Word Nuts Reading · Press Room
Word Nuts Reading · Press Room
Press
Press
Press
Press
WHY NOW
Beginning in the 2025–26 school year, California public schools began screening K–2 students annually for risk of reading difficulties.
For families looking for less screen time without giving up meaningful practice, Word Nuts Reading offers a deliberately analog alternative: no battery, no subscription and no device competing for the child’s attention.
The next great leap in early reading education has nothing to do with apps or AI.
The next great leap in early reading education has nothing to do with apps or AI.
The next great leap in early reading education has nothing to do with apps or AI.
It's an intentionally analog set of color-coded letter blocks threaded onto a bolt, built for one adult and one child to use together for five minutes at a time.
Los Angeles designer Michael Land created Word Nuts Reading after his four-year-old daughter was placed below benchmark. This summer, he used it with seven transitional kindergartners inside a Coachella Valley Unified School District program. Every child gained letter sounds. Four began blending three-letter words from a starting point of zero.
When Los Angeles-based designer Michael Land’s four-year-old daughter was placed below benchmark, he turned his design practice toward a much smaller problem: how to make five minutes of reading practice clear enough for a parent and child to repeat every night.
The result was Word Nuts Reading—color-coded letter blocks that turn on a bolt, now printed one at a time in his Los Angeles workshop. This summer, Michael taught seven transitional kindergartners with the system inside a Coachella Valley Unified School District program. Every child gained letter sounds.
Kickstarter planned for November 2026
Kickstarter planned for November 2026
Screen-free, battery-free and subscription-free
Screen-free, battery-free and subscription-free
Patent application filed with the USPTO
Patent application filed with the USPTO
Media contact
Michael Land
Founder, Word Nuts Reading
michaelland@wordnutsreading.com
310-270-2878
Available for interviews, studio demonstrations and b-roll in Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley.
Same-day media response.
Media contact
Michael Land
Founder, Word Nuts Reading
michaelland@wordnutsreading.com
310-270-2878
Available for interviews, studio demonstrations and b-roll in Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley.
Same-day media response.
WHY NOW
Beginning in the 2025–26 school year, California public schools began screening K–2 students annually for risk of reading difficulties.
For families looking for less screen time without giving up meaningful practice, Word Nuts Reading offers a deliberately analog alternative: no battery, no subscription and no device competing for the child’s attention.
Where this began: My daughter was four when a reading screener placed her below all of the California reading benchmarks. I was told to ‘wait and see’. That the district would handle it. But as time went on, she wasn’t improving. I knew I had to be more proactive.
Where this began: My daughter was four when a reading screener placed her below all of the California reading benchmarks. I was told to ‘wait and see’. That the district would handle it. But as time went on, she wasn’t improving. I knew I had to be more proactive.
The first Word Nuts were color-coded letter blocks threaded onto a bolt. This way it was multi-sensory and I didn’t have to spend thirty minutes a day following a complicated lesson plan. We just worked at it for 5 to 10 minutes, 3 or 4 times a week after her bath. By the following school year, she had blown past every benchmark. She went from reading below grade level to reading above grade level.
The first Word Nuts were color-coded letter blocks threaded onto a bolt. This way it was multi-sensory and I didn’t have to spend thirty minutes a day following a complicated lesson plan. We just worked at it for 5 to 10 minutes, 3 or 4 times a week after her bath. By the following school year, she had blown past every benchmark. She went from reading below grade level to reading above grade level.
That was 2025. This year, inside Coachella Valley Unified School District’s summer program, I worked with seven transitional kindergartners in a converted supply room through four weeks of 100-degree desert days. Each child received roughly eight minutes of practice at a time. Every child gained letter sounds. Four moved from zero blending to blending three-letter words. None of them required a screen or specialized training - just the Word Nuts Reading system and a caring adult.
That was 2025. This year, inside Coachella Valley Unified School District’s summer program, I worked with seven transitional kindergartners in a converted supply room through four weeks of 100-degree desert days. Each child received roughly eight minutes of practice at a time. Every child gained letter sounds. Four moved from zero blending to blending three-letter words. None of them required a screen or specialized training - just the Word Nuts Reading system and a caring adult.
Three ways to tell it
Three ways to tell it
Take whichever fits your desk. Same product, three distinct stories.
Take whichever fits your desk. Same product, three distinct stories.
For features desks
The dad who redesigned reading practice
Michael Land spent years helping shape campaigns for Apple, Facebook and Adidas. When his four-year-old daughter was flagged below benchmark, he turned that same design instinct toward a smaller, more personal problem: how to make five minutes of reading practice clear enough to repeat at home. The result is a set of color-coded letter blocks that thread onto a bolt, now printed one at a time in his Los Angeles workshop.
