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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of LitWorld's dear friend and greatest champion, Dr. Ernest Morrell.

As an esteemed scholar, author, and literacy expert, Dr. Morrell lived a remarkable life dedicated to his mission of spreading the power of literacy to young people near and far. His profound contributions to LitWorld have been deeply transformational, not only for us as an organization, but to the millions we have been able to reach because of Dr. Morrell's guidance and light. Dr. Morrell's scholarly research underpins everything we do at LitWorld, bringing theory to practice through the work we do everyday.

Alongside our founder Pam Allyn, Dr. Morrell co-authored the book, Every Child a Super Reader,  which introduces the '7 Strengths', the bedrock of LitWorld's pedagogy. He was a founding board member of LitWorld, and helped us to grow the movement of World Read Aloud Day from its early beginnings.

As we acknowledge the gravity of this loss, we also recognize the profound synchronicity that his passing took place on the evening of World Read Aloud Day, February 5, 2026. We are comforted by the fact that Dr. Morrell's spirit transitioned while being carried by millions of voices advocating for his life's work, literacy. To all who celebrated WRAD this year, know you played a part in sending our dear friend home. In his honor, we will continue to do the work.

Rest in Power, Dr. Ernest Morrell, 1971-2026

We are so grateful to Ernest's wife Jodene and the entire Morrell family for including us in the commemoration of his beautiful life. If you would like to honor his memory, the Morrell family invites you to contribute to LitWorld as we continue to build Ernest's legacy of literacy and love with the work we will do each day forward.

Dear LitWorld Community,

The poet Langston Hughes once wrote, “I went to look for Joy”

When I founded LitWorld in 2007, I wanted to create a non-profit like no other: an organization created with the primary purpose that children can look for and find joy, even in the hardest places. By giving children skills and resources to help them become literate, they can and will author the lives they hope for the most, in which their own stories, hopes and dreams can be fully realized.

Thank you so much for your gift to LitWorld in this giving season. With this gift, you help many children reach the joy in their learning.

Your gift makes it possible for children to learn to read and write in a LitClub, for moms to use their new literacy skills to start a business, and for us to increase the impact of World Read Aloud Day, now celebrating its 16th year by millions of children everywhere to foster the power and strength of literacy.

We thank you for accompanying us on this journey and for helping us to arrive at this new season of joy. I am so deeply grateful to you and for you.

With all my appreciation,

Pam Allyn
Founding Director

Turn your contribution into a gift! A gift to LitWorld is a wonderful, special way to honor someone you love and care about, and at the same time to make life happier and better for a child in the world. We've created a cute certificate for you to share with others.

To send a donation by mail, make checks out to “LitWorld” and send to the address below. If you would like to talk with us personally about a legacy gift or to underwrite a project, please contact us here.

55 Exchange Place, Suite 402
New York, NY 10005