Reach Out and Read Illinois

Print Marketing

Creating a Character-Driven Literacy Toolkit That Supports Families and Clinics Across Illinois

Reach Out and Read Illinois (ROR IL) is a statewide affiliate of the national Reach Out and Read network. Through pediatric care settings, ROR IL empowers clinicians to talk with families about the importance of reading aloud from infancy, and to provide developmentally appropriate books at each visit. Their mission is to build strong family bonds and improve school readiness by promoting a love of reading from the start.

THE ASK

THE APPROACH

THE RESULTS

Rory Print Bundle by Ocreative

Equipping Pediatric Clinics With Character-Driven Materials to Spark Reading Habits

ROR IL approached Ocreative to help develop engaging, character-driven print materials that pediatricians could use in-office to educate and empower families. The goal was to create pieces that would:

  • Appeal to children from infancy through age five
  • Equip parents and caregivers with tools to support school readiness
  • Bring clarity and cohesion to the initiative’s visual identity
  • Make reading fun and accessible for every family

The materials needed to be both playful and instructional—capturing young imaginations while guiding adults in fostering literacy-rich environments at home.

Translating Early Literacy Goals Into Character-Based, Clinic-Ready Campaign Materials

Our creative team worked closely with ROR IL to build an entire character universe centered around Rory the Lion, a gentle, book-loving guide for children and families. We illustrated custom characters and built an ecosystem of print materials designed to come to life in clinical settings.

We developed:

  • A Parent Resource Booklet with milestone checklists, tips on choosing the right kindergarten program, and activities to encourage literacy
  • A Kindergarten Readiness Activity Book with interactive learning tools, story prompts, and exploration activities
  • A Selfie Photo Frame for pediatricians to celebrate “graduating” readers
  • An Adventure Map Poster featuring Rory’s neighborhood, a conversation-starter for children waiting in exam rooms
  • A cohesive brand system including colors, fonts, and illustrations to unify the toolkit and support future expansion

Each piece was developed in collaboration with ROR IL’s pediatric and education teams, with a focus on representation, accessibility, and fun. We included inclusive character design and localized touches, like featuring the state of Illinois on Rory’s shirt and incorporating iconic state landmarks and features.

An Overview of the Rory Clinic Bundles Print Project

THE RESULTS

We bundled and delivered the full kits to pediatric clinics across Illinois, giving providers a robust toolset to champion literacy during visits. These resources help:

  • Celebrate school readiness milestones
  • Encourage families to read together every day
  • Provide parents with easy-to-follow tips and developmental guidance
  • Spark joy and curiosity through character-driven storytelling

These tools have empowered pediatricians to deepen family engagement, and Rory the Lion is now a recognizable mascot helping spread early literacy messages across Illinois.

The success of the initiative has laid the groundwork for Rory and friends to appear in future print and digital campaigns that promote a variety of pediatric health and development topics. Rory and their materials are also being translated into Spanish to help even more children and families through Illinois and beyond!

Clinic Activity Book
Read With Rory Around the Neighborhood
Getting Your Child Ready For Kindergarten
How To Help Your Child With Reading
Kids Graduating From The Rory Reading Program
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