Capstone, Literati, and the Power of Putting More Books Into Kids' Hands!

 

One of my favorite children's publishers is Capstone. Their print books, eBooks, and digital resources, including PebbleGo and PebbleGo Next, are an important part of both our library and classrooms. When I learned that Capstone was included in the Literati Partner Credits program, I was thrilled. It’s an exciting opportunity to bring even more high-quality Capstone books and resources to our readers.

In my recent post, Take Fundraising to the Next Reading Level: A Guide to Literati Book Fairs Profit Rewards, I shared details about Literati Partner Credits, a special feature of the Literati Book Fair rewards program. Capstone is just one of the outstanding partners available through the program, alongside innovative educational companies like Novel Effect and Ozobot. These partnerships give schools even more ways to turn book fair rewards into meaningful resources that support reading, learning, and creativity.

This week I sat down with Jack Bommarito the manager of U.S. Trade and Speciality Sales at Capstone. His role is a special one at Capstone as he helps get their books into the hands of more kids through trade, speciality, retails, and partner channels like Literati.  

I love that Capstone is one of the Literati Partners. Tell us about Capstone.

Capstone is a children’s publisher focused on creating books and digital resources that support young readers wherever they are in their learning journey.

We publish a wide range of books for schools, libraries, classrooms, and families, including fiction, nonfiction, early readers, graphic novels, picture books, activity books, hi-lo books, and curriculum-support titles. We’re probably best known in schools for our high-interest nonfiction, strong leveled content, and trusted brands like PebbleGo, but we also have so much that supports independent reading, classroom libraries, and book fair discovery.

At the heart of Capstone is the belief that every child deserves access to books that help them feel confident, curious, and excited to read.

The way Literati cares about literacy and supporting every reader is so aligned with what Capstone brings to the lives of our readers too.

It means a lot to Capstone to be a Literati Partner because Literati is doing something really important in the school book fair space. They are not just putting books in front of kids. They are creating a literacy ecosystem that supports schools, libraries, educators, families, and students.

To be included alongside partners like Ozobot, Novel Effect, Ms. Nelson’s, and others is exciting because it shows that Literati is thinking beyond a traditional book fair. They are thinking about how book fair funds can support literacy, classroom engagement, technology, creativity, and student access in a bigger way.

For Capstone, being part of that program allows us to help schools stretch the value of their book fair funds and connect those dollars back to the classroom, school library, and student learning.

Capstone has been part of Literati Book Fairs. I always love finding Capstone books at our Literati Book Fairs at Van Meter.

Yes, Capstone is already showing up in Literati Book Fairs, which is really exciting for us. I always love hearing when educators spot Capstone books at their fair because that means our books are reaching kids in a very direct and joyful way.

Book fairs are such a special moment because students get to choose. That choice matters. When a child picks up a Capstone book at a Literati Book Fair, whether it is because they love animals, graphic novels, sports, or funny nonfiction, that is a powerful literacy moment.

Our partnership with Literati helps us connect with students not only through school and library purchasing, but also through that discovery experience where kids are browsing, choosing, and getting excited about reading.

What sets Capstone apart from other school publishers?  

Capstone understands schools, libraries, teachers, and students.

We know books need to do more than look good on a shelf. They need to be age-appropriate, durable, accessible, engaging, and easy for educators to use. We think carefully about reading level, subject matter, visual appeal, curriculum relevance, and student interest.

What sets Capstone apart is that we balance educational value with kid appeal. Our books are trusted by adults, but they are also designed to be chosen by kids. That combination is really important.

We also have a deep commitment to accessibility. We publish for a wide range of readers, including striving readers, early readers, and students who may need high-interest books at more approachable reading levels.

What does Capstone have to offer Literati book fair customers focusing on bringing more to their classrooms with book fair funds? 

Capstone offers trusted, school-ready books that are built for real classroom and library needs.

We have books that support independent reading, curriculum connections, nonfiction discovery, social emotional learning, early literacy, and high-interest topics that get kids excited. That includes everything from animals, sports, science, history, biographies, dinosaurs, and gross facts to graphic novels, chapter books, and picture books.

The biggest value is that schools and libraries can use their Literati funds on books that are both engaging for students and useful for educators. These are books that can live beyond the book fair. They can become part of classroom libraries, media center collections, reading intervention spaces, and everyday instruction.

Does Capstone offer any kind of book processing service when ordering books through the Literati Partner program?

Yes. Capstone offers free custom processing and free shipping on orders of 25 books or more, which is a great benefit for schools and libraries using their Literati Partner funds.

That means customers can order books for their classrooms or libraries and have them arrive much closer to shelf-ready, making it easier to get those books into students’ hands quickly.

What exciting things are coming from Capstone? 

Capstone continues to invest in books that combine strong educational value with real kid appeal. We are looking closely at the kinds of formats that are working for today’s students, including graphic nonfiction, visually driven nonfiction, activity-based books, early literacy formats, and books that support both classroom use and independent reading.

We are also thinking a lot about how kids discover books. That means strong covers, clear topics, high-interest series, and books that feel fun first while still supporting literacy and learning.

For Literati customers, that means they can expect more books that work well for book fairs, classroom libraries, and school libraries, books that students want to pick up and educators feel good about purchasing.

And how about with PebbleGo?

On the digital side, Capstone continues to build around trusted resources that schools already know and love, especially PebbleGo.

PebbleGo has become such an important tool for early learners because it gives students a safe, age-appropriate way to explore topics independently. It supports research, curiosity, vocabulary, and content-area learning in a format that is accessible for young students.

What is exciting is how print and digital can work together. Digital resources can spark curiosity, and print books can extend that curiosity into deeper reading, classroom discussion, and library exploration.

For schools and libraries, the future is not print versus digital. It is about using both in a thoughtful way to support students wherever they are.

As we wrapped up our conversation, Jack shared,

What I love most about this work is that Capstone sits at such a unique intersection of education, literacy, and fun. We create books that educators trust, but that kids actually want to pick up and read.

I couldn't agree more...Capstone is one of the best!

At my school, we are looking for a new set of state and country books for our library this year, so I will definitely be using our Literati book fair profit to purchase these books with Capstone.

You can learn more about hosting a Literati Book Fair and book fair rewards here.