Inspiring Imagination
There are few pleasures in the world as great to me as reading. As a child, I read voraciously, and without limits—I read about Greek Mythology, and biographies of great men and women, and Japanese Folk Tales, and about Lost Treasures of the Incas, and Fairy Tales, all with equal fervor. I traveled to other worlds with Charles Wallace Murray, and grew up alongside Taran Wanderer. I learned about Robot Detectives, and Magic Swords, and Time Machines. But most importantly, I learned that we live in a world without limits. And that's the most important lesson of all.—James A. Owen, The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica series
2013 Testimonial Archive
Todd Kemmerer
Counselor, Children First Academy, Tempe, Arizona
October 25, 2013
I was wondering if you would be able to get anymore of the knit animals for me. I am almost out and the kids have really responded to them when I use them for an interventions and coping strategies. I have even used a few of them for behavior contracts that the students work hard to get. They are very popular!!
The 5-8 graders are still working on the Life Strategies [Jay McGraw's Life Strategies for Dealing with Bullies] book. The readings have really propelled the kids into talking about bullying and sometimes we spend a whole class period just discussing a paragraph in the book. I also just read the book One. I started with 2nd grade and used the book to do a play with the students. They had a blast. I then decided to use the book with all the grades 3-8. It was hysterical seeing the 8th graders acting as the colors and reading the words out loud. It ties in great with the bully theme and it reinforced the strategies we have been talking about in the book.
Again, having access to these great books has been a fantastic resource and the kids are really responding to them. Thanks so much for what you do.
Cynthia Reeves
Administrative Assistant, Shore Educational Collaborative, Chelsea, Massachusetts
September 23, 2013
We got the books! The Director and her staff were so excited when opening the boxes! They really are wonderful books! So much diversity in content and age levels. We are so happy!
Evelyn “EJ” Jacobs, RN
Nurse, Primeros Pasos Prenatal Clinic, Tucson, Arizona
September 23, 2013
Thank you so very much for the 90 wonderful books! I have sorted and prepared them to be placed in the children's section of the waiting room. They are wonderful books. (Some I wouldn't mind reading again)
Thank you so much for your wonderful response!
Anna Snyder
Business & Community Liaison, Springdale Job Corps Center, Troutdale, Oregon
September 11, 2013
Just wanted to let you know we received the amazing boxes of books, they've been unpacked and added to our library, and they're already flying off the shelves and out the door! We appreciate it so much!
Kim Pirnat
Coordinator of the Two Million Minutes, Grand Valley Elementary, Orwell, Ohio
September 5, 2013
I just wanted to let you know we received the books, and they couldn't be more perfect! We have a huge assembly on Tuesday for our reading program and will be handing out books to the kids! I can't wait to see the looks on their face when they receive an awesome new book!
Thank you for your help! We really appreciate it!
Todd Kemmerer
Counselor, Children First Academy, Tempe, Arizona
September 5, 2013
I wanted to share with you...I just had my guidance class with the 7th graders. We discussed the first chapter of Life Strategies [Jay McGraw's Life Strategies for Dealing with Bullies]. It was AWESOME!! The kids were so engaged, they actually read the first chapter and the teachers are reporting that they actually pull out their books when they have free time. Even a few kids who are more challenging to engage were participating in the discussion. A few are even doing the journal exercises at the end of the chapter. Thanks again for the great opportunity!!!
Elizabeth Gonzalez
Principal, Canyon State Academy, Queen Creek, Arizona
June 11, 2013
YOU ARE SUCH A BLESSING! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Eboni Cotton
Teacher, Bethune Elementary, Phoenix, Arizona
May 27, 2013
We were soooo blessed by you this school year. Students who were living in shelters around our school and who could not afford books were sooo happy to have something that was theirs. It wasn't taken from them, and they could share it with their families. You were truly a blessing. I thank God for your generosity.
Katie Hoving (and the NHS students)
Teacher, Hampshire High School, Hampshire Illinois
March 24, 2013
I want to thank you for your donation to the Hampshire High School National Honor Society Story Hour event. Because of your generous donation, we were able to provide books to many children who otherwise may not have received anything for Christmas. To know that we'll be able to help instill in those kids the love of books is the best part! It was so wonderful to see the looks on the parents' faces when they found out that we had books to give the children.
So, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your incredibly generous donation! We need more people like you in the world!
Lianne Merrill
Family Resource Specialist, Taft Elementary, Mesa, Arizona
March 20, 2013
I can't begin to thank you enough for all the wonderful books that you donated to Taft Elementary. We really appreciated them. We have given out a few, but the most part of them will be given at our “Family Literacy Night” on April 11th.
