Changing Classrooms — One Story at a Time

I’m S. R. Lorton, the author of Sid the Cryptid Kid.

This project began years ago when I worked as a paraprofessional at Queets Clearwater School here in Washington State. Every day, I saw students trying to learn from torn, outdated, and missing textbooks — many of them the same books I’d used when I was a student there myself. It broke my heart to see how much potential these kids had, trapped behind pages that hadn’t changed in decades.

My mother — who served as superintendent of the district — and I often purchased supplies ourselves, trying to make up the difference when budgets fell short. But no matter how much we gave, it was never enough. I realized that something bigger was needed — something that could spark imagination and creativity in ways traditional materials no longer could.

That’s when I created Sid the Cryptid Kid — a children’s book series and educational initiative built to bring new stories, fresh materials, and renewed excitement for learning into underfunded Washington classrooms.

What We’re Doing

Every book sold or donated fuels a greater mission:

to make learning feel alive again for students across Washington State and beyond.

• For Students:

  We give kids new books, creative activity sheets, and hands-on learning experiences that help them rediscover their love for reading. Every Sid story celebrates curiosity, kindness, and courage.

• For Teachers:

  We provide complete classroom kits — with lesson plans, reading comprehension exercises, coloring pages, and discussion prompts — so educators can focus on teaching, not scrambling for materials.

• For Schools:

  Our donations help build classroom libraries stocked with modern, exciting books. Every student receives their own copy — something many have never experienced before.

• For Communities:

  We’re creating partnerships between readers, educators, and local supporters who believe in the same mission — investing in children’s creativity, confidence, and future opportunities.

Why It Matters

Education is the single most powerful tool in the world. It shapes who we become, what we believe we’re capable of, and how we see our place in the world.

Yet far too many classrooms are still filled with broken books and limited resources — and far too many students are made to feel like their imagination isn’t valuable.

Sid the Cryptid Kid was born to change that.

Each story reminds children that learning is an adventure — that reading can be fun, magical, and deeply personal.

When a child opens one of these books, they’re not just reading — they’re being reminded that their creativity matters.

Our Promise

We currently have ten Washington State schools lined up to receive full Sid the Cryptid Kid classroom donations — each one complete with signed books, educational kits, and creative learning materials. But this is just the beginning.

Every $49 donation sponsors one student.

Every $349 sponsorship transforms an entire classroom.

Together, we’re rewriting what’s possible for underfunded schools — and proving that when we invest in a child’s imagination, we’re investing in all of our futures.

Let’s make sure no child’s curiosity is ever held back by the age of their books.