There’s something special about seeing kids and families come together around books. That’s why Epic was proud to sponsor the fourth annual Kristi Yamaguchi Family Literacy Festival on September 5, 2026.
Hosted by the Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream, San Jose Public Library Foundation and Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, the festival brought families together for a full day of stories, author readings, music, hands-on activities and opportunities to discover new books.
For Epic, the celebration was also a chance to support a partner whose work extends well beyond a single day.
A Shared Commitment to Family Literacy
Olympic gold medalist, mom and children’s book author Kristi Yamaguchi founded Always Dream to increase family engagement with literacy in under-resourced communities.
Epic supports that mission through Always Reading, Always Dream’s early literacy program for pre-K, transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students and their families.
The program brings together three key pieces of the reading experience: Access to technology, high-quality books and family engagement. Participating families receive a tablet with access to Epic’s digital library of 40,000+ books, audiobooks and learning videos, along with physical books throughout the year. Always Dream Book Coaches also work directly with caregivers, providing regular check-ins and education sessions to help families build reading into their everyday routines.
Bringing That Mission to Life
On September 5th, the Family Literacy Festival gave families an opportunity to experience that shared mission together.
Throughout the day, kids and caregivers explored the Children’s Discovery Museum while enjoying celebrity and author story readings, hands-on art activities, a free book giveaway, a local author book fair and live family entertainment.
This year’s lineup brought together an exciting mix of literacy champions, authors and entertainers, such as featured guest Mychal Threets (“Mychal the Librarian”), award-winning librarian, author and host of the revived Reading Rainbow series. He was joined by Kristi Yamaguchi, children’s musicians MISTER G and Rebbie Rye, and several children’s authors for a day filled with stories, music and family fun. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan also joined the celebration, showing his support for families, literacy and the local community.
But the biggest part of the day was simple: giving families more opportunities to discover, share and enjoy books together.
That same idea is at the heart of Epic and Always Dream’s partnership. Reading doesn’t only happen during school hours. It can happen during a bedtime story, on the couch after dinner or anytime a child finds a book they can’t wait to share.
Helping Families Keep Reading
The fun of the festival doesn’t have to end when families head home. Reading can become part of everyday moments, whether it’s sharing a bedtime story, exploring a new interest together or letting kids choose the next book they want to read.
Giving kids access to a variety of stories and the freedom to follow their interests can help keep that excitement going. With support from programs like Always Reading and access to books both in print and on Epic, families have more opportunities to make reading a regular part of their routines.
And sometimes, all it takes is finding that one book a child can’t wait to read next.
How Epic and Always Dream Are Helping Kids Keep Reading
Epic is proud to support Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream and its Always Reading program, which advances early literacy by helping children and families build lifelong reading habits at home.
Always Reading serves pre-K, transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students in under-resourced communities, giving families the tools, resources and support to strengthen early literacy skills as children enter the school system.
The program is built around three key pillars: Equity through Technology, Access to High-Quality Books and Family Engagement. Participating students receive a digital tablet and, when needed, a data connection. Families also receive physical books throughout the year and unlimited access to Epic’s digital library featuring 40,000+ books, audiobooks and learning videos.
Always Dream’s Book Coaches work directly with caregivers, providing regular check-ins and education sessions that help families make reading part of their everyday routines.
And that support is making a difference. During the 2025–26 school year, 90% of participating caregivers reported feeling more confident helping their child with reading, while 91% of families said they were better able to help their child develop a love of reading.
It’s a mission that feels right at home at Epic: Giving kids access to great books, supporting the parents reading alongside them and helping make reading a joyful habit that can last a lifetime.
Read More From Kristi Yamaguchi on Epic
Keep the reading celebration going with Kristi Yamaguchi’s books on Epic!
Kids can explore inspiring stories like Dream Big, Little Pig!, It’s a Big World, Little Pig! and Cara’s Kindness, filled with themes of perseverance, friendship, kindness and dreaming big.
Frequently Asked Questions
▶ What is Kristi Yamaguchi’s Family Literacy Festival?
The annual Family Literacy Festival brings families together to celebrate reading through storytimes, hands-on activities, art, entertainment and other literacy experiences. The 2026 event was hosted by Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream, San Jose Public Library Foundation and Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose.
▶ What is Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream?
Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing early literacy through family engagement. Its Always Reading program helps children and families build lifelong reading habits through access to books, technology and personalized literacy support.
▶ How does Epic partner with Always Dream?
Through the Always Reading program, participating families receive digital tablets with access to Epic’s library of children’s books, audiobooks and learning videos, helping kids explore reading materials at home. Always Dream pairs that access with physical books and support from Book Coaches who help caregivers make reading part of their family routines.
