Thanks to the digitization of books, families can access a range of titles without leaving the comforts of home. There are many free online collections that feature a number of quality and acclaimed children’s books. With the following resources, families can broaden their access their literature with the click of a mouse: Here are Three […]
The Very Quiet Cricket inspires student to never give up
Students from Gorzycki Middle School help to remind all Central Texas families how inspirational and important books at home are for children’s futures! By: Alexandra D. (6th Grade) When I was little, my favorite book was The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle. My favorite character was the stinkbug because at the time I thought […]
Volunteer Spotlight: Amanda Shaver
BookSpring is comprised of passionate individuals with a strong connection to all things book or literacy related. Amanda Shaver worked for BookSpring for little over six years. She shined the brightest as our former volunteer manager. “I loved volunteer management because I got to see the very best of Austinites–I had the chance to pair […]
End of Summer Must Reads
By Lorena Koppel: Volunteer Summer is almost over but you can still spend your weekends 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 […]
How Long Will I Love Harry Potter? Always.
By Ashley Haustein Like many 30-year-olds, I grew up loving Harry Potter. The magical Hogwarts castle, professors who could turn into cats, and flying broomsticks captured me in a way no other story did. Last summer, my book club decided to put a “pause” on reading books written for adults and to read (re-read for […]
Home Grown Book Lovers
By: Natalia Mirkowicz A common misconception among families is that literacy education starts during the school years. Yet, research shows that starting to read and speak to newborns already begins to impact the way the brain develops and begins to organize language. Many parents prioritize speaking to their infants as much as possible. However, one […]
Librarians are Superheroes
Dobie Pre-Kindergarten Librarian Alexia Haywood, in front of her newest bulletin board, holding two of her favorite books. By: Kara Hooper/ Guest Blogger “Oh, I am so glad that you are here,” said Dobie Pre-Kindergarten Center librarian Alexia Haywood in a chipper, enthusiastic voice. “I can’t wait to get started on the Battle of the […]
Diverse Book Wish List
Do you want to contribute books to our mission? You can! Purchase these books from our 20 books by 2020 advocates BookPeople or Half Price Books. You can help diversify our book selections for children and families in Central Texas. Shop at BookPeople or Half Price Books […]
Book drives give back to your host city
Mariela Rodriguez/Communications Director Over the last three years, we have been recipients of book drives held by several professional meetings, events, or conferences engaging their members in community service or charitable projects. This is a great way to give back to your host city. When attendees contribute to the host community, it builds a bond […]
Building meaningful bonds through books
GO programs engaging caregivers and children through motivational activities in read alouds and book giveaways. This holiday season curl up with the family and some good books. Take turns reading pages aloud and pause to ask questions and discuss among one another characters, plot, and more. Books serve as a tool for parents to use […]
Chuy El Chihuahua – a kickstarter campaign
The next generation of philanthropists are wasting no time in setting their plans in motion. Local high school student Simms E. is on a mission with her kickstarter campaign. What began as an assignment for her final Spanish IV class project, morphed into an opportunity to bring to life his dad’s stories while sharing them with the […]
New Study on Book Gifting for Babies
By Emily Ball Cicchini, Executive Director The tradition of book gifting has been studied scientifically by researchers in education and healthcare for many years. Practices include bookmobiles, little free libraries, and other early literacy interventions and social programs at the regional, national, and global levels. We at BookSpring look to this work to inspire and […]
My Summer with BookSpring
By: Gauri Dhruva, BookSpringGo Volunteer Signing up to be a Community Reader through BookSpring was a unique experience and I am very glad I got to be a part of it. I will admit that in the beginning, I was a bit hesitant to volunteer because this was an activity that required a lot of […]
Volunteer Spotlight: Literacy First
Literacy First is an esteemed AmeriCorps program in the Austin community. Since 1994, Literacy First has worked to ensure that children in Central Texas are successful readers before third grade. Not only do these AmeriCorps members provide intensive one-on-one and small group literacy intervention at various Title 1 schools, they also give their time to […]
HACA Summer Read Alouds
Macy Wehman, of National Charity League, is pictured reading aloud at the Rosewood Apartment Community Center. Keeping the minds and bodies of families fed is part of the Housing Authority City of Austin’s mission this summer. Through partnerships with the Capital Area Food Bank and BookSpringGo, children and parents- residing at 8 affordable housing locations […]
Manor’s Reading on the Go
Manor Independent School District (MISD) has been celebrating literacy all summer long! Children and families can explore reading aboard the “Reading on the Go” Manor book bus. The traveling book bus has been making stops around Manor helping families build their book collection one book at a time. Through a partnership with the ReBook program, […]