Beanstack Blog

Happy Pride from Beanstack

Jordan Lloyd Bookey — Fri, 29 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Happy Pride Month! Fifty-six years ago, the first Pride march was held in New York City to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. As it began with activism, so too does it remain to this day, with multi-city-wide celebrations, parades, concerts, and demonstrations by millions of people supporting LGBTQIA+ rights.

Reflecting on this moment for our LGBTQIA+ community, I was reminded of a conversation in my car, driving our kids to school several years ago. It went something like this between a big brother and a younger sister:

Proven Strategies to Boost Kids’ Summer Reading

contact@zoobean.com (The Beanstack Team) — Wed, 27 May 2026 17:15:00 GMT

Summer break is all about fun, right? But let’s be real — reading habits can take a hit when school’s out. Kids can lose key literacy skills without regular practice, making it tough to bounce back in the fall. That summer slide is no joke, but with the right strategies, we can keep students reading, engaged, and excited all summer long!

Impactful Stories for National Immigrant Heritage Month

contact@zoobean.com (The Beanstack Team) — Wed, 27 May 2026 12:30:01 GMT

June is National Immigrant Heritage Month, a time to recognize and understand the rich histories, unique cultures, and considerable contributions of immigrants.

More than 40 percent of U.S. citizens can trace their ancestry to immigrants. For schools and libraries, this month is an opportunity to explore those stories through reading and to help students connect with their own identities and experiences that continue to shape America’s ongoing story.

Do Comics Count? Digital Reading for Student Engagement

contact@zoobean.com (The Beanstack Team) — Tue, 12 May 2026 04:00:02 GMT

Reading looks different today than it did a generation ago. Students log minutes on digital devices, listen to audiobooks on the bus, and devour graphic novels in the school library. Yet many reading challenges still treat print books as the gold standard, leaving a wide swath of engaged readers feeling like their reading “doesn’t count.” When reading challenges recognize more formats, they don’t just validate readers — they increase participation, consistency, and the time students spend reading.

At Beanstack, we believe all reading counts. This post explores why digital formats, including comics and graphic novels, deserve a place in every reading challenge and how you can make it happen with digital tools your readers already love.

6 Ideas to Celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month

contact@zoobean.com (The Beanstack Team) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:10:00 GMT

Celebrate the vibrant culture and heritage of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities this AANHPI Heritage Month through books, reading challenges, and meaningful activities.

AANHPI includes individuals with roots across Asia, the world’s largest continent, and the Pacific Islands, a region made up of more than 25,000 islands. Together, these communities represent more than 40 countries and over 50 ethnic groups, contributing to a rich and diverse cultural landscape in the United States.

This month is an opportunity to explore those stories, discover new voices, learn about different experiences, and celebrate the histories and identities that shape the AANHPI community.

How to Build a Teen Reading Program

contact@zoobean.com (The Beanstack Team) — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:00:01 GMT

Picture this: the bell rings for independent reading, and a handful of teens happily open their books. Across the room, others glance at their phones, shuffle papers, or mutter that they "just don't like reading." If this scene feels familiar, you're not alone. Reading motivation among teens is genuinely slipping, and every educator and librarian working with middle and high schoolers sees it.

But here's the thing: the challenge isn't hopeless. Teens haven't stopped craving stories. Whether you're trying to spark initial interest or sustain momentum over time, there are research-backed strategies, examples, and digital tools that can help you build a reading program that older students genuinely want to participate in.

Introducing the Reading Motivation Index (RMI)

Joyful Reading Company Team — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:35:14 GMT

The Reading Motivation Index (RMI) is the first and only product designed to measure reading motivation — and turn those insights into meaningful action.

Summer Reading for Adults: Creative Ideas to Expand Engagement

contact@zoobean.com (The Beanstack Team) — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:36:03 GMT

For many libraries, summer reading has long been synonymous with kids and teens. But that’s changing. Adult readers are showing up with real interest when programs are designed with their lives in mind. The most successful adult programs don’t feel like assignments. They feel like invitations: to slow down, try something new, reconnect with reading, and feel part of a larger community. With the right structure and tools, libraries can offer programs that are flexible, inclusive, and genuinely fun, without adding extra work for staff.

How to Run an Impactful Summer Reading Program

contact@zoobean.com (The Beanstack Team) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Every summer, librarians and educators face the same challenge: how do you keep kids reading when school is out, schedules are loose, and distractions are everywhere?

The stakes are real. Students who don't read over the summer lose significant ground in literacy skills, a phenomenon known as the "summer slide." For many children, especially those without ready access to books at home, that gap can be hard to close once the school year begins.

Summer reading programs are the proven solution. But running one that actually moves the needle takes more than setting up a challenge and hoping families engage. This post covers both why summer reading programs matter and how to make yours as effective as possible with Beanstack.