A story that changes everything: How Worldreader and Edovo are reconnecting incarcerated parents and children

Picture this: A father, sitting in his cell, reading a story on his tablet. Miles away, his child is curled up with the same book, knowing that their dad is reading it too. They both look forward to their next call, ready to talk about the characters, share their favorite parts, and laugh together. It’s more than just a story—it’s a shared experience, a bridge across the distance that keeps their bond strong.

For incarcerated parents, maintaining a strong bond with their children can be challenging. Letters and phone calls can only go so far, and many struggle with how to stay involved in their child’s life. 

But what if a simple act—reading the same book—could help bridge that gap?

Edovo and Worldreader have teamed up to make that possible, providing free digital books and an engaging literacy course designed to help parents and children connect through reading.

Key insights at a glance

• Bridge the Literacy Gap – Edovo and Worldreader help families stay connected while tackling the literacy crisis.
• Read, Grow, Connect – Parents build reading skills and strengthen bonds with their children.
• Turn Calls Into Connection – Free books and activities make every visit or phone call more meaningful.

The literacy crisis: A national challenge

Literacy rates in the U.S. remain alarmingly low, especially for children and adults from underserved communities. According to the U.S. National Report Card on Literacy, childhood reading scores have yet to recover from the steep declines experienced during the COVID pandemic. More than half of fourth graders nationwide struggle to read at grade level, putting them at risk of academic failure and long-term consequences.

But childhood literacy isn’t just about school—it’s about the home. Research shows that children with parents who read to them are twice as likely to succeed in reading themselves. When parents are engaged, literacy rates improve, and so do opportunities for a brighter future.

For most parents, reading with their child can be as simple as grabbing a book and curling up together. But what happens when that parent is behind bars? When bedtime stories are replaced by phone calls, and access to books isn’t guaranteed?

The distance, the rules, the stigma surrounding low literacy—it can all make reading together feel impossible.

So how do you keep that connection alive? How do you share the magic of a story when you can’t physically turn the pages together?

Reading together, even when apart

Worldreader and Edovo have created a literacy course that does more than just teach reading—it fosters connection. Designed with incarcerated parents in mind, the course helps parents build reading skills while also giving them a way to share stories with their children.

Here’s how it works:

• Incarcerated parents can access the literacy course on Edovo inside correctional facilities across 44+ states.
• Children and caregivers can read the same books for free on on Worldreader's BookSmart app at booksmart.world/free at home.
• Incarcerated parents can use the course’s interactive activities to spark meaningful conversations with their children during calls and visits through these shared stories.

No matter where a parent or their child is on their reading journey—whether just beginning with Kooky Bakes Cookies or diving into more advanced stories like Art of the Chase—this course ensures they have a story to share with their child.

With both text and video versions, parents can strengthen their own literacy skills while preparing for a shared experience—without fear, without judgment. This course isn’t just about reading; it’s about reclaiming confidence, breaking the stigma around adult literacy, and proving that a parent’s role in their child’s life isn’t defined by walls or distance. 

Every story becomes more than just words—it becomes a bridge, a bond, and a reminder that love and learning can transcend any barrier.

3 easy ways to read together—Even from a distance

Want to get started? Here are three simple ways to use booksmart.world/free and the Building Bridges with Books: Reconnecting with Your Child course found on Edovo to make reading a shared experience:

1. Choose a story to read together
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Find a book on the Worldreader's BookSmart app that matches your child’s reading level and is found in the Building Bridges with Books: Reconnecting with Your Child course available on Edovo (full list of titles available on Edovo below).

• Courage: The Heart of Night
• Dunk It Like Durant
• Izzy Learns to Try
• Kooky Bakes Cookies
• Kooky Goes to the Dentist
• Kooky is Afraid of the Dark
• Kooky's Day
• Kooky's First Haircut
• Meet Dusty
• Meet Frankie
• Art of the Chase 1
• Art of the Chase 2

2. Set a reading goal
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Decide on a reading schedule. Will the child read a few pages before the next call or visit? Will they do the activity provided by the incarcerated parent? Setting small goals keeps reading fun and engaging.

3. Get creative with activities
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For caregivers: Bringing stories to life at home

The Building Bridges with Books: Reconnecting with Your Child course makes reading a fun and meaningful way to keep families connected—even from a distance!

Here’s how you can help: The incarcerated parent will choose an activity from the course, and you get to bring it to life at home with the child. Whether it’s drawing, writing, acting out a scene, or creating something together, this turns a simple story into a lasting memory.

Snap some pictures to share on the next visit, or jot down fun moments to talk about during the next phone call. A shared laugh, a proud “Look what I made!”—these small moments help the child feel loved and connected to their parent, no matter the miles between them.

For correctional staff: Supporting literacy & connection

Correctional staff play a key role in helping incarcerated parents engage with their children through reading. By encouraging participation in the Building Bridges with Books course, staff can:

• Ensure parents know about and have access to the course on Edovo tablets.
• Create a literacy-friendly environment by promoting reading materials, facilitating quiet reading time, or recognizing parents who engage in literacy programs.
• Encourage parents to prepare for calls and visits by practicing reading the story with different voices or trying out the activities themselves. 

A new chapter for families

Reading isn’t just about learning words—it’s about sharing experiences, sparking imagination, and building relationships. For incarcerated parents, it can be a powerful way to stay connected, support their child’s education, and develop their own literacy skills at the same time.

With this Edovo and Worldreader partnership, families now have a free and meaningful way to read together, even when they’re apart.

So, why not start today? Choose a book, set a reading goal, and begin a new chapter in your relationship with your child.

Because every story is an opportunity to connect.

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