How We Pick Every Book (and Why the Note Matters Most)

Every book that leaves our shelf has already had one life. Somebody turned its pages, laughed at the pictures and maybe dog-eared a favorite chapter. Our job is to give it a second life with a kid who's been waiting for it.

Here's a peek at how that happens.

Step one: finding the right book

When a parent sends a request, they tell us a little about their child: their age, what they love and anything else we should know. A seven-year-old who is obsessed with sharks gets a very different book than a four-year-old who wants every story to have a dog in it.

We look for books that are:

• Gently used, with clean pages and a sturdy spine

• A good match for the child's age and reading level

• Connected to something they already love

Step two: the note

This is our favorite part. Every sponsor writes a short message, and we copy it by hand on the inside cover. No printed stickers, no typed labels. Just real handwriting from a real person who wanted this kid to have a book.

"Keep reading, keep wondering, and never stop asking questions. Your friend, Maya"

Kids keep these books for years. The note is often the reason why.

Step three: off it goes

We wrap each book, pop it in the mail and send it straight to the child's door. Parents tell us the moment their kid sees their own name on the package is half the magic.

Want to be part of it?

A one-time sponsorship is $30, or you can sponsor a book every month. Every single one comes with your note inside.

Thank you for helping us put more stories in more little hands.