Film: The small print farm running; blocks emerging layer by layer; a child turning one sound; Michael assembling a finished set.
For features desks
The dad who redesigned reading practice
Michael Land spent years helping shape campaigns for Apple, Facebook and Adidas. When his four-year-old daughter was flagged below benchmark, he turned that same design instinct toward a smaller, more personal problem: how to make five minutes of reading practice clear enough to repeat at home. The result is a set of color-coded letter blocks that thread onto a bolt, now printed one at a time in his Los Angeles workshop.
Film: The small print farm running; blocks emerging layer by layer; a child turning one sound; Michael assembling a finished set.
For local news desks
The summer in the supply room
During four weeks inside CVUSD’s summer program, Michael worked one-on-one with seven transitional kindergartners for about eight minutes at a time. All seven gained between four and 17 letter sounds. Four moved from zero blending to blending CVC words. The published result covers only the seven-child group he taught; volunteer-led groups at another campus are reported separately.
Film: The room where it happened; a volunteer working with a child; de-identified entry and exit results side by side.
For local news desks
The summer in the supply room
During four weeks inside CVUSD’s summer program, Michael worked one-on-one with seven transitional kindergartners for about eight minutes at a time. All seven gained between four and 17 letter sounds. Four moved from zero blending to blending CVC words. The published result covers only the seven-child group he taught; volunteer-led groups at another campus are reported separately.
Film: The room where it happened; a volunteer working with a child; de-identified entry and exit results side by side.
For education and parenting desks
What happens after the reading screener?
California public schools now screen K–2 students annually for risk of reading difficulties. Screening can identify risk; it cannot sit beside a child at the kitchen table. Word Nuts was built for the part that happens at home: one adult, one child, five calm minutes and a physical sequence designed to keep sound—not guessing—in the lead.
Film: One complete kitchen-table session, from the first sound check to the first blended word.
For education and parenting desks
What happens after the reading screener?
California public schools now screen K–2 students annually for risk of reading difficulties. Screening can identify risk; it cannot sit beside a child at the kitchen table. Word Nuts was built for the part that happens at home: one adult, one child, five calm minutes and a physical sequence designed to keep sound—not guessing—in the lead.
Film: One complete kitchen-table session, from the first sound check to the first blended word.
Complete Word Nuts Reading system · Credit: Courtesy Word Nuts Reading
Complete Word Nuts Reading system · Credit: Courtesy Word Nuts Reading
Fast facts
Fast facts
A concise reference for captions, scripts and background notes.
A concise reference for captions, scripts and background notes.
What it is
A tactile, screen-free, sound-first early literacy system built around letter blocks that turn on a threaded bolt.
What it is
A tactile, screen-free, sound-first early literacy system built around letter blocks that turn on a threaded bolt.
How it works
A child listens, traces, sounds out and blends while a parent guides a short practice session.
How it works
A child listens, traces, sounds out and blends while a parent guides a short practice session.
Time
Designed for about five minutes of parent-guided practice.
Time
Designed for about five minutes of parent-guided practice.
Ages
Designed for early readers building letter-sound knowledge and beginning blending skills.
Ages
Designed for early readers building letter-sound knowledge and beginning blending skills.
Made
Designed, 3D-printed, assembled and packed in California.
Made
Designed, 3D-printed, assembled and packed in California.
Tech
Screen-free and battery-free.
Tech
An NFC chip is embedded into the purple bolt which can bring a parent to a helpful user guide. Otherwise tech-free.
Patent
Patent application filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Patent
Patent application filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Kickstarter
Planned for November 2026. Early pricing is expected to begin at $59, with Starter retail pricing at $69.
Kickstarter
Planned for November 2026. Early pricing is expected to begin at $59, with Starter retail pricing at $69.
What the summer pilot showed
What the CA district summer pilot showed
Observed outcomes from a small case series—useful context, not a controlled efficacy claim.
Observed outcomes from a small case series for useful context, not a controlled efficacy claim.
7 of 7
children posted letter-sound gains
7 of 7
children posted letter-sound gains
+4 to +17
letter sounds gained per child
+4 to +17
letter sounds gained per child
0 to 4
children blending three-letter words
0 to 4
children blending three-letter words
Photos and video
Photos and video
Publication-ready product photography with clear descriptions and full-resolution originals.
Publication-ready product photography with clear descriptions and full-resolution originals.
