A Note From Our Editor!

Dear Readers,

When Jacob and I first imagined KidsRead2Kids, we were 13 and 15 years old. I was an overly excited, frizzy-haired, dork of a sophomore; he was collected and calm, and way too cool to be in eighth grade (in my eyes anyway…).

We were in different places in our lives, but our problem was the same: no matter where we went, we never felt like we belonged.

You see, underneath his cool exterior, Jacob was struggling with an invisible disability. Dyslexia impacted his life in all ways, from his grades in school to his energy level, to his perception of himself. Day after day, he would come home with pressure-ridden shoulders, feeling defeated and alone. But little did he know, there were countless other kids – just like him.

According to Understood.org, 1 in 5 children in the US learn differently, yet only 30 percent of educators feel confident to teach them – leaving their future completely in the hands of their parents. Without access to support and resources, these kids risk repeating a grade, facing school suspension, or not finishing school at all. Many kids with undiagnosed learning disabilities also struggle with their self-esteem.

Left to fend for themselves, they are likely to feel less capable than their classmates. Jacob certainly felt that way.

As for me? I grew up with Selective Mutism. Wide-eyed and careful, I thought of every possible consequence before making decisions (I still do…). While I could find comfort at home, my voice ended there. Even the simplest things such as keeping eye contact or raising my hand in class seemed impossible. At school, I would hold my breath and pray to be skipped over at attendance. When the teacher called my name, the inevitable ‘she’s not here,’ was soon to follow.

Though I was always surrounded by people who loved me, I felt alone; almost like I didn’t matter. Even as a sophomore, I was still that same girl that avoided attention like the plague; whose worst-case scenario was having nothing worthy to say.

Now, my condition is rare, impacting less than one percent of the US (that’s me!), according to the National Center for Rare Disorders. But anxiety and depression affect millions. Further, the Learning Disabilities Association of America states that children with learning disabilities are prone to chronic depression.

But something stopped me from falling into that deep, dark abyss: I had a family with the time and resources to support me. Without them, I would not be who I am today. My mother, as an undiagnosed dyslexic, understood how we felt and did everything she could to help. As you’ll read in her Mom2Mom column, she went to the moon and back to ensure our success.

While my father went a different route, dedicating his time in bedtime stories. His readings of classics like Anne of Green Gables provided us not only with role models but also with a needed escape from the outside world. Our father brought classic novels to life, without us having to decode the words. Instead, we would simply close our eyes and imagine Prince Edward Island and its lovable characters as if they were real before us. Night after night, I grew fond of spirited, red-headed Anne, wishing that for once, I could be as brave.

And, like all epiphanies, one day Jacob and I just knew: it was time to make a change. So, in 2016, we founded a place where we could all belong, no matter our difference. We called it KidsRead2Kids.

Everyone deserves to experience the magic of reading and to know that they are not alone. Our goal is to share that joy with the world.

Today, we’ve recorded 17 classic novels read by our team of high school volunteers; we’ve filmed a range of decodable chapter books for early learners; and recently, we published our lesson plans to beloved novels, Peter Pan and Anne of Green Gables. We film all of our books chapter by chapter so that anyone can listen and learn at their own pace. Our resources have reached struggling readers, parents, teachers, and libraries worldwide. But we are far from done.

Too many children feel alone in their struggles, unknowing that there is a community of learners like them. Let’s change that. With KidsRead2Kids Magazine, we are taking our mission one step further by introducing real role models across the world.

Here, we will share our best tips for living a healthy, happy, and confident life – in and out of school. Meet inspiring changemakers, renowned experts, and fascinating kids who embrace their differences. Our first issue is full of incredible people with varying career paths from Muppeteer Bruce Lanoil to Late Late Show Executive Producer James Longman to CNET Editor-in-Chief Connie Guglielmo.

Head to the Kids Corner and you’ll find UN Young Leader Siena Castellon and Brynjar Karl, who broke a world record with nothing but Legos.

Our features are passionate individuals with creative minds, kind hearts, and a determination to make a difference. Day by day, these role models are changing the world – and best of all? They are just like you.

Sincerely,

Alana Blumenstein

Co-Founder and Editor in Chief

KidsRead2Kids