Learn to Read
Read to Learn
Learn to Become
About Us
Our Mission
At Vooks, we believe the best parts of childhood don’t need reinventing—just reimagining.
We bring storytime to life in a way that nurtures calm, connection, and character, helping kids fall in love with reading the way you remember: through warmth, wonder, and shared rhythm. We’re not here to entertain endlessly or hurry learning—we’re here to walk beside you, providing a trusted, safe space that reflects your family’s values.
We believe every child’s path unfolds in three essential steps:
Through immersive, gently animated, lovingly narrated storybooks, Vooks helps families pause, connect, and preserve the wonder of reading in a busy world. We transform ordinary moments into lasting memories while inspiring kids to explore, imagine, and become the best versions of themselves—one story at a time.
We believe kids deserve the highest quality content.
How It All Started
Co-founders Marshall Bex, Shannon Bex, and Russell Hirtzel
Reading doesn’t always come easily, but it should always be fun
When one of our co-founders noticed his youngest child was struggling to engage with books, he set out to create a reading experience that would capture her attention just like videos did. And so, the idea of Vooks was born: a new way to do storytime that marries the literacy-building power of books with the engagement of video. Ad-free, kid-safe, and carefully curated with developing brains in mind, Vooks provides learners of all levels a place to explore the world of reading.
Our Team
Russell Hirtzel
Chief Content Officer /
Co-Founder
Joey Jenkins
Chief Executive Officer
Melissa Andersen
Vice President of Marketing & Business Development
Natasha Hirtzel
Executive Producer
Brennan Hidde
Vice President of Product & Design
Lamar Hurd
Lead Ambassador
Craig Robinson
Brand Ambassador
Samantha Peszek
Brand Ambassador
Mike Yam
Brand Ambassador
Yogi Roth
Brand Ambassador
Ben Misley
Senior Director of Finance & Operations
Patty Duncan
Education Director
Isak Anderson
Full Stack Developer
Tammy Shaver
Accounting Team Lead
Joseph Niedermeyer
Business Strategy
Amber Martinez
Customer Support & Multimedia Assistant
Doing good, giving back
Vooks Literacy Foundation
We’re on a mission to increase childhood literacy around the world. Our 501(c)(3) non-profit partners with like-minded organizations to do good, give back, and change lives, one kid at a time.
Charitable Partners
