Children's Lit Newsletter 12/19/24
AKA Sharon's Book Rx
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LAST NEWSLETTER OF 2024 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll start up again the second week in January. Please send me any items with FOR THE NEWSLETTER as the subject line and I'll get your information in there.
END OF YEAR GIVING: CHILDREN'S LIT NON-PROFITS (as suggested by you all)
And I'm starting with a group that does give books when they can, but that is not their focus. However, Al Otro Lado has had my heart for awhile - and (sadly) their work is more necessary than ever.
Every Tuesday at Al Otro Lado's Tijuana office space, they host asylum 101 workshops for the asylum seeking community. During these workshops, they not only provide “know your rights” and legal orientation, they also provide a safe play and learning space for children. While the children engage in age-appropriate activities, their parents can focus on getting connected to critical social services at their offices and learning about immigration law and the strategies they can take to protect the rights of the entire family. Recognizing that most of these families are food insecure, Al Otro Lado provides a warm meal for everyone who joins them. After the presentation, folks have a chance to have a one-on-one consultation about their case. This time also allows Al Otro Lado to screen for medically vulnerable individuals so that they can connect them to health services (they've even paid for people's surgeries) or families sleeping in the street for whom they find a shelter and make sure they arrive there safely. The work of informing asylum seekers about their rights in the legal process, what they can do to prepare and how they can fight for their right to life, is the bedrock of the work Al Otro Lado does.
Pajama Program is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes equitable access to healthy sleep so all children can thrive. We provide new pajamas and storybooks, sleep health education, and caring connections to ensure that children facing adversities—including low family income, housing insecurity, and family instability—have the tools they need for better bedtimes. Since 2001, Pajama Program has delivered over 8 million Good Nights for Good Days. Pajama Program leverages a national network of volunteers and partnerships with 4,000 community-based organizations across the United States, and also provides local programming in New York City, Atlanta, and metro-Detroit.
Our Mission
To promote equitable access to healthy sleep so all children can thrive.
MORE INFORMATION HERE: https://pajamaprogram.org/
BOOKSTORMER FOUNDATION
WHAT WE DO
Reading can lead to world peace—but first, kids need books.
Copperfield’s Books routinely takes authors to visit schools and to meet and inspire students. The Bookstormer Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit,, will provide a book for every student at an author assembly in a Title I school.
DONATE HERE: https://www.bookstormerfoundation.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=5d3bd4d8242c220001b29c58
MORE INFO HERE: https://www.bookstormerfoundation.com/what-we-do-2
Over the last few weeks, our team has been hard at work sending bookish care packages with mental health resources to LGBTQIA+ teens. We're showing our support to these vulnerable kids, who have been dealing with anxiety and fear following the election.
We've shipped 400 packages so far, but we still have over 3000 requests that we'd love to fulfill.
Can you help us raise the funds to reach these kids? Your donation can help a teen feel less alone.
With your support, we can provide our curated packages to:
💚 An LGBTQIA+ community center in Colorado that serves teens who are unhoused.
💛 A health department in Michigan that strives to help local LGBTQIA+ students embrace who they are.
💜 GSAs in Kentucky, California, Vermont, and North Carolina that provide safe spaces for their members.
And many more. Your gift will send hope to thousands of teens, and it will also sustain WNDB as we continue to serve diverse students and share inclusive books with them. Will you consider donating today?
Thank you for your support!
Caroline Richmond
PS Make a donation and we’ll send you limited edition swag!
Literacy in Primary School
Supporting early readers to become lifelong learners
Community Engagement Quality Materials & Learning Environments Teacher Support Advocate for Change MORE INFORMATION HERE: https://www.roomtoread.org/literacy-girls-education/
Some high schools (such as Albany High) have local funds to diversify their collections.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TWO MARIA VAN LIESHOUT EVENTS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MARIA VAN LIESHOUT at Books Inc. Alameda
01/23/2025
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Books Inc. Alameda
1344 Park Street
Alameda, CA 94501
I cannot wait to read Maria Van Lieshout's new graphic novel!! I actually bought 3 copies in Dutch for my Flemish Family (so they get to read it first!)
DOESN'T THIS SOUND AMAZING?!?!?
Fictionalized but based on true events, Song of a Blackbird has two intertwined timelines: one is a modern-day family drama, the other a thrilling tale of a WWII-era bank heist carried out by Dutch resistance fighters.
In the present day, teenage Annick is desperate to find a bone marrow donor that could save the life of her grandmother, Johanna. She turns to her family history and discovers a photograph taken by Emma Bergsma.
Decades earlier, Emma is a young art student about to be drawn into what will become the biggest bank heist in European history: swapping 50 Million Guilders' worth of forged bank notes for real ones—right under the noses of the Nazis! Emma’s life—and the lives of thousands, including a young woman named Johanna—hangs in the balance.
In this stranger-than-fiction graphic novel, Maria van Lieshout weaves a tale about family, courage, and the power of art. Deeply personal yet universal, Song of a Blackbird sheds light on an untold WWII story and sends a powerful message about compassion and resistance.
A Very Special and Boisterous Launch Party! Please join Ariane and Todd Erickson as they celebrate the launch of their newest picture book, Freya Takes Charge, on Saturday, January 11 from 1 - 4 pm in Palo Alto. Festivities will include haggis tasting, "real live" Vikings, arts & crafts, a photo booth, Scottish dancing and bagpipe demonstrations, and a Freya Takes Charge read aloud and book signing. Don't miss this very special and boisterous launch party!
THE YOUR CALL PROGRAM WAS SO FUN!! LINK TO RECORDING BELOW
BOOK TALKS (for adults or kids), CURRICULUM CONSULTING (finding books that fit), etc.
Hey all!!
Recently I have given Book Talks to students and parents that can focus on Engaging Reluctant Readers, Diversify Your (home or school) Bookshelves, and Great and Engaging Books (for various ages/grades). They've been well received and participants leave with TONS of information (and quite a few win prizes). I do these in schools or libraries, but would love to be hired by companies as a 'Perk' for their employees who have children in their lives. So, using my 'Social Capital' (that's you all) to spread the word.
I also work with teachers to help find great books that fit (and expand) the curriculum (otherwise known as my idea of a good time).
Please feel free to spread the word and send people my way: sharonlevin @ mindspring.com
We now return to our regular programming.
DO YOU HAVE EVENTS OR NEWS TO SHARE IN THE NEWSLETTER? WANT TO DO A GIVEAWAY?
I'm only as good as my sources, so please do feel free to share events, good news, etc.! Please e-mail me at sharonlevin at mindspring dot com and put For the Newsletter as your subject line.
I'm always happy to feature giveaways. There is NO paid advertising in this newsletter - I do not require anything to feature a giveaway. I'm just happy to do it.