The Power of Community: Literacy Takes a Village

Neighbors Arriving for Treehouse Storytime

There is something pretty remarkable about community.

Sometimes, you don’t realize just how much you depend on it until you need a little help.

Recently, I found myself in that exact situation. I had a photoshoot coming up for a storytime, which required some children and their grown-ups, but with less than 48 hours to go, our original attendees had to cancel. As mild panic set in, I remembered I had an email list for my neighborhood. So, I reached out to my neighborhood community group, unsure what kind of response I would get at the last minute.

But they showed up. And they were wonderful!

They made time. They brought enthusiasm. They helped make the photoshoot happen.

And I was reminded, once again, that very few things in life are accomplished entirely on our own.

Writing and publishing a children’s book certainly isn't one of them.

When I think about the journey of Mama Duck’s Lost Duckling, I can’t separate the book from the community that helped bring it to life. From the people who encouraged me when the idea was still just a seedling, to the talented people who helped create the book, to the readers, families, educators, librarians, booksellers, friends, and strangers who have shared it with someone else—the story has always been bigger than me.

Literacy takes a village.

A child learning to recognize a new word needs someone willing to read with them. Someone helping them sound it out. Someone answering, “What does that mean?” for the hundredth time.

A child discovering that books can take them somewhere new needs a parent, grandparent, teacher, librarian, bookseller, or sometimes simply another person who puts the right book into their hands at the right moment.

And authors and bookstores need communities, too.

Every time someone chooses to shop at a local bookstore, recommends a book to a friend, leaves a review, attends a storytime, visits a library, or purchases a book from an independent author, they are participating in something much larger than a transaction.

They are helping keep stories moving.

I think about this often because my own journey has taken me from my hometown of Seattle to where I’m now based in Portland. Along the way, I’ve experienced so many small but meaningful moments of encouragement. A kind message. A book recommendation. A reader who tells me their child enjoyed the story. A bookseller who takes an interest. A neighbor who says, “Of course I’ll help.”

These interactions may seem small. To me, they are not.

They are the little sparks that keep an author, or any creative, going.

And, as it happens, there are some especially exciting things happening behind the scenes right now. I’m not quite ready to share all of the details yet, but I can say that there is some wonderful news coming soon regarding Mama Duck’s Lost Duckling receiving a very special recognition.

Let's just say I’m feeling especially grateful for the village that helped get this little book here.

Because success—whatever “success” looks like for each of us—rarely happens in isolation.

It takes a village to write a book.

It takes a village to help a child discover the joy of reading.

And it takes a village to keep independent authors and bookstores thriving.

The beautiful thing is that we are all part of that village.

You don’t have to be an author to contribute to literacy. You can read a book with a child. Help a child learn how to spell a new word. Look up a definition together. Visit your local library. Buy your next book from an independent bookstore. Tell a friend about an author you love. Leave a thoughtful review.

Small acts become something bigger when enough of us do them together.

So, to everyone who has shown up for me, for Mama Duck’s Lost Duckling, and for this journey in one way or another: thank you.

From Seattle to Portland and communities nationwide, I see you.

And I hope you’ll keep showing up—not just for me! But for books, for children, for local bookstores, and for all the storytellers who are still waiting for their stories to find their way into the world.

Because literacy takes a village. And so does success.

I'm awfully grateful to be part of this one.

With Gratitude,

Janice

The youngest audience member at Treehouse Storytime