As I sit here typing, a warm cup of coffee in hand, surrounded by houseplants, and just finishing a chat with my son, Aidyn 
, I am reminded of the simple joys that form the foundation of Aidyn’s Books.
Hello, I’m Quinn, a proud Jersey girl, born and raised. My journey with books began in a city often ranked as the most dangerous in the United States. My mother, in search of a safer environment, moved our family to a quiet town just outside Philadelphia. As a newcomer, the local public library became my sanctuary, and it marked the starting point of my lifelong love affair with books.
Every day after school, I’d visit the library. Not only did I get to know the librarians by name, but I had memorized my library card number by heart. By the time I headed off to Rutgers University (R-U, Rah, Rah!), I knew that books would forever be a part of my personal journey.
During my college years, while much seemed uncertain, a few truths became evident:
Community matters: Bringing people together towards a shared purpose benefits us all.
Adulting poses many challenges: We must not overlook the essential foundation that childhood provides.
Nostaligia matters: We are more ourselves as children than we are as adults. We spend our lives longing for the simplicity and wonder of our childhood.
Words matter: They are the keys to understanding, expression, and the gateway to endless worlds. We must never stop learning their profound impact.
Representation matters: If we do not see people who look like us doing the thing we want to do. It’s hard to believe we can do it.
We are weaved together through story: Stories shape our lives, our thoughts, and our connections with others.
Com·mu·ni·ty
a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.
This became a profound realization when I became a mom. Raising a child is simultaneously beautiful, impactful, and nerve-wracking. The sheer weight of what I wanted to impart to Aidyn overwhelmed me. My plan was simple – teach him everything, make every moment a lesson, and ensure nothing was off-limits.
But as a single mom, balancing work and parenting left me drained at the end of each day. I struggled to find the words to impart wisdom to my son. I knew something was missing. There had to be a better way.
I had been reading to Aidyn since he was in the womb, mostly to pass the time or soothe him to sleep. Fast forward a few years, and I was still reading to him daily. As he began kindergarten, I started sending him to school with affirmations on post-its, little reminders to carry him through the day. I knew these notes would be etched into his memory and serve as a guiding light when I couldn’t be there.
One day, while scrolling through Instagram, I stumbled upon a post about a children’s book teaching kindness. That’s when it hit me – I had been approaching reading all wrong. I could use books as tools to impart the lessons I wanted Aidyn to learn. These stories could be our connection, our daily bonding moments. After all, coming from a city often labeled as dangerous, there was much I could learn about life and the world.
And so, I began my own kids’ bookstagram, sharing not just the books but also how they enriched our lives. I discovered other parents on similar journeys, yearning to raise good human beings. Many had given up on books or didn’t realize the profound impact of reading aloud.
This was the birth of Aidyn’s Books and the For the Love of Children’s Books community. I created a space for parents to come together, share ideas, support each other, and learn. Because I believe that community is the bedrock of raising compassionate and capable individuals. Connection fosters motivation.
We soon realized we were not alone in our quest. Countless individuals shared our passion for instilling values and nurturing imagination in young minds.
Foun·da·tion
the basis of groundwork of anything.
I’m sure you’ve discovered this incredible thing: the things we learn as children have a profound effect on who we become in the future.
At Aidyn’s Books and within the For the Love of Children’s Books community, we recognized that every story we read had the power to leave a lasting impact on hearts and minds. These weren’t just books; they were repositories of lessons, values, and profound ideas.
To set this foundation, we must know how to use these books as tools. This is why we started the Parenting & Bonding with Children’s Books show. It provides parents, educators, and caregivers a backstage pass to the world of these amazing stories. You get to hear from the authors themselves, uncovering the true intended messages within their books.
On this show, we’ve interviewed countless authors, educators, librarians, and child development specialists. They unite with a common purpose: to help us nurture our children’s goodness, shaping them into the people they are destined to be.
From indie authors like D.M. Whitaker, who delves into social emotional learning, to Sari Karplus, who reminds us that friendship is both transformative and educational. From June Akers, an indie author guiding our children toward independence, to authors like Winsome Bingham, who emphasizes the importance of family and home. And Amber Bradbury, who reminds us that memories are to be cherished. We explore topics like bullying, depression, stress, self-esteem, mindfulness, and more.
Every guest on our show has enriched the lives of countless families. The foundation these books help us establish for our children will guide them through the challenges of adulthood.
Nos·tal·gia
emotion felt when one reflects on personally meaningful memories, especially those that are shared with close others.
Some definitions explain nostalgia as a negative or bittersweet emotion. Words evoke a feeling. And although nostalgia can be bittersweet, it’s predominately positive.
When we read with our kids, we step outside of the noise, the hustle, the friction, and for just a few minutes, we are completely and totally present with them
When I asked Aidyn why he loves to read with me, even at the age of 9, he shared that it’s about the time we spend together. It’s like we’re in our own little world. These are moments he’ll treasure for life. My hope is that the times we cuddle up with a good book will wrap around him like a comforting blanket during lonely or fearful moments.
