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One on One Literacy Instruction

We transform your stuggling reader into a thriving student.

Too many parents are worried because their kids are struggling to read and spell well. At Book Bums, we use explicit, systematic phonics instruction to transform struggling readers into excelling students.

To be a successful student, your child needs to be a successful reader.

We know you want the best for your child.

If your child is struggling, you may be worried or frustrated.

You aren't alone. We serve parents like you every day.

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We Will Get Your Child Back on Track.

Improve Confidence

Your child will have the confidence to take on new academic challenges.

Better Scores

Your child’s grades across all subjects are impacted by reading skills.

New Opportunties

Your child has opportunities to enjoy activities inside and outside of the classroom.

Book Bums. by Malinda Hartong, @TheHartongs | Photojournalists

Book Bums Tutoring uses the Foundations for Literacy (FFL) curriculum created by Dr. Christina Williams Ed. D. throughout her 30 years of teaching and in response to scientific research regarding how to effectively teach students to read and spell. The research makes clear that explicit, systematic phonics instruction, leaning into an awareness of phonemes, is required to accurately navigate the code upon which our language is based. The Foundations for Literacy curriculum is a fast, fun, and highly-effective alternative to the inadequate “strategies” that have infiltrated our school system.

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What parents like you are saying...

“We BOTH looked forward to class each Saturday morning. We couldn’t wait to see what fun activities Dr. Christy would have planned for us and which books she would share. I was fascinated by her clever ideas for helping kids “crack the code” of reading. Not only does Dr. Christy have a Ed.D. in Early Literacy, she has years of experience as a classroom teacher right here in our community! This class is well worth the time and money. It was an investment in my child’s literacy that I am so glad I made!”

–Emily M., Educator and Author

"We cannot thank you enough for your amazing support on our literacy journey! I am super happy to report that James improved his MAP score in reading by 18 points from Fall to Winter and he achieved the required 194 to meet the third grade guarantee!

We are forever grateful to you and the Book Bums crew for carrying us across this finish line!!"

-Michelle L.

Text Message 9/13/2019

"Tommy apparently scored lowest of all the second graders in their initial assessment. I am so confused and discouraged about that."

Text Message 2/6/2020

"I just left Tommy's conference and wanted to tell you that I left crying tears of JOY this time. He is completely "caught up" to the averages. His teacher told me she thinks he is the best student she has ever had at sounding out words phonetically."

-Casey P.

Why Phonics? Why FFL?

%
Students who remain off track after school intervention.
%
4th Graders who were proficient or avanced Readers.
%
Student who struggle in 1st grade are still struggling in 7th grade.
%
Struggling readers whose parents are college educated.

There are thousands of words in the English language. It is unrealistic to think your child can simply memorize them all. Our language is based on a code and the Foundation for Literacy curriculum helps our tutoring students crack that code.

Is your child ready for 2nd Grade?

Take this free at-home assessment.

Newsletter and Blog Posts

Newsletter – Ready for Summer – May 16, 2025

Hello Book Bums families! Summer break is almost here! We hope you’re cruising through these final days of the school year. This week in the newsletter we’ve got our mind on summer. Dr. Christy shares how one of the best ways to grow your young reader is to get out in the world and have […]

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Newsletter – Too Many Frogs – May 9, 2025

Hello Book Bums families! Happy Mother’s Day to all our Book Bums’ families! This week in the newsletter we’re zooming in… on the books we read and the world around us. Read on for ideas on how to spell well, have fun with book characters, and notice detail and beauty in nature. You don’t want […]

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Newsletter – Volunteers Needed – May 2, 2025

Hello Book Bums families! Happy May! We hope you and your families are enjoying spring. This week in the newsletter we have ideas for making the season more colorful. We also have some inspiration for teachers in the home stretch of the school year and, as always, some nerdy word knowledge to share. You can […]

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Newsletter – Let’s Get Outside – April 25, 2025

Hello Book Bums families! This week in the newsletter we are thinking about getting outside and into nature. We share books and poetry about animals and hiking tips for local trails. We also offer a simple way to encourage your child to grow their observational and storytelling skills. Read to the end for Book Bums’ […]

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Newsletter – The Big Picture – April 18, 2025

Hello Book Bums families! This week in the newsletter we’re thinking about the big picture of what we do, from the educational principles that guide us, to the joy of reading with a child, to preparing your students for test day. We also share a poem to inspire you this week. Read on and enjoy! […]

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Newsletter -Fresh Start- April 11, 2025

Hello Book Bums families! This week in the newsletter we’re thinking about beginnings. We have ideas for new books to read, new hobbies to try, and new strategies for spelling. Dr. Christy also shares the beauty of offering fresh starts to the kids in our care. What are you beginning this spring? Bookbums.com is an […]

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Newsletter – April Showers – April 4, 2025

Hello Book Bums families! April showers have definitely arrived in the Cincinnati area. We are already looking forward to the flowers they will bring us. This week in the newsletter we have a dandelion craft to celebrate spring as well as lots of information on handwriting and decoding language when reading with kids. Read to […]

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Newsletter – Podcasts and Poetry – March 28, 2025

Hello Book Bums families! This week in the newsletter Dr. Christy shares more about her new podcast series on the sounds we hear in words as well as a short quiz you can take to test yourself. You’ll also find all your favorite, regular features. For National Poetry Month in April we return to our […]

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Newsletter – Welcome Spring – March 21, 2025

Hello Book Bums families! Here’s a simple game to play with your family to welcome the first days of spring. Just choose a category and try to think of items in the category for each letter of the word spring. You could try food, flowers, or things you find in a backpack. It’s a great […]

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Newsletter – Going Green – March 14, 2025

Hello Book Bums families! This Monday is Saint Patrick’s Day (a holiday more popular here in America than in Ireland), so we are sharing some Irish fun in this week’s newsletter. We have ideas for celebrating with kids, tips to help you write your own limerick, tongue twisters, vocabulary, and all the regular features you’ve […]

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Book Bums Locations
West Chester:
7967 Cincinnati-Dayton Rd. Suite L
West Chester, Ohio 45069
Inside Kids First Sports:
7900 E Kemper Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45249

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