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.
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.
Too many children are struggling to learn to read. Dr. Christina Williams, Ed.D. created FOUNDATIONS FOR LITERACY to help struggling readers actually understand how words work. These fun-focused lessons help kids learn the code upon which our language is based.
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.
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?
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. This rare skill all but guarantees your child’s ability to read and spell well.
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Parent Resources
Phonemic Awareness, Rhyming Words
It’s important that beginning readers recognize the sounds in their speech. We have a code-based language. Before we draw kids’ awareness to the letters that represent sounds, it makes sense to ensure that kids can hear, identify, and even manipulate the sounds in words the words they will soon read and spell.
Read MoreLanguage at the Speed of Sight, A Must Read for Primary Teachers of Reading
Mark Seidenberg said, “Parents who deliver their children to school on that momentous first day of kindergarten, proudly starting them on the venerable path to education, make a big mistake: they assume that their child’s teacher has been taught how to teach reading.” That sounds like an offensive statement made by one who’s criticizing some […]
Read MoreYour First Day Back in the Primary Classroom, 2021
Since it’s usually crazy returning from a break and getting back into those classroom routines, this is the perfect time to try something new—something that can absolutely transform your students’ reading and spelling skills. Day 1, Back in the Classroom On the very day you arrive back in your classroom, please set aside 15 minutes […]
Read MoreDay One, No More Playing Small
1-1-21 I have a lot of friends and loved ones who are passionately chasing their dreams. Some sell cookies. (You go, girls!) One is making his mark on the fashion industry, while another is building his business in the world of golf. One is honing his computer skills to better serve within his place of […]
Read MoreIt Can Get Lonely When You’re Implementing Explicit, Systematic Phonics
e time they reach third grade, sight words are not enough. Word Family associations are not sufficient to support the sophisticated demands of “at grade level” reading in third grade. There are no pictures. Word structures have become more complex. All of the tools provided by the typical greater Cincinnati early childhood classrooms have left many children ill-equipped.
Read MoreTear Down the (Word) Walls!
My husband and I had a flat tire, and both of our phones were dead. (Note to self: Next overnight camping excursion- Bring phone chargers!) And, we had no spare tire. When a police officer stopped to ask if we needed help, we were shocked and embarrassed because neither one of us could recall a […]
Read More22 Ways to Help Your Child Overachieve
You can strengthen your children’s reading and writing by reading aloud with them. Okay. So that’s not ground-breaking news. You’ve heard it a thousand times, right? Let me say, here, that I bet you could do it so much better than you’ve been doing it. I have some teaching tips that I’d love for you […]
Read MoreReading to Your Kids
Reading to your kids is so very important. Even with high stakes tests hanging over my shoulders, as a classroom teacher I invest the time to read aloud to my students every single day because I believe that it is the best way to promote a love for books*. But reading aloud offers so much […]
Read MoreBook 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