The Book Case – "Getting Books In Their Hands: Stephen and Ayesha Curry"

Podcast: The Book Case
Hosts: Charlie Gibson, Kate Gibson
Guests: Stephen & Ayesha Curry
Date: December 25, 2025

Episode Overview

In this special Christmas episode, Charlie and Kate Gibson are joined by basketball superstar Stephen Curry and his wife, entrepreneur and author Ayesha Curry, for an inspiring conversation about their foundation, Eat. Learn. Play., and its profound impact on childhood literacy in Oakland, California. The episode explores how the Currys are working to get books into children's homes, foster a love of reading, and address literacy challenges among young students. The latter half takes listeners to Turtle Books, an independent children’s bookstore in Brookline, MA, for insights about supporting young readers and creating kid-centric literary spaces.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why the Currys Focus on Literacy

[05:11]

• Stephen frames Eat. Learn. Play. as emanating from their desire to serve Oakland, their "adoptive home," and to give back to the community where their family has grown.

• Eat. Learn. Play.'s three pillars—nutrition (Eat), education (Learn), and recreation (Play)—were selected as fundamental drivers of healthy childhood development.

  "Literacy being a big part of it because it is the key that unlocks a kid's potential to achieve their best self… the ability to be curious and understand the world." — Stephen Curry [06:15]

2. The Impact of Books in the Home

[03:40], [12:06]

• Kate and Charlie highlight the essential nature of making books accessible to children at home, especially for families who can't afford to build home libraries.
• Ayesha points out that "libraries aren’t as easy to get to as they used to be" and that mobile solutions, like their Eat. Learn. Play. bus, help bridge this gap.

3. The Christmas Book Giveaway: Scale and Significance

[02:37], [12:30], [12:40]

• In 2024, Eat. Learn. Play. provided four books to every elementary student in Oakland (approximately 47 schools).

• Over the years, they've surpassed the milestone of one million books distributed.

  "We actually have just surpassed over a million books… even within this two week period we've given out 68,000 books." — Ayesha Curry & Stephen Curry [12:40], [12:51]

4. Book Choice, Representation, and Relevance

[09:41], [10:45], [13:25], [19:09]

• Students now select their own books, including culturally relevant and age-appropriate stories, allowing kids to see themselves in the stories they read.

• Book offerings include multilingual options, reflecting the city’s diversity.

  "What's really been important… is kids being able to pick out books for themselves and… see themselves in the stories." — Ayesha Curry [09:42]

  "No, there's multilingual offerings throughout our libraries… The idea that we can again meet kids where they are, that's a part of that mission as well. Spanish, English, hopefully other options…" — Stephen Curry [19:09]

5. High Dosage Literacy Tutoring

[11:19]–[12:06]

• Eat. Learn. Play. runs a high dosage literacy tutoring program—consistent 1:1 or small group interventions for struggling readers.

• Data show significant improvements—students almost two grade levels behind have "dramatic increases" within months. [08:01]

  “The one-on-one interaction is the most important part… the amplification of 15 or 30 minutes as opposed to a group setting makes the world of difference.” — Stephen Curry [11:30]

6. Personal Parenting Perspectives

[14:13]–[15:55]

• The Currys’ own children display different reading habits; they balance guidance, accessibility, and not forcing reading.

• Screen time and device use are actively managed—no social media until 16, device-free “lock weeks,” and modeling good behavior.

  "She [oldest daughter] is ebbs and flows with the reading. And I noticed that me maybe not harping on it so hard is actually what brought her back to the books." — Ayesha Curry [14:24]

7. The Role of Play and Community Loyalty

[17:32], [18:33]

• Play is as essential as reading and nutrition: sports, refurbished playgrounds, and kid-influenced play spaces are part of their foundation's impact.

• Their dedication to Oakland comes from a deep gratitude and sense of belonging.

  "Oakland has just historically been so good to us… it's where we became adults… where we truly got to see how vibrant this town is." — Ayesha Curry [18:40]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Seeing Kids Enjoy Books:
  "That 'aha moment' of learning how to read and catching up to their counterparts in class, but what does this lead to in terms of their curiosity and their ability to achieve great things down the road…" — Stephen Curry [16:48]

• On Giving Kids Choice:
  "This year they're getting to pick out their books… and I think that is just so special." — Ayesha Curry [10:45]

• On Representation:
  "We make sure that the books that they're getting reflect them." — Ayesha Curry [10:39]

• On Legacy:
  "Hopefully… we see get to follow their journey throughout the years. That's gonna be the most gratifying part…" — Stephen Curry [16:48]

• On Gratitude:
  "If you operate through a spirit of gratitude, not just for what you’re able to do, but the people that you get to build memories with and do special things with, you obviously understand you don’t do anything special in this world by yourself. So that spirit of gratitude for me is everything." — Stephen Curry [33:54]

• On Impact:
  "A million books. That’s a lot. When you say it out loud, that’s pretty crazy." — Stephen Curry [19:39]

• Aisha’s Favorite Quote:
  "People will forget what you say, people will forget what you do, but they won’t forget how you make them feel." — Ayesha Curry [33:45]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:33 – Show and Christmas intro
• 01:38 – Eat. Learn. Play.’s Oakland book giveaway
• 04:48 – Interview with Stephen and Ayesha Curry begins
• 05:11 – Why focus on reading/literacy?
• 06:32 – Childhood experience with reading
• 07:34 – Impact on middle schoolers and literacy development
• 08:01 – Data and impact of early literacy programs
• 09:41 – Fostering joy and love of reading—book selection
• 10:45 – Importance of kids seeing themselves in books
• 11:19 – High dosage literacy tutoring explained
• 12:40 – Milestone: One million+ books given away
• 14:13 – Currys on their own kids’ reading habits
• 15:21 – Discussing screen time and device management
• 17:32 – Importance of play and recreation
• 18:33 – Why the Currys chose Oakland
• 19:09 – Multilingual book offerings
• 33:45 – Reflections on gratitude and impact

The Turtle Books Bookstore Segment

[22:58]–[32:49]

• Kathy Jacobs and co-founders discuss creating a welcoming children's bookstore that encourages curiosity and interaction, featuring craft spaces and a puppet theater.

• Turtle Books utilizes a youth advisory board to select books and shape programming—inviting direct input from local kids.

• A focus on maintaining community support, adult advisory boards, and the importance of bookstores for young readers’ development.

• The team highlights author Christian Robinson as a favorite for his hopeful, gentle, and inclusive books.

  "I would encourage parents out there to seek out independent bookstores that sell to kids… those are the people who know children’s literature inside and out.” — Kate Gibson [32:14]

Closing Thoughts

This episode weaves a celebratory, hopeful tone around child literacy, community engagement, and the enduring power of physical books. The Currys’ foundation is making real, measurable change in Oakland’s elementary schools, focusing on meeting kids where they are with access, representation, and support. The Turtle Books segment underlines the joy and value of independent bookstores—and together, both segments make a powerful case for investing in the next generation’s love for reading.

Further Resources

The episode description includes links to books mentioned. Follow The Book Case for more author interviews and book world journeys.