Melody Matters – A Free Live Your Song Community-Based Reading Program
Welcome to Melody Matters – a free, high-impact community reading program powered by Live Your Song to bridge the literacy gap through culturally responsive learning, music, and social-emotional development. Our program instills a love for reading in children, while also nurturing self-awareness, confidence, language development, and joy.
Live Your Song is an esteemed education software and publishing company committed to educational equity and mental wellness. From our roots as a small literacy-based program to becoming a world class leader in education transformation, we've consistently focused on closing learning gaps and empowering families and educators with meaningful, culturally relevant content.
We serve K–12 institutions, parents, and caregivers through a full suite of in-school and out-of-school programming, tech-based learning tools, curated reading materials, and essential school supplies. Our professional development and educator support systems make it easier than ever for schools to implement proven, SEL-infused curriculum that changes lives.
What Is Melody Matters?
Melody Matters is a free, community-based reading program developed to uplift and inspire children through the power of storytelling, music, and cultural identity. This initiative targets students who are reading below grade level and may not have consistent access to story time at home
Through carefully chosen read-alouds, guided comprehension activities, music integration, and storytelling that reflects their lived experiences, children develop core skills while connecting with a loving community of peers and adult mentors.
Program Goals
Instill a love for reading in early learners
Build language development and comprehension skills
Introduce students to inference and problem-solving techniques
Deliver culturally relevant stories where children can see themselves
Engage children in storytelling and early creative writing, poetry, and songwriting
Provide story time access in a safe, nurturing, and joyful space
Empower children to own their voice, express their feelings, and grow their confidence
Culturally Relevant Children’s Books That Reflect Our Readers
Representation matters. That’s why Melody Matters uses a curated library of diverse children’s books to ensure every child feels seen and heard. Books are selected not only for their readability and developmentally appropriate themes, but also for their power to reflect cultural heritage, celebrate diversity, and spark conversation. Our books explore themes such as family, community, resilience, and imagination—offering an alternative to traditional stories that may exclude Black and Latinx voices. Each session builds on these narratives, encouraging discussion and critical thinking among young readers.
Reading + Music =
Deeper
Engagement
Melody Matters integrates music and rhythm into every story time. Studies show that music enhances memory and reading fluency by engaging multiple parts of the brain. Children clap out syllables, sing songs inspired by the stories they read, and create their own chants and verses using new vocabulary words. This multisensory approach helps improve retention and creates joyful, memorable learning experiences. It also supports phonics development, language rhythm, and verbal fluency—all essential skills for young readers.
Flexible and Community-
Based
Programming
Melody Matters is intentionally designed to meet families where they are. Rather than asking families to come to us, we bring the program to neighborhoods and community centers across the city. Story times are hosted at libraries, churches, schools, and partner locations to reduce transportation barriers. Our flexible scheduling allows parents and caregivers to choose times that best suit their routines, while children enjoy reading in familiar and welcoming spaces. This citywide model allows us to reach more children and build literacy-rich communities block by block.
A Seamless Family
Experience
Parents and caregivers receive weekly reading guides to help continue story time at home. With access to read-aloud books, printable activities, and music-based learning extensions, families are empowered to participate in their child’s literacy development. We also provide books for children to take home—ensuring they build personal libraries filled with stories that matter. Families don’t need expensive tech or time-consuming commitments—just the desire to help their child succeed. With minimal barriers and maximum joy, Melody Matters makes literacy accessible to all.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) at the Core
Melody Matters places SEL at the heart of every lesson. Children learn how to recognize emotions, build confidence, and solve problems as they navigate stories and real-life connections. Through guided reflection, group dialogue, and expressive activities, children strengthen self-awareness and empathy. These skills improve classroom behavior, increase academic motivation, and promote mental well-being. Our SEL-aligned story sessions are not just fun—they're foundational to lifelong success.
Delivered by Trusted Facilitators
All programs are delivered by trained and approved Live Your Song Program Delivery Specialists who understand both the academic and emotional needs of young children. These educators bring a mix of joy, professionalism, and cultural understanding to every story time. They ensure a nurturing, safe space where every child is encouraged to participate, ask questions, and be their authentic self.
Are you ready to spark a love of reading in your child?
Sign up today for Melody Matters and become part of a citywide movement committed to literacy, music, and mental wellness. Let’s rewrite the narrative for our children—one page, one voice, one song at a time.
Don't wait. Spaces are limited, and story time slots fill quickly. Follow us on Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn @LiveYourSong to get updates on story time locations, new book giveaways, and free events near you. You’ll also receive parenting tips, behind-the-scenes videos, and ideas for making reading a family tradition at home.
- Opportunities to sing, share, and shine!
What Families Are Searching For (And Finding Here)
Free kids books, read books online for kids, children’s stories, reading help for struggling readers, kindergarten books online, storybooks with music, SEL reading programs, free story time for children, diverse books for Black children, Latino children’s literature, early childhood reading programs, picture storybooks, reading intervention programs, kids poetry, free community literacy events, and more.
What Families Are Saying
My son found a new love for reading because of Melody Matters. He even made up his own song about his favorite book character
We needed this in our neighborhood. It’s more than reading—it’s joy, connection, and love in action
Follow and Share
Follow us on TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on Melody Matters events in your neighborhood, book giveaways, reading tips, and opportunities to get involved as a volunteer or sponsor.
Don’t Miss This!
This is more than a reading program—it’s a movement for joy, literacy, and justice. Give your child a new love for reading, language, confidence, and culture. Register today and join a movement built just for them.
Live Your Song offers products and services to help K-12th grade learners access opportunities and thrive in the future.
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