Donate a Book Today!
Maybe you’ve already purchased a copy of one of our books or you’d like to support our mission and spread the message that representation, diversity and inclusion in children’s literature is not only important but vital? Well, here’s how you can continue to support Leap Forward Publishing’s mission and help spread the word. It’s simple: Purchase a book (or two) for donation! That’s it! It’s really that simple.
Why Should You Donate a Book?
By purchasing a book for donation you are doing your part to increase representation of BIPOC people in children's literature EVERYWHERE. The statistics are there. Not only would you be helping to provide books to increase literacy in the areas that need it, but you would also be supplying books to community and school libraries that are woefully underfunded and lacking in books of all kinds but especially one with characters that look just like the children they serve.
Read on to learn more:
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Literacy is so important and still an issue in our community.
There are many contributing factors to illiteracy in elementary school aged children. Poverty and lack of resources are by far the top factors.
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“Some 34% of students are below basic reading level in the fourth grade, according to the U.S. National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Another 31% are below the proficient reading level. Poverty plays a large role in whether children develop literacy skills during their early years. Some 22% of children in the U.S. live in poverty, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Some 43% of adults living in poverty have low literacy levels.” Therefore parents with low literacy levels are ill equipped to contribute to increasing their children’s literacy levels. Child Illiteracy in America: Statistics, Facts, and Resources, Regis College.
Read more about the Child Illiteracy in America: Statistics, Facts, and Resources here: https://online.regiscollege.edu/blog/child-illiteracy/
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There are many organizations whose mission is to promote literacy in low-income communities and schools and create educational equity. They openly accept book donations and work hard to bring these books to underfunded school libraries and classrooms, as well as children who live in impoverished areas and don’t have access to books that not only represent them but will motivate and inspire. While the organization to which your donated book will go will change from month to month, here are just a few that welcome and need donations.
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https://www.projectnightnight.org
https://www.literacynation.com/advocacy-group-donation
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Children need to see themselves reflected in the books they read.
Did you know that the lack of representation in children’s literature is still a pervasive problem even in urban areas where parents and teachers yearn for books with characters that reflect the children in their communities?
“Children’s books written about racially diverse characters or subjects, however, grew by only 1% to 30%, according to preliminary data provided to The Associated Press by the CCBC, which has been tracking statistics on children’s book representation since 1985. Meanwhile, books about Latino characters saw a slight decrease in 2020, from 6.3% to 6.2%.” Fernando, C. (2021, March 6). Racial diversity in children's books grows, but slowly. Associated Press.
In a 2018 survey conducted by the School Library Journal 81% of librarians felt it was “ ‘very important’ to have a book collection representing different points of view. Out of a long list of diverse character descriptions, the three that librarians selected as most in demand by young readers are ‘Black/African American,’ ‘Biracial/Multiracial,’ and characters with disabilities. Fifteen percent of all libraries find it ‘very difficult’ or ‘difficult’ to find suitable titles to round out an inclusive collection. Libraries in urban areas, private schools and elementary schools report having the hardest time finding suitable titles. About half of all respondents (54% of public libraries and 50% of school libraries) have inclusive collection development goals stemming from their administration or district. This rises to 68% in urban communities.” 2018 Diverse Book Collections Survey, School Library Journal
The facts speak for themselves. Increasing access to books, especially diverse books in the areas and to the children that need them will make a profound impact in the community and, really, the world. You have no idea who the gift of your book will inspire.
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Please purchase a paperback book for donation at a discounted price. Each book will have a special message from you.