I would like to reach out to kid lit authors and book bloggers to get quality books into the hands of deserving kids.
Throughout the month of March, I am collecting new children’s books to benefit children of incarcerated parents. Authors, I hope you will consider donating signed copies of your books. Book bloggers, please help us by sharing this information with your readers.
I am a children’s author, teacher, and mom who is passionate about children’s literacy and the power of children’s books. When I learned nearly 2/3 of children, living in poverty, DO NOT own books, I was moved to act. I founded the literacy initiative, Picture Book Pass it On, to raise awareness for literacy issues and get books to kids in need.
Three years ago, the Picture Book Pass it On initiative grew to include a month-long book drive called MARCHing Books to Kids.
Throughout the month of March, MARCHing Books to Kids collects books (ages birth-17 years) for the VNS of Iowa Storybook Project. https://www.vnsia.org/mothers-children-families/volunteer-to-help-children/
VNS of Iowa volunteers travel to The Iowa Correctional Institution, in Mitchellville, once a month. With the aid of volunteers, mothers select one book per child to read via a digital voice recorder. The audio CD and book are mailed to the child to keep. The mission is to strengthen the bond between parent and child, during incarceration, while promoting reading and literacy.
Since 2015, MARCHing Books to Kids has collected more than 1,500 books. Over the years, the drive has received signed donations from notable children’s authors such as Robert Munsch (Love You Forever) and Nick Bruel (Bad Kitty series). Last year, more than 30 children’s authors donated signed copies of their books. Owning a book, let alone a book signed by the author, is a joy most of these children have never experienced.
I believe that every child’s Bill of Rights should be indelibly inked with the right to have books read to him/her and to own their very own books. Many of us take for granted the sacred ritual of cracking open a book and cuddling together while the words and pictures collectively take us away. You can probably recall having been read to by your parents or caregivers. You likely hold a special book, from your childhood, close to your heart. And, until now, you’ve probably not given much thought to how profound that experience can be…
Imagine, never having that.
To participate in MARCHing Books to Kids, please follow the 3 calls to action:
#1 Pledge to donate a new book/s to Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa, Storybook Project. Authors are invited to sign their books.
When packing your book/s, please include a note stating that your book is part of the MARCHing Books to Kids initiative. Books may be mailed to:
VNS of Iowa, Storybook Project
c/o Tabby Kuehl
1111 9th Street
Suite 320
Des Moines, Iowa 50314
#2 Post your pledge on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PBPiO . Share it on your blog and on social media. Please include our badge and tags #PBPiO and #MARCHingBookstoKids
#3 Pass it on. When you post about your pledge, challenge one or more friends to join your #MARCHingBookstoKids giving chain. Encourage them to take the pledge and keep passing it on…
I appreciate your help spreading the word. Thank you for making the difference in the lives of children and families in need.
Wanda Luthman
March 2, 2017 at 5:14 pm
This is great! We have a similar initiative here and I have donated my books to them. It feels great to help a child in need.
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rnewman504
March 2, 2017 at 5:22 pm
Reblogged this on .
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Pingback: Calling all Kit Lit Authors and Book Bloggers–You Can Make a Difference in a Child’s Life… – Wanda Luthman's Children's Books
The Story Reading Ape
March 18, 2017 at 7:42 pm
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
Important message from Children’s Stories Author, Michelle Eastman 🐵
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drewdog2060drewdog2060
March 18, 2017 at 8:44 pm
Reblogged this on newauthoronline and commented:
This is an extremely good cause. I have happy memories of being read to by my grandfather. I particularly remember The Famous 5, The Secret 7 and many fairytales. I wish this project the very best of luck. Kevin
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Michelle R. Eastman
March 18, 2017 at 8:59 pm
Thank you for sharing the post and your memories.
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Tina Frisco
March 18, 2017 at 9:04 pm
Reblogged this on TINA FRISCO and commented:
MICHELLE EASTMAN is collecting children’s books to benefit children of incarcerated parents throughout the month of March. This is part of the MARCHing Books to Kids initiative for the VNS of Iowa Storybook Project. She is reaching out to kid lit authors and book bloggers to get quality books into the hands of deserving kids.
