Launching Children Into a World of Reading
by Emily Ball Cicchini, Executive Director When we first began talking about the importance of having 20 books at home, we set our sights on 2020. It was an ambitious goal, but also a wonderfully concrete one: children need books of their own—books they can choose, revisit, carry around, sleep beside, and ask someone to […]
The BookSpring 2020 Central Texas Reading Survey provides valuable information about the reading habits of families in Central Texas. Conducted annually with consistent methods over the past three years, the effort provides a longitudinal snapshot of our regional progress in early literacy. As in previous years, it prompts interesting questions about the ongoing state of […]
We are celebrating Emily Ball Cicchini’s five-year anniversary at BookSpring! She joined BookSpring in February 2015 and is proud of all that we, as a board, staff, partners, and volunteers, have accomplished together. In Emily’s words, “…this organization is truly a collaborative labor of love for hundreds of very committed individuals and thousands more who […]
By Lorena Koppel: Volunteer If you’re looking for a quick escape from the real world, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a batch of some of some of the best fantasy books, selected by the wisest mages in the lands, for your enjoyment! Aru Shah and the End of Time By Roshani Chokshi An adventure inspired by […]
Toni O’ Dowd is a retired elementary school principal from the Dallas area with over 15 years of educational experience. As a principal, she utilized books and story-time as a means of calming students having a difficult day. She would pull them into her office to select books from her collection and simply spend sometime […]
It is no mystery that summer break can result in an exponential loss of academic skills or the “summer slide.” Research conducted by John Hopkins’ sociology Professor Karl Alexander shows that low-income youth suffer significantly from a loss of academic skills over the summertime. The losses pile up contributing to an achievement gap in their […]
Erica Huff, owner of Wick Habit wants to make the world a better place or at least make it smell nicer. With a history of donating portions of her proceeds to local causes, Erica was inspired to create the“Rachel’s Poetry Corner” candle in honor of Rachel McElroy of the local podcast Wonderful. Erica said, “She’s one […]
Rachel McElroy and her husband Griffin host a weekly podcast called Wonderful. Listeners are encouraged to write in with items of enthusiasm such as movies, television, sports, books, and more for topics of discussion. With a background in poetry, Rachel began an informal segment called “Rachel’s Poetry Corner” to expose more people to poetry. She connected […]
It is never too early to share books with your baby. Reading to babies immerses them in sounds, rhythms, and rhymes building language and early literacy skills. Books are also a crucial bonding tool for caregivers and their newborns. Through the Rx programs, we partner with healthcare providers to prescribe a book and a dose […]
By: Ashley Hawes, JLA Volunteer As the world grows increasingly smaller due to connectivity through the internet and global travel, children’s books should represent the myriad of cultures and faces that exist within a quick search on the internet or a walk through the street in any metropolitan area. Children, especially those aged 0-5, are […]
Do you want to contribute in a unique and meaningful way to our mission? We love to distribute books that are written by or for underrepresented people, because all children deserve the chance to see themselves reflected in the books they read. However, it costs about three times the amount for us to purchase these […]
Liam H. held a book drive for our literacy programs in lieu of presents for his 11th birthday party. Thanks to his friends at St. Austin Catholic School they collected books to share with other children in Central Texas. Thanks Liam for helping us provide children in Central Texas with 20 books by 2020. Checkout his […]
Mariela Rodriguez/Communications Director Over the last three years, we have been recipients of book drives held by several professional meetings, events, or conferences engaging their members in community service or charitable projects. This is a great way to give back to your host city. When attendees contribute to the host community, it builds a bond […]
Barbara Mott is the librarian at Rodriguez Elementary. After years of working as an educator, this bibliophile had a change of heart. Barbara opted to go back to school to become alibrarian. Her passion for books shaped her life. Barbara recalled her mother always reading to her and her siblings. Growing up she could typically […]
Sarah Rasmussen has been a children’s librarian for six years. As the librarian at Reilly Elementary, Sarah works to constantly engage the community in and around the school in the joy of reading. Her love of kids, books, and introducing students to the excitement of getting lost in a book and know that reading can help […]
With the 20 Books by 2020 initiative under way, the need for books to distribute through our programs with healthcare (Rx), education (Ed), and community (Go) partners. It is these partnerships that allow us to reach children and families in need across Central Texas. Two of our greatest supporters in launching children into a […]
The mere presence of books in the home creates a culture of learning that translates to a more prosperous future. Books allow children to explore the world at their own pace and develop their own interests. Print rich homes cultivate the language, social-emotional, and interpersonal skills needed to prosper and thrive in academics and beyond. […]
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