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Books Between Kids

Books Between Kids

Building home libraries for children in need

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Books Between Kids in the News

3 Charities Helping Houston Children

December 2022: Houstonia Magazine highlights Books Between Kids’ volunteer program and how the community helps gets books into the hands of Houston children.

‘Working 9-5’ for Literacy

December 2022: Three Houston area organizations work to get kids free books through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Learn more about the history, vision, and success of the program here.

High School Sophomore Collects 3,400 Books

April 2022: Isabell Pesikoff, a high school sophomore, donated 3,400 books to Books Between Kids after learning of the nonprofit organization’s mission.

Deborah Duncan Discusses The Importance of Book Access

April 2022: Deborah Duncan discusses the importance of books and the KHOU Turn the Page Campaign.

Olympic Softball Player Advocates For More Books

April 2022: Tori Vidales is an Olympian whose name is big on the women’s softball circuit! She is also an Olympic reader!

Houston Texans Players Take Part in Book Celebration

December 2021: In celebration of the $25,000 Inspire Change grant presented by the Texans, ConocoPhillips, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, and Miller Lite, Houston Texans players and cheerleaders visited DeAnda Elementary. Encouraging kids as they pick out books is a huge part of a Book Celebration!

Houston Texans Players and Cheerleaders Visit DeAnda Elementary

December 2021: In celebration of the $25,000 Inspire Change grant presented by the Texans, ConocoPhillips, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, and Miller Lite, Houston Texans players and cheerleaders visited DeAnda Elementary. Encouraging kids as they pick out books is a huge part of a Book Celebration!

Group of volunteers sorting books.

KHOU 11 Live at the Books Between Kids Warehouse

June 2017: During the 2017 Turn the Page Literacy Initiative, Cristina Kooker from KHOU 11’s Great Day Houston joined Books Between Kids volunteers at the warehouse to share with viewers the mission and work of Books Between Kids.

Kids choosing books at a table.

Books Between Kids Gives Away One Millionth Book!

May 2017: Houston Independent School District shares the exciting news of Books Between Kids giving away its one millionth book in May 2017!

Sandra Ahlhorn and Amy Barnes standing in front of books.

Hitting the Books!

October 2016: The fall 2016 issue of Houston City Book spotlights the work of Books Between Kids and the story of our co-founders, Amy Barnes and Sandra Ahlhorn.

Two kids reading books.

The Power of Book Ownership

October 2016: Produced by Houston ISD, this video features parents, educators, and children within the Books Between Kids program and demonstrates the powerful impact book ownership has on Houston’s children.

Jamie Grissom being interviewed by Deborah Duncan.

Story Time with Deborah Duncan

June 2016: Books Between Kids Executive Director, Jamie Grissom, joined Great Day Houston’s Deborah Duncan for story time and to talk about the importance of book ownership.

Turn the Page Literacy Initiative

June 2016: Books Between Kids co-founder, Sandra Ahlhorn, talks with KHOU’s Shern-Min Chow about Books Between Kids’ effort to build home libraries for children in need.

Books Between Kids on Great Day Houston

June 2016: Books Between Kids co-founders, Amy Barnes and Sandra Ahlhorn, appeared on Great Day Houston to talk about Books Between Kids’ mission and to kick off the June 2016 Turn the Page Literacy Initiative.

Book Celebration video at Pugh ES

May 2015: Books Between Kids, The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo help distribute books to the students of Pugh ES.

BBK Has Big Impact with Donation of Nearly 200,000 Books to HISD Students

May 2015: Books Between Kids press release announcing our spring book celebrations.

BBK expands its efforts to include Pre-K students

May 2015: Books Between Kids distributed books to Gabriela Mistral Early Childhood Center, our first year at an early childhood center.

Every kid should have ‘a book too good to put down’

October 2014: Houston Chronicle article talking about how Books Between Kids started and how we’re growing.

Students get free books from Books Between Kids

May 2014: Books Between Kids and Better World Books visited Bonham Elementary school as students chose their very own books. HISD captured the event on video.

