One of my favorite things during my years as a classroom teacher and school administrator was watching my students light up over a story they love. That spark, that pure joy, that lifelong memory it creates, is why we built Beanstack. And today, we’re excited to share our next chapter with you.
Beanstack and Comics Plus are now The Joyful Reading Company.
Together, we’re creating a connected ecosystem that inspires reading, expands access, and demonstrates impact — all in one place.
To put it simply, we’re bringing more stories, more motivation, more fun, and, of course, more joy.
Two Powerful Platforms, One Shared Mission
At Beanstack, reading culture matters just as much as reading skills. While there are tools out there that focus on assessments and levels, we focus on motivation and momentum — from the day we started Beanstack we’ve always said let’s make reading the best part of the day!
Comics Plus has built something equally powerful: a digital library of high-interest comics, manga, and graphic novels with an unlimited, simultaneous access model. No holds, waitlists, or borrowing limits. How cool is that?
As The Joyful Reading Company, we unite:
- The world’s leading reading motivation platform
- A vast catalog of always-available digital comics and graphic novels
With one bold mission: to inspire joyful, lifelong readers.
Bringing Access and Engagement Together
At The Joyful Reading Company, we’re bringing engagement and access together, making it easier to inspire reading and support the communities you serve. Now, we’re even better positioned to help you turn that mission into measurable impact.
Here’s what it means for you:
For Schools
We know schools are increasingly prioritizing student choice, authentic engagement, and reading culture alongside skill development.
Which is why Beanstack will never stop innovating and finding new ways to spark curiosity and celebrate progress through proven gamification principles, innovative reading accountability tools, and schoolwide reading challenges that turn everyday reading into moments of pride and possibility. Comics Plus is the perfect partner to help us strengthen that work with unlimited, simultaneous access to immersive, age-appropriate comics, manga, and graphic novels with no holds or waitlists.
Together, we help schools:
- Increase independent and free-choice reading
- Grow a stronger reading culture
- Support diverse learners
- Demonstrate meaningful participation and engagement
Because when students have both motivation and access, reading becomes something they choose. That’s the mic drop moment for us.
For Libraries
Public libraries are near and dear to our hearts. Everyone here at The Joyful Reading Company has great memories of reading – and, in many cases, working – at their local library. Our new partnership strengthens your ability to connect readers with stories — and keep them engaged.
Comics Plus’ superpower comes from its ability to provide unlimited, simultaneous access to thousands of digital titles, enabling instant, barrier-free discovery. While Beanstack powers community-wide reading programs that celebrate progress and provide meaningful reporting to demonstrate impact.
Together, we help libraries:
- Expand digital access
- Increase participation in reading initiatives
- Promote programs and services
- Strengthen their role as literacy leaders in the community
Access inspires discovery. Engagement builds momentum. And together, they nurture joyful reading communities.
A Thoughtful, Seamless Next Chapter
If you’re a current Beanstack or Comics Plus partner, you can expect a thoughtful and seamless transition.
For Comics Plus partners, that means continuing to provide your community with unlimited, simultaneous access to thousands of digital comics, picture books, graphic novels, and manga.
For Beanstack partners, it means continuing to spark curiosity and celebrate progress through reading challenges, community-wide programs, and the reporting tools you rely on to demonstrate engagement.
Behind the scenes, we’re working to deepen innovation and strengthen the connection between access and engagement. And that’s what this new chapter is all about.
The Future Is Joyful
The Joyful Reading Company is dedicated to nurturing the love of reading through engagement, motivation, and pure fun. Beanstack keeps readers coming back with gamification, reading challenges, and community, while Comics Plus delivers engaging stories they can’t get enough of.
Together, we’re building something bigger than a platform. We’re building a movement around joyful reading — for schools, for libraries, and for communities everywhere.
We like to think of success as a kid staying up ten minutes past bedtime to finish a graphic novel. Success is a library buzzing with excitement over a community reading goal. That’s the joy we’re here to build.
Those are the kind of happy endings all of us at The Joyful Reading Company can get behind.
Keep reading,
Felix Lloyd
CEO, Joyful Reading Company