Author friends, readers, and book lovers...

I'm collecting books (primarily picture books, chapter books, and easy readers, but will take all levels of kids' books) for a really exciting project to help Rhode Island kids in need. Here's the deal:

When my grandmother, Nina, passed away almost 10 years ago, my family decided that they wanted to honor this amazing, special person in a very public, permanent way. They created The Nina Foundation, an organization to raise money for RI kids in need, and paired with the Dept. of Children/Family services to provide basic necessities for kids lacking clothes, properly heated homes, and food. Through our fundraisers, we've helped 70 families, but wanted to do more, reaching more kids.

After nearly 10 years, the Nina Foundation is making an even bigger impact. First, we paired with the Providence Children's Museum. The Children's Museum runs a program where children separated from their families and in the foster care system come in to the museum with their birth parents for supervised family visits, so they can get on the road to being permanently reunited.

The Nina Foundation purchased a HOUSE in Providence and are renovating it. The Fairfield Avenue house--to be called Nina's House--will be a major extension of the Museum's DCYF visitation program. Children will be able to visit with their parents in a home-like setting. Mom and Dad can make lunch for their kids, give them a bath--and--of course, snuggle up and read to them. Social workers will be able to offer guidance and hands-on help as mom and dad negotiate day-to-day skills. The upper floor of the house will hold offices of the Museum DCYF staff.

This is a completely new model of family visitation in New England. (typically, family visitations take place in public places--notably, McDonald's play spaces, or in the LOBBY of the Providence DCYF building. Depressing and sad.)

My part in all this--I'd love to have a mini "library" at the house, so parents can connect with their children through reading together. And beginning readers can proudly show their parents their new skills! All of the books will remain on-site.

If you'd consider donating one of your books, or a favorite read, to the program, I'd be so grateful--and you'd be making an impact in a lot of kids' lives. Nina's House will be finished and presented to the museum on November 1st. I'll accept books via snail mail up through October 28th. (Feel free to sign them with an encouraging note, or if you'd like to send bookmarks, etc, instead, I'd gladly accept those, as well.)

Packages can be sent to me. DM me for my address.

I'll also be presenting at this year's ENCORE! program at Rhode Island College on the 29th, and will gladly accept donations after my session.

If you'd like more info about Nina's House or the program, feel free to message me or leave a note in the comments.

Thanks for thinking of Nina's House!

ETA: new, ARCs, F&G's (as long as the pages are attached), and gently used books are totally acceptable. These books will not be sold or circulated--just read and loved.