ADVENTURES IN READING'S (AIR) MISSION IS TO FOSTER READING ENJOYMENT BY PROVIDING READING ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES TO CHILDREN, PRESCHOOL TO 12-YEARS-OLD, WHO RESIDE IN THE GREATER CHICAGOLAND AREA, INCLUDING NORTHWEST INDIANA.
In addition to schools, AIR affiliates with local community services and organizations such as Fire and Police departments as well as after school programs, community centers, libraries, day camps, churches, Boys & Girls Clubs, the YMCA, and sports teams. If you have kids and a location, we’ll create a program for you!
Adventures in Reading is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
AIR HAS ONE MAIN GOAL —TO GET CHILDREN AND ADULTS TO ASSOCIATE READING WITH FUN. IMPROVED LITERACY IS A BONUS!
Help Our Cause
Your tax-deductible donation will directly support our work, enabling us to meet our goals to help children and adults find the fun in reading. Your generous donation buys books and other crucial components in support of our mission.
Life Authors Memoir Experience
A popular option for mature audiences!
The Life Authors Memoir Experience can be implemented as a one-time event or a multi-week program. Participants are provided with activities to "prime the pump" and step-by-step guidance in writing the stories of their lives. Includes "do's and don'ts" for self-publishing.
Meet the Reader Leaders
Meet the Reader Leaders
Meet the Reader Leaders
Who we are
Mari L Barnes
Meet the Reader Leaders
Meet the Reader Leaders
Mari Lumpkin Barnes writes for children under the pen name of Mari Lumpkin and for adults as ML Barnes. She earned degrees, a BA in Liberal Arts and an MA in Communications & Training, from Governors State University in Illinois. Mari owns Flying Turtle Publishing, has nearly 40 years of editorial experience and has spent many years wor
Mari Lumpkin Barnes writes for children under the pen name of Mari Lumpkin and for adults as ML Barnes. She earned degrees, a BA in Liberal Arts and an MA in Communications & Training, from Governors State University in Illinois. Mari owns Flying Turtle Publishing, has nearly 40 years of editorial experience and has spent many years working with experts in child development, creating and implementing children’s literacy programs.
She lives with The World’s Greatest Husband and a temperamental garden in Hammond, Indiana.
Mari can be contacted at staff@aireading.org
Maren Woodlock
Meet the Reader Leaders
Maren Woodlock
Maren Woodlock is a retired advertising executive who spent more than half her life working on some of the world's biggest brands. Maren has led numerous cross-functional teams to create innovative and effective marketing programs. She wrote a media case study for the Harvard Business Review showing the unique approach used to deliver th
Maren Woodlock is a retired advertising executive who spent more than half her life working on some of the world's biggest brands. Maren has led numerous cross-functional teams to create innovative and effective marketing programs. She wrote a media case study for the Harvard Business Review showing the unique approach used to deliver the recruiting goals for the U.S. Army.
She lives with her husband, a retired teacher and organic gardener, in Dyer, Indiana.
Maren can be contacted at staff@aireading.org