Yesterday, I had the fabulous opportunity to attend a Press Event at the National Press Club introducing We Give Books. I am so pumped about this program that I can’t wait to share it with everyone (including the person in front of me in line at the grocery store….Hey, why not?!).
Safire and I traveled by metro for a day in DC with We Give Books!
I don’t know about you, but it is not always easy to find ways to involve my kids in service or charitable activities. And yet, it’s important to me to raise my kids to be giving people. We Give Books combines the joy of reading with the power of helping others, providing a platform for caregivers and educators to inspire children to become lifelong readers and lifelong givers. Their goal is to donate 1,000,000 books worldwide during the first year.
How We Give Books Works
We Give Books is a free website that enables anyone with access to the Internet to put books in the hands of children who don’t have them, simply by reading online.
First, choose the charity you want to read for and then select the books you want to read. For each book you read online, we donate a book to a leading literacy group on your behalf.
The more you read, the more they give.
My kids and I looked at the list of charitable organizations that are partnering with We Give Books, and together we decided that we would read for Haiti Learning Spaces, where we will help in the effort to donate 5,000 new books for Early Childhood Development Learning Spaces being created by World Vision in response to January’s Haitian earthquake.
Dave Barry was hilarious! And now I totally want to pick up my kids from school in the Wiener Mobile because of him! (I loved getting my picture taken with him!)
Who Is Behind We Give Books?
We Give Books was created by the Penguin Group and the Pearson Foundation. Penguin Group is one of the world’s premier global consumer trade book publishers. Pearson Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Pearson plc. A 501(c) nonprofit operating foundation, the Pearson Foundation extends Pearson’s commitment to education by partnering with leading nonprofit, civic, and business organizations to provide financial, organizational, and publishing assistance across the globe.
All of the books available for online reading are children’s picture books appropriate for children through age ten. There is a mix of fiction and nonfiction, a range of authors, and an equal balance between read-alouds and books for independent readers. They’ll be adding news books every month, together with special seasonal offerings. We have been able to find tons of fun books that my kids have loved!
I got to meet and chat with Amy Tan, the author of many amazing books like The Joy Luck Club
I also got to meet my friend, the Mom Babe, who just happens to be one of the founders of the Causal Blogger Conference!
How Can You Get Involved?
Read together! For every book that you read online, you donate a book to the organization of your choice.
In addition to simply reading as a family, I have created a Better in Bulk Families Book Group on the website. We can work together to read to our families and donate to Haiti. Will you join me? Remember, it’s free and easy to join! We Give Books is also on Facebook. PS–if the book group link doesn’t work, I can send you an invitation upon request!
I wrote this review as part of a campaign by Mom Central on behalf of We Give Books and received breakfast, a gift bag, a chance to meet two authors that I love, and a gift certificate. All views about the campaign are mine!
© 2010, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
Yes, they really are very different people. Amy was quiet and just lovely. Dave was entertaining and fun (could you imagine him otherwise?). It was amazing.
what an amazing cause. And you met Dave Barry and Amy Tan in the same day? Talk about–what I would imagine to be–two very different people. Quite an experience!
I so wanted to go to this!!! everyone’s post were great
You’ve definitely hooked me, Lolli! :-) We all LOVE reading our house, and if others can benefit from our doing so (with free books online tossed in), all the better! Thank you for sharing this!
.-= Dawna´s last blog ..Writer’s Workshop – Divorce Dreams =-.
Wow that sounds so amazing. You are so lucky to get to do all these great things. I am very interested in joining with you. It would really help us be more motivated to read.
.-= Brandie´s last blog ..Wordful Wednesday =-.
It was great to meet her! I had to call my mom after we left to brag just a little. :)
I think that would be a fantastic idea, although with 5 kids in the house, it would be tough to have enough computers for all of them to do their homework at the same time! LOL
.-= Lolli´s last blog ..We Give Books =-.
sounds like a fun day and wow I would have been happy to meet Amy Tan..loved her books. What a great idea to give books or read.
What an absolutely terrific resource! I love this idea.
Did you know… I saw on the news last night that a lot of schools and universities are considering moving from printed text books over to digital books?
.-= Gilliauna´s last blog ..$20.00 Store Credit Giveaway =-.