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Award-Winning Literacy Educator & Children’s Author

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Carl’s Corner

For more than five decades, Cherry Carl has inspired children, teachers, and families through engaging literacy programs, educational songs, poetry, and reading resources that make learning meaningful, creative, and fun. Her mission is simple — to help every child become a confident reader and lifelong learner.
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Global
Literacy Impact

A Lifetime Dedicated to Literacy, Learning & Creativity

Meet the author

Cherry Carl

After 35 years teaching children and serving as a Language Arts Specialist in California, Cherry Carl continued mentoring educators through the University of California San Diego Reading Specialist Certification Program. Today, she continues her mission through children’s books, literacy songs, poems, and educational resources used by teachers and families worldwide.
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Programs

Explore Cherry’s Series

Fifty years of classroom experience shaped into programs teachers come back to year after year.

Songs and Poetry

15+ Titles
Over 1,000 original songs and poems crafted to make literacy joyful, from science songs to seasonal collections.
Browse Songs and Poetry

AlphaToons

10+ Titles
Lovable cartoon characters that make every letter come alive through rhyme, song, and visual storytelling.
Browse AlphaToons

Word Family Read-Alouds

15+ Titles
Built for shared reading. Each book targets a specific word family with the rhyme that locks sounds in for good.
Browse Word Families

Sight Word City

10+ Titles
The 220 most common sight words turned into stories children actually want to read again and again.
Browse Sight Words
Explore The Books

Are you a teacher, reading specialist, or school administrator?

Cherry Carl began her career in 1968 as a classroom teacher. Everything she writes comes from that experience. Her programs are used by educators across the United States and internationally, from individual classrooms to full district adoptions. Bulk ordering and school site licenses are available.
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a global voice for literacy

Global Recognition

Cherry Carl's books have been represented at the world's largest book trade events, bringing her 50-year literacy legacy to an international audience.

Frankfurt Book Fair 2025

The world’s largest book trade event. Cherry’s catalog attracted international distribution interest.
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London Book Fair 2026

One of the most important rights trading events in English-language publishing.
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Frankfurt Book Fair 2025

The world’s largest book trade event. Cherry’s catalog attracted international distribution interest.
Read More

London Book Fair 2026

One of the most important rights trading events in English-language publishing.
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Explore The Books

About The Author

Cherry Carl

My name is Cherry Carl, and I retired in June, 2003, after 35 years as a teacher and Language Arts Specialist in Santee, California. I continued my role as an instructor at the University of California, San Diego, in the Reading Specialist Certification Program until June, 2009, eventually teaching at the university level for 25 years.

I wasn’t ready to retire. Teaching is in my blood! (My mother always reminded me that when I was little, I dragged the neighborhood kids in to play school whether they wanted to or not!) I still have the strong desire to make a difference for teachers, parents, and students.
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About The Author

Ron Leishman

My name is Cherry Carl, and I retired in June, 2003, after 35 years as a teacher and Language Arts Specialist in Santee, California. I continued my role as an instructor at the University of California, San Diego, in the Reading Specialist Certification Program until June, 2009, eventually teaching at the university level for 25 years.

I wasn’t ready to retire. Teaching is in my blood! (My mother always reminded me that when I was little, I dragged the neighborhood kids in to play school whether they wanted to or not!) I still have the strong desire to make a difference for teachers, parents, and students.
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Directory

Carl's Corner Catalog

Still can't find it? Send me an email and I'll try to help you.

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All About Me

Activity Packet Big Books and Readers Sentence Writing Shape Books Songs and Poems Sorts

All Things Fall

Activity Packet Big Books and Readers Stationery Sentence Writing Songs and Poems Calendars Shape Books

AlphaToons

Big Books and Readers Practice Pages Puzzles and Games Songs and Poems Tools for the Teacher

Animal Antics

Activity Packet Big Books and Readers Puzzles and Games Stationery Sentence Writing Shape Books Songs and Poems

Apple Picking Time

Activity Packet Big Books and Readers Poems Games Calendars Stationery Math

Big Book Bonanza

Over 200 big books in English and Spanish for reading aloud in a shared book experience.

Big Book Bonanza II

Focus of over 200 big books is on high frequency words and word families.

Blends Bonanza

26 Initial Blends Sets Blends Chart Blends Dominoes Blends Games Cards for Sorts Partner Puzzles Big Books and Readers

Bossy R

Activities for ar, er, ir, or and ur Games Junior Jeopardy Big Books and Readers Puzzles Writing Activities

Calendar Collections

25+ Calendars 25+ Posters Days of the Week Signs Desktop Nametags Big Books and Readers

Camping is Cool!

Activity packet Big Books and Readers Games Poems and Songs Reading Comprehension Stationery

Centers in the Classroom

Reproducible centers and work mats for pre-k to grade 2

Christmas Music Set of 2

Recorded Original Songs for Performing 29 pages Songbook Supplemental Activities Angel Band Operetta Christmas Songbook Cards Big Books and Readers Song Props Stationery Toyshop Revolt Musical

Cloze the Gap!

100+ activities for “filling in the blanks” with word family words: Word Families Phonics Themes

Colors All Around

Big Books and Readers Poems and Songs Thematic Readers Activity Packet Practice Pages Sorts Games

Compound Connection

Activity packet Games Junior Jeopardy Poems and Songs Puzzles Word Cards

Comprehension

Strategies Activities Effective Teachers and Schools Comprehension Questions Retelling Summarizing and More!

