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