POPCORN, BOOKS & ONE CHILD'S IDEA

There is nothing more rewarding as a parent than watching your children succeed.  When I came across the story about this young man, I immediately reached out to his mom to get more information.

I agreed to do a story on him because I feel that is it so inspirational for other children and is also very empowering for parents.

Sometimes, we try to do everything under the sun to get our kids on the right path.  What I have learned from this particular story, is that if you give a child the right tools and empower them to believe in themselves, anything is possible!

For 10-year old Karter Johnson, reading is his super power.  Karter has been an avid reader since the age of 2! As Karter grew older he continued his love of reading - for him it was like watching a movie without the screen time. One day, Karter shared his concerns with his mom, when a letter was sent to his house by his home-school partnership informing his family, "that if a child was not reading on level by the end of third grade they would not be promoted to the 4th grade." Karter’s mom, was not concerned at all about her child and dismissed the letter. In fact, she threw it out. But, 8-year old Karter was a little more concerned about this situation and started asking questions. 

 

As a result, Karter took it upon himself to do an internet search about the literacy problem kids face. He discovered that reading aloud to children can help to improve their reading. Karter made it his business to help fight the literacy problem that some kids face and made a commitment to be there for kids who need someone to read with. 

 

Cichon, Karter's mom says, "Karter has always had an entrepreneurial mindset, and even loved selling fresh popped popcorn at vending events to make money."

 

So when he learned about the reading problem that kids were facing, he got an idea. That little idea was the “kernel that POPPED“ into his successful and popular business, (Universal Popcorn presents,) Popcorn and Books. 

 

Popcorn and Books is a reading program that encourages kids to read more and to help them build up the love of reading. Through his monthly subscription book box, Karter is able to send fun and exciting books to children all over the country. 

 

In the box, he includes popcorn for the kids to enjoy while they read. He has made it his business to help fight the literacy problem that some kids face and to be there for kids who need someone to read with. 

 

Karter was set to kick off his reading program in March of 2020 by engaging in an in-school reading tour, but the Coronavirus impacted his plans. However, that did not discourage Karter! He decided to take his reading tour online and began reading in his Facebook group, Universal Popcorn instead. His group currently has 300 members and growing! Now, if that doesn't show initiative and perseverance, I don't know what does. Sometimes when one door closes, a better one opens up!

 

 

In addition to reading the books, Karter also began to do book reviews. As a result, many self-published authors and children’s book writers have begun sending him books to review- talk about being a little entrepreneur! Although his plans changed somewhat due to the unforeseen circumstance, the response to his online reading program has been overwhelming.

After being in business for a year and a half, Popcorn and Books is now a 501c3 non-profit organization. Through that organization Karter has launched, ‘Build A Kid’s Library’ where he and his team send high-quality, age-appropriate books to kids in Detroit, MI. and its surrounding areas once a month at no cost to their families! How amazing is that?! 

 

Build-A-Kid's Library encourages kids to read more and enjoy reading - one book at a time! It also provides kids with books to build their own home library.

When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, Karter said, “I want to be an author when I grow up” And then he added, “Well, I don’t have to wait until I grow up to be an author I can do that now!”  Six months later by the end of 2020, Karter Johnson became a published author at the age of 9 years old! Karter, contributed to a chapter in the book, The Science Behind It Vol. 2 - Formulating Success While Impacting The World.  It is a book where 10 young entrepreneurs tell the story of their entrepreneurial journey beginning at a young age.

 

 

Karter also recently completed a certified speaker program and gave his first TEDx Talk! 

As you can see, Karter Johnson is an amazing young man, who has certainly turned his passion into purpose! I couldn't help but smile the whole time, as I read more about this young CEO|Entrepreneur|Avid Reader, turned business mogul.  Karter is a shining example of excellent parenting and an innate business mindset.  It is not often, we come across 10-year olds who actually make the moves to change the world!  In this case, one book at a time!

I hope you are just as inspired by this young man as I was. Congratulations to Karter and his mom for being real difference makers!

Get YOUR kids their own subscription box to Popcorn and Books and get them going with their OWN kids library too!

MINDFULNESS & GRATITUDE JOURNAL FOR KIDS

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For more information contact:

Cichon Renee at 586-935-7368 or iwillteachthem@gmail.com

Find him on Social Media at Popcorn and Books

www.popcornandbooks.com | www.karterjohsnon.com | www.instagram.com/_popcornandbooks_ 

 www.facebook.com/groups/universalpopcorn | www.facebook.com/popcornandbooks