reading’s own Molly Haskin, a licensed, certified Speech Language Pathologist, joins Josie to discuss what reading looks like at every reading stage, from

Tools for Bonding as a Military Family with the DoD’s Patty Barron

Patty Barron is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy and she joins us in Episode 2 to discuss the programs and resources her

Meet United Through Reading’s New CEO Tim Farrell

For over 30 years, United Through Reading has been helping connect service members and their families through reading aloud, no matter the distance. With our new CEO, Tim

Coming Soon: Season 2 of Ready for Reading

United Through Reading is back with a new season of Ready for Reading. This podcast is a resource for military families to help strengthen bonds and grow stronger through

The importance of routines for military families

Listen to Christy VanVleck, a Navy military spouse and mom, as she shares why she began a reading routine and why she feels it's so important for her family to have a rea

How to make reading fun for the whole family

Hear from Navy Lieutenant Commander Graham Van Hook on how his family focuses on routines and how he makes reading time fun. You'll also hear from Alicia Levi, CEO of Rea

How reading together supports family readiness (and military readiness)

Listen to mom, teacher and Marine Corps military spouse Liz Castro share how reading routines help family readiness and her advice to her fellow military spouses. You'll

Trailer: Ready for Reading Season 1

Military children are faced with many changes in their young lives, leading to disruptions in routines that can have lifelong implications. They can even fall behind in r