Sitstayread published books
It is no secret that there is a lack of diversity and inclusivity when it comes to children’s books. At SitStayRead, we use dogs to inspire and help teach foundational literacy skills. The reality is that finding early readers that feature both dogs and characters of color is a challenge. Tired of waiting for someone else to create those books, we decided to publish our own line of inclusive early readers. Partnering with local children’s author J.B. Blankenship, various funders, and iconic Chicago cultural institutions, we created writing workshops for our students to write their own stories. In short, we created a series of diverse early readers written by SitStayRead students for SitStayRead students and beyond!
Please note that the all proceeds from the sale of these books goes directly back to supporting SitStayRead and literacy education.
Hazel’s Happy Home (2020)
Hazel’s Happy Home is a lyrical story, written in verse, fit for children ages 5-8. Hazel’s Happy Home follows adopted dog, Hazel, as she recounts the activities of a typical day with her family. Whether eating treats, playing at daycare, or listening to bedtime stories, Hazel contrasts the love in her current life with feeling lonely before adoption.
This book was made possible because of the generosity of The Dogtopia Foundation. SitStayRead facilitated a writing workshop with second grade students from Chicago Public School Charles Evans Hughes Elementary School. As part of our social-emotional curriculum, students were asked to think about what emotions a dog might feel and how she may show those emotions throughout the day. The stories and poems the students wrote provided the inspiration for this book.
Where Are You, Dozer? (2019)
Where Are You, Dozer? is an early-reader book fit for children ages 5-8 and used in our second grade program, Tail Blazers. In Where Are You, Dozer?, Dozer is so excited to play hide and seek at the Aquarium but hiding is much harder than he thought! Join Dozer and his aquatic friends, as he learns how sea creatures blend into their environment, while searching for his own perfect hiding place.
This book was made possible because of the generosity from the Perucca Family Foundation. SitStayRead took two second-grade classrooms from partner school Funston Elementary on a field trip to the Shedd Aquarium to learn about marine animals, write stories, and provide the inspiration for this book! Click the link below to read about and see more of this trip!
Not Today, Aliens! (2018)
Not Today, Aliens! is an early-reader book fit for children ages 5-8 and used in our second grade program, Tail Blazers. In Not Today, Aliens!, aliens invade the Art Museum with the intent of stealing the art, and the artwork comes to life. Can Fluffy and her friends stop the aliens from taking all the paintings and statues?
This book was made possible because of the generosity from the Perucca Family Foundation. SitStayRead took two second-grade classrooms from partner school Fuller Elementary on a field trip to the Art Institute of Chicago to learn about art that featured dogs at the museum, write stories, and provide the inspiration for this book! Click the link below to read about and see more of this trip!
Cozy Fan Tooty (2015)
Cozy Fan Tooty is an early-reader book fit for children ages 5-8 and used in our second grade program, Tail Blazers. In Cozy Fan Tooty, students in Mr. Barkely’s class think reading and writing are boring. When Mr. Barkely introduces a magic book and his talking dog, Cozy Fan Tooty, class becomes an adventure! Whatever a student writes in the book and reads out loud comes true! Join Cozy and the students on their adventures through their stories in the magic book to see where they go!
This book was made possible because of the generosity from Flavio Arana and Matthew Kippenhan. Click below to preview and purchase this book!