The Reading Den's Cyrus Webb and Herschel Dixon featured in Insider Louisville

After volunteering at his daughter’s school, Herschel Dixon was concerned the reading skills of some students were not up to grade level, so he decided to do something about it. Working with his close friend — author, media personality and literacy advocate Cyrus Webb — Dixon wrote his first children’s book, titled “A.J. and the Talent Show.”

Read the full article here: http://insiderlouisville.com/metro/communities/louisville-father-promotes-literacy-positive-self-image-childrens-book/

Louisville author Herschel Dixon Shares Importance of Reading with the World

Just 2 months after publishing his first children’s book A.J. AND THE TALENT SHOW, Louisville resident Herschel Dixon is already enjoying responses from across the country to the message of the book and has visited schools in Louisville and the Naperville/Aurora area of IL sharing the importance of reading.

“I had no idea it would take off this soon,” says Dixon, 36. “This has been a dream come true.

A.J. AND THE TALENT SHOW stars A.J., a new kid at school that just wants to be liked, but teasing by his classmates make that almost impossible. The only friend he can turn to is books, and when it is announced that the school is having a talent show, A.J. sees a way to share that reading is one of the coolest things to do.

“It’s been good to see the response from the teachers, administration and the students,” Dixon says. During his recent visit to Naperville/Aurora, IL he was interviewed by the Naperville Sun, appearing in an article on the Chicago Tribune website and in print. That along has sparked more attention about the book. “I have more schools that want me to make visits to them before the end of the school year,” he says. “This is only the beginning.”

One of the interesting things about the book which was co-written and illustrated by Mississippi author C. A. Webb is that A.J. race is not disclosed in the book. “We did this purposely,” Dixon explains. “As I said to a 3rd grader during my school visit in Oswego, IL it’s our job to tell the story, but it’s the student’s job to personalize it.”

During a recent tour stop Dixon shared that the next book in the series is “A.J. Tackles Bullying”. It will be released in August 2015.
A.J. AND THE TALENT SHOW is available on Amazon at www.tinyurl.com/ajandthetalentshow.

For more information about joining the tour or to contact Herschel Dixon about his commitment to encouraging reading, email him at herschel.dixoncmg@gmail.com or call 1.502.299.4120. For more information about the literacy campaign The Reading Den visit www.thereadingden.com.

Louisville Author with Aurora ties hits the road with first children's book

Louisville, KY resident Herschel Dixon has a lot to smile about.

In February 2015 he released his first children's book A.J. AND THE TALENT SHOW which he co-wrote with author Cyrus Webb and now he is preparing to hit the road to share the message of the book and share the importance of reading.

"I can't believe this day is really here," says Dixon, 36. "I have been sharing the power of books with my daughters over the years, and now I can share with the world my own book."

Dixon is a part of the literacy project called The Reading Den. In the book A.J. AND THE TALENT SHOW readers are introduced to A.J.: he's a new kid at school that just wants to be liked, but teasing by his classmates make that almost impossible.

The only friend he can turn to is books, and when it is announced that the school is having a talent show, A.J. sees a way to share that reading is one of the coolest things to do.

"A.J. AND THE TALENT SHOW is about being yourself and not being afraid to show the world what you're made of," says Dixon, who grew up in the Naperville/Aurora area of IL and made a name for himself playing football and running track while at Waubonsie Valley High School . "All children are different. A.J. shows that whatever you like to do should be celebrated and enjoyed."

The following is Dixon's confirmed schedule:

*     Wed. April 1st ~ Carter Elementary (Louisville,KY)
*     Wed. April 22, 2015 ~ Kingsley Elementary (Naperville, IL)
*     Thurs. April 23, 2015 ~ River Woods Elementary (Naperville, IL)
*     Fri. April 24, 2015 ~ Homestead Elementary (Oswego, IL)

During the tour Dixon is offering 10% towards the schools that participate in his pre-ordering program.

For more information about joining the tour or to contact Herschel Dixon about his commitment to encouraging reading, email him at herschel.dixoncmg@gmail.com or call 1.502.299.4120. For more information about the literacy campaign The Reading Den visit www.thereadingden.com.

Ex-Waubonsie Valley Football Star Herschel Dixon Tackles Reading with Upcoming Visit to Naperville

Author Herschel Dixon might currently live in Louisville, KY, but the Aurora/Naperville area will always have a special place in his heart---especially with the publishing of his first children’s book.



Read more here: Ex-Waubonsie Valley Football Star Herschel Dixon Tackles Reading with Upcoming Visit to Naperville | PRLog



A.J. AND THE TALENT SHOW is available on Amazon here.

Author Herschel Dixon discusses his book A.J. AND THE TALENT SHOW

Bella's Dancing Lesson by Stephanie Mitchell

Author Stephanie Mitchell reads her new children's book BELLA'S DANCING LESSON:










Get your copy of BELLA'S DANCING LESSON on Amazon here.

