Durham Public Schools Student Marks Landmark Achievement
May 4, 2023, Durham, NC: Book Harvest provided its two millionth book to Lucy, a first grade student at Little River K-8 School in Durham, marking a landmark achievement for the organization. The two millionth book, “I’ll Build You a Bookcase” (by Jean Ciborowski Fahey, illustrated by Simone Shin) was harvested on May 3, 2023.
Book Harvest staff, community members, and Durham Public Schools Board of
Education members Bettina Umstead (Chair) and Alexandra Valladares gathered together at Little River in Durham to celebrate the occasion.
Founder and CEO Ginger Young remarked, “I remember the very first Book Harvest book. I remember the one millionth Book Harvest book. And today, we’re at the two millionth book! Every day, Book Harvest works to create a culture of book abundance all across Durham – our very own City of Books. And every day, babies, children, and families all around us are turning pages and sharing bedtime stories – starting at birth. What a thrill this day is, as we celebrate this milestone of two million books in the homes of our community’s children and families!”
The two millionth book was presented to Lucy by Little River alumna and current Book Harvest employee Zarria Bratts. At the same time, Lucy hosted the ribbon cutting of the Book Harvest Book Box on the Little River campus, accompanied by Bettina Umstead, Chair of the Durham Public Schools Board of Education.
When Lucy was asked why she loved books, she declared, “Because reading books helps me become a better reader!”
Umstead remarked, “Book Harvest’s commitment to our community to provide two million books to children is incredible. I’m excited for the three millionth, the four millionth, and the five millionth book!”
Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Durham, Book Harvest provides books and literacy support to families and their children from birth to ensure that every child has access to the tools they need to become lifelong readers and learners. With a suite of programs that creates an early literacy system of care, Book Harvest works toward a big dream of books for every child, support for every parent, and literacy for every community.
Book Harvest’s journey to two million books was successful thanks to the many parents, volunteers, partners, donors, staff, and literacy allies who have helped along the way. As the journey to three million begins, Book Harvest will continue to unlock opportunity for all children and ensure that every child has what they need to thrive in school and in life, starting at birth.
Two Millionth Book Promotional Materials:
● Book Harvest asked kids to describe what two million books looks like to them! Watch here.
About Book Harvest:
Book Harvest is a nationally recognized, award-winning nonprofit organization, headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. Founded in 2011, Book Harvest provides an abundance of books and ongoing literacy support to families and their children from birth. The organization envisions a world in which reading, learning, and access to information are considered rights, not privileges, so that all children thrive. Learn more at bookharvest.org.
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