On Saturday, May 3, 2025, over 1,270 attendees gathered under the Texas sun for BookSpring Fest: A Read-Aloud Celebration, a day filled with storytelling, games, laughter, and, most importantly, a shared love for books.

This year’s festival was nothing short of phenomenal, featuring 29 guest readers, over 1,300 free books distributed, and raising more than $57,000 to help close the literacy gap for children across Central Texas. This total was generously matched by the Andrew Delaney Foundation, totaling over $114,000 raised. From toddlers to grandparents, everyone found something to enjoy in a space built for connection and creativity.

BookSpring Fest isn’t just about entertainment; it’s a pivotal part of BookSpring’s mission to combat “book deserts”, areas where children lack access to quality reading materials. By distributing free books and promoting read-aloud activities, our festival aims to foster early childhood literacy and instill a lifelong love of reading among Texas families.

We were blown away by the love and gratitude shared by families who joined us. Here are just a few heartfelt comments from the community:

“We love taking our daughter to BookSpring Fest—it’s a wonderful opportunity for her to learn in a playful and welcoming environment.”

“My daughter participated in every activity! The perfect scale and size for a young child. We’ll definitely return next year!”

“My husband and stepson and I loved this event! Seeing Batman and Darth Vader dressed up and reading books was amazing.”

Our attendees enjoyed storytime from inspiring special guests such as Dr. Nicole Clark, Bethaney Hegedus, Erin Yeschin, Chris Barton, Princess Belle, Saul Paul, and more! A bustling petting zoo, festive face painting, intricate henna art by Maria’s Mehndi (@mariasmehndi), and carnival games with prizes kept the fun going all day. Delicious, complimentary refreshments from beloved Austin vendors, including Tamale Addiction, Cornucopia Popcorn, Bennu Coffee, Austin Beerworks, and Quack’s Bakery! 

Thank you to the volunteers, sponsors, readers, and supporters who made BookSpring Fest 2025 such a success. Your contributions and enthusiasm keep our mission alive! Stay connected with BookSpring and learn more about how you can become more involved through volunteering, book drives, or donations!