Read Beyond the Book

Read Beyond the Book is a public awareness and education campaign for early childhood literacy in North Carolina, especially in areas known as book deserts, like Charlotte. It started with real conversations, interviewing educators, librarians, and caregivers to understand what gets in the way of reading at home, and where there may be room to help.

The design is playful and illustrated, showing how little lessons can take place during everyday moments: on grocery labels, the mail, menus, wherever, to make the point that reading doesn't need a special time or place. The messaging was written with parents/caregivers in mind, focusing on small, doable actions instead of piling on pressure. The idea is to make literacy feel like something that fits naturally into a busy day, not one more thing to stress about.

The campaign shows up as a brochure, posters, and social media posts, placed in spots people already pass through: bus stops, stores, and the internet. At its core, the whole thing is about helping caregivers see themselves as their child's first teacher. This helps to build a culture where reading feels less like a task and more like a natural, enjoyable part of everyday life.