For parents, caregivers, and families
Read together. Talk together. Grow closer to the story.
CDJ Books creates stories that families can experience not only through reading, but also through the questions, memories, and conversations that may continue after the book is closed.
Shared reading
A book can create a place for connection
Reading together gives families an opportunity to slow down, follow a character’s journey, and notice how different people respond to the same story.
A meaningful conversation does not require a formal lesson. Sometimes it begins with a simple question about a character’s choice, a familiar feeling, an important relationship, or a moment that stayed with the reader.
CDJ Books aims to support those conversations while leaving room for families to interpret each story in ways that reflect their own experiences and values.
Choose a story
Begin with the book that fits the conversation
The descriptions below introduce the general direction of each story. Final age, grade, and content guidance must be verified before publication.
Younger readers and shared reading
Eugene The Wayward Frog
A character-led story that may open family conversations about choices, curiosity, independence, listening, and finding one’s way.
Identity, environment, and direction
Black Boy From the Barrio
A story that may invite discussion about identity, place, belonging, expectations, difficult circumstances, and the possibility of choosing a different path.
Family, love, memory, and connection
A Father and Son’s Love Story
A family-centered story that may open conversations about fatherhood, love, presence, memory, relationships, and the ways people remain connected across time.
Conversations that may follow
Let the story lead the discussion
Families do not need to address every theme. Follow the reader’s interest and allow the conversation to develop naturally.
Choices
Why did the character make that decision? What else might the character have done?
Feelings
What might the character have been feeling, even when the story did not say it directly?
Relationships
Which relationships shaped the character’s experience or changed the direction of the story?
Belonging
Where did the character feel understood, accepted, alone, or out of place?
Change
What changed during the story, and what may remain different after the final page?
Personal connection
Was there a moment, place, feeling, or relationship that reminded the reader of something in their own life?
A simple family approach
Before, during, and after the story
Shared reading can remain relaxed and enjoyable. These three stages offer a useful structure without turning the experience into an assignment.
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Before reading
Look at the cover, title, and description. Ask what the reader notices and what they think the story might be about.
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While reading
Pause only when it feels natural. Notice questions, reactions, and moments the reader wants to revisit.
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After reading
Begin with what the reader remembers most. There is no need to reach a single correct interpretation.
Continue beyond the page
Enter the larger world surrounding each book
Story worlds help families explore the themes, characters, setting, questions, and future resources connected to a title.
Only complete and useful materials should be made public. Empty downloads and placeholder activities should remain hidden.
Explore all story worldsDiscussion guides
More structure when your family wants it
Discussion guides can offer additional questions and reflection pathways for families who want to explore a book more deeply.
A guide should appear on the site only when it is complete, reviewed, connected to the correct edition, and ready to use.
Visit the Discussion Guides hubQuestions before choosing?
Ask about a book’s audience, themes, or format
When verified page information does not answer your question, contact CDJ Books before purchasing. We can clarify available formats and provide approved information about the intended audience and themes.
Contact CDJ BooksBegin together
Choose a story and make room for the conversation
Browse the current books or explore the story worlds that continue beyond them.