Houston Celebration of Reading 20th Anniversary 2014

April 2014: Video shown at the Houston Celebration of Reading 20th Anniversary discussing the literary crisis in Houston and what organizations such as Book Between Kids are doing to help.

A Book in Every Home: Local Mothers Provide Books to At Risk Children

April 2014: Books Between Kids was featured in an on-line article in West U – Connections.

One America Video

December 2013: YouTube video posted by One America featuring their stop in Houston and Books Between Kids.

If you can read this, please help

November 2013: Houston Chronicle Op/Ed article by Neil Bush raising awareness about illiteracy in Houston and how Books Between Kids is helping to address the problem.

Books Between Kids aims to increase opportunities for under-privileged children

November 2013: After the Points of Light luncheon, volunteers from JP Morgan Chase and Points of Light came to the warehouse to help sort books. KHOU covered the event.

How Two Moms Are Pulling Kids Off a Dangerous Slide

November 2013: Books Between Kids was awarded the Daily Point of Light Award by Points of Light Chairman Neil Bush and his mother, former First Lady Barbara Bush.

Bush-backed books program gives Houston kids the chance to build home libraries

November 2013: An on-line post featuring Books Between Kids and Neil Bush praising the work we do.

Books Between Kids promotes reading, peer-to-peer philanthropy

June 2013: HISD filmed one of the book distributions in May 2013 and wrote an article for their website. To view the video, please click here.

Volunteers collect 70,000 books for HISD kids

March 2013: In February 2012, Books Between Kids received a generous donation of over 70,000 books from Better World Books. Read about our donation and volunteer sorting in this Houston Chronicle article.

Books Between Kids: Building Home Libraries for Children In Need

March 2013: We wrote a guest blog post about our experiences for the Better World Book’s website.


News about the importance of children’s access to books

Choice in books may help kids’ reading score over summer

April 2015: Reuters article discussing the benefits of allowing young children to choose books they’d like to read over the summer break.

Book smart: Just a dozen summer books could alter a child’s future

July 2010: Houston Chronicle Op/Ed article addressing the need for children to have books.

Books in Home as Important as Parents’ Education in Determining Children’s Education Level

May 2010: ScienceDaily article discussing importance of books in the home.

Home Libraries Provide Huge Educational Advantage

April 2010: Pacific Standard article emphasizing the need for home libraries.

@booksbetweenkids
 
Thank you to CBS Sports, Paramount+, Nickelodeon, Thank you to CBS Sports, Paramount+, Nickelodeon, and Warner Bros. Pictures for inviting us to give out free books for families as they experienced NCAA Men's Final Four fun! 

It’s always great to be with our long-term partner, Kids' Meals, Inc., feeding stomachs and minds!
We’re grateful for KHOU Houston’s Turn The Pag We’re grateful for KHOU Houston’s Turn The Page Campaign which benefits Books Between Kids through books, financial donations, and raising awareness about book access. Click the link in our bio to donate!
There’s still time to get your ticket to the BBK There’s still time to get your ticket to the BBK Breakfast Bingo! Get yours before they’re gone!

This ticket includes a delicious breakfast, a fun game of bingo, and a high chance of winning a prize! 

Click the link in our bio to get your ticket today!
We spent Read Across America Day with our good fri We spent Read Across America Day with our good friends at Kids' Meals, Inc., delivering lunches and books to kids across Houston! 

We know families who are struggling to afford food often cannot afford books for their kids, so we are excited to combine our efforts and get books to the kids who need them!
It’s bingo time! You can secure your tickets now It’s bingo time! You can secure your tickets now for the BBK Breakfast Bingo on April 28th. 

This event is a blast and you won’t want to miss out! Click the link in our bio to get your tickets now!
Happy Valentine’s Day from Books Between Kids!! Happy Valentine’s Day from Books Between Kids!!

Kids from seven different HISD elementary schools celebrated their love of books by choosing six free books to take home from their Book Celebration!❤️📚

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