In a world racing from AI to algorithms, this episode of Champions for NorCal Kids reminds us that literacy still starts somewhere much more familiar: homes, classrooms, libraries, and small towns.

We sit down with Kathy Garcia, Executive Director of Expect More Tehama, to talk honestly about the raw data behind literacy outcomes, the challenges rural communities face, and the better side of rural work that doesn’t always make headlines: deep relationships, shared responsibility, and communities that refuse to give up on their kids.

This conversation connects Tehama County’s literacy movement to the broader North State, showing how local action, aligned systems, and committed partners can shift outcomes. Not with hype, but with heart, strategy, and persistence.

Because in rural communities, literacy isn’t a trend... It’s a promise.

In this episode of NorCal Champions for Kids, we’re breaking new ground on a topic that matters for families, educators, and community champions across Northern California: Early Literacy in Rural Communities.

We dive deep into provocative conversations and bold questions, the kind that make you rethink assumptions and spark action.

Hot Take #1: “Book deserts hit rural communities harder than food deserts — but we talk about them less.”

In cities and towns across the country, discussions about food deserts have dominated headlines and policy actions. But what about book deserts, places where families struggle to access books, reading materials, and literacy resources? We explore:

• Why book access is essential infrastructure for children’s development.

• How limited access to books affects vocabulary growth, school readiness, and lifelong learning.

• What it means for rural counties like Shasta and Tehama — where long distances, few libraries, and limited bookstores create real barriers families face every day.

Hot Take #2: “Home literacy matters more than preschool literacy in rural communities.”

Formal preschool programs are vital, but what happens when they simply aren’t accessible due to geography, cost, or capacity? In rural places, early literacy often starts at home. So should we rethink where and how we invest?
We unpack:

• The case for parent coaching over classroom hours alone.

• The power of book distribution programs and in-home reading support.

• How home visiting programs can meet families where they are — literally and figuratively.

• Whether funding should pivot to support literacy strategies that work within rural realities, not just urban models.

We also explore questions like:

• Is access to books a civil right?

• Can community champions step in where systems fall short?

• How can innovative programs create literacy ecosystems rooted in rural strengths rather than deficits?

Whether you’re a parent, educator, policymaker, or community supporter, this episode will give you new ways to think, and act, on early literacy for every child, everywhere.

Tune in, join the conversation, and help us champion a future where every child in NorCal has the books, support, and opportunities they deserve.

In the first episode of our series, "it takes a village to raise readers", Wendy and I share our personal journeys in literacy — the moments, mentors, and experiences that shaped how we see reading and the power it has in kids’ lives.