Episode 1: Reading is a Family Affair, Brilliant Together Podcast, featuring Raising a Reader and Little Free Library.   

03.28.2024 Announcement

RAR’s CEO Michelle Torgerson and Lexie Neeley of Little Free Library joined a conversation hosted by Cassie Williams, Executive Director of K-12 Literacy for Detroit Public Schools for the first episode of the Brilliant Togeter Podcast! The episode dives deep into the impact reading has on strengthening family bonds and developing empathy and critical thinking skills.   

As highlighted by Torgerson, through exposure to diverse titles, characters, and perspectives, children gain empathy, expand their language abilities, and learn to express themselves.   

She also provided tips on how to engage in family-shared reading, such as   

reading aloud together, identifying books that inspire and excite children, creating habits that support a reading routine, and providing access to books through resources in the community.   

Raising a Reader is a longtime supporter of Brilliant Detroit and couldn’t be prouder to be featured on the Brilliant Together Podcast debut season. RAR is honored to contribute to this important conversation and to join a community of champions for children and families.  

Listen here. The podcast is also available on Apple and Spotify.  

Related Posts

10.15.2026 Press Releases

Preorder Raising a Readers NEW Native Collections

Children deserve to see a wide range of families, cultures and experiences reflected in the books they read—and to discover stories that open the door to conversation, connection and learning. Raising a Reader’s Native collections feature books by Native authors and illustrators, as well as stories about Native children and experiences. Designed for children in PreK–2, the collections can support classroom libraries, family literacy, shared ...

Read More

Building Brighter Futures Through Early Literacy: A Conversation with the CenterPoint Energy Foundation

Every child deserves the opportunity to discover the joy of reading and build a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Making this possible takes meaningful partnerships with organizations that share our commitment to supporting children and families. Through our partnership with the CenterPoint Energy Foundation, we’re expanding access to books and early literacy resources in Greater Minnesota, helping more families build reading ...

Read More