Our Approach

Rather than following a rote teach-memorize-test cycle, Heart Bright Learning aligns instructional design with psychology and the neuroscience behind human development. Every resource integrates three core practices: 

  • Observation: children notice and name their inner and outer worlds
  • Reflection: children think, question, and make meaning
  • Expression: children share what they discover

Research and evidence confirms that our literature-based approach improves literacy skills, decreases behavioral problems, and increases attendance — across diverse backgrounds and ability levels.

What We Make

Early Literacy Learning

Early Literacy Learning

Our materials inspire children to explore reading as meaning-making and self-expression, not memorization. We anchor early reading in the words that matter most to children— their names.

Tortoise Teaches Rabbit to Read introduces how reading works, while Poetry for Fluency builds confidence and a love of language through playful rhythms and rhymes — together supporting structured practice within contexts that are engaging and meaningful for children.

Social Emotional Learning

Social Emotional Learning

Our SEL fables are short, resonant, and rich with meaning — inviting children to explore empathy, resilience, and identity.

The stories integrate vocabulary building, guided discussion, and creative activities into the instructional practice, teaching valuable lessons that stick with the child better than worksheets or drills. 

Our Service Publishing Model

We believe that education is a public good, not a privilege. We are funded entirely through sales and donations— no venture capital, no corporate shareholders. Our creators are compensated through fair wages, royalties, and profit-sharing. Each purchase funds curriculum donations to underserved educators and families worldwide.

Our Journey

Five Decades in the Making

The story of Heart Bright Learning didn't begin in a startup. It began in classrooms, writing workshops, schools as design studios, and living rooms — built year by year through work that was always, at its heart, about inspiring children so learning would be delightful. 

  1. 1968

    While Jon is in graduate school in curriculum design and counseling, Little, Brown and Company publishes his first children’s book, Beautiful Junk: A Story of the Watts Towers, about how creativity can transform anger into art.

  2. 1969

    Jon is invited into the schools as an author to share Beautiful Junk, while integrating reading and writing instruction. He discovers that children are more engaged when he personalizes stories to feature students by name. He invites them into the creative process by helping them tell their own stories and encouraging them to illustrate and revise his own.

  3. 1972–78

    Initial Service Offerings

    Karen joins the Minnesota Environmental Science Foundation, Inc. as a Curriculum Specialist and Workshop Instructor. She authors several publications, including:
    • Introducing Environmental Learning on Wildlife Refuges
    • Give Earth a Chance – Six stories including Dirty Air, Trash Is Taking Over, Troublesome Tailpipes, Sounds & Silence, Pesticides Are Perilous

  4. 1974

    Jon teaches reading and writing in Los Angeles, implementing the models of the Poets in the Schools project and the National Writing Project. He learns that teaching models are more effective and joyful when they encourage self-expression and give children models to inspire their own learning.

  5. 1976–78

    Karen serves as adjunct faculty at St. Cloud, St. Thomas, and Carleton College, teaching Environmental Education to classroom teachers.

  6. 1976–79

    Jon develops the Artist-in-Residence Reading Project, a classroom-focused R&D Curriculum Design Lab serving under-resourced schools in Los Angeles, funded by foundations and local, state, & federal agencies. It becomes a district-wide model. 

  7. 1978–79

    Karen joins the Southeast Alternatives Project, Minneapolis Public Schools—a federally funded experimental network of innovative school models for national replication.

  8. 1979-84

    Karen joins the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium (MECC) as Courseware Designer and Instructor, becoming manager of a team producing 36 educational software titles annually. Award-winning products include The Oregon Trail, Number Munchers, and Mind Puzzles (recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children).

  9. 1981-83

    Jon pioneers using word processing in writing and reading and for curriculum design to foster collaboration and achieve continuous improvement of classroom resources. His work leads to founding The Writing Notebook—a journal on using word processing to support curriculum design.

  10. 1984

    Karen and Jon partner to co-found Humanities Software, producing process-based learning resources and training programs. Jon does writing workshops across the country. Apple, IBM, McGraw Hill & others feature their work. The company is acquired by Renaissance Learning in 1999.

  11. 1999–Present

    Jon continues writing children’s stories and poems, and Karen develops experiential and process-based instructional materials to support these works. This leads to the creation of Heart Bright Learning (HBL). 

  12. 2000

    Jon writes several papers on personalized learning that lead to the first national Personalized Learning Conference at Harvard, sponsored by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

  13. 2001

    Karen authors The Oregon Trail Companion Guide, which provides instruction so students can create projects related to The Oregon Trail simulation using digital tools. 

  14. 2003–Present

    Jon and Karen form software development alliances with educators and developers in India to create inspiring educational resources available globally. So far, they have produced Tortoise Teaches Rabbit to Read, Poetry for Fluency, and Fables for Social Emotional Learning. 

Meet Our Team

  • Jon Madian

    Prolific writer who has authored numerous children’s books and curriculum resources featured by Scholastic, Apple and others. Founded and led the Los Angeles’ Artist-in-Residence Reading Project, funded by the U.S. Department of Education and various foundations.

  • Karen Jostad-Madian

    Karen Jostad-Madian led instructional design teams in developing award-winning K–12 educational software. She has served as an adjunct professor at multiple colleges and has trained resource managers in public land use for environmental education.

  • Julie Anne Ikenberry

    A tricultural educator, writer, and illustrator raised in Kenya and England. Trained in theater and Montessori. Founded and led multiple schools in the United States. Dedicated her career to Montessori education.

  • Jyoti Kumta

    Has varied experience in teaching and school counseling and realized the acute need for Values Education and Social Emotional Learning in schools. She is devoted to integrating these principles into school curricula.

  • Paritosh Chhibber

    Founded Levelworks and brings a background in User and Service Experience Design along with Psychology. Deeply committed to education and job creation. Collaborates with organizations that value and celebrate lifelong learning.

  • Antonia Madian

    A writer, editor, and communications specialist. Believes in the power of student-
    led learning and the importance of fostering emotional intelligence in children from an early age.

  • Stephania Menezes

    Founder of Joy-Filled Kids and an experiential facilitator advocating for children's right to play. Guides intentional parenting and creates play spaces to nurture resilient, self-aware, and nature-connected children and teens.

  • Kacia Milford

    A children's book author, customer engagement, and marketing specialist who believes meaningful learning begins with connection. Passionate about storytelling, community engagement, and supporting families, educators, and learners, she helps create positive experiences that inspire curiosity, confidence, and lifelong learning.

  • Julie Milford

    A web developer, designer, and marketing strategist committed to creating meaningful digital learning experiences. Passionate about education and innovation, she helps bring together technology, design, and communication to support children, families, and lifelong learners.

Join Us

This Work Is Meant to Become Your Work

Heart Bright Learning isn't a closed catalog — it's a growing community. We invite educators, parents, and creators to use our resources, give feedback, and build with us. If you believe in teaching and learning from the heart, we want to hear from you.

Get In Touch