New York, NY March 24, 2023 – The New York City Reads Initiative, a collaboration of 11 organizations working together in East Harlem, East New York, and South Jamaica to improve outcomes for the children in their neighborhoods, and Brooks Olbrys, author of the children’s book series, The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob, a picture book and four early chapter books that teach children achievement principles and ocean awareness, joined forces for a five-day book tour that got youngsters diving into reading this spring.

From March 15-21, Mr. Olbrys visited eight NYC Reads schools (PS 375M, PS 108M, PS 96M, PS 48Q, PS 160Q, PS 40Q, PS 89K, and PS 7K) inspiring more than 500 K-3rd grade New Yorkers with the story of Blue Ocean Bob, a courageous island boy who discovers his passion and begins a quest to protect all life in the sea. With the advice of some wise sea creatures, young Bob finds a mentor and learns important lessons about purpose, vision, goals, attitude, persistence, gratitude, imagination, and cooperation, among others, along the way. The Blue Ocean Bob series ties perfectly to the Reads’ mission to promote lifelong achievement in school and beyond, reinforcing timeless themes while offering practical advice. The Blue Ocean Bob books engage readers with rhyme and colorful illustrations, foster an appreciation for the ocean and marine life, and exemplify the power of a positive mindset, creative thinking, and good decision-making. The books teach kids to dive deep and persist until they achieve their goals.

At the end of each reading session, Mr. Olbrys took questions, distributed goal cards for the children to fill in and return to their teachers, and provided a signed hardcover copy of the book to each student. As you can imagine, the children and staff in attendance were thrilled and grateful, and are already looking forward to the next chapter!

Following the five-day program, Mr. Olbrys remarked: “In my early days writing these Blue Ocean Bob stories and reading them to my first audience, my five-year-old son Nico, I developed a goal to one day share the achievement principles the books revealed with children all over New York City. This experience with the NYC Reads Initiative 14 years later has convinced me that these principles work. I am grateful for my lasting partnership with Literacy Inc. and proud of the amazing work they do to carry out their worthy mission. And I hope to see my elementary school friends in New York again soon.”

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About the New York City Reads Initiative

The New York City Reads Initiative is a collaboration of 11 organizations working together in East New York, East Harlem, and South Jamaica to support academic achievement in our neighborhoods.

By signing the Reads Pledge, you join a community dedicated to ensuring children grow up reading and develop the skills to succeed in school and beyond, through free programs and book distribution events in East New York, East Harlem, and South Jamaica.

For more information about NYC Reads, visit us at: https://nycreads.org or contact Karen Rogel, Associate Director of the Reads Initiative at krogel@lincnyc.org or 212-620-5462, ext. 122.

About Brooks Olbrys and Children’s Success Unlimited

About The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob

The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob children’s book series, which includes a picture book (Blue Ocean Bob Discovers His Purpose, available in English and Spanish) and four early chapter books (A Journey Begins, A Challenging Job, Into the Lead, and A Secret in the Deep), teaches kids timeless achievement principles and promotes ocean awareness. For more information and a free Parent & Teacher Guide, visit blueoceanbob.com. You can follow Blue Ocean Bob at www.facebook.com/blueoceanbob and on Twitter (@BlueOceanBob).