TAKE THE PLEDGE TO DONATE A BOOK and keep passing it on ~ #PBPiO and #MARCHingBookstoKids
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Tina Frisco
March 18, 2017 at 9:07 pm
Michelle, the link to Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa, Storybook Project is broken, and I can’t find the page on their site. But I’ll send a book, have reblogged, and will share on social media. This is a great project ♥
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Michelle R. Eastman
March 18, 2017 at 9:14 pm
Tina-Thank you for letting me know about the link. I will fix that. Thank you for your generosity as well. I appreciate you sharing the information, and the kids will be grateful for the book. Thank you!
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Tina Frisco
March 18, 2017 at 9:57 pm
Most welcome, Michelle!
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Michelle R. Eastman
March 18, 2017 at 9:17 pm
Here is the VNS link https://www.vnsia.org/mothers-children-families/volunteer-to-help-children/
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Kate McClelland
March 19, 2017 at 12:04 am
Reblogged this on Kate McClelland.
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Luna_Snow
March 19, 2017 at 12:41 am
Reblogged this on Cyndi Pilcher, Author and commented:
Definitely doing this!
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Michelle R. Eastman
April 22, 2017 at 6:09 pm
Thank you!
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sharonecathcart
March 19, 2017 at 3:12 pm
Reblogged this on Sharon E. Cathcart and commented:
Reblogging so that my readers can learn more about this important program. If you write children’s books, please consider donating to this worthwhile cause.
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Michelle R. Eastman
April 22, 2017 at 6:09 pm
Thank you for sharing!
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macjam47
March 19, 2017 at 11:42 pm
Reblogged this on BOOK CHAT and commented:
Authors and bloggers, here is your chance to make a difference in a child’s life.
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Michelle R. Eastman
April 22, 2017 at 6:09 pm
Thanks for sharing!
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macjam47
April 22, 2017 at 6:11 pm
My pleasure. 🙂
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Terri Webster Schrandt
March 20, 2017 at 1:02 am
Saw this post on Tina Frisco’s blog! What a great project! I’ve donated to our area’s “Friends of the Library” and am in the process of starting a Little Free Library. Literacy for our next generations is vital to our society!
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Michelle R. Eastman
April 22, 2017 at 6:08 pm
Thanks for stopping by! Little Free Libraries are wonderful!
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Marsha
March 22, 2017 at 1:42 pm
Reblogged this on Marsha Ingrao and commented:
This looks like a great project. Many of my very good friends are following this blog, so I trust it.
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Michelle R. Eastman
April 22, 2017 at 6:07 pm
Thank you! It’s always great to make new acquaintances.
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Marsha
April 23, 2017 at 4:24 pm
I agree! 🙂
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jjspina
April 22, 2017 at 1:21 pm
Sorry, I just saw this post. I would have gladly donated some of my books. If you do this again please let me know and I will help out, I did this for a group that works with special needs children last year. It’s a wonderful idea. Blessings & hugs. Here’s my email to contact me jjspina@myfairpoint.net and my blog http://jemsbooks.wordpress.com and website http://jemsbooks.com. 🤗
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Michelle R. Eastman
April 22, 2017 at 6:05 pm
Hi. Thank you for contacting me. Books can be donated anytime. You can send them as a gift via Amazon, or mail them (I use media mail to protect the books). I wish you all the best with your writing endeavors! Take care.
You can mail books to:
VNS of Iowa, Storybook Project
c/o Tabby Kuehl (please label MARCHing Books to Kids)
1111 9th Street Suite 320
Des Moines, Iowa 50314
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jjspina
April 23, 2017 at 12:33 am
Okay, I will definitely do that soon. Blessings! 🤗
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valerieormond
May 1, 2017 at 8:02 pm
Hi Michelle,
I sent a set of books back in March, and received a package from the US Postal Service in Des Moines, IA saying that “…a label with your address was found in the mail and is believed to have been separated from a parcel during handling.” And they attached a cut up label. Anyhow, can you please ask if “Believing In Horses,” and “Believing In Horses, Too” made it to Tabby Kuehl? I don’t know how to contact her, as the VNS link didn’t work for me either. Thank you, and will send another set if somehow they didn’t make it. Weird.
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Michelle R. Eastman
May 2, 2017 at 2:25 pm
Hi Valerie. Thank you for your donation. Sadly, it did not reach VNS. I have begun sending my books via “media mail” to assure they get where they are going. It actually costs a bit less than regular first-class. With media mail, you receive tracking numbers, and the mail is processed by hand. You just ask for that when mailing your envelope at the post office. I apologize that the books did not make it. Thank you for your generosity. Michelle
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