Kids Need to Read Videos

Kids Need to Read: What If?

What if there was a place that gave children lots and lots of great books? Well there is! Join us at kidsneedtoread.org to find out how you can impact a child's life with a great book.

Arizona Coyotes & Community Relations visit Homeward Bound

Kids Need to Read assisted the Arizona Coyotes Hockey Club to bring reading night to the children at Homeward Bound, a beautiful transition home in Phoenix, Arizona. Books, Highlights magazines, Steven Riley storytelling presentations, family reading tips, and hand-knit reading buddies were provided. Partners on the project included Arizona Coyotes, Steven Riley, Keith and Kristyn Yandle, Highlights for Children, and Elephants Remember Joplin.

Nathan Fillion Talks About Supporting Kids Need to Read

Nathan Fillion discusses his support of Kids Need to Read at a charitable event.

Browncoat Ball 2013 Donation

Kids Need to Read receives funds raised during Browncoat Ball 2013 in Arizona.

Special Thank You from THE LITTLE FLAME Author, Denise Gary

THE LITTLE FLAME author Denise Gary thanks the book's Indiegogo supporters for a fantastic start and explains why this project is so important to Kids Need to Read.
http://igg.me/at/thelittleflame/x/4921215

THE LITTLE FLAME Indiegogo Project

Support Kids Need to Read's book project, THE LITTLE FLAME! Small, quiet, and a bit fearful, a little flame sets out on a passion-filled journey of self-discovery to find her destiny as a blazing fire of global peace.
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-little...

Project for Awesome 2013: Kids Need to Read

The WordNerds talk about their charity for this year's P4A: Kids Need to Read, why literacy programs are not only AWESOME but ESSENTIAL, and just WHY kids need to read! And, of course, Nathan Fillion. I meeeeaannnnn....

Shaking it Up at the Kids Need to Read Geek Prom

Hosting the Kids Need to Read Geek Prom at Phoenix Comicon involves lots of joyful geek dancing! Thank you to Project D for creating this fun surprise!

Kids Need to Read “Reading Revolution” Program

Go to Reading Revolution main page

Kids Need to Read has partnered with Arizona State University and ASU Preparatory Academy to develop Reading Revolution, a unique and engaging program aimed at increasing literacy skills and reducing dropout rates among disadvantaged adolescents.

Nathan Fillion “Makes a Big Splash” for Kids Need to Read

Actor Nathan Fillion supports Kids Need to Read in this video with author PJ Haarsma.

Kids Need to Read Geek Prom 2012, Sponsored by Bookmans:
Geek-posal

An attendee of the KNTR Geek Prom, sponsored by Bookmans and hosted at Phoenix Comicon by Kids Need to Read, proposes to his girlfriend (AKA Geek-posal) after a surreptitiously planned Geek Proposal Dance. Song is QUANDO, QUANDO, QUANDO, by Englebert Humperdinck.

Phoenix Comicon 2012: Behind The Scenes - Geek Prom

Denise Gary from “Kids Need to Read” talks about this year's Geek Prom at Phoenix Comicon 2012.

Edwin P. Hubble Medal of Initiative

The Edwin P. Hubble Medal of Initiative was presented to PJ Haarsma, Denise Gary, and Nathan Fillion (absent) on April 27, 2012, for their work in founding Kids Need to Read to provide literacy resources to disadvantaged children and adolescents throughout the United States. The award is Marshfield, Missouri's highest honor and is presented annually to those who have shown great initiative in their lifetime.

Reading Revolution: Inspiring Positive Life Paradigms

Kids Need to Read Executive Director Denise Gary introduced ASU Preparatory Academy middle school students to THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE TEENS on Read Across America Day, March 2, 2012. The inspirational presentation explored such topics as the life-changing power of reading, developing life missions, embracing positive life paradigms, and cultivating a healthy respect for all people. The presentation was part of the two-year Kids Need to Read Reading Revolution program, produced in partnership with Arizona State University.

Dr. B Introduces New KNTR Books

KNTR Chairman Dr. James Blasingame introducing the middle school students of ASU Preparatory Academy to new books they will enjoy as part of the continuing Kids Need to Read “Reading Revolution” program, produced in partnership with Arizona State University. KNTR purchased hardcover class sets of twelve titles for English language arts literacy circles with funds provided by National Home Library Foundation. The books will help inspire students to overcome adversity and to seek peaceful resolutions to conflicts, while correlating to their studies of World War II during social studies classes. (February 1, 2012)

Part 1

At THE SOFTWIRE presentation night, ASU Prep middle school students discuss the novels and their related projects, while school educators report a marked increase in literacy self-motivation resulting from this joint Kids Need to Read/Arizona State University project.