Angela Newkirk-Tucker
Teacher, Jerry L. White High School, Detroit, Michigan
March 13, 2013
Once again, thank you so much for the wonderful books. The kids have really enjoyed them. We decided the activity that suited us best was the “Book Buddy Program.” We have a population of severely handicapped students, so I thought it would be great for my kids if I paired them up with one of those students, and had them read to them twice a week. This helps my students to become more caring people and it helps them to be more confident with their reading.
I cannot tell you how much of a blessing your book donation is to my students' and my school.
Sym
Student, Hampton Elementary School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
March 12, 2013
I love Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It's my favorite book. I would read it over and over.
Charles
Student, Hampton Elementary School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
March 12, 2013
Thank you for the books.
Jade
Student, Hampton Elementary School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
March 12, 2013
Thanks for the books. They are good for us.
Anonymous
Student, Hampton Elementary School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
March 12, 2013
Thank you for the books. Kids really need to read. I love every singles on [sic] of them books. Thank you Kids need 2 Read!
Breonne
Student, Hampton Elementary School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
March 12, 2013
Thank you so much! I love the books. You are really carring [sic] about people. That makes me happy!
Adrianna
Student, Hampton Elementary School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
March 12, 2013
Thanks for the books that you gave us at our school Hampton Elementary School. Thank you.
Sylvia
Student, Hampton Elementary School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
March 12, 2013
Thank you for all the books. You got all got all [sic] of my favorites. Especially Diary of a Wimpy Kid. You guys are the best people in the world. I an [sic] so happy for what you gave me.
Rachel
Student, Hampton Elementary School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
March 12, 2013
Thank you for the books!
Yuna
Student, Hampton Elementary School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
March 12, 2013
Thank you for the books! We love it very much.
Mathew
Student, Hampton Elementary School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
March 12, 2013
Thank you for the books. I am reading one.
Anonymous
Student, Hampton Elementary School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
March 12, 2013
I love books because I love school. Every book is fun to read and I don't care if it is hard but I still read it.
Arieyana
Student, Hampton Elementary School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
March 12, 2013
Thank you for the books. We really need the good books.
Michelle Sholta
Teacher, Hampton Elementary School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
March 12, 2013
Thank you so much for all the awesome books. My students were so excited when I presented the new books to the class. They immediately checked them out and took them home to read.
Thanks for your support with public schools and helping instill a love of reading in children! Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Shana Williams-Gorden
Parent Coordinator, GEE White Academy, Detroit, Michigan
February 20, 2013
We received the books and we want to extend a big thanks to your organization and Berline for the donation! We are so grateful and will make the brand new books part of our literacy packets that we will be distributing to all of the students.
Thanks, Thanks and Thanks!
Linda Dunham
Librarian, DeQuincy Elementary School, DeQuincy, Louisiana
Febuary 15, 2013
What a wonderful Valentine's Surprise! The library books arrived at DeQuincy Elementary School at noon on Valentines' Day. The love of books and reading was shared by you to the students of our school. The titles of the books were ones that the students are excited to read. You made Valentine's Day special for the students of DeQuincy Elementary. Words cannot express the appreciation we have for your generosity of money and time that you dedicated to choosing these books for our school.
Heather Anguiano
Principal, Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary School, Chandler, Arizona
February 13, 2013
Thank you very much for your generous donation to our school. We serve over 800 students, with 95% coming from poverty. With your donation we will be able to put a book in each child's hands. Readers are leaders, and with your support, we are making this a reality.
Andrea Haug
Teacher, Hampton Elementary School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
February 12, 2013
Words cannot express our gratitude for all of the books that were sent to our school. It was like Christmas for us as teachers to receive these gifts for the children. It is an outstanding donation that will bring huge smiles to our children's faces. From the little hands of my children we have attached something special for you.
I personally am the teacher of 30 of these beautiful K4 students. As a teacher of such a great group of children, I wanted to send you a letter of appreciation. Our class consists of blossoming students, of which all are from low-income families. They attend a public school that is located in the inner city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Due to many aspects we have lost an enormous amount of funding, and have no budget to purchase classroom resources. Your materials that were donated will help not only my current class but future students as well. It is inspiring to know that there are people that are willing to support the needs of our young children, and assist in the educational development for so many students. All of your books donated are a great asset to our classroom, and will be used to support many additional teachings for the young learners.
I am overwhelmed by the kind hearted support and generosity shown by your donations. As a teacher it is very encouraging to know that so many people out there like yourself are willing to fund the needs of young minds. As I watch these innocent faces every day smile as they are grasping new concepts and are building their knowledge base, it is inspiring to know that I am not alone. I can't show enough gratitude for what you have done. I highly encourage you to continue your generous acts of kindness, because they never go unnoticed. Please know that they have positively impacted so many lives.
Testimonials Archives
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008