"A.J. and the Talent Show" by Herschel Dixon with Cyrus Webb is now available!

Conversations Media Group, in connection with The Reading Den, is excited to announce the publication of their first children's book. It's called "A.J. and the Talent Show" and is written by Herschel Dixon of Louisville, KY with Cyrus Webb of Brandon, MS.

"I can't believe this day is really here," says Dixon, 35. "I have been sharing the power of books with my daughters over the years, and now I can share with the world my own book."

"It's a great feeling to have this story told," says Webb, 39. "I know that kids around the world will like the story and the message." Webb and Dixon both grew up loving books, and shows like Reading Rainbow (hosted by Levar Burton) were favorites in their households.

In the book "A.J. and the Talent Show" readers will be introduced to A.J. He's a new kid at school that just wants to be liked, but teasing by his classmates make that almost impossible.

The only friend he can turn to is books, and when it is announced that the school is having a talent show, A.J. sees a way to share that reading is one of the coolest things to do.

"A.J. and the Talent Show" is about being yourself and not being afraid to show the world what you're made of. 

"All children are different," says Dixon, who grew up in the Naperville/Aurora area of IL and made a name for himself playing football and running track while at Waubonsie Valley High School. "A.J. shows that whatever you like to do should be celebrated and enjoyed."

The book is available on Amazon here!

Listen to Webb read "A.J. and the Talent Show" below!

The Reading Den Introduces Its Theme Song "Get Your Read On"

When Shadow Play Entertainment President and The Reading Den founder Cyrus Webb began looking for a theme song to promote its literacy campaign he didn't have to go any further than two of his friends that shared his passion for encouraging reading: Herschel Dixon of Louisville, KY and Chris Ervin aka Dj Down South of Raleigh, MS.

 (Cyrus Webb & Herschel Dixon seen here during a visit to John Hopkins Elementary in Jackson, MS ~ Jan. 2015) 

"As a father, Herschel has made books a large part of his daughters' lives," says Webb. "As we were discussing our desire to have a theme song that the kids would enjoy he came to me with the idea to rewrite Cash Money's popular song "Get Your Roll On" to promote reading. It made perfect sense, and from there we got together and wrote the song."

The result of the collaboration between Webb and Dixon is the catchy single "Get Your Read On". The only thing left to do was get someone to record it.

Choosing Dj Down South was a no-brainer for Webb. "Down South had been a part of our Hip Hop and Books literacy campaign since I co-founded it in 2008 with Platinum-selling recording artist and bestselling author Corey "C-Murder" Miller," says Webb. "He saw what we were trying to do, and the rest is history."

The song "Get Your Read On" will be used as the theme for not just the Hip Hop and Books campaign but Webb's entire initiative to encourage reading among all age groups and backgrounds.





Along with the song Webb and Dixon have written a children's story called "A.J. and the Talent Show" to not just discuss the importance of reading but to introduce the single "Get Your Read On" as well. On Friday, January 23, 2015 Dixon read the story and played the song for his youngest daughter's class. They loved it!

"We have to do whatever it takes to get people enjoying books again," says Webb. "This song is just one part of my plan to do that." "Get Your Read On" is available for FREE DOWNLOAD here: http://thereadingden.podomatic.com/entry/2015-01-24T02_56_51-08_00





The children's book "A.J. and the Talent Show" is slated to be released in March 2015. For details about the book and other plans to promote literacy, visit www.thereadingden.com.

#TheReadingDen shares the gift of books with John Hopkins Elementary in Jackson, MS

When it comes to sharing the power of words and the gift of books The Reading Den goes wherever it is welcomed.

On Friday, January 9, 2015 team members Cyrus Webb and Herschel Dixon visited Mr. Damon Hoskins' kids at John Hopkins Elementary School in Jackson, MS to share with them some great stories and encourage reading.

"It's always great to see the reaction of kids to the books," says Webb. "We were not just reading to them but asking them questions about the stories. They loved it!"

Dixon agrees. "I'm a parent myself, so I see the way that books have played a part in my kids' lives. I'm glad to share that with such young students in Jackson and see their eyes light up."

The two books that were read to the John Hopkins' students were MY YELLOW BALLOON by author Tiffany Papageorge and AROUND THE SUN WE GO by Lisa Mosham.

The Reading Den is committed to not just sharing the gift of reading but introducing stories that will keep young readers engaged and excited about books. Currently you can find suggested books and audio of books being read at www.thereadingden.com.

Glenda L. Hunter reads OLIVIA AND THE KITE PARTY

Glenda L. Hunter reads OLIVIA AND THE KITE PARTY

Glenda L. Hunter reads THE VEGETABLES GO TO BED

Glenda L. Hunter reads THE VEGETABLES GO TO BED

Author Glenda L. Hunter reads OLIVIA AND THE RAIN DANCE

Author Glenda L. Hunter reads OLIVIA AND THE RAIN DANCE