The Spirit of Reading
PHILIP BURN
Books from Birth teams with Angel Tree to ensure Brazos Valley children receive books this holiday
By LINDSEY GOLDEN
This holiday season , some lucky Brazos Valley children will be surprised with an extra present to unwrap , in addition to those from their wish list — a gift that can make a difference . Books from Birth , a Hearne-based nonprofit , is teaming up with the Salvation Army Bryan / College Station ’ s Angel Tree program to ensure every child gets something to read , in addition to something they want and something to wear . “ To get a new book in the hands of every child — the blessing of that is just immeasurable ,” says Andrea Israel , commanding officer for the Salvation Army Bryan / College Station . Donors do not necessarily think of purchasing books for the children unless it is not specifically requested , she says .
Angel Tree seemed like the perfect way to get to the most underserved kids and make sure they are getting a book ,” says Rebecca Villareal , who founded Books from Birth last year .
Through this partnership , Books from Birth will distribute an extra
2,100 books in addition to the 8,000 they already give out throughout the year to area clinics , schools , libraries , and grocery stores . “ Books will be provided that are appropriate for children based on age and gender ,” Israel says . Kids aged 0 to 8 will receive the same book , while parents of those aged 8 to 12 will be offered a selection to choose from . “ Reading for pleasure is really important ,” Villareal says . “ Hopefully , they ' ll be able to see something that they think their child would be interested in .”
Villareal ’ s inspiration for Books from Birth is rooted in Dolly Parton ’ s Imagine Library that ships free books to children ages 0 to 5 around the world . According to their
website Parton “ wanted children to be excited about books and to feel the magic that books can create .” and over 1 million books are put into children ’ s hands every month through this program . “ It really starts before school , by the time kids get to kindergarten , it ’ s already too late , you ’ re already playing catch up ,” says Villareal . “ That age zero to three , is just really important . There ’ s so much brain development that happens at that time .”
She incorporates research from national programs , including Imagine Library , and tailors it to the Hearne area to make sure to have the highest participation rate possible , she says . “ I spent a couple years doing a lot of research on the cycle of poverty and on education ’ s role in breaking the cycle ,” she says .
Books from Birth gets their books from Scholastic and First Book , a nonprofit that works with publishers to purchase books at a cut rate . “ Because of those donations from publishers , we get a lot of great books at a low cost ,” Villareal says . Target also donates gift cards to Books from Birth to purchase books by Dr . Seuss . “ We ’ re really conscious of the quality ,” she says . “ We ’ re trying to get books that are high readability for parents .”
Books are placed in The Health Point Clinic and CHI St . Joseph
32 November / December 2021