Help us continue our mission

December 21, 2009

The East Bay Children’s Book Project helps build literacy by putting books into the hands of children who have little or no access to them. Working through individuals and organizations who help children in need, we have given out over 300,000 free books since opening its doors in May 2005.

Help us continue our mission

We believe wholeheartedly in the power of reading, writing and education and we’re lucky enough to have a support network of dedicated volunteers to help us complete our mission of bringing books to the children who need them most.

Our work is a labor of love and we’re personally rewarded by knowing that we have helped others. But since we’ve moved to our new location our expenses have gone up exponentially and we need the financial support.

Please consider making a tax deductible donation to help our efforts. You, your family and friends can make a secure on-line donation or send a check to EBCBP, 2008 Park Blvd, Oakland, CA 94606.

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Dr. Seuss was born Theodor Seuss Geisel on March 2, 1904. 

Even the story behind how he came to be called “Dr. Seuss” is funny, although not quite the stuff of a children’s book: In college at Dartmouth in the early 1920’s, he wrote for the school’s humor magazine and eventually became editor-in-chief.  When he was discovered drinking gin in his room with friends – in violation of Prohihbition – the school’s administration made him resign from all his extracurricular activities.  He obeyed in name only: Geisel resigned and “Seuss” took up the job. 

Geisel occasionally used other pen names during his long career.  Some showed his love of word play, like Theo LeSieg: Theo was short for Theodor, his first name, and LeSieg was Geisel backwards. 

Did you know Dr. Seuss was a Californian?  He lived most of his life near San Diego, California.  The library at the University of California, San Diego is named the Geisel Library, for him and his wife.  Some people think it looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss book!

The Geisel Library at U.C. San Diego

The Geisel Library at U.C. San Diego

 All told, Geisel wrote more than 60 books.  My personal favorite is, and always has been, Green Eggs and Ham. I loved this book even as a child, before I fully realized its moral of open-mindedness and being willing to try new things.

Do you have a favorite Dr. Seuss book, or a memory of a Dr. Seuss book or character from your childhood – or from reading to children?  Tell us about it!

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Scientists Say Reading Fiction Helps Combat Obesity

February 22, 2010

No, it’s not one of those in-your-dreams headlines like “chocolate is good for you!”  According to a “A ‘Novel’ Intervention: A Pilot Study of Children’s Literature and Healthy Lifestyle,” a new study in the respected journal Pediatrics, reading – particularly reading about healthy behaviors – can actually be a tool in helping [...]

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The Banning of Brown Bear

February 11, 2010

In a wonderful article in The Huffington Post, children’s book author Julianna Baggott tells the sad tale of Brown Bear.  The hero of the beloved book by Bill Martin, Jr. is no longer out seeing the other animals – he’s been banned by the Texas Board of Education.

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A Sad Farewell

February 3, 2010

The Barnes & Noble Bookstore at Jack London Square has closed.
You may not realize it, but Barnes & Noble was for years much more than a huge emporium where you could find thousands of books as well as calendars, games, and whatnot.  Now I love independent bookstores, but this chain store was unusual in the [...]

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What’s Your Favorite Children’s Book?

January 25, 2010

Do you remember being read to as a child?  If you do, is it a happy memory? What books do you remember being read to you?  Quick: What was your favorite book when you were little?
Some books glow in our memories but don’t stand up to the test of time, or of our growing [...]

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And the Winners Are …

January 18, 2010

The buzz this week in the world of children’s books is the American Library Association’s announcement of its 2010 awards for excellