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
2021 Testimonial Archive
Julie Wade
Chief Executive, Snake, Rabbit, and Snail Bookmobile, Greensboro, North Carolina
December 31, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
I requested more diverse and bilingual books and got so many! The bookmobile relies on donations from the community, and a majority of the books I receive have protagonists that only represent a fraction of the children I give books to. I prefer having more diverse books to offer kids, so the donation you sent was unbelievable. Thank you so much.
Leah Reisberg
Executive Assistant, Rainier Valley Leadership Academy school library, Seattle, Washington
December 23, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
We are so grateful to receive these books for our library. We have been building our library over the last year and donations like these really made it possible. Thank you!!
Karen O'Keefe
EL Testing Specialist, Mountain View School, Phoenix, Arizona
December 21, 2021
The Page Coach
As always, our book give-away was a success due to the generous Kids Need to Read donation! The high-interest books we received for our intermediate students were perfect! Hockey! Wrestling! Bloodhounds! Fingerprints! World War II! These topics and many others drew our students in, and the books were read on the spot! For our limited-English students, the Highlights magazines and puzzlebooks were very much appreciated. The grade level teachers were so thankful that ALL students came away with something to read, something to do, something to take home over the winter break! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Kids Need to Read! With each and every donation, you are making a difference in our student's lives and we are eternally grateful!
Latorrey Whitehead
Director, Bright Minds Youth Development Program, Phoenix, Arizona
December 18, 2021
The Page Coach
The donations were a needed and valued addition to the other gifts we gave to children for our event.
Susan Levy
Communications and Community Relations Director, Native Health, Phoenix, Arizona
December 18, 2021
The Page Coach
I cannot tell you what a hit the books were on Saturday. Families and children were so excited to get a new book… [Kids Need to Read] made such a difference in the lives of many. Many of the families don't have access to books, let alone new books and they were so happy! Books and reading are the key!
Nichole Cote
Secretary to the Principal, Irving Elementary, Mesa, Arizona
December 17, 2021
The Page Coach
We love this program. They have always been so helpful and our kids love to get the books. We have many low-income families. So any time we can provide them with literary materials they are appreciative.
Vanessa Eckman
MAT, Kindergarten Teacher, Porter Elementary, Mesa, Arizona
December 16, 2021
The Page Coach
Thank you so very much for the wonderful book and stuffed animal. The kids are in heaven and all they want to do is read and look at books after the story you read to them! My heart is full of gratitude…
Susan Levy
Communications Coordinator, Native Health, Phoenix, Arizona
December 15, 2021
The Page Coach
I just wanted to take a minute and thank [Kids Need to Read]! You truly have no idea what an impact you will make on the community. Thank you! We can't wait to distribute the books to our needy families and make a difference. Every book opens up the world and is so critical to children.
Patricia Palermini
Board of Directors Member, Superstition Community Food Bank, Apache Junction, Arizona
December 11, 2021
The Page Coach
We always enjoy working with the Kids Need To Read individuals. The kids love getting the books and we have experienced kids asking for additional books. What a great feeling it is when we approach a vehicle with food and the kids see a book ‘Just For Them’.
Jackie Thatcher
Family and Community Engagement Supervisor, Mesa K-Ready, Mesa, Arizona
December 10, 2021
The Page Coach
Our families loved getting these books and reading buddies! We love getting to see the smiles on the kids' faces when they get to pick a new stuffed animal friend! We appreciate our partnership with you so much and we hope to continue in the future.
Adela Angiuli
Executive Director, San Gabriel Educational Foundation, San Gabriel, California
December 9, 2021
The Page Coach
SEF believes that as you build literacy for students in their homes other family members begin to show more interest. We also believe that students need to have access to books at home that spark their interest thus providing them with a variety of books is critical for success. One of the best things ever is that our partners at the Kids Need to Read Foundation believe this too!!
Shelly Alexander
Teacher, Palo Verde Head Start, Phoenix, Arizona
December 8, 2021
The Page Coach
This is a wonderful program and I would love it to continue [our partnership]. I have shared the info with other teachers. Keep up the excellent work!
Jennifer R Losinski
Teacher, Byrns Darden Elementary, Clarksville, Tennessee
December 8, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
This was such a great way to add to my classroom library! Students were excited to view and check out books to read at home!
Adela Angiuli
Executive Director, San Gabriel Educational Foundation (SEF), San Gabriel, California
December 2, 2021
The Page Coach
…Our vision is that every student in San Gabriel public schools has the opportunity to enjoy the countless benefits of academic and social-emotional literacy. I am overwhelmed by your support that has allowed us to continue to provide much-needed books, resources, and all-around fun distribution events for San Gabriel public school students. I thank you for sharing in our vision. I thank you for your support. I thank you for making our communities a better place to live and work. And I thank you for making a difference in the lives of our youth!
Una Maher
Kindergarten Lead Teacher, Hillsboro Online Academy, Hillsboro, Oregon
December 1, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
Our students simply adore their reading buddies. Providing these along with books to read boosts not only their desire to read but also stocks the home libraries of our students. Research shows that children who own books are more likely to read these books and score higher in later reading assessments at school. You are helping our students to be luckier in literacy! We appreciate you!
Úna Maher
Teacher, Hillsboro Online Academy, Hillsboro, Oregon
November 30, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
We love the support you offer to our students as they grow as readers. The reading buddies fill them with joy and encourage them to snuggle up and read. Whenever a student talks about their buddy, they always refer to it as their reading buddy, not a stuffy or a toy, but a READING buddy! I love that that connection is made. Thank you!
Nadine King
Founder, Christmas Come True, Bunnell, Florida
November 16, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
Thank you so very much for the generous donation of books. We just got a delivery of 3 wonderful boxes! Our children will be ‘over the moon’ happy on Christmas morning-enjoying the new books and learning at the same time!
Dawn Mortellaro
Immediate Past President, Altrusa of the West Valley, Surprise, Arizona
November 15, 2021
The Page Coach
We value our partnership with Kids Need To Read. Altrusa is a service organization focusing on literacy and community service. The director of Kids Need To Read has always been very responsive to our needs and very enthusiastic in supporting our efforts. Jessica Payne, the Executive Director of Kids Need To Read, gave an excellent presentation at our event on 11/18/2021. We truly appreciate the support Kids Need To Read has given us in furthering our efforts in literacy and community service. The books we have received have always been of excellent quality and appropriate to our age ranges. The reading buddies are also an excellent addition to the books that we give to the children. Thank you to Kids Need To Read for your support!
Lynda Walters
Federal Programs Director, McNairy County Schools, Selmer, Tennessee
November 11, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
A great program that allowed us to have give-away books at family events. The kids and parents were excited to receive them!
Elizabeth Ruiz
Teacher, Westwood High School, Mesa, Arizona
November 4, 2021
The Page Coach
One of my students recently emigrated from Mexico. She did not receive a book during the event. At the end she came up to me and asked if she could go and get a book. I said of course. She came back with her chosen title very excited and told me that she wanted to practice her English and this was going to help her. It brought tears to my eyes to see her overjoyed with this new book and the fact that she wanted to improve her English skills now that she was in America. Thank you very much for brightening her future!
Elizabeth Strickland
Essex Public Library coordinator, Essex Public Library, Essex, Missouri
November 2, 2021
Grow Your Library
We are located in a low-income area, and sending the children home with their own books will encourage independent reading that they may not have had before. Gary and Tina Mlodzik [GYL Program Leaders] were phenomenal. They did a fantastic job of engaging their audience and the children loved them! We can't thank them enough for coming!
Shannon Brown
Early Literacy Coordinator/ Youth Services Lib Asst, Muskogee Public Library, Muskogee, Oklahoma
October 27, 2021
Grow Your Library
[The best part of the Grow Your Library program was] The wonderful and amazing people that I was able to make contact with and the books of course. The Highlight Magazines were probably our biggest hit though, the children and adults [both] loved those. The younger kids loved the reading buddies, they still bring them the storytime.
The books that we received were books that we had plans to reorder or replace because of so much wear and tear and gentle love, but with your wonderful organization's generous book donation, we didn't have to buy those books… After posting the pictures [of the event] we had a 15% increase in parents signing their children up for their own library cards, that was amazing in itself.
Roxie Benjamin
Elementary Principal, Fort Benton Elementary, Fort Benton, Montana
October 26, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
Thank you so much for the books. We have had many students benefit from these books!
Amy Otto
Librarian, Mesa Public Library, Mesa, Arizona
October 26, 2021
The Page Coach
Kids Need to Read is a wonderful organization. We would not be able to, give out books at these events if it wasn't for [Kids Need to Read]! I have given your contact information to the Title 1 Specialists at the elementary schools we partner with. They have nothing but great things to say about Kids Need to Read as well.
Michelle Carter
Faculty Liaison, Black Mountain Campus - Paradise Valley Community Colleges, Phoenix, Arizona
October 25, 2021
The Page Coach
[The Page Coach was] such a huge hit! Not sure anyone could top what you brought to our event. Well done and thank you.
Megan Wetzel
Fourth Grade Teacher, Mount Hope Elementary, Lansing, Michigan
October 6, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
Once the books arrived, I had to remind my students to remain calm so I could open the boxes and share with everyone. They couldn't wait to see what books they could pick out to read. These books have helped me to grow my classroom library, so that generations can learn and grow in reading. I feel blessed to be chosen by the program.
Brandy Roberson
PTO President, Huntsville Elementary School, Huntsville, Texas
September 30, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
We appreciate more than words your donation and helping us provide books for the students to read.
Denise Huddleston
Program Director-Pinal County, Child & Family Resources, Inc, Casa Grande, Arizona
September 9, 2021
The Page Coach
I wanted to thank you again for all your support. We are so excited to pass out the books for our Mystery Book Box for this next quarter. The books are beautiful. We look forward to working with you in the future. Good Luck and thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Jenna Gardner
Exceptional Education teacher, TUSD-Gale Elementary, Tucson, Arizona
August 31, 2021
The Page Coach
There are students who don't not have any books in their homes. Kids Need to Read gave our students a chance to build a “home library” so that every student has access to appropriate books at home.
Sarah Kate Elliott
Teacher, Turner Elementary School, Washington D.C.
August 10, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
My students loved receiving the book donations! They were so excited to see books that reflected their culture. Many of them showed an interest in reading for the first time. Thank you so much for serving my students!
Natalie Fellows
Director of Advancement, First3Years, Addison, Texas
August 10, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
Thank you again for your generous donation. I wanted to share one of the many ways we will be utilizing your donation. We created sensory boxes around one of the books you supplied for our little ones. They will be shipped out to caregivers that signed on as Lifetime Members to our membership program and we built a sensory box around the book!
Martha Hyder
Teacher, Warren Road Elementary School, Warren Georgia
August 5, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
Thank you so very much for your extremely generous donation of books to our classroom library! I am incredibly grateful and was truly blown away by the number of books donated. My students are going to be so excited to see their classroom library on the first day of school!
Sarah Rapier
Youth Education Coordinator, Rossville Public Library, Rossville, Georgia
August 5, 2021
Grow Your Library
Thank you for the time and effort you put into this program! It was so exciting to have this donation and program as part of our summer reading program. Kids were excited to receive books they could read to log their summer reading minutes. It was encouraging and exciting for a smaller library like ours to receive such a large donation of new books!
Audrey Arvizu
Media Center Resource Specialist, Adams Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona
July 31, 2021
The Page Coach
The book give away at our Meet The Teacher night was such an awesome!! I could see the joy on our students' faces.
Melissa Andrews
Vice President of the PTA, Scott Libby Elementary, Litchfield Park, Arizona
July 30, 2021
The Page Coach
This is our 2nd year being provided with books from KNTR. It is such a big hit with teachers and students, especially the kindergartners, they love their reading buddies. We are so blessed to have been recipients of the book donations.
Deanna Krahenke
Teacher, Curry Elementary School, Tempe, Arizona
July 30, 2021
The Page Coach
The books were a HUGE success on Meet The Teacher Night! The children were so excited and kept asking “I get to keep it??” Thank you for supporting us here at Curry and cannot wait to continue working together in the future.
Carly Mendoza
Assistant School Leader of Curriculum & Instruction, Estrella High School, Avondale, Arizona
July 29, 2021
The Page Coach
Our students and families were SO excited to receive books from Kids Need to Read. Many students were shocked to be able to take books home, they expressed that they had never been given a brand-new book to keep before! Our SEI library is updated with grade-appropriate, high-interest books to get students excited about reading in class! Estrella High School, our staff, students, and families, are so grateful for the generous donation!
Abigail Attig
Teacher, Joshua Elementary School, Lancaster, California
July 28, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
Thank you so much for the donation! I was overwhelmed by the generosity of books you were able to provide. My students will appreciate them so much!
Loraine Walker
Children's Services Librarian, Starkville Public Library, Starkville, Mississippi
July 28, 2021
Grow Your Library
Our needs for early literacy and non-fiction books were superbly met along with new copies of many of our well-worn and tattered series that needed replacing, but we didn't have it in the budget this summer. And the fact that every child who attended the program received a brand new book is extraordinary! I believe that every child should own at least one new book in their life and for many of my children who are under the poverty line, this was most certainly their first. I am so grateful for y'all's generosity!!!
The Grow your Library Program made the children stakeholders in the library by providing a book in their honor. They feel proud and are excitedly telling friends and family. First library card sign-ups have skyrocketed because kids can't wait to check out “their” book and the books their friends requested. The Grow your Library Program has helped give our kids a passport to exciting new worlds full of endless possibilities and boundless imagination. The impact they have made here will be felt for years. Gary and Tina have changed lives today, and it's truly extraordinary to watch.
Deanna Krajenke
TOSA, Curry Elementary School, Tempe, Arizona
July 27, 2021
The Page Coach
The books that were donated were amazing! The students were so excited to take their very own book home! Thank you for supporting the literacy of our students!
Martha Hyder
Teacher, Warren Road Elementary School, Augusta, Georgia
July 24, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
I am truly grateful for KNTR! My students will now have the opportunity to pick a book from our classroom library that interests them and makes them eager to read. Thank you so much for providing such a large selection of books for our first graders. We are forever grateful for your generosity!
Shameka Conner
Director, Macon Library, Macon Mississippi
July 19, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
Our small community library is so blessed and thankful to receive such quality and beautiful books. These books will be valued and cherished for many years to come. We can now expand our children's and Young adult collections! You all are so special, continue doing what you do. We at the Noxubee County Library will always be thankful and grateful for your generous love for our small community. Thank you!
Abigail Attig
Teacher, Joshua Elementary School, Lancaster, California
July 19, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
I was overwhelmed by the generosity of Kids Need to Read! They made it possible for my students to become exposed to so many different types of books and really develop a positive, lifelong relationship with reading!
Deanna Krajenke
TOSA, Curry Elementary, Tempe, Arizona
July 2, 2021
The Page Coach
Our students were very excited to get their own book. The students loved the Highlights magazines and wanted to get them done as soon as possible!
Jennifer McBeth
Director of Instruction, Bisbee Unified School District, Bisbee, Arizona
June 29, 2021
The Page Coach
Thank you so much for the opportunity! Our students were very excited to build their home libraries, and to keep reading throughout the rest of the summer!
Deanna Krajenke
TOSA, Curry Elementary School, Tempe, Arizona
June 24, 2021
The Page Coach
Thank You for the books! Our students were very excited! … Thank you again [Kids Need to Read] for all that you do and for supporting our students here at Curry!
Sofia Murta
Community Outreach Coordinator, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, Phoenix, Arizona
June 24, 2021
The Page Coach
I just want to say Thank You for being a part of the NSA 2021 Community Project; we received A LOT of compliments! [about the project] We also were able to set a ‘standard’ with the NSA as this has never happened before, this being the Community Project being brought to them instead of the participants going to a site. Again, I want to give you my sincere thanks for making this event a smooth wonderful one!
Jennifer Highum
TOSA, Scales Technology Academy, Tempe, Arizona
June 23, 2021
The Page Coach
This program was a wonderful way to get books in the hands of our kids during the summer. We are incredibly appreciative and look forward to a continued partnership.
Robyn Martinez
Communication Specialist, Tempe Elementary School District, Tempe, Arizona
June 23, 2021
The Page Coach
Thank you very much for this donation! They made for a great take-home gift for children at the end of our summer school program. We appreciate that you're helping to spread the gift of literacy!
Martha Jacobo-Smith, M.Ed
Principal, Frank Elementary School, Guadelupe, Arizona
June 23, 2021
The Page Coach
Thank you for the books you donated to our school! We appreciate that you're helping to spread the gift of literacy!
Jennifer Enriquez
Principal, Indian Oasis Primary School, Sells, Arizona
June 21, 2021
The Page Coach
Kids Need to Read is amazing !! [The staff is] great and always supports with [providing] books for our students. [The students] enjoy getting new books!!
Nathan
Student, Guerrero Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona
June 18, 2021
The Page Coach
Thank you so much! I like books. My favorite book is E-MERGENCY [Tom Lichtenheld], it [is] a funny book. Thank you so much these are the best books I ever had.
Juliana
Student, Guerrero Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona
June 18, 2021
The Page Coach
Thank you so much for the books you gave us. I love them so much! The books you gave us are really cool and awesome.
Holly Juteson
Title I School Improvement Specialist, Guerrero Elementary School, Mesa Arizona
June 18, 2021
The Page Coach
Thank you for helping to support our Guerrero readers with new books this summer. Students were excited to choose their own titles. We appreciate your generosity and kindness.
Meghan Zins
Title I School Improvement Specialist, Stevenson Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona
June 9, 2021
The Page Coach
We were finally able to hand out all the wonderful books! The kids were so excited! They couldn't believe that they got to take them home and keep them there!
Kimberly Smith
Summer Academy Program Manager, Mesa Public Schools, Mesa, Arizona
June 8, 2021
The Page Coach
The variety and quality of the books delivered were excellent! Our students often don't have any books at home for their personal use and ownership; so, this program was truly valued by our students. They were all excited to see these books delivered and shocked they could take them home and keep them! Thank you so much for facilitating getting these books to our students. They will be treasured and read by all who receive them.
Jennifer Field
Principal, Sirrine Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona
June 4, 2021
The Page Coach
Our event was to share out these books with our students attending our summer school program. Our students absolutely loved being able to pick out books to take home and keep. Some have read the books, returned them, and asked that they be given to others to take home and read (keep if they would like). Many of our younger readers have commented on reading to their younger siblings. We've left our remaining book/magazine donations on a shelf in the library. Students know that these are books that they don't have to check out, but can take home and keep. One family brought in books of their own to add to what they have dubbed the, ‘Give and Take Library.’ Thank you for this kind donation. Our students have enjoyed it 110%!
Kelsey Christofferson
Title I School Improvement Specialist, Lehi Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona
June 2, 2021
The Page Coach
Thank you for the generous contribution of books to our summer school students. We greatly appreciate the opportunity to place books with our students to enjoy for years to come!
Nichole Cote
Secretary, Irving Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona
June 1, 2021
The Page Coach
We appreciated the donations. The kids loved the books some were so excited to read their books we couldn't even get them to smile for pictures. We look forward to partnering with you again in the future.
Kari Tangeman
Humanities Teacher, Ruby Thomas Elementary School, Las Vegas, Nevada
May 25, 2021
The Page Coach
This was greatly appreciated! Staff and students were shocked!"
Holly Justeson
Title 1 School Improvement Specialist, Guerrero Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona
May 25, 2021
The Page Coach
Thank you [Kids Need to Read]! The books are great. I'm so excited to share them with the students.
Shelby East
Teacher, Villa Rica High School, Villa Rica, Georgia
May 24, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
Thank you for the support. You are very appreciated!
LaSean Tutt
CEO, Dreams with Open Arms, Calhoun Falls, South Carolina
May 12, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
[Our] teachers … made a big deal of book delivery to their classroom.
Nicki Young
Clerical Aide, Pomeroy Elementary, Mesa, Arizona
April 8, 2021
The Page Coach
… thank you again for your generous donation to Pomeroy. I can't tell you how excited the teachers and students were for the books and Highlights magazines. So many teachers made comments about how this was their favorite magazine growing up.
Sarah Frost
Librarian, Belmont Public Library, Belmont, New Hampshire
April 7, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
Thank you so much for the thoughtful donation of seven boxes of teen and middle-grade books! This donation will help our summer reading book box program be a success! We are so grateful for organizations like Kids Need to Read. Keep up the good work.
Amanda Steicher
Parents as Teachers Home Visitor, Florence Crittenton, Helena, Montana
March 29, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
Thank you for the book donation to the Home Visiting Program at Florence Crittenton. We are so excited to be able to give these books to the families we serve in our community.
NaTyshia Smith
CEO, Douglasville Islamic Women's Shelter and Services, Inc., Douglasville, Georgia
March 21, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
Your book donation was excellent, for it fit the very purpose of what we had hoped to accomplish. We were able to provide underserved children with books and also donated books to other nonprofit programs that advocated for reading in other cities as a way to network with our local communities in more ways than one. As a grassroots nonprofit organization, your donation not only helped the children that we are promoting our reading programs to but helping us network with other nonprofits. Again we are humbled by such a donation and look forward to more books to come.
Vicki M Burkhart
Teacher, South Mountain High School, Phoenix, Arizona
March 16, 2021
The Page Coach
This was amazing! Thank you so much! This donation makes another year of book club possible!
Elizabeth Sousa
Instructional Coach, Roosevelt School District, Cesar Chavez Community School, Phoenix, Arizona
March 16, 2021
The Page Coach
We are so grateful for the donation of books. We have a high population of English language learners who are literate in their first language but need additional exposure in their homes to English language books to support their second language acquisition. This donation will provide each student with 2 books plus a magazine or activity book to take home and read!
Elisha Ferguson
Site Lead, PS7 Elementary, Sacramento, California
March 15, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
Thank you so much for giving our scholars these beautiful, new books!
PJ Jasso
Director of Public Engagement, Native American Connections, Phoenix, Arizona
March 11, 2021
The Page Coach
These books will keep youth engaged while we slowly transition back to in-person interaction. Distribution will occur while they come to the community room for food pickup and those that aren't able to make it, will have them delivered to their units.
Paula Grimm
Development Associate, Read to Grow, Branford, Connecticut
February 18, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
We received your donation of GORGEOUS books early this week. Thank you so much. Linda (our BFK coordinator) has mentioned several times how excited she is by the quality and variety of the books and said they won't last long. Thank you for helping to bring the joy of reading to the Connecticut children who will receive these amazing books!
Mariah Kelly
Administrator, The Montecito Community School, Phoenix, Arizona
February 18, 2021
The Page Coach
I am feeling speechless this morning after unboxing the books from Kids Need to Read. The quantity was enough to be impressive, but the QUALITY and titles that were selected were impeccable. I am so excited to get these books to the hands of our kids. There are so many titles that resonated with our staff as we remembered our own reading as kids, and we cannot wait to share it with students. Being a small program, we are used to “get what you can” types of donations, so the quality of these books and the wonderful stories within surpassed our expectations. Thank you SO much for all that you do, we are so excited to have these books to start up our library. We so appreciate your work and your donation to our community.
Linda Sylvester
Books for Kids Coordinator, Read to Grow, Inc, Branford, Connecticut
February 16, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
The books we received were gorgeous, current, and new. Many of the books have already been packed and sent out to programs, service providers, and families. Thank you so much for this generous donation to support Connecticut children.
Samantha Maltese
Elementary School Counselor, Whittier Elementary School, Mesa, Arizona
February 16, 2021
The Page Coach
[Kids Need to Read] was phenomenal and such a bright light for the students and staff at Whittier. After a very difficult school year going back and forth from remote to in-person learning, it was such a positive opportunity for the students. Whittier is a Title 1 school in Mesa, AZ where many students do not have enough books in school, and surely not enough for them to use at home. Each child on campus, including the remote students, was grateful to receive a Highlights magazine, a new book, and some new books for their classroom. The Page Coach is such a creative, exciting way to deliver the books and bring positive energy to the campus. …we cannot thank [Kids Need to Read] enough for the wonderful donation [you] gave our students and the entire school. This is the most incredible program I have ever seen and it is so important for children to have books to read, which is not as common as you would think. I believe books are an underestimated resource that is very necessary for schools. Since so many schools are underfunded, Kids Need to Read is such a beneficial agency. Thank you for all you do for our community and children!
Isabel Martinez
McKinney Vento and Foster Care Liaison, Pendergast School District Elementary, Phoenix, Arizona
February 11, 2021
The Page Coach
We could not be more grateful for the donation to our students. We know that students having books at home helps create a sense of normalcy, and is needed in the midst of this crisis while they are out of school.
Jen Gilson
Donation Center Associate, House of Refuge, Mesa, Arizona
February 11, 2021
The Page Coach
Our book give away was just before Valentine's Day. This gave us the opportunity to give them as well as a snack bag away for Valentine's Day.
Steven Gutierrez
Philanthropy Team, Catholic Charities, Phoenix Arizona
February 11, 2021
The Page Coach
Thank you for the donation from Kids Need to Read to CARE Campus/Emergency Santa. Your gift is making a difference in the lives of people in our community.
Anna Maria Lineberger
Teacher, Lealman Innovation Academy, St. Petersberg, Flordia
February 8, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
I am absolutely thrilled with this opportunity. My kids were so excited to receive fresh, culturally relevant, hardback books. They have enjoyed them immensely and I am deeply thankful to you all.
Shannon Brown
Early Literacy Coordinator/ Children's Lib. Asst, Muskogee Public Public Library, Muskogee, Oklahoma
February 8, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
The Highlight magazines had to be the biggest hit ever. The kids got to take them home and do all the puzzles and etc themselves. We actually have parents sign up for a subscription to the magazine.
Sharon Stone
Director, The Free Book Bus, Charlottesville, Virginia
February 8, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
The donation we received from KNTR was wonderful! The books were very high quality, and it was incredibly helpful to have a wide selection of board, picture, and chapter books to give out to all ages. I was especially impressed by the diversity reflected in the books. KNTR helped us in our ongoing efforts to serve the students in our area during COVID. We have given out over 4,000 books and counting since March 2020. Thank you!
Katherine Ramsey
Librarian, Earl Nash Elementary School Library, Macon, Mississippi
February 8, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
Your books are great. Giving both English and Spanish copies of some books gave my students the opportunity to share books with family members that do not speak English at all.
Nadine King
Executive Director, Christmas Come True, Brunell, Flordia
January 14, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
The parents were amazed at the books that their children received.
Karen O'Keefe
EL Testing Specialist, Mountain View School, Phoenix, Arizona
January 13, 2021
The Page Coach
Please know how very, very much we appreciate [Kids Need to Read] and all that you do to spread the joy and magic of reading! One of the girls I work with told us that all she wants for Christmas is one book! She LOVES reading and you have helped to instill that in her! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Oh! The preschool teacher wanted me to tell you that they see the reading buddies online [during virtual class] all the time!!! The kids treasure them!
Rebecca Itkoe
Special Needs Preschool Teacher, Mountain View School, Phoenix, Arizona
January 13, 2021
The Page Coach
I cannot thank you enough for the very generous donations of books, Highlights magazines, and reading buddies! These are always so important for our preschoolers, but even more in these times. Thank you so much!
Carla Cotter
Reading Specialist, Birdville Elementary School, Haltom City, Texas
January 5, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
A giant Texas thank you for giving birth and flight to this wonderful organization. My elementary school was gifted with a huge shipment of books a few years ago. Recently I saw a student with one of the books. It happened to be one about lizards. He LOVES lizards. He has had that book for 3 years I believe. Isn't that cool!!! Those books were used at my school in so many ways. I see them all over our school and in the hands of students. I appreciate and thank you immensely for the hard work you have done all these years. Proud to be your partner in reading.
Una Maher
Kindergarten Teacher, Hillsboro Online Academy, Hillsboro, Oregon
January 3, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
Our students were so delighted with their reading buddies. Parents have reported that they have cuddled, slept with, and read a lot with their buddies over the winter break... Our students and families were very happy with the gifts of reading buddies and books for the winter break. Students started initiating conversations about reading in our virtual class meetings after the drive-through. We LOVE this program and the fact that it provides books and a darling reading buddy for students to start to build their own personal libraries! It inspires a love for reading right from the beginning!
Phyllis Robinson
Teacher, Crawford Long Middle School, Atlanta, Georgia
January 2, 2021
From Our Shelves to Yours
Due to Covid-19, students are currently virtual. A few will return 16 Feb. This donation will definitely impact my incoming sixth graders.
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