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 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.
Recent articles
Children’s Books
100 Children’s Authors and Illustrators Everyone Should Know
Children’s Books
Finding Children’s Books in a Pandemic
Children’s Books
How to Choose Read Aloud Books: Babies to Third Graders
Children’s Books
Listen and Learn with Audiobooks
Parent Engagement
New Year’s Resolution: Help Your Kids Do Well in School
Background Knowledge
Pairing Books, Activities, and Experiences to Build Background Knowledge
Activities
Reading Adventure Pack: Bees
Activities
Reading Adventure Pack: Birds
Activities
Reading Adventure Pack: Building
Activities
Reading Adventure Pack: Dinosaurs
Activities
Reading Adventure Pack: Farms
Recent blog posts
Book Life
The Power of Moms
Book Life
Get Ready to Read Across America
Book Life
Let’s All Cheer for Short Chapters!
Book Life
Postcard from the Road
Book Life
Stories: Step by Step
Book Life