Interview with Connie from Poetry Pals

Heather: What is Poetry Pals?

Connie: Poetry Pals is an early literacy program that focuses on helping young children learn to read.

Heather: And what ages does it target?

Connie: Anywhere from 18 months to 5 years old. It just depends on how receptive they are to it and how eager they are to learn.

Heather: So how did the program start?

Connie: Well, it started with Mr. Steve Parks. The stories and poems are the same ones he told his children. When his children had kids, they insisted he write them down, and it just took off and the program formed around those same stories.

Heather: So how exactly does the program work?

Connie: Well, there is a set of 14 board books, and they all fit into this really cute “Poetree” stand. The books contain little poems and stories, and each book has a DVD that goes with it. So the words light up and that way the child can follow along with the DVD.

Heather: How have you seen e-readers and the digital revolution affect your program?

Connie: Well, we still sell books. But we aren’t really able to have bookstores, because people just don’t go to them much anymore. So instead we sell online and we have some home-based independent sellers.

Heather: Do you see e-readers wiping out your program in the near future?

Connie: No, I don’t. Just because people teach their kids the way they were taught. Who pulls out their iPad and tells their kid, “Here, let’s read this story?” No one. People put their children in their laps and point to the words on the paper page, and help the child sound it out. Then they turn the page together. It’s just the way it’s always been. I’m sure someday technology will take over, but I don’t see it coming all that soon.

Heather: Do you think that books will become “antiques” in the next 20 years?

Connie: Perhaps. I think children will be one of the bigger markets for actual books in the future, and in that sense I think our program is safe. But I have an iPad myself, and in all honesty it is more convenient in many ways. I think that in the next 50-100 years or so, books will become “collectables,” and people from your generation will be the ones holding on to your favorite works.