Building A Culture Of Reading In Your Classroom 2026

In a world where attention is fleeting and stories compete with screens, what does it really take to build a lasting culture of reading for children, at school, at home, and everywhere in between?

Join us in Portland for a powerful, free, community-driven event designed to address the need to rekindle kids' love for literacy, equipping the parents, educators, and librarians in their lives with tools to make reading joyful, meaningful, and transformative.

Presented in partnership with Barnes & Noble Clackamas Town Center and SMART Reading.

FEATURED AUTHORS & GUESTS

Featuring Emmy Award-Winning Reading Rainbow Co-Creator Tony Buttino Sr.; Eisner Award-Winning Author Aron Nels Steinke; 12-Year-Old Author, Speaker, and Philanthropist Amelie Anastasia; Retired Educator and Award-Winning Children's Author Dr. Julie McDonnell, EdD; and additional special guests to be announced!

EVENT OVERVIEW

Now celebrating its fourth year, and coming to Portland, Building A Culture Of Reading In Your Classroom comes at a time when fostering literacy, connection, and confidence in youth has never been more important.

At a time when literacy, attention, and student confidence are all being challenged, this conversation is more important than ever.

This one-day experience brings together leading voices in children’s literature to explore how stories can help children see themselves and others, navigate emotions, build empathy, and grow into confident, curious learners.

Through immersive storytime, thoughtful discussion, and interactive engagement, this event is designed to support the parents, educators, and librarians shaping the next generation, offering both inspiration and practical tools to bring reading to life in today’s world.

Hosted at Barnes & Noble Clackamas Town Center, the event features two distinct yet complementary sessions designed for different audiences.

Early registration is encouraged.

CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE

You can register for one or both experiences:

📖 Morning Experience (Families & Kids)

• Interactive Author Storytime | Meet & Greet | Book Signing

🎤 Afternoon Experience (Educators, Librarians & Community)

• Author Panel + Interactive Q&A | Meet & Greet | Book Signing

Many attendees choose to stay for the full day to experience both the family-centered and educator-focused programming.

🎟️ Each session is limited to 100 attendees.

From immersive storytime to panel discussions, interactive Q&A, and author meet & greets, the day is designed to move from inspiration to practical application.

TWO UNIQUE EVENT EXPERIENCES

📖 Morning Experience: Family Storytime + Author Meet & Greet

Time: 11am - 1pm

Curated for: Families, parents, and children of all ages

A special author-led storytime experience designed to spark imagination, connection, and joy through reading.

• Hear live readings from celebrated children’s authors
• Engage with stories that spark imagination and emotional growth
• Experience reading as a shared, meaningful activity
• Meet authors and enjoy personalized book signings

🎤 Afternoon Experience: Author Panel + Interactive Q&A

Time: 2pm - 4pm

Curated for: Educators, librarians, and community members

This engaging conversation goes beyond a traditional panel, bringing together leading voices in children’s literature to explore the real challenges and opportunities shaping literacy today.

During this dynamic conversation, we’ll explore:

• Practical strategies to build a culture of reading in today’s classrooms
• How storytelling supports social-emotional learning and student confidence
• The importance of diverse and inclusive representation in books, helping children see themselves and others
• How to inspire engagement, empathy, and lifelong reading habits

Following the panel, attendees will engage in an interactive Q&A, followed by a meet & greet and book signing.

You’ll leave with practical strategies, fresh perspective, and renewed clarity on how to bring reading to life in your classroom or community.

🎁 EARLY REGISTRATION BONUS

The first 50 pre-registered attendees of each experience will receive a free children’s book, courtesy of PR From The Heart.

WHAT YOU’LL WALK AWAY WITH

For Families & Parents:

• Simple, meaningful ways to make reading a joyful part of everyday life
• Tools to support your child’s confidence, curiosity, and emotional growth

For Educators:

• Practical strategies to increase reading engagement in today’s classrooms
• New approaches to integrating literacy with social-emotional learning

For Librarians & Literacy Leaders:

• Fresh ideas to foster inclusive, community-centered reading experiences
• Insight into how diverse storytelling supports connection and belonging

For Everyone:

• Inspiration to help children read, dream, and lead
• Meaningful connections with authors and fellow attendees

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• Families and parents
• Teachers (K-8)
• School librarians
• Literacy specialists & curriculum leaders
• Education advocates & community members passionate about children’s literacy

Whether you’re supporting a child at home, in the classroom, or in your community, this event is designed to meet you where you are.

This event is open to educators, families, and all who believe in the power of story to change lives.

EVENT DETAILS

Saturday, August 8th (from 11am - 4pm)

Barnes & Noble Clackamas Town Center, Portland, OR

Free event (registration required)

REGISTER NOW

Spots are limited for each experience.

Reserve your space today and be part of a powerful, Portland-driven movement to inspire the next generation of readers.

Don’t miss this meaningful, action-oriented event designed to transform how we think about literacy, and how we show up for the next generation.

About PR From The Heart

PR From The Heart is a leading public relations firm dedicated to supporting children’s authors and storytellers in sharing meaningful stories that inspire, educate, and connect.

Founded by John Masiulionis, PR From The Heart has spent over a decade helping voices in the KidLit community build powerful platforms and expand their reach, working with both emerging and nationally recognized authors to bring impactful stories to life.

At its core, PR From The Heart believes in the power of storytelling to shape how children see themselves and the world around them. Through events like Building A Culture Of Reading In Your Classroom, the organization brings together authors, educators, families, and communities to spark connection, foster empathy, and inspire a lifelong love of reading.

Beyond live events, PR From The Heart also amplifies stories through platforms like The Children’s Books Spotlight Series and The Neighborly Reviews Bookcast, connecting families, educators, and librarians with trusted recommendations, practical reading resources, and influential voices in children's literature.

About SMART Reading

SMART Reading is a children’s literacy nonprofit serving students in Oregon’s highest-need schools and most underserved communities.

Through shared reading time and access to books, SMART helps children build confidence, strengthen literacy skills, and develop a lifelong love of reading, while creating meaningful opportunities for community members to make a direct impact.