Our Vision

Expanding children's literacy through book ownership.

Mission Statement

To increase access to new books for children of under-resourced families, inspiring their love of reading.

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About Us

We are a 100% volunteer-run organization that reaches children through existing preschool and after-school programs, thus assisting these organizations in tackling illiteracy by providing new books to the children they serve. All books that are distributed by Books for STL Kids are brand new and are provided at no cost. 

Locally, Books for STL Kids has given away more than 220,000 new books to children in the greater St. Louis area.

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How We Do It

We provide only new books to children in two unique ways:

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• We provide book grants to qualifying organizations that serve low-income children in the Greater St. Louis area. These recipient groups are awarded book credits to purchase books on the First Book Marketplace (www.fbmarketplace.org) at 50-90% off retail prices. The groups are able to select the titles and quantities that best fit the children they serve. These books are then shipped directly to the organization. All books given go home with the children so they can start a library of their own at home.

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• We provide books directly to children at various community events throughout the year, including our signature project, The Largest Book Party in St. Louis.