Imagine knowing that your child feels your presence even when you’re apart.
That’s why we created the E.N.G.A.G.E. Method. Not to make reading a chore, but to address common questions from our community, like “how do I read with my kids?” Or “how can I be sure it’s working?” Or “Can books truly build such a bond?”
The truth is, it’s not just the books themselves. It’s the moments created while using the book as a tool for connection. The entire goal of reading with Aidyn is to escape the world around us and venture into the book together.
This is what the E.N.G.A.G.E. Method accomplishes. It’s a simple 6-part approach for effortless and enjoyable storytime. Do you have to use every part every time? Nope! Each component fosters connection during storytime. It immerses kids in the story so that you’re all completely present. That precious time, that presence, will be the source of nostalgia when your children need it most.
Words
a command, password, or signal.
Words, more than simple tools, are the building blocks of our world. Words hold a unique importance for our kids. They go beyond everyday chatter, encompassing words they may not encounter in daily conversations. These words help them express complex thoughts and understand the world better.
Imagine a child grappling with overwhelming emotions, struggling to find the right words to articulate their feelings. Books can come to the rescue, helping them describe their emotions and ideas more effectively.
This matters because our kids won’t always be by our side. They’ll venture into the world, meeting new people and facing unfamiliar situations. To navigate it all, they need words – bridges that connect them to others, avenues for self-expression, and tools for comprehending the world.
Enter the array of book recommendations and resources for parents and caregivers. Our book lists and reviews contain a treasure trove of books that serve as magical doors to other worlds. Inside these books, you’ll find words that may not find their way into our regular conversations, but they help us express our thoughts and understand the complexities of life more profoundly.
Our extensive book lists and insightful reviews on our blog. They’re designed to enrich your family’s reading journey and open doors to new worlds of words and wisdom.
Rep·re·sen·ta·tion
the description or portrayal of someone or something in a particular way or as being of a certain nature.
…this holds immense significance in my journey. My own experiences revealed the absence of representation or positive portrayals of Black people in books, textbooks, and media.
During my academic journey, I transitioned from classrooms with predominantly Black students and white teachers to schools with different demographics. Regardless of the setting, the lack of representation was glaring. It was evident in textbooks, reading materials, and media. Black children were either missing or portrayed negatively.
During my time at Rutgers University, I had the opportunity to witness, firsthand, the expression of Black pride for the first time. This small but powerful presence within a predominantly white institution left a profound impact on me.
When Black parents (or parents of color) invest in tutoring and educational materials, yet shy away from books, it’s understandable. Black children have been underrepresented in traditional children’s literature for years. Progress has been made, but the skepticism lingers.
In 2021, I initiated a series on Black Picture Books to shed light on quality literature that may not be readily accessible to parents outside the industry. I didn’t want to take this privilege for granted.
I firmly believe that when children see themselves represented in books and media, particularly in a positive light, it fosters a strong sense of self. Witnessing Black people in roles, pursuing their passions, and conquering the world inspires children to believe in their own potential.
Our Black Hero Coloring Book was created to help children understand that their current passions are significant. Featuring Black heroes like Mae Jemison, John Lewis, and Dwayne McDuffie during their formative years, it illustrates how childhood passions lay the foundation for greatness.
At Aidyn’s Books, we take great care to highlight and recommend books and authors that acknowledge the importance of representation. We recognize that the absence of representation drives families away from books.
Sto·ry
an account of past events in someone's life or in the evolution of something
This brings us to where we are today. At Aidyn’s Books, we are committed to serving families. Our foundation is built on love, bonding, and the central role of family in shaping the future of our children.
So much becomes possible when we share, relate, and learn with our children. Books have the power to bridge these connections.
We have a strong commitment to family and also extend our love for books to the wider community. We host weekly community read-aloud sessions, where children up to the age of 14 come together to explore the magic of storytelling. These sessions are not only an enriching experience for Aidyn but also for other children in our community. Using the E.N.G.A.G.E. Method, we carefully select books, immerse children in the story, and engage in lively discussions about their week. It’s a cherished highlight of our week and a way for us to introduce books from talented authors within our community.
Through our show, communities, resources, and more, our mission is to make a difference – to build up families, one book at a time.
Whether you’re a parent seeking a stronger connection with your child, an educator searching for classroom reading materials, or an author eager to share your books with a welcoming community – we are devoted to supporting your journey.
Today, Aidyn’s Books and the For The Love of Children’s Books community have grown, reaching over 100,000+ parents, educators, and authors worldwide. We do this through our Facebook groups, engaged show audience, guest writing and expert spots in front of audiences of parents.
Our mission is to increase readership in homes across the globe.
We are dedicated to your family’s journey.
💕 Quinn, Aidyn’s Momma
