Inside ASU+GSV: Welcome to The Epic Reading Lounge
At ASU+GSV this year, we are bringing something different to the floor.
Not just a product demo. Not just a booth.
Welcome to the Epic Reading Lounge—where thousands of popular online books and learning tools come together to help every child fall in love with reading. It’s a fully immersive reading experience designed to show what happens when high-quality content meets interactive innovation.
Where Stories Come to Life
Step into our corner of the bookstore and you will see Epic the way students experience it every day.
A device in hand, a library at their fingertips and a moment where curiosity turns into connection.
With more than 40,000 digital titles, Epic has become a daily reading destination for millions of kids around the world. At ASU+GSV, we are bringing that experience into the physical world so educators, partners and district leaders can see exactly why educators and students keep coming back.
Because when the right book meets the right reader, everything changes.
What to Expect
The Epic Reading Lounge is designed to be hands-on, visual and interactive.
The Student Experience: Pick up an iPad and explore Epic just like a student would. Discover how easy it is to access online books, follow along with Read-To-Me books (our innovative read-aloud feature) and find stories that match every reading level.
Featured IP & Partners: Browse a curated gallery of titles, from Epic Originals like Cat Ninja to beloved content from partners like HarperCollins, Nickelodeon and National Geographic.
Exclusive Programming: Throughout the conference, we are hosting live sessions that go deeper into what makes Epic work. From product demos to creative deep dives, each session is designed to show how content, technology and insight come together to drive real literacy outcomes.
And for those new to our digital reading library, it is a chance to see why so many educators and families choose Epic.
Live from the Lounge: The Full Program
We are keeping sessions short, focused and high-impact. Each one offers a clear window into how Epic supports students, educators and districts. Check out our schedule here.
Monday: The Experience
Epic Books in 30: A Student’s Journey
A live walkthrough from login to finished book. See how students explore online books and build reading habits that stick.
From Sketch to Screen: The Art of Cat Ninja
Go behind the scenes with Creative Director Dan Nordskog and watch how one of Epic’s most popular Epic Originals comes to life.
Epic Original IP: Amazing Original Stories
Explore the growing world of Epic Originals and the stories students cannot find anywhere else.
Tuesday: Impact at Scale
Epic Literacy Legend Awards
We’ll recognize districts around the U.S. that are driving real reading momentum. These standout institutions reflect what happens when access, engagement and great content align.
Show Me the Data: Reading Insights Dashboard
Get a live look at the data district leaders are able to access every day through our new Admin Portal. Clear, actionable insights into student reading behavior and progress.
Cat Ninja & Beyond: Epic Originals
A deeper dive into how exclusive content keeps students engaged beyond a single session or assignment.
The Advocacy Advantage: Teacher Ambassadors
See how passionate educators become powerful drivers of adoption and impact in their communities.
Beyond the Lounge: A Conversation on the Future of EdTech
Epic’s presence at ASU+GSV extends beyond the Reading Lounge.
On Tuesday, April 14 (11:00–11:40 AM, Harbor E), Alex Peng, President of Epic’s parent company TAL Education, will join a distinguished group of industry leaders for a panel titled: Enduring Innovation: How K12’s Established Leaders are Evolving in the Age of AI.
Alongside leaders from Edmentum, Curriculum Associates and HMH, the conversation will explore a critical question facing education today: How do you innovate at scale without losing what makes learning human?
This is not a conversation about chasing trends. It is about stewardship.
As AI reshapes the edtech landscape, the responsibility for trusted, established platforms is clear: Continue to deliver reliable, research-backed impact while thoughtfully integrating new technologies that enhance, not replace, the relationships at the center of teaching and learning.
At Epic, that belief shows up in how we build.
Technology should remove friction. Content should spark curiosity. And every product decision should bring us closer to helping a child discover a book they love.
This panel brings that philosophy into a broader industry dialogue.
The People Behind the Experience
The Epic Reading Lounge is powered by a team that lives at the intersection of education, storytelling and technology.
- Cherish Mims, Manager of Educator Relations, brings a decade of classroom experience and a deep understanding of how to engage educators at scale.
- Daniel Rezac, Lead for Educator Engagement, focuses on connecting districts with tools that move literacy forward.
- Letitia Truslow, Head of Epic School Plus and Customer Experience, translates real-world insights into measurable outcomes for schools.
- Dan Nordskog, Creative Director of Epic Originals, shapes the stories and worlds that capture students’ imaginations.
- Alex Peng, President of TAL Education, brings global perspective and strategic vision to the future of learning.The Epic Reading Lounge is powered by a team that lives at the intersection of education, storytelling and technology.
Focusing on What Matters
There is no shortage of content in today’s world. What matters is connection, engagement and helping every child find a book they want to open and keep reading.
Stop by The Reading Lounge and we’ll show you how our platform gives students access to great books, all while providing educators and administrators with the learning tools and insights that drive impact.
Join Us
If you are attending ASU+GSV, we hope you’ll stop by to explore the app, browse the collection and join some live sessions. The Epic Reading Lounge is open!
Frequently Asked Questions
▶ What is ASU+GSV?
ASU+GSV is one of the leading education conferences where educators, district leaders and innovators come together to talk about the future of learning.
It’s a place for real conversations about what’s working in classrooms—and what still needs to improve.
▶ What can I expect at the Epic Reading Lounge?
You can pick up an iPad and explore Epic just like a student would—accessing online books, following along with Read-To-Me books and discovering stories that match different reading levels.
You’ll also find:
- A curated gallery of titles including Epic Originals like Cat Ninja
- Content from partners like HarperCollins, Nickelodeon and National Geographic
- Live sessions that dive into product storytelling and literacy insights
▶ When is the Epic Reading Lounge happening?
The Epic Reading Lounge will be open during the ASU+GSV Summit, April 13–15, 2026, in San Diego.
Most of the live programming inside the Lounge takes place across Monday and Tuesday, so if you’re hoping to catch sessions or see things in action, those are the best days to swing by.
▶ What will I take away from the experience?
A clear understanding of why students keep coming back.
Because when the right book meets the right reader everything changes.
You’ll see how access, engagement and great content come together and how that combination can drive real reading momentum in classrooms and at home.
