CHANDLER, AZ (April, 2018) — A staggering 60 percent of students growing up in low-income households do not have any age-appropriate books in their homes. In an effort to get new, suitable books into the hands of more children in need, two staunch advocates for children’s literacy are joining forces. Story Monsters Ink magazine and Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California (RIFSoCal) are teaming up to create home libraries for kids and motivate them to read.

An award-winning monthly magazine, Story Monsters Ink is the literary resource for teachers, librarians and parents. Each issue offers book reviews, author interviews, reading lists and more. The magazine also features poems, stories and articles written by kids and its popular #CaughtReading program encourages readers of all ages to open up a book. 

“It is such an honor for us to partner with RIFSoCal,” says Linda F. Radke, a former special education teacher, president of Story Monsters LLC and publisher of Story Monsters Ink. Every single child deserves to know the joy of reading and every single book makes a difference. I’m so proud to work with RIFSoCal to bridge the reading gap and give hope, love, and dreams to children in need.”

Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California was formed in 1972 and works with underserved youth in Orange and Los Angeles Counties. Volunteers, including parents, teachers, librarians, school administrators and civic leaders orchestrate the book distribution events, demonstrating the community’s support for children’s literacy. Children choose their own brand-new books to keep and read for fun. The books are provided at no charge to the children or their families. A 501c3 nonprofit, RIFSoCal has been recognized for its successful multi-site program, the largest within the RIF organization.

“Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California is honored to join forces with Story Monsters Ink to encourage children’s passion for reading, as this is the greatest gift we can give them on their personal road to success,” says Carol K. Henault, executive director of Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California. “I am so inspired by Story Monsters and their role as a top-rate literary resource. Our partnership will help ensure RIFSoCal children have new books to keep as their very own — many for the first time — and allow them to discover the magic of reading. I am proud to stand with Story Monsters Ink and together, move forward with fierce determination to improve the literacy potential of our children.”

This year alone, the combined goal for these two literacy powerhouses is to reach 65,000 children with over 200,000 new books and make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged children, one book at a time.

For more about Story Monsters Ink or to subscribe, visit www.storymonsters.com. To learn more about Reading Is Fundamental of Southern California and to donate, visit www.rifsocal.org.

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