From May 6 – 12, Children’s Book Week celebrates the theme No Rules. Just Read. Speaking to the joy and pride of reading what you want, when you want, and how you want, the theme highlights that there’s no right way or right thing to read. Reading builds curiosity, imagination, empathy, and problem-solving skills. A childhood love of reading sets the stage for success as an adult, but to read what, when, and how they want, children need access to books of their own. That’s why Children’s Book Project gives free books to children who need them for literacy, learning, and life—during Children’s Book Week and all year round!

During National Reading Month, we’re grateful to be able to read what we want to read, when we want to read it. Studies show that children who grow up with books of their own are more likely to read at or above grade level, graduate from high school, and have better lifetime outcomes in literacy, numeracy, technology skills, and health. Yet too many kids in our communities lack access to enough — or any — books of their own.

You can help keep books flowing all year round to children who need them — for keeps! It’s fun and easy to run a children’s book drive or donate new titles from our curated wishlists. At Storytime field trips at our Book Bank, we get to share the kids’ excitement as they pick out books of their own from our shelves. Together, we’re raising readers and giving children who need books the equal opportunity to thrive!

Barebottle Brewing in Bernal Heights and Menlo Park are now pouring their fundraising brew, ‘Once Upon a Pint’ hazy IPA, and also running a children’s book drive for us through the end of February. This delicious, limited-run beer will only be on tap for a short time, so donate some great kid lit and raise a glass to Children’s Book Project while supplies last!