Last month, I met a teacher in Hutchinson, Kansas – Shannon Vieyra – via Skype in the Classroom. Ms. Vierya’s students and I spent forty or so minutes chatting about reading, creative writing, journaling, inspiration, brainstorming, first drafts and revision.
Skype sessions are always enjoyable for me, but a few really stand out. I come away feeling especially gratified, because the teachers and students are so enthusiastic and engaged. This was one of those visits. The children even sent me photos of their good deed project — baking and delivering thank you treats for school staff — an idea inspired by reading Baking Day at Grandma’s, and watching the book trailer.
Just days later, I learned the town had been hit by wildfires. Homes were lost. Families displaced. Many of whom are a part of the school’s community. You can read more about the Hutchinson wildfires here.
Ms. Vieyra and her students showed such empathy to their neighbors through the crisis, it inspired me to help as well. And while I understand no one can bring back everything these families lost, I believe that the kidlit community can help in a small way, by beginning to rebuild their home libraries. (And hopefully, lift their spirits.)
District administrators were kind enough to allow me to share basic information about children affected, and have given me permission to take up a book collection.
Authors, illustrators and publishing pals: if you would like to donate a book, please leave a comment below this post. Be sure to indicate: “I will donate (no. of books) to student 1.” All donations should be sent directly to the school, labeled with the corresponding student’s number, by APRIL 15th. We’re in need of picture books, middle grade, and YA titles, as the children’s reading levels span from pre-k to high school.
Student 1: kindergarten girl
Student 2: second grade girl
Student 3: kindergarten girl
Student 4: middle school girl
Student 5: high school male
Student 6: high school male
Student 7: high school male
Student 8: two year old
Shipping address:
Attention: Shannon Vieyra
Plum Creek Elementary School
901 East 43rd Avenue
Hutchinson, KS 67502
My sincerest thanks to all who consider donating. I’m certain it will not only restore books to their shelves, but hope to their hearts.
*Questions? Send me an email: [email protected]
I will donate 2 books to Sudent 1, 3 books to student 2, and 2 books to student 3
Thank you for your generosity, Aileen! That’s wonderful!
What a generous and giving heart you have. Thank you so much for thinking of these students. It means so much to them that people all over this world are invested in them. I try to tell them that they have so many people in their corner, rooting them on, and wishing the absolute best for them. This is proof of the wonderful connections that can be built.
<3
We received your BEYOND generous donation! Many many thanks to you! We will be sending you something soon! 🙂
Sending to the three HS boys #s 5, 6 and 7 —
Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
The Amulet of Samarkand (Bartimaeus Book 1)
The Book Thief
Sending to student #2 and / or 4 (because of obvious reasons!)
On the Banks of Plum Creek
with love and wonderful wishes
What wonderful book selections, Alison! Thank you so much for your generosity. xoxo
Aww this is wonderful! A book with Plum Creek in the title (eek!) dragging that into my Amazon cart myself.
Thank you for all that you are doing. We are so grateful.
<3
Allison James, we have received your books! Thank you so much for your donation! Since we received your package, two students have checked out the library copies of both The Book Thief and On the Banks of Plum Creek. You’re doing so much for ALL the students! I would love to have your address so we can share our thanks with you. Please email me!
Wonderful idea!!! Thank you for coordinating this.
I will send my picture book Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs to student #8
I will send my new picture book The Big Adventures of Tiny House to Student 3
And I will send The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm (co-authored with LeVar Burton, and specifically intended to help families cope with trauma & turbulent emotions) in c/o the teacher, to use in her classroom or give to school counselor/library to use as needed.
Susan, this is so generous, thank you! The students will be thrilled to receive them. What wonderful books! <3
Tugging on my heart strings. It’s so magical that these kids will have books in their shelves that will be directly from the person who wrote it. Being an avid reader, this is truly powerful. These books will have such a rich story of where they came from and why…thank you.
Additionally, our library has one copy of The Rhino Who Swallowed the Storm. It has been off the shelves ever since the wildfires. I look forward to being able to share it with these students.
<3
We have received all the books! I must tell you how much self-control it takes to not be the first person to crease the binding of your books and peak inside but I am holding strong! I will be adding your books to MY personal library once I get them ordered.
Also, the counselor of our school was so honored to receive The Rhino Who Swallowed the Storm. She will be able to reach so many people with that. Thank you with all my heart.
