About the Literacy for Health™ Collaborators & Collaboration Series

Introducing the Literacy for Health™ Collaborators & Collaboration Series by Valorena Publishing, a new series that spotlights those working at the intersection of communication, community, and care. Through in-depth conversations and narrative features, the series amplifies the voices of advocates, educators, and organizations who are advancing health literacy as a pathway to equity and empowerment. Each story pulls back the curtain on the people and partnerships driving progress—demonstrating how understanding is not only power, but healing in action.

Subscribe to get Valorena Publishing’s Literacy for Health™ Collaborators & Collaboration Series and meet the people and partnerships advancing health literacy and understanding in communities near and far.

 

Let's Get Reading!

National Read a Book Day is celebrated on September 6th each year to encourages everyone to read, including children. 

If you're in or near Nyack, NY, please join Dr. Valerie and other children's authors on Children's Book Day at Big Red Books. Dr. Valerie will read from the Cocoa Kids Collection® Books (for kids aged 6-8). 

The event is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 21st, 2025, from 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Big Red Books is located at 120 Main St, Nyack, NY 10960.  See the flyer attached for details on the lineup of Readers.

​

Cocoa, Community & Courage: A Young Author Reading for World Mental Health Day

 As part of our ongoing commitment to literacy, wellness, and celebration, we’d love to invite you to our next event.

REGISTER HERE.

When you register for this free event, you’ll also gain access to a digital copy of JoJo’s book of poetry, Cocoa’s Palace.

This special gathering will be a meeting of "cocoa-minded" mental health and literacy leaders, another occasion for the Cocoa Kids Collection’s® to celebrate its commitment to "the momentous and the mundane in the – ever-inspiring – world of chocolate."

It also reflects our continued commitment to providing social-emotional learning and resilience-building resources and outreach to youth, empowering young readers and their families to thrive.


About the Author – Jouvanna "JoJo" Brame is an African American Health Leader, Mental Health Advocate, and multimedia creative whose writing journey began at the age of 10. Initially focused on fiction, her passion gradually shifted toward poetry, where she explored both its internal structures and external forms. Her work has been featured in Harness Magazine and The Brazen Collective. JoJo will read from her debut chapbook, Cocoa’s Palace, screen her mini-documentary, Resilience Is, and preview new work from her next book, to my friend, sincerely, which will launch later this year. 
​
We hope you’ll join us in what promises to be a thoughtful, inspiring evening.

Prosody: The Overlooked Element in the Science of Reading

In the evolving conversation around the Science of Reading, much attention has been given to phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. However, one key element—prosody—is often underemphasized, despite its vital role in reading fluency and comprehension.

What Is Prosody?

Prosody refers to the rhythm, stress, and intonation of spoken language. In reading, it manifests as expressive reading—pausing at punctuation, using appropriate tone, and modulating pitch to convey meaning. A child reading with prosody doesn’t just decode word and sounds; they bring the text to life, signaling deeper understanding.

Why Prosody Matters in Reading Instruction

According to the Science of Reading, fluent reading bridges decoding and comprehension. While accuracy and rate are measurable aspects of fluency, prosody is the qualitative glue that signals true engagement with a text. Research shows that strong prosodic skills often correlate with stronger comprehension because students are making meaning as they read aloud. For example, a reader who lifts their voice at the end of a question or pauses correctly at commas is using syntax and semantics to understand what they’re reading. In this way, prosody is both a result and pathway to comprehension.

A Boost for English Language Learners

For English Language Learners (ELLs), prosody provides a unique advantage. It forms a connective tissue between English and their maternal language, allowing students to anchor meaning through rhythm, tone, and emotional inflection. These cues offer access to language that goes beyond vocabulary and grammar—enhancing both spoken and written expression.

Read-Alouds: Fuel for Prosodic Growth

Prosody growth can soar through read-alouds, especially when readers not only hear the words—but feel them. Read-alouds create emotional resonance, helping to bring words to life. When students hear skilled readers modulate voice, tone, and pacing, they internalize those patterns and learn to replicate them. Prosody breathes life into text, turning reading into an immersive, meaning-rich experience.

Bring Prosody to Life at Your School or Library

Book a live or virtual Cocoa Kids Collection® Read-Aloud—engaging, SEL-infused stories that model expression, spark joy, and build fluency.

Click this link for full details and scheduling!

---

About Valorena Publishing

Valorena Online, LLC, (dba) Valorena Publishing is a Strategic Literacy & Communications Consultancy. We are a firm specializing in strategic and creative communications. Led by Dr. Valerie Williams-Sanchez—a PMI-certified Project Management Professional® with a PhD in Literacy—the company delivers insights-driven strategies, compelling storytelling, and innovative marketing and communications solutions that inform, engage, and inspire.