Lessons from a talking dog: TV’s “Reading Buddies” on making learning fun
In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of the smash hit foundational reading series The Reading League’s “Reading Buddies,” aimed at students in pre-K through third grade. Susan is joined by Andrea Dotto and Brendan Malafronte—artists, performers, and co-founders of children’s story hour and media company Dusty & Dott—as well as “Reading Buddies” executive producer Toni Ann Walsh. Together, the four of them discuss how the show started and how Andrea and Brendan got up to speed on the Science of Reading, and share tips for educators and caregivers on how to make reading instruction fun for kids.
Meet our guest(s):
Toni Ann Walsh
Toni Ann Walsh is executive producer of “Reading Buddies.” She has 20 years in nonprofit management and is a 40 Under 40 Award recipient.
Andrea Dotto
Andrea Dotto is president of Dusty & Dott. She debuted in the Tony Award-winning show “Bandstand,” earning a Chita Rivera Award nomination for Outstanding Female Dancer. TV credits include the 71st Tony Award Show and “Good Morning America.”
Brendan Malafronte
Brendan Malafronte is co-creator of Dusty & Dott. He was a puppeteer on the International Tour of “John Tartaglia’s Imaginocean,” and performed in a tour of “Annie”. He participated in the Sesame Workshop and puppeteered on Nickelodeon and in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Meet our host, Susan Lambert
Susan Lambert is the Chief Academic Officer of Elementary Humanities at Amplify, and the host of Science of Reading: The Podcast. Her career has been focused on creating high-quality learning environments using evidence-based practices. Susan is a mom of four, a grandma of four, a world traveler, and a collector of stories.
As the host of Science of Reading: The Podcast, Susan explores the increasing body of scientific research around how reading is best taught. As a former classroom teacher, administrator, and curriculum developer, Susan is dedicated to turning theory into best practices that educators can put right to use in the classroom, and to showcasing national models of reading instruction excellence.
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