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«Back to all edWebinarsThe Power of BOOKS: Building a Lifelong Love of Reading
Tuesday, August 4, 2026 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT
Presented by Dr. Louisa Moats, Literacy Expert and Author of LANGUAGE! Live®, LETRS®, and Speech to Print
Moderated by Cassondra Mantovani, Vice President of Revenue & Operations, Voyager Sopris Learning®
Sponsored by Voyager Sopris Learning
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
In an increasingly digital world, what is lost when children spend less time with real books—and what can we do to bring them back? Join literacy trailblazer Dr. Louisa Moats as she opens the three‑part edWeb Lunch and Learn Week, The Power of Print, sponsored by Voyager Sopris Learning®.
During this inspiring edWebinar, Dr. Moats reflects on why books still matter—not as nostalgic artifacts, but as essential tools for building language, knowledge, connection, and a lifelong love of reading. Drawing on insights from great thinkers and writers, she explores how reading physical books strengthens attention, deepens comprehension, and supports the cognitive and emotional development of young learners.
This session is not about dismissing digital tools. Instead, it highlights the powerful, irreplaceable role of print in the literacy ecosystem. Dr. Moats will invite attendees to reflect on the childhood reading experiences that shaped them—and consider how to create those same lasting memories for today’s students.
Educators will learn:
- Why print books uniquely support language, comprehension, and memory
- How reading aloud builds strong bonds, engagement, and curiosity
- Ways to nurture lifelong readers in a digital‑first world
- How to balance digital tools with the enduring benefits of print
- Practical strategies for encouraging book‑rich classrooms and homes
“We can and must counteract the alarming societal trend away from reading books.” — Dr. Louisa Moats
This session sets the stage for the full Power of Print Week on edWeb. After part one with Dr. Moats, join us for parts two and three with Dr. Susan Neuman and Dr. Lakeisha Johnson, each offering their own perspectives about why print remains essential to literacy, equity, and lifelong learning. Start the week with one of the most influential voices in literacy—and rediscover the power of books to change lives.
This edWebinar will be of interest to K-8 teachers, school leaders, and district leaders.
This edWebinar is part of The Power of Print Week.
About the Presenter
Dr. Louisa Moats has been a teacher, psychologist, researcher, graduate school faculty member, and author of many influential scientific journal articles, books, and policy papers on the topics of reading, spelling, language, and teacher preparation. Dr. Moats is the author of LANGUAGE! Live®, a blended reading intervention program for grades 5–12, and the lead author of LETRS® professional development and the textbook Speech to Print: Language Essentials for Teachers. Dr. Moats is also co-author of Spellography, a structured language word study program. Dr. Moats’ awards include the prestigious Samuel T. and June L. Orton Award from the International Dyslexia Association® for outstanding contributions to the field, the Eminent Researcher Award from Learning Disabilities Australia, and the Benita Blachman Award from The Reading League.
About the Moderator
Cassondra Mantovani brings more than 25 years of leadership experience at the intersection of education, leadership, and technology–leading teams that directly support teachers and students in classrooms every day across K–12 and higher education. She currently serves as Vice President of Revenue & Operations for Voyager Sopris Learning® and Kurzweil Education, where she has spent more than a decade partnering closely with educators and school leaders to improve outcomes for students. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she has called Dallas home for the past decade. She is deeply driven by the belief that learning to read, empowering students to graduate, and valuing education can fundamentally change the trajectory of a person’s life—opening doors to enhanced life opportunities and lasting family legacy. Above all, she is a proud boy mom, a lifelong learner, and a steadfast advocate for better serving students—today and for generations to come.
Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.
Join the Teaching Reading and Writing community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
Voyager Sopris Learning® is the specialist in reading, writing, and math intervention. Fully focused on intervention, we have established four decades of results that demonstrate the efficacy of our solutions. Providing a holistic offering of reading, writing, and math interventions and assessments, our solutions help educators create strong, sustainable foundations to ensure academic success for all students.
