Home

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.

FFL2.5

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.

BB skinny logo
FFL Logo 2019 crop 2

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, up to
%
4th Graders who were proficient or avanced Readers.
%
Student who struggle in 1st grade are still struggling in 7th grade.
%
Struggling readers whose parent's 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. This rare skill all but guarantees your child’s ability to read and spell well.

Is your child ready for 2nd Grade?

Take this free at-home assessment.

Newsletter and Blog Posts

Newsletter – Talk books with your kids – July 26, 2024

Hello Book Bums families! As July comes to a close, we hope you are enjoying lots of summertime moments. This week in the newsletter we have practical advice, a book recommendation about family history, and great ideas for reading with your kids and starting some literary conversations. We’d love to hear what books you and […]

Read More

Newsletter – Picture Books, Sock Pets, and Practical Latin – July 19, 2024

Hello Book Bums families! Does your family enjoy puzzles? Every day, even without a subscription, your family can try some puzzles from The New York Times. Connections is a puzzle that requires considering all the meanings and associations of a word and looking for common threads. It’s a great one to work on with a […]

Read More

Newsletter – Savoring Summer – July 12, 2024

Hello Book Bums families! Isn’t it interesting how one thing can lead to another? This week we begin with a fun new book series. The title character gets us thinking about decoding words. The relationship of the characters in the book gets us thinking about word roots. And the theme of the book leads us […]

Read More

Newsletter – Riddles, Featured Authors and more! – July 5, 2024

Hello Book Bums families! We hope you are enjoying summer and your holiday weekend. We love to hear from you! Did you know you can always respond to this email to share what you’re reading, where you’re traveling, or what you’d like to see in upcoming issues of the newsletter? This week we’re sharing riddles, […]

Read More

Newsletter – Sizzling Summertime – June 28, 2024

Hello Book Bums families! Are you taking a road trip this summer? Here is a puzzle (from NPR’s Sunday puzzles) all about summer vacation destinations.  You can challenge family members to guess as you roll down the highway. This week in the newsletter we have more favorite books, summer poetry, a homonym challenge, and as always, tips […]

Read More

Newsletter – Family Stories and Summer Reading – June 21, 2024

Hello Book Bums families! If you’re local (Greater Cincinnati area), we hope you’ve been staying safe and staying cool! This week in the newsletter we’re sharing the writing of a favorite author, Barbara Kingsolver. We also have ideas for keeping a family journal, articles about famous typewriter collectors, and more from Dr. Christy about the […]

Read More

Newsletter – Readers live longer – June 14, 2024

Hello Book Bums families! This week in the newsletter we’re thinking about some of the building blocks of language and communication: vowels, word roots, and commas. We’re also sharing book reviews, gift ideas, a sing-along song, and more. As a community of readers, our Book Bums family knows the value of reading in our own […]

Read More

Newsletter – Time for Summer – June 7, 2024

Hello Book Bums families! Each week in our Literary Calendar segment we share bookish birthdays and holidays. While it’s not very literary, you may also want to know that June 7th is Chocolate Ice Cream Day! Here are a couple other fun facts: June is the month of the summer solstice as well as the […]

Read More

Newsletter – Visceral – May 31, 2024

Hello Book Bums families! This week in the newsletter we share some ideas for summer fun as well as book recommendations and tips about the science of reading. As the school year ends and life moves at a more relaxing pace, we wish you lots of time for reading, spending time with your favorite people, […]

Read More

Newsletter – Books to Touch Your Heart – May 24, 2024

Hello Book Bums families! We wish all of you a happy end of the school year and holiday weekend! This week in the newsletter we think about books that have touched our hearts, the benefits of spending time in nature, and words to live by. There’s also some exciting news from Book Bums. Read on […]

Read More

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

Follow Us: