What you see Is not always what you get
Sparking Safety: How to Vet the Best
Books and Build Foundational Injury Prevention Lessons
meet your speakers
Maria Bostian
Charlotte Fire Department
Fire & Life Safety Educator
22 Years Experience
Leigh Kish
Gaston County Office of Emergency
Management of Fire Services
Fire & Life Safety Educator
22 Years Experience
see the books?
STOP
DROP ‘EM
WE WILL TELL YOU LATER
OUR WHY
We all know how to teach, right?
Literacy programs in schools have been gaining speed
Leigh found a fabulous book to read to children...
that was terrible
Maria wrote her own books because she could not find what she was looking for
ACTIVITY
see the books?
What age group/grade?
Does it have appeal for 2026?
Would you use it in
your current programs?
DO NOT OPEN
LITERACY = SUCCESS
From Promising Pages 2024-2025 Impact Report
appearances can be deceIVING
THERE MIGHT BE HIDDEN FLAWS.
WHAT YOU SEE ON THE SURFACE
IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT YOU GET.
VETTING
Rhyme and Meter
Proper messaging
Be mindful of dated language/pictures
Adapting incorrect, but still useful material
Know when to call it
READABILITY SCORE
Books are designed for specific age groups/grade levels
READABILITY CONT’D
Word Recognition x Language Comprehension = Reading Comprehension
From: Lexia, Online reading assistance program
Online readability checkers
DECODING SKILLS
Definition: translating words printed into speech...
*** ties into state-level testing for grades 3 through 8 *** *** ½ of NC students are reading below grade-level ***
ask teacher for vocab ahead of time
avoid complex jargon “haligan” “probie”
escape plan = key, map, legend, scale, cardinal direction
OTHER TIPS/TRICKS
the book and arranging the children
MAKE YOURSELF MARKETABLE!
Standards
Curriculum
Resources
Accommodations
We are not just interrupting their day
Literacy
Sight Words
ACTIVITY
see the books?
What age group/grade?
Does it have appeal for 2026?
Would you use it and
in what way?
Not sure who to ask?
School Media Specialists
Teachers
Literacy Specialists/Coaches
Local Librarians
Children’s Author
Other FLSE/CRR Peeps
Now IT’S YOUR TURN!
We would love for you to keep this going - - -
How can you incorporate other subjects into injury prevention?
Math
Science
History
CONTACT INFORMATION
Maria Bostian
Charlotte Fire Department
Fire & Life Safety Educator
maria.bostian@charlottenc.gov
Leigh Kish
Gaston County Office of Emergency
Management of Fire Services
Fire & Life Safety Educator
leigh.kish@gastongov.com