Founder quotes
Founder quotes
Approved language from Michael Land for direct attribution.
Approved language from Michael Land for direct attribution.
“When I started building Word Nuts Reading, I was a parent trying to help his daughter. I didn’t know it would lead here. But standing in a library I love, watching a tool I built with my own hands become part of how that library serves its families, is one of the most meaningful things I’ve experienced as a founder.”
— Michael Land, founder, Word Nuts Reading
“When I started building Word Nuts Reading, I was a parent trying to help his daughter. I didn’t know it would lead here. But standing in a library I love, watching a tool I built with my own hands become part of how that library serves its families, is one of the most meaningful things I’ve experienced as a founder.”
— Michael Land, founder, Word Nuts Reading
“Thank you to every parent who picks up the bolt and sits beside their child. That’s where reading begins.”
— Michael Land, founder, Word Nuts Reading
“Thank you to every parent who picks up the bolt and sits beside their child. That’s where reading begins.”
— Michael Land, founder, Word Nuts Reading
Producer FAQ
Producer FAQ
Practical answers for planning an interview, demonstration or shoot.
Practical answers for planning an interview, demonstration or shoot.
What is available for filming?
The complete system, individual letter blocks, the bolt, storage pieces and a guided demonstration are available. B-roll can be coordinated with the media contact.
What is available for filming?
The complete system, individual letter blocks, the bolt, storage pieces and a guided demonstration are available. B-roll can be coordinated with the media contact.
How long does a demonstration take?
A clear product demonstration can be filmed in about five minutes, with additional time for close-ups, resets and interview questions.
How long does a demonstration take?
A clear product demonstration can be filmed in about five minutes, with additional time for close-ups, resets and interview questions.
Can the pilot results be described as proof of efficacy?
No. The summer pilot was a seven-child case series without a formal comparison group. Its figures should be reported as observed outcomes from that cohort.
Can the pilot results be described as proof of efficacy?
No. The summer pilot was a seven-child case series without a formal comparison group. Its figures should be reported as observed outcomes from that cohort.
What is the November news peg?
Kickstarter is planned for November 2026, which also aligns with National Family Literacy Month. No fixed launch day has been announced.
What is the November news peg?
Kickstarter is planned for November 2026, which also aligns with National Family Literacy Month. No fixed launch day has been announced.
Where is Word Nuts Reading made?
The system is designed, 3D-printed, assembled and packed in California.
Where is Word Nuts Reading made?
The system is designed, 3D-printed, assembled and packed in California.
How quickly can media requests be answered?
Same-day media response is the standard. Michael Land is available for interviews, local demonstrations and b-roll coordination.
How quickly can media requests be answered?
Same-day media response is the standard. Michael Land is available for interviews, local demonstrations and b-roll coordination.
Boilerplate
Boilerplate
Ready-to-use descriptions for briefs, listings and background notes.
Ready-to-use descriptions for briefs, listings and background notes.
Short · about 40 words
Word Nuts Reading is a tactile, sound-first early literacy system for five minutes of parent-guided practice. Color-coded letter blocks turn along a threaded rod as children listen, trace and blend—screen-free, battery-free and made by hand in California.
Short · about 40 words
Word Nuts Reading is a tactile, sound-first early literacy system for five minutes of parent-guided practice. Color-coded letter blocks turn along a threaded rod as children listen, trace and blend—screen-free, battery-free and made by hand in California.
Long · about 90 words
Word Nuts Reading is a tactile, sound-first early literacy system designed for about five minutes of parent-guided practice. Children listen to a sound, find a color-coded letter block, turn it on a bolt, trace the letter and blend the word. The screen-free, battery-free system was created by founder Michael Land after helping his daughter build reading skills at home. Word Nuts Reading is designed, 3D-printed, assembled and packed in California. A Kickstarter is planned for November 2026, and 30 sets were ordered for circulation by Los Angeles Public Library.
Long · about 90 words
Word Nuts Reading is a tactile, sound-first early literacy system designed for about five minutes of parent-guided practice. Children listen to a sound, find a color-coded letter block, turn it on a bolt, trace the letter and blend the word. The screen-free, battery-free system was created by founder Michael Land after helping his daughter build reading skills at home. Word Nuts Reading is designed, 3D-printed, assembled and packed in California. A Kickstarter is planned for November 2026, and 30 sets were ordered for circulation by Los Angeles Public Library.
Working on a story?
Available for interviews, demonstrations and b-roll.
Working on a story?
Available for interviews, demonstrations and b-roll.