The Power of BOOKS: Building a Lifelong Love of Reading

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. “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. 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. Cassondra Mantovani brings more than 25 years of leadership experience at the intersection of education, leadership, and technology–leading te