Enriching Education: The LiLi Key

 Charlotte-based nonprofit Living Libraries has released the second, expanded edition of “The LiLi Key” (lee-lee) – a bilingual children’s book that has increased reading frequency of children by 50 percent. In addition to hardcopies, the re-release also includes an eBook in English and Spanish in an effort to aid homeschooling and other educational challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning in September, Living Libraries will also provide free copies of “The LiLi Key.”

 

“We are pleased to launch the second edition of “The LiLi Key,” particularly during a time when traditional schooling has shifted to home, online and hybrid models,” said Kristi Cruise, CEO of Living Libraries and author of the book originally launched in 2019. “We’ve been able to turn nearly 1,000 children into ‘living libraries’ and now, as parents continue to navigate new educational challenges amid the pandemic, we believe it’s a pivotal time to make the book available to those who need it most as an educational tool for children of all learning types and levels.”

 

After reading the book designed for ages 4 – 14, readers become ‘LiLis’ which is short for ‘living libraries.’ Additionally, all readers receive a LiLi Key necklace to encourage them to unlock their reading powers. The organization is on a mission to create one million LiLis committed to reading and personal development alongside other valuable life skills such as leadership, empathy, self-esteem and community.

 

Cruise, who worked in early literacy education for more than a decade, wrote “The LiLi Key” to encourage readership through some of the principles of heart-brain coherence found in her practices. Since then, the book has been shown to work for both avid and reluctant readers, along with children who live with dyslexia. 

 

“My youngest son has both dyslexia and dysgraphia,” said Candice Wilson, mother of two. “We work extra hard every day to build his reading and writing skills. I am so very proud of both of my sons for becoming living libraries by reading “The LiLi Key.” They have very different strengths to share with the group, one a voracious reader and one a determined dyslexic.”

 

The paperback book can be purchased at www.TheLiLiKey.com for $16.95, while parents interested in receiving a free book for their child can also request a scholarship on the website. The eBook is also available on iTunes for $5.99.  

 

About Living Libraries

Living Libraries operates under the 501(c)(3) non-profit umbrella of Children and Family Services Center. Our mission is to utilize educational, emotional and social capital to creatively and collaboratively unlock the unlimited potential of 21st century Superhuman learners and leaders. 

 

LiLi Facts at a Glance:

• Seventy-two percent of LiLis are more excited to read.
• Twenty-seven percent of children gained higher self-esteem due to becoming a LiLi.
• Seventy-two percent feel a part of a community. 
• Thirty-six say they feel they can be and do absolutely anything. 
• Sixty percent of LiLis who have Keys are reading at least 50 percent more than they were previously, with 18 percent reading double or more than double. 
• Seventy-two percent of LiLis say their LiLi Key helps them feel good inside. 
• Thirty-six percent of LiLis say wearing their LiLi Key makes them feel like a leader.