Blog

Current Status: BookSpring is open as an essential business providing services to low-income families in Central Texas.  However, we are observing all city, county, state, and federal mandates.  This includes requiring the use of face masks and gloves from all employees and volunteers, practicing social distancing of at least 6 ...
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By Emily Ball Cicchini, PhD Making Back To School Special This year back to school feels so strange for so many families.  The comforting routines and rituals we normally repeat this time of year, from purchasing school supplies to meeting the new teachers to getting back to a schedule of ...
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Our friends at H-E-B at N. Lamar and Rundberg have a little more in store for teachers and families preparing for back to school. TODAY (Friday, August 7) 500 in-store and Curbside shoppers will receive an extra “surprise and delight” as part of the retailer’s back-to-school initiatives – a free ...
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BookSpring's Board of Directors is comprised of individuals committed to ensuring we do the best work possible in pursuit of our goals to serve children and families in Central Texas. Board members are active participants in our annual evaluation and planning efforts. They volunteer their time to actively participate in ...
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by Emily Ball Cicchini, Executive Director Considering all the challenges for the past fiscal year (July 1, 2019- June 30, 2020), BookSpring is doing remarkably well.  This sense of accomplishment is reflected by those in the community with whom we are working.  We received a modest Payroll Protection Program loan ...
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We're reposting this guest blog, by Natalia Mirkowicz, to encourage parents and caregivers, during quarantine, to establish a reading routine with their babies at home. Here's why... A common misconception among families is that literacy education starts during the school years. Yet, research shows that starting to read and speak ...
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Over the years we have been fortunate to work with the wonderful ladies of the National Charity League (NCL). The group's mission is to foster mother-daughter relationships in a philanthropic organization committed to community service, leadership development, and cultural experiences. This week we want to shine the spotlight on our ...
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What is your job at BookSpring? Director of Development and Marketing What do you like about your job at BookSpring? I love working towards fulfilling our vision of home libraries for every kid in need throughout Central Texas and encouraging families to read together. How has your job at BookSpring ...
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Lorena Koppel recommends you spend your summer relaxing and enjoying a great book! If you loved the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, and are looking for similar reads to enjoy, you’ve come to the right place! Here are 5 of the best middle-grade fantasy essentials for your next reading ...
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Lift as You Climb The Story of Ella Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell Review by Frannie Rooney, Literacy First Volunteer  I came across “Lift as You Climb” while browsing the Austin Public Library’s Kids section. It was the first book I saw under “New”. Considering the current progress of the ...
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The promotion of literacy at home has long term benefits for the whole family. Reading together not only has developmental benefits, but it also increases the caregiver-child bond, creating healthier relationships and a more solid sense of security and empathy long-term. Here are some steps to create a reader-friendly environment ...
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By: Dana Silverman  With the summer break now in session, most children now have plenty of free time. So what should parents do now to keep their children busy? The answer is simple. Read. Reading can be a pivotal opportunity for children to have a fun and fulfilling summer. An ...
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A recent survey released by the U.S. Census shows that 55% of households with job loss had children in the home.  They were more likely to face food insecurity and be unsure of paying their rent or mortgage in June.  This means that over half of the adults facing belt-tightening ...
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Reading regularly with young children stimulates optimal patterns of brain development. Books in the home and reading together can strengthen parent-child relationships during a critical period of development. BookSpringGo programs partners with community-based organizations that work with children and families to provide early literacy programs. We target families living in ...
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An interest in books that starts during childhood can lead to much more than academic success. Teenage volunteer Shruti Vadlakonda reveals how a love of reading resulted in friendships that would help her navigate middle school. Think about how you’ve met your closest friends. Mostly for me, I’ve become friends ...
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We are shining the Workforce Wednesday spotlight on our AmeriCorps VISTA, Evan Rosenblum. He believes that books are a critical tool in helping us better understand ourselves, our world, and each other. We are thrilled to have Evan's expertise and creativity on our team! What is your job at BookSpring? ...
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Najla Albeayeyz is a BookSpring volunteer from Saudia Arabia who started a book club during her junior year of high school!  Starting a book club with friends is easy, and Najla has advice on how to keep it going.  Read on for tips on how to implement this fun activity! ...
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There is no doubt that coronavirus has changed all of our lives. We’ve all been impacted in different ways and for many of us with children, it has redefined our daily routine into a new normal. The kids are home from school and daycare and that leaves parents and guardians ...
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The spotlight is on our volunteer Kacy Vega. She is a resident of San Diego, California but originally hails from the Great Lakes State -- Michigan! Kacy is our newest digital literacy advocate helping create content for kids and their parents and caregivers. Check out her book reviews on YouTube.  ...
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Reading together as a family and doing activities related to the story is a great way to fill your time and build lasting memories! BookSpring is here to provide you with recommendations on children's books. We are connecting with members of our community to share some of their favorite stories ...
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What is your job at BookSpring? I run the educational programs which work with elementary schools to provide books to their students. The Books For Me is a book ownership program which serves the entire school with students receiving 3 books. The other program, Summer Success targets the slide in ...
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