Once Upon a Time's Project Storybook

Low-income families own between 0 to 4 children’s books on average (Krashen, 2004; Lindsay, 2010; US Department of Education, 1996), and this lack of access to books contributes to lower student success (Capotosto, 2020). Given the uncertain nature of this academic school year, owning books at home is more important than ever! By donating to this back-to-school book drive, you are giving books directly to children who live in low-income communities in the Valley. 


This book drive has been organized by Once Upon a Time (OUAT), a student led organization at a university in Arizona, whose mission is to spark children’s passion for reading. We are partnering with Changing Hands Bookstore (CHB), Southwest Human Development (SWHD), and Teach For America (TFA) to help ignite this spark for children most in need. All donations will help us purchase books locally through CHB, who will also consult on purchasing books at the appropriate reading level for each child. Changing Hands is Arizona's leading independent bookstore since 1974, offering new and used books and more than 300 author events every year. Little Free Libraries will also be purchased through SWHD to allow children to exchange and gain access to new books as needed. Southwest Human Development strengthens the foundation Arizona’s children need for a great start in life. Finally, Teach For America is supporting this project by helping OUAT connect with schools, students, and families in the communities it serves across the Valley, such as the Roosevelt School District. TFA is a national non-profit organization working to ensure that one day, all children will have access to attain an excellent and equitable education.


Any dollar amount can help! Here is how your donation will materialize as a concrete reading experience: 


$3 donation = One good, used book, handpicked by a bookseller

$10 donation = Two paperback books for young readers, perhaps the first book of their own

$25 donation = One hardcover and one paperback book, or five paperbacks to own and share

$50 donation = Two hardcovers and two paperbacks 

$100 donation = Five hardcover picture books for young children, or 18 paperbacks 

$140 donation = A classroom set of paperbacks, one for each child 

$280 donation = Two classroom sets of paperbacks, or 25 middle readers for kids to read and share

$520 donation = Books for an entire grade (i.e., 3 classroom sets)

$600 donation = a Little Free Library built in a community, allowing children to discover new books

$1,000 donation = Books for two full grade levels

$1,800 donation = three Little Free Libraries for three communities in need 

$10,000 donation = Give a book to every child in the entire school!


Our overarching goal is to raise enough money to bring books to at least three communities in need, or three entire schools. Additionally, we aim to build at minimum one Little Free Library in each of these communities so that children can share and exchange books, fueling their love for reading! We hope to raise $35,000.00.