MEET THE AUTHORS
Raising Readers was created through the combined expertise of two professionals who care deeply about children’s growth — academically, emotionally, and relationally.
Dr. Monica T. Billen brings decades of literacy experience as a former elementary teacher, current college literacy professor, literacy researcher, and mom.
Terri L. Thomas brings over 20 years of experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist, helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges with compassion and practical tools.
Together, they created resources that combine the power of books with guided emotional support, helping children process feelings, build resilience, and feel less alone.
Meet Dr. Monica T. Billen
Hi, I’m Dr. Monica T. Billen — former elementary school teacher, current college literacy professor, literacy researcher, mom, and founder of Reading with Dr. Billen.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a master’s degree in Teacher Education, and a PhD in Education with an emphasis in Reading Education. I’ve spent over twenty years supporting student literacy and more than a decade teaching future teachers how children learn to read, connect with texts, and build lifelong literacy skills.
This work is also deeply personal. Through supporting struggling readers — including my own daughter — I discovered that meaningful growth happens when strong literacy foundations are paired with connection, compassion, and stories that help children feel seen.
That belief became the foundation for Raising Readers, a bibliotherapy-based approach designed to help children grow in reading confidence, emotional awareness, resilience, and self-understanding.
Meet Terri L. Thomas
Terri L. Thomas is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of experience in private practice. She is passionate about helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges with compassion and understanding.
With a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Terri has worked with clients of all ages, providing therapy that supports emotional well-being, healthy relationships, and personal growth.
Throughout her career, she has specialized in helping clients manage anxiety, navigate life transitions, process difficult emotions, and develop effective coping strategies.
Her therapeutic approach combines evidence-based techniques with a deep commitment to creating a safe, supportive space for healing and change.
In Raising Readers, Terri’s clinical insight helps turn meaningful books into guided emotional experiences children can understand and parents can confidently use.
Raising Readers Exists To Help Children Grow Through Both Literacy And Connection
Our resources are designed for children who feel discouraged, overwhelmed, or unsure of themselves — and for the parents, educators, and therapists who want to support them with care.
We believe children do not need to be “fixed.” They need to feel seen, understood, and supported.
Through carefully chosen books, guided questions, and meaningful activities, children can begin to name their emotions, understand their experiences, and build confidence one story at a time.
About Raising Readers
Raising Readers gives families practical, research-informed support for reading growth, emotional development, and meaningful connection.
Each resource brings together literacy support, bibliotherapy principles, therapist-created activities, and parent-friendly guidance so adults know what to read, what to say, and how to help.
The goal is not correction.
The goal is connection.
Through stories, children can see their own experiences reflected back to them and begin to understand:
“I’m not the only one who feels this way.”
Why Bibliotherapy?
Bibliotherapy uses books and stories to support emotional, behavioral, and mental well-being.
Books give children a safe way to explore feelings like fear, sadness, anger, jealousy, frustration, and courage through characters before they are ready to talk directly about themselves.
Stories lower defenses, open hearts, and create natural opportunities for meaningful conversations.
How It Works:
Why We Pair Stories with CBT-Informed Activities
01
understand how it's all connected
Many of our activities are inspired by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, which helps children understand how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected.
02
read with purpose
When paired with books, these activities can help children name emotions, notice body cues, challenge stuck thoughts, practice coping strategies, and build empathy.
03
support real growth
Each activity is simple enough to use at home and meaningful enough to support real growth.
OUR MISSION AT
For Parents, Educators, and Therapists.
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