Liz Lantigua is the founder of Literacy Advocates USA, where she helps parents, educators, and schools who struggle with the growing prevalence of unsuitable and harmful content in children’s literature to provide students with joyful, virtue-forming, and clean reading experiences that support positive character development and a love of learning.

Top 5 Insights from Liz Lantigua

• The books children encounter are shaping their moral imagination and values far more than most parents realize—and many books marketed to kids contain hidden, inappropriate, or agenda-driven content.

• Great reading builds virtue and courage; Liz’s team curates books through parent, author, and media specialist review, focusing on positive values, clean language, and stories that inspire, not deform.

• Forming children’s habits around reading for fun—not just homework—is linked to lifelong learning and character; modeling this as parents is as crucial as what children actually read.

• Series and classic favorites are often reissued with “Trojan Horse” content that undermines traditional values—Liz shares concrete examples and tips on how to stay vigilant.

• True leadership means ordinary parents stepping up for the good of the whole community—by advocating for better options in schools and supporting alternatives that reflect their deeper values.

Timestamps

00:00 Meet Liz Lantigua: Championing Clean Reading for Kids

00:44 Introducing Liz and Literacy Advocates, USA

02:23 The Birth of Good News Book Fair

03:35 Curating Clean Reads for Kids

06:04 The Importance of Parental Involvement

08:09 Challenges and Trojan Horses in Children's Literature

10:42 Highlighting Positive and Inspiring Books

11:49 The Mission and Vision of Literacy Advocates, USA

12:35 Call to Action for Parents and Community

14:54 Expanding the Reach of Good News Book Fair

15:45 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Liz Lantigua

Founder, Literacy Advocates USA & Good News! Book Fair

https://goodnewsbookfair.com/

https://www.instagram.com/goodnewsbookfair/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizlantigua/

Dr. Johann D'Souza

Clinical Psychologist at Values First Therapy

https://www.valuesfirsttherapy.com/

https://www.valuesfirstcollective.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanndsouza/

https://x.com/drjohanndsouza