EdCircuit StaffMINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – April 13, 2023 – Capstone, an innovative learning company merging children’s content with easy-to-use edtech tools for K-5 classrooms, libraries and homes, announces a licensing agreement with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), an education nonprofit that supports the use of technology to accelerate innovation in education, to publish a collection of children’s books promoting digital citizenship awareness and the positive and creative use of technology and digital tools. The license includes world rights for print and digital books, with ISTE providing supplemental resources supported by the ISTE Standards, a framework for using technology to support learning.
“We’re thrilled to partner on this project with ISTE, connecting their subject matter experts and research-based best practices on technology use in schools with Capstone’s delightful, engaging storytelling for young readers. Our collaboration gives educators an accessible way to start a positive dialogue around digital citizenship, creative use of technology, and our global connection—all knowledge kids need to help prepare them to confidently navigate the digital landscape,” said Beth Brezenoff, Capstone VP of Publishing.
The first title debuting in the ISTE Young Innovators collection, Sonia’s Digital World (pub 8/1/23), is written by award-winning librarian Shannon McClintock Miller, an ISTE Making IT Happen Award recipient, Future Ready Librarians spokesperson, Follett thought leader, and AASL Leadership Luminary social media superstar. The picture book follows the characters on a virtual trail as they chat, create and play together, and make discoveries and connections with digital tools. Preview an advance copy of the book at: bit.ly/SoniasDigitalWorldARC.
“We’re excited to partner with Capstone to provide young learners with fun, engaging books to help them learn to thrive in today’s digital world. The support materials from ISTE that accompany the books will help teachers reinforce important topics like using technology to create and problem solve as well as what it means to be an empowered digital citizen,” said Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE and ASCD.
A book launch for Sonia’s Digital World will take place at ISTELive 23, June 25-28 in Philadelphia. Forthcoming titles in the ISTE Young Innovators collection include Exploring AI, an in-depth look at the growing AI revolution (pub 1/1/24), and Cyber Sleuths, a middle-grade chapter book series with characters solving misinformation mysteries (pub 8/1/24).
About ISTE
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is a nonprofit organization that works with the global education community to accelerate innovation in education through the smart use of technology. ISTE sets a bold vision for education transformation through the ISTE Standards, a framework for rethinking education and creating innovative learning experiences. ISTE hosts ISTELive, one of the world’s most influential education events, and offers a wealth of professional learning opportunities focused on innovation in education.
About Capstone
Capstone is a leading learning company of K-5 digital solutions, children’s books, and literacy programs for school libraries, classrooms, and at home reading including the award-winning PebbleGo™ research database. Capstone has a passion for inspiring learning and intellectual curiosity. The infinite variety of learners deserve books and educational resources that reflect them—their interests, their abilities, their cultures, their communities—and inspire them to be curious and informed about the world around them. As a creator of content for children, Capstone embraces the responsibility to celebrate and share the diverse voices and perspectives of our readers and communities. #LearningIsForEveryone CapstonePub.com
