Earlier this year, a Livingston ESA staff member, Ashley Korte, Executive Assistant for the Center of Leadership and Learning, was selected as a recipient of the March 2026 Bulk Bookstore Book Giveaway, earning $500 to support local literacy efforts through Livingston County's Talking Is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing Community Campaign.

The monthly giveaway recognizes educators, librarians, and literacy advocates who are committed to putting books into the hands of children and families. Ashley enters the giveaway each month in hopes of securing additional resources for local children and families. The award will help support Talking Is Teaching initiatives to promote early literacy and family engagement throughout Livingston County.

Between March 2025 and March 2026, the Talking Is Teaching Adopt-A-Classroom program distributed more than 1,600 books and accompanying literacy materials to children and families in Head Start, GSRP, and select Pathway School classrooms. Additional books and resources were shared through community events, Great Start Livingston family events, Little Free Libraries, local laundromats, and other community spaces throughout the county.

The campaign also supports literacy-rich experiences beyond traditional book distribution, including Story Walks and family engagement opportunities to encourage parents and caregivers to talk, read, and sing with young children during everyday activities.

Talking Is Teaching Resources:

1. Examples of Talking Is Teaching Materials

   • Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?

   • Goodnight Moon

   • Let's Talk About Cars

2. Find all of Livingston County's StoryWalk's Here

3. Follow Talking is Teaching on Facebook

4. View Cooking with the Croc Recipes & Videos Here