Contraction Action

Games Poems and Songs Practice Pages Reader Big Book Sorts

Coordinated Cows, Cats and Critters

Thematic coordinate grid activities: Puzzles Riddles Pairs

Critter Conversations: Pets

Big Books and Readers Poetry and Songs Thematic Activities Puzzles and Games

De Colores (Spanish)

Digging Up Dinosaurs

Thematic Set Poems and Songs Activity Packet: 86 pages Big Books and Readers Report Writing Dino Dollars Games Math

Easter Eggstravaganza

Activities include handwriting practice, syllable sort, word search, Easter verbs and suffixes, fractions, spelling, coordinate graphs, abc order, picture puzzle graph, crossword puzzle, vocabulary

Easy as ABC

Big Books and Readers Games and Puzzles Handwriting Songs and Poems Shape Books Support Materials Skill Wheels

Book 5

dear mama

Dear Mama by Cherry Carl is a heartwarming and poetic tribute to mothers and all they represent — love, resilience, and unwavering support. Written for readers of all ages, this beautifully crafted book captures the essence of a child’s admiration for their mother in lyrical, emotionally resonant verse. It’s a perfect choice for reading aloud at bedtime,, classroom discussions, and special occasions like Mother’s Day…
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Book 2

DEDICATED DADS

pOEMS CELBRATING FATHERHOOD AND FUN

In Dedicated Dads, beloved author Cherry Carl delivers a heartfelt and humorous collection of poems that celebrate the many roles fathers play in our lives. From silly shopping trips and Saturday morning pancakes to bedtime adventures and quiet moments of reflection, each poem is a tender tribute to the everyday heroism of dads. Blending touching memories with playful rhythms—some set to the tune of familiar songs—this collection invites readers young and old to laugh, reminisce, and appreciate the special bond between fathers and their children. Whether you’re honoring your own dad or sharing a meaningful gift, Dedicated Dads is a timeless celebration of fatherhood, crafted with love by Cherry Carl.
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Book 3

sUMMER IN THE
sun

CAMPING IS COOL

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Book 4

a boy. a barn.

and a

boxcar

Memories of a North Dakota Prairie Childhood

Step into the heart of the North Dakota plains in A Boy, A Barn, and A Boxcar, a charming and nostalgic collection of true stories from author Cherry Carl. Inspired by her husband’s vivid memories of growing up in a refrigerator boxcar-turned-home, this revised edition paints an authentic portrait of farm life in post-WWII America. From mischievous farm chores and sleigh rides through blizzards to hilarious encounters with baby skunks and playful goats, each story invites readers to a simpler time filled with warmth, wit, and the wonders of rural childhood…
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Book 3

sUMMER IN THE
sun

CAMPING IS COOL

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
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Featured book Collection

Books That Inspire Imagination and Learning

From heartfelt family stories to playful poetry collections and classroom favorites, Cherry Carl’s books encourage creativity, emotional connection, and a lifelong love of reading for children of all ages.

A Heartfelt Tribute to the Love Between Mother & Child

Dear mama
by Cherry Carl

Dear Mama by Cherry Carl is a heartwarming and poetic tribute to mothers and all they represent: love, resilience and unwavering support. Written for readers of all ages, this beautifully crafted book captures a child’s admiration through lyrical, emotionally resonant verse.

Perfect for bedtime reading, classroom discussions and special occasions like Mother’s Day, Dear Mama supports emotional expression and literacy development. Frequently used alongside reading intervention programs and family-centered learning, this timeless keepsake encourages gratitude, reflection and meaningful conversations while strengthening reading confidence and comprehension.
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A LYRICAL ROMP WITH FURRY FRIENDS

DOGS IN THE hood
by Cherry Carl

Dogs in the Hood is a delightful and heartwarming collection of dog-themed poems and playful rhymes that bring neighborhood pups to life. Perfect for children ages 5–9, this fun-filled book supports early reading development through rhythm, repetition and engaging storytelling, making it a wonderful addition to phonics and literacy for children.

From mischievous Trixie to the gentle giant lumbering past and the unforgettable Rottweiler reindeer, each verse is packed with humor and tail-wagging charm. Ideal for bedtime reading, classroom activities or reading intervention programs, this beautifully illustrated book helps young readers strengthen language skills while enjoying lovable canine characters.
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teachers resources

Literacy resources for
by Every Readerl

Explore phonics activities, songs, poems, reading programs, printable worksheets, and interactive teaching tools designed to support developing readers in engaging ways.
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Phonics
Activities

Big Book &
Read-Alouds

Writing
Activities

Songs &
Poems

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FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR PICTURES

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LONDON BOOK FAIR PICTURES

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TIMES SQUARE NEW YORK PICTURES

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REVIEWS

What educators and families are saying

Fifty years of real classroom results - in the words of the people who use Cherry's books every day.

Cherry’s AlphaToons books transformed how my struggling readers see the alphabet. The characters stick long after the lesson ends.

2nd grade teacher, Texas

The Word Family Read-Alouds are the only phonics books my class actually asks to read again. That says everything.

Reading specialist, Ohio

The Alpha Toons program revolutionized my ESL students’ English literacy. I cannot recommend these books highly enough.

ESL Specialist--Ed. Conference Review

Cherry Carl is not just a teacher—she’s a literacy revolutionary who proved that with the right methods, passion, and commitment, virtually every child can learn to read successfully

Educational Conference Review

The AlphaToons program accelerated our bilingual students’ English literacy acquisition beyond anything we’d seen before.

ESL Specialist

Cherry’s university course changed how I teach reading forever. Twenty years later, I still use her methods every single day.

Former UC San Diego Student