We will be sending you something soon!
I will send a copy of my new picture book A Book of Bridges: Here to There and Me to You to students 1, 2, and 3
Thank you so much, Cheryl! We are so grateful!
Love this book and I know they will too!
Aw. Thank you!!
Popping in the mail tomorrow. Added a couple of buttons.
Thank you for organizing.
This is absolutely phenomenal! Thank you so much! I am a new fan of yours (for so many reasons)!
<3
Cheryl we received the books! I am so floored by the beauty of these books and BEYOND thrilled to be able to share them with three students! Thank you for your generosity! We will be sending you something soon!
(Also, I am ordering this book for myself. You’ve got several big fans over here in Hutchinson, KS)
I am so beyond grateful for you, Anika. You have been such a value to each and every student and we hang onto your every word. We are so grateful that someone (many someones) have shown such generosity and genuine interest in these sweet students.
This is so much bigger than us.
My deepest thanks.
I can send 3 books to Student 4, the middle school girl. I have lots of lovely YA author friends who’ve showered me with books. 🙂
Thank you, Amy! That’s GREAT! <3
Amy! We have received your books and they are sitting adorningly on our shelves! I must share that it is very hard for the students in my class to not crack open the books but you better believe that they have placed orders and put your books on hold in our library!
We will be sending you something soon!
A kind deed for deserving kids, thank you for organizing this. I sent three of my books out and they will arrive late April (sorry we run on snail mail pace here). Happy reading!
No problem, Elsa! We are just grateful to have them. Thank you, thank you! <3
Thank you so much for thinking of us! We will be so happy to receive them! Shelves full of books has to be the most beautiful sight AND smell.
Anika, I would love to create a visual image for these students to see where the books are coming from. Is it possible to include the locations of the donors? These kids are so fascinated that people OUTSIDE of Kansas are rooting for them!
What a great idea! I know where some of the authors are and will see if I can find out the rest. xo
Happy to help! I’m so sorry to hear about this. I will donate two books to Student 1, two books to Student 3, and two books to student 8. xo
Wowsers! That’s so generous, Lindsay! Thank you!! xoxo
Thank you so much for your donation! You are beyond generous and we are so thankful that you’ve thought of us! These students will be so grateful.
Sending two picture books to students #1, #2, and the two year old. Thank you for doing this book drive. I am sure it means a lot to these students and their families.
That SHOULD be student #1 and #3 (the two in Kindergarten) plus the 2-year-old.
Got it! 🙂 Hooray! Thank you so much, Maria! 🙂
Maria! We received your books, as you know, and we SO very much adore them! Wowzers! Thank you for thinking of us and extending so much love to the students! We will be sending you something in the mail very soon!
I will send 1 to student 1 and 1 to student 3. They will be in same envelope.
Tammi, that’s so wonderful! Thank you! They will be thrilled to have them! xoxo
You’re welcome! I’m originally a Kansas girl. I was home over spring break and saw a lot of the aftermath. It was heartbreaking to see so much loss.
Heartbreaking. I’m so glad we can do this small (but big in our hearts) thing to help. <3
We received your books and I am so thankful for you. How wonderful it is for someone who knows the community like you do to come on back and give! We are recovering and families are in such good spirits but I cannot stop thinking about the beautiful reactions that they will soon receive from this book drive!
We will be sending you something soon!
Hello Plum Creek.
Two copies of Pig and Chick Stuck and The Wish That Got Away for students one and three are in the mail!
Love from,
Pig, Chick and P. Marin
Thank you for your generous donation!
How grateful I am for the sweetness of your donation! Thank you so much! We will be sending you a heart felt written message soon! Thank you so very much for thinking and empowering these students to just be themselves, their beautiful and powerful selves.
Sending 2 books to student 1 and 2 books to student 3. Thanks Anika,
Loren
Loren, thank you so much for your generosity! I know they will treasure them. <3
We have received your package and WOW! Thank you so much for everything that you included and the personal messages in every book. I get goosebumps every time I look at them. You’ve really helped the healing in Hutchinson. A personal message to you will be coming soon!
I will donate two books to student two. 🙂
Thank you for your generosity, Tara! So grateful. <3
Thank you so much for thinking of us! You are wrapping these students up in love!