G

rowing up, Alana 
Blumenstein didn’t 
understand why she 
and her younger brother, Jacob, 
were struggling in classes. Now 
21, Blumenstein, who attends 
Oberlin College in Ohio, knows 
that they were navigating learn-
ing disabilities without knowing 
for many years. 
“We didn’t understand what 
learning disabilities were,
” she 
recalls. “We had no idea.
”
It wasn’t until high school that 
the Blumenstein siblings (which 
also include brothers Reuben 
and Benjamin) and their moth-
er, Carol, realized that the kids 
simply had different learning 
needs.
From there, it was like a cur-
tain was lifted.
“We saw that we had these 
differences, and we were able 

to embrace them,
” Alana 
Blumenstein says. “We realized 
we had so many incredible 
resources.
”
To help bring that same level 
of understanding and accep-
tance to other kids with learning 
disabilities, the Blumenstein 
family developed the nonprof-
it KidsRead2Kids in 2015 as 
an outlet for custom learning 
materials, content and everyday 
inspiration.
The idea initially got off 
the ground thanks to BBYO’s 
Building Entrepreneurship pro-
gram, which Alana Blumenstein 
presented her idea to while in 
high school in a Shark Tank-like 
competition. There, she won 
$250 in seed money that would 
help create KidsRead2Kids.
“It’s an educational resource 
for kids with learning disabilities 

founded by kids with learning 
disabilities,
” Alana Blumenstein 
explains. “We’re most passionate 
about providing a safe space for 
kids who feel daunted, alone 
and ashamed because they learn 
differently.
”

IDENTIFYING ROLE 
MODELS
For many kids, it’s important 
to have someone relatable 
to look up to. That’s why 
KidsRead2Kids made it a mis-
sion to involve role models all 
over the world with learning 
disabilities, in addition to the 
Blumenstein siblings, who could 
be a part of the nonprofit. 
“We really tried to pro-
vide role models that kids 
can not only look up to, but 
also see themselves in,
” Alana 
Blumenstein says. One role 

model, for example, is a boy 
from Iceland with autism who 
broke the world record for 
building the largest Titanic out 
of LEGOs.
“It’s very hard when you’re 
growing up with a learning dis-
ability,
” she continues. “They’re 
not talked about very much. 
And we wanted to change that.
”
Through the digital website, 
children and families can access 
read-alongs to classic novels, 
which come with custom lesson 
plans tailored for kids who have 
different learning needs. Read 
by other kids and young adults 
who have overcome learning 
disabilities to go on and achieve 
great things, the read-alongs 
serve as both educational 
resources and sources of inspi-
ration.
Yet for Blumenstein, promot-
ing reading and literacy was a 
personal, lifelong passion.
“Growing up, my dad used to 
always read to us,
” she recalls. 
“Many kids with learning dis-
abilities initially struggle [with 
reading], so by listening to these 
stories, we were able to learn 
how to appreciate reading and 
practice our active listening 
skills.
”
Anne of Green Gables,
in particular, is a book that 
Blumenstein loves and is one of 
the many read-along selections 
offered on the KidsRead2Kids 
website. “It’s my favorite book,
” 
she says.

A NEW FORM OF CONTENT
In addition to the lesson 
plans and read-alongs, Alana 
Blumenstein knew another 
component was necessary to 
round out the offerings pro-
vided by KidsRead2Kids: a free 
digital magazine.
With dozens of pages filled 
with articles, videos and crafts 
to empower kids to dream big, 
the KidsRead2Kids Magazine, 

24 | DECEMBER 9 • 2021 

OUR COMMUNITY

Through read-alongs and a new magazine,
siblings inspire kids with learning disabilities.

Helping Kids Love 
Reading

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Read-alouds being 
conducted by 
the Blumenstein 
siblings and 
KidsRead2Kids 
volunteers.

COURTESY OF THE BLUMENSTEINS

