We were lucky to catch up with Stacey Roberts recently and have shared our conversation below.

Stacey, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Stacey Roberts Entertains Kids was born out of a real need to connect with kids and families. Reggie Rapasaurus was a tool to engage kids and families in homeless environment. These kids were between 7-17 and I came weekly for one year to read aloud to them. Music and especially songs with repetitive and rhyming lyrics can enhance language development in children. We embraced Phonological awareness as our building block towards success. Singing together allows families to engage in verbal interactions that build vocabulary and phonemic awareness. Music has a unique ability to bring people together. This supportive approach is crucial for emerging readers. We found giving encouragement and positive reinforcement from their loved ones. “United We Read, Together We Grow”

Our whimsical dinosaur with dreadlocks comes to embrace success and bring imagination to it’s highest level. (Be My Friend, If you want to be my friend all you have to do is ask. My name is Reggie I’m here at last. I’m a good reader, I’m here to let you know. You can become a good reader so let’s go! Reading Opens Your Eyes, So clap your hands, Make a wish. Reading Opens Your Eyes So clap your hands. Make a wish! (Be My Friend, Bill Harris & Stacey Roberts – ASCAP – Reggie Rapasaurus – iTunes

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

In life collaboration is key! Once Bill and I connected we were committed to bring good music to these kids and families. Great Jazz, Bluegrass, Disney Rap, also bringing in Sylvia Bracewell educator to the team was key to our success.
We crafted 17 whimsical songs that touched the emotions and silly bones in us all. Our magic sauce is the love of music and how it unites people.
Bill Harris attracted top musicians to our project. Manhattan Transfers, guitarist, BB Kings, drummer, Ike Turners, bass player, Best Bluegrass player around. Veteran Blues singer and actor to sing Toothache Blues. Now our outreach is online and the enthusiasm is at a fever pitch. These whimsical songs are now being transitioned to a magical Children’s Book series on Amazon KDP.
Bill and I are so blessed to have a very talented team along for the ride. Our first book is based on Be My Friend -song. Anna and Reggie Rapasaurus. Reggie is probably the most famous dinosaur you have never heard of. Until Now!
Our team has grown to include the wonderful illustrations by Poornima Madhushani, Editors: Christopher Nowlin, (Teacher of the Year) Julie Nowlin and of course Bill Harris and I as well. We make a difference everyday and along the way make a few more new friends. We truly believe in our mantra: “United We Read, Together We Grow”
You can become a good reader so let’s go!

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I am glad to say Dr. Wayne Dyer’s The Power of Intention is my go for inspiration.

The Power of Intention

The Thankful Book – Todd Parr

Must reads in my opinion.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In the early days of my journey: I did not have a car so I rode the bus everywhere.
I had hired a puppet maker to design and make a puppet Reggie for me. My plan was to go to the local homeless shelter and read stories to kids at the center. After I got the green light to go to Father Joe’s Homeless Center/ Joan Kroc school.

While on the bus with my newly designed puppet ( a green dinosaur with dreads. Despite the skepticism while riding the bus. Some people did not sit next to me. They just didn’t understand. I was giving back and it set in motion a new version of myself.

I was not going to give up on my dream to read to those homeless kids. I committed to go each Monday for 1 year and read stories to them. I can say that experience changed my life. I didn’t know I’d become a literacy advocate. Imagination is key life, let it grow and you’ll be the best version of yourself!

Reggie changed my life!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://staceyrobertsentertainskids.com
• Instagram: staceyreggiekids
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/Vbsgc4zJElw?si=7V4zhh5OmcRK-3e7
• Other: https://reggierapasaurus.hearnow.com

Image Credits

Thank you to all who made this dream come true.

William F Harris – Producer/Co-Songwriter/ Reggie Rapasaurus Music/Book
Julie Nowlin- Editor/Content/ Anna and Reggie Rapasuaurus
Christopher Nowlin/ Editor/Content/ANNA AND REGGIE RAPASAURUS
Sylvia Bracewell/ Educator/ Reggie Music/Head Start Presentation
Illustrations: Poornima Madhushani/ ANNA AND REGGIE RAPASAURUS
All of the musicians who played on the cd.
Ron Taylor/ Toothache Blues/ Reggie Rapasaurus cd
Reading Is Fundamental/Jennifer/RIF website Macy
Literacy Central/ Macy’s literacy efforts
The San Diego Council on Literacy – Jose Cruz -CEO
Nanci Sasaki – United Way of Southern California
Uncle Mike Reads -YouTude CEO
Cloudcast Media – Charles Parisi