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Making books a Berkeley birthright.
 

Making books a Berkeley birthright.

We are a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Affiliate because it is a joyous thing for a child to get a gift book in the mail month after month; because we believe creating a core of common literacy can increase connections between children and families; AND because it’s been shown that books in the home increase early literacy and Kinder Readiness. We want that for all children.

Imagination Library is an incredibly efficient and economical way to deliver excellent books to children birth to age five.

We register any Berkeley resident child under age 5 for home delivery of new, carefully chosen, age-appropriate books mailed once a month from birth to age five.

Books from birth at home are the best tools in the best place at the best time to nurture roots of lifelong literacy. We’re starting in our home town with hopes we can encourage, help, and inspire others to start Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library programs in surrounding East Bay communities.

 

Shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/46-1358633 and a % goes to us!

 
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Our Story

 

Research from around the world clearly shows that early literacy affects children's cognitive development, academic success, and even their life expectancy. Improving literacy doesn't have to be complex. The first step is getting books into children's hands. All children. That's why we founded The Berkeley Baby Book Project.

Continue Reading →

 
 
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Our Programs

 

Imagination Library

Monthly Book delivery program

One book delivered by mail addressed to your child every month from birth to age five, at no cost: Imagination Library books are a gift to the child. Available to any child under age 5 living in Berkeley, CA.

 
 

Baby Book Club

Family Engagement

Meet and play with other book-loving children from Berkeley. Enjoy a wide variety of hands-on activities, story reading, take-home books, and snacks (thanks, Clif Bar!).

 
 
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Targeted Giving

Every child should see themselves refelcted in their books.

Seeing yourself in the books you read is powerful, and necessary. We work with local organizations to provide books reflecting families they serve. We purchase books featuring human characteres generally under-represented in children’s publishing for this program; it is not a part of Imagination Library.

 
“We love discovering new authors and books. Getting a book in the mail is a very exciting treat for my toddler. We look forward to the monthly delivery and love that our friends are all reading the same book. It’s like a toddler book club!”
— Parent of One of Our Registrants
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Our Impact

It's tempting to sign up as many children as we can as quickly as we can. But we plan to help Berkeley's children build great personal libraries for generations. In order to succeed sustainably, we have to start small and expand with success. The community response so far has been outstandingly positive, and we're excited for the road ahead.

Here's what we've accomplished to date:

 

200+

Personal Libraries Created

Since the creation of The BBBP, over 200 children have aged out of the Imagination Library program.

 
 
 
 

500+

Currently receiving monthly books

Our numbers are growing steadily by word of mouth, and our goal is to serve the entire community.

 
 
 
 

10,000+

Books Delivered

Since we began in  2015, we’ve delivered over 10,000 books directly into the hands of children.

 
 

Number of Books Delivered to Berkeley Children

 
 
 

Get Involved

There are plenty of ways to help get books in the hands of Berkeley's children. Register your child for Imagination Library or join us for a Baby Book Club. If you've got skills to lend, volunteer with us. And, always, you can make a donation : small or large, they all add up and help keep the lights on and the books mailed.

 

register your child for Imagination Library

A carefully book, delivered monthly to any Berkeley child from birth to fifth birthday month. Register your child anytime from birth to 3 months before fifth birthday.

baby book club

Meet other book-loving parents and children. Children’s activities offered, led by our Activity Director. Take home books and snacks on hand.

volunteer

Help The BBBP by lending time and skills to Baby Book Club or outreach: adopt a Registration Card holder!

 
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