Maxine Dela Cruz
Bio
Maxine Dela Cruz is a storyteller who writes about culture, events, and youth media. Her work captures how books, traditions, and collaborations influence how we grow up and who we become.
Stories (6)
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How a Viral Collab Changed the Way We Reach Non-Readers
Not All Readers Start with Books Not every reader begins with a page. Some start with a video. Others, with a meme. For an entire generation raised on TikTok humor and YouTube deep-dives, reading isn't always the first instinct—it’s the afterthought, if at all. But what if stories could meet young audiences where they already are?
By Maxine Dela Cruz8 months ago in Writers
When Local Events Turn Kids Into Readers
Community Events as Literacy Triggers In neighborhoods where the public library is the heart of a town square and summer reading challenges double as rites of passage, community events often do more than fill up a calendar. They spark imagination. They create rituals around reading. And in many cases, they plant the earliest seeds of a reader’s identity.
By Maxine Dela Cruz8 months ago in Writers
The Unexpected Power of Pop Culture to Promote Books
Not All Readers Start with Books Not every young reader begins their journey with a bookshelf. Some start with a TikTok scroll. Others with a meme. In today’s content-saturated world, stories often reach audiences long before they ever open a book. This shift isn’t a crisis—it’s an opportunity. Especially for authors trying to connect with kids who’ve grown up more on screens than in libraries.
By Maxine Dela Cruz8 months ago in Writers
Books, Belonging, and the Neighborhood Fair
Community Events as Literacy Triggers In neighborhoods where sidewalks double as playgrounds and basketball courts host weekend barbecues, something quieter but equally powerful often unfolds—a child meets a book for the first time. Local community events, especially those centered around storytelling and books, have an underestimated power: they create readers. These moments aren't just about literacy—they're about identity, belonging, and discovery.
By Maxine Dela Cruz8 months ago in Writers
What a Viral Collab Taught About Reaching Non-Readers
Not All Readers Start with Books Not everyone discovers reading in the aisles of a library or through a beloved bedtime story. For many, especially digital-native youth, the gateway to literature isn’t ink on paper — it’s the scroll of a screen, a short video clip, or a viral meme. And in the age of algorithm-driven attention, some of the most effective storytelling doesn’t begin with a book at all. Instead, it starts where readers are already looking: on their phones.
By Maxine Dela Cruz8 months ago in Writers
How Local Events Can Shape Lifelong Readers
In neighborhoods big and small, a curious kind of magic happens when local events bring books into the public square. Whether it's a weekend book fair, a library-hosted author talk, or a street corner storytelling session, these gatherings do more than fill schedules—they spark something foundational. They transform reading from a solitary act into a shared experience, especially for young minds learning how stories can shape their view of the world. For many children, community events become the gateway into reading as a lifelong habit.
By Maxine Dela Cruz8 months ago in Writers