Part 2

At THE SOFTWIRE presentation night, ASU Prep teachers discussed their involvement in the project and our executive director explained the goals of the Kids Need to Read “Reading Revolution” program.

Aliens Land at ASU Preparatory Academy

Kids Need to Read joined forces with Arizona State University to kickoff ASU Preparatory Academy's SOFTWIRE unit of study on September 20, 2011. The presentation featured “aliens” and a Skype video conference with author PJ Haarsma.

Thank you, BROWNCOATS: REDEMPTION!

Executive Director Denise Gary thanks the cast, crew, and supporters of BROWNCOATS: REDEMPTION on behalf of Kids Need to Read.

Part 1

Volunteers move KNTR out of its one room office space (and basement storage area) and into its first multi-room, free-standing building, complete with KNTR sign. What an amazing team!

Part 2

Volunteers move KNTR out of its one room office space (and basement storage area) and into its first multi-room, free-standing building, complete with KNTR sign. What an amazing team!

Part 3

Volunteers move KNTR out of its one room office space (and basement storage area) and into its first multi-room, free-standing building, complete with KNTR sign. What an amazing team!

Kids Need to Read at Phoenix Comicon 2011

Denise Gary discusses Kids Need to Read, Phoenix Comicon, and the KNTR Geek Prom (sponsored by Bookmans) at Phoenix Comicon 2011. Courtesy of Big Brain Pictures

Kids Need to Read Geek Prom 2011, Sponsored by Bookmans

Part 1

Video coverage of the Kids Need to Read Geek Prom at Phoenix Comicon, sponsored by Bookmans. Includes a call from actor Nathan Fillion, an appearance from actor Paul McGillion, and chats with Denise Gary, PJ Haarsma, and Lori Whipple. Courtesy of Big Brain Pictures.

Kids Need to Read Geek Prom 2011, Sponsored by Bookmans -- Highlights

Part 2

Highlights of Kids Need to Read Geek Prom 2011 at Phoenix Comicon, sponsored by Bookmans. Courtesy of Big Brain Pictures

Kids Need to Read Geek Prom 2011, Sponsored by Bookmans -- Fashion Geektacular

Part 3

Video coverage of the Kids Need to Read Geek Prom at Phoenix Comicon, sponsored by Bookmans. Features the Fashion Geektacular and crowning of the Royal Geek Court. Courtesy of Big Brain Pictures.

Kids Need to Read Geek Prom 2011, Sponsored by Bookmans -- Dance 360

Part 4

One clip walking around the entire room at Kids Need to Read Geek Prom 2011 at Phoenix Comicon, sponsored by Bookmans. Courtesy of Big Brain Pictures

KNTR Pwns PJ Haarsma at Phoenix Comicon 2011!

Kids Need to Read supporters played an elaborate prank on Founder PJ Haarsma during Phoenix Comicon 2011. Courtesy of Big Brain Pictures

Kids Need to Read 2012 Calendar Launch Party

Kids Need to Read launched their 2012 wall calendar during Phoenix Comicon 2011. Courtesy of Big Brain Pictures

KNTR HIKRZ Jamboree

Footage from our first annual outdoor festival presented by GoDaddy.com and conducted by the KNTR HIKRZ (Hikers Inspiring Kids to Read Zealously)! The Jamboree was a celebration of literacy, physical fitness, and appreciation for our natural environment, all with a focus on kids. November 6, 2010, Usery Mountain Regional Park, Mesa, AZ (Courtesy Big Brain Pictures)

Chris Gall at KNTR HIKRZ Jamboree

Author and illustrator Chris Gall talks to Denise Gary about dinosaurs, drawing, and being grounded from the library as a child. November 6, 2010, Usery Mountain Regional Park, Mesa, AZ (Courtesy of Big Brain Pictures)

Charles & Doris Newton at KNTR HIKRZ Jamboree

Storytellers Charles “Fig” Newton and his mother Doris Newton talk to Denise Gary about the art of storytelling and using it to encourage children to read. November 6, 2010, Usery Mountain Regional Park, Mesa, AZ (Courtesy of Big Brain Pictures)

Ranger B at KNTR HIKRZ Jamboree

Ranger B of Usery Mountain Park and Denise Gary discuss Desert CSI (Critter Scene Investigators) and various other terrific kids programs offered at the park. November 6, 2010, Usery Mountain Regional Park, Mesa, AZ (Courtesy of Big Brain Pictures)

Steven Riley at KNTR HIKRZ Jamboree

Author and illustrator Steven Riley performs the Faerie Dance and discusses inspiration with Denise Gary. November 6, 2010, Usery Mountain Regional Park, Mesa, AZ (Courtesy Big Brain Pictures)

Janette Rallison at KNTR HIKRZ Jamboree

Author Janette Rallison talks to Denise Gary about writing for and about teenagers, as well as pulling dialogue from her daughter's cell phone. November 6, 2010, Usery Mountain Regional Park, Mesa, AZ (Courtesy Big Brain Pictures)

Brooke Bessesen at KNTR HIKRZ Jamboree

Author and naturalist Brooke Bessesen talks to Denise Gary about her career as a naturalist and the importance of giving children the ability to read. November 6, 2010, Usery Mountain Regional Park, Mesa, AZ (Courtesy Big Brain Pictures)

Tom Leveen at KNTR HIKRZ Jamboree

Author Tom Leveen talks to Denise Gary about crazed lizard creatures, PJ Haarsma's hair, the awesome potential of teenagers, and what you should never tell your children. November 6, 2010, Usery Mountain Regional Park, Mesa, AZ (Courtesy Big Brain Pictures)

PJ Haarsma at KNTR HIKRZ Jamboree

Author PJ Haarsma and Denise Gary talk about wild critters, hiking to Wind Cave, and fighting political and economic systems for the cause of childhood literacy. November 6, 2010, Usery Mountain Regional Park, Mesa, AZ (Courtesy Big Brain Pictures)

Bonnie Lou Coleman at KNTR HIKRZ Jamboree

Artist Bonnie Lou Coleman and Denise Gary talk about mentoring children in the arts. November 6, 2010, Usery Mountain Regional Park, Mesa, AZ (Courtesy Big Brain Pictures)

Dancing at the Kids Need to Read Geek Prom, Sponsored by Bookmans at Phoenix Comicon 2010

Geeks dance the night away at the first annual Kids Need to Read Geek Prom, sponsored by Bookmans at Phoenix Comicon 2010. All proceeds from the event benefited Kids Need to Read.

Kids Need to Read Geek Prom Fashion Geektacular, presented by Bookmans at Phoenix Comicon 2010

Felicia Day, Wil Wheaton, and author James Owen judge the Fashion Geektacular at the first annual Kids Need to Read Geek Prom, which was sponsored by Bookmans at Phoenix Comicon 2010. Author Steven Riley sings “Geeks of America” to the winners. All proceeds from the event benefited Kids Need to Read.

Part 1

The Executive Director of Kids Need to Read discusses the foundation's origins, the deplorable condition of the American education system, and how the high rate of illiteracy affects the entire fabric of society.

Part 2

The Executive Director of Kids Need to Read discusses the impact that spoken words have on people, especially between children and adults.

Part 3

The Executive Director of Kids Need to Read discusses internet etiquette, and expands on the theme of disrespect within our society and as depicted in the television show, Firefly.

The Guild video from Whedonopolis

Video posted by The Guild from Whedonopolis event. Includes footage of Denise Gary on stage at the event.

Girl Gamer video from Whedonopolis

Video from the Girl Gamer website from 2nd Annual Whedonopolis Dr Horrible/The Guild Charity Screening, including an interview with Denise Gary about KNTR.

KNTR 2010 “Inspiring Imagination” Wall Calendar

Video preview of the KNTR 2010 Wall Calendar. Provided by volunteer professional photographer Allen Patrou of Apatrou Photography in Phoenix, Arizona.

Browncoats Meeting at SDCC 2009

Sunday, July 26, 2009 - Nathan Fillion and PJ Haarsma appeared at the Browncoat fan meeting at San Diego Comic Con 2009. This clip shows Nathan introducing PJ to talk about KNTR to the audience.

KNTR Promo featuring PJ Haarsma and Nathan Fillion

Promotional video created by KNTR co-founders PJ Haarsma and Nathan Fillion to be aired during 2009 Can't Stop the Serenity screenings.

3-Sisters Inspiring Imagination Photo Shoot

Sneak peak of a Kids Need to Read calendar photo shoot. Provided by volunteer professional photographer Allen Patrou of Apatrou Photography in Phoenix, Arizona.