Rachael Walker

Brief bio

Rachael Walker is Reading Rockets’ partnership and outreach consultant, and writes the Book Life blog. She is passionate about helping kids develop a love of reading and has more than thirty years of experience in bringing organizations together to promote children’s literacy. As an architect of and the creator of content for the National Education Association’s Read Across America (opens in a new window) program, Rachael helped NEA transition Read Across America from a one-day celebration of reading and Dr. Seuss to a year-round resource to help educators and parents connect kids of all ages with books where they can see themselves reflected and respected. She creates materials for Random House Children’s Books, Disney, Algonquin Young Readers, and other publishers so that educators will have resources to help them boost student engagement with books.

She also created national celebrations like National D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read) Day for HarperCollins Children’s Books and Get a Kick Out of Reading/¡Lee y Marca un Golazo! with Major League Soccer and the National Education Association. From 2011-2020, as a literacy advisor for the CPB-PBS Ready To Learn initiative, she was active in the development of new and innovative parent tools, including three award-winning apps. Rachael began her career in children’s literacy at Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and was also the Executive Director of Reach Out and Read of Metro DC.

Rachael proudly serves on the Advisory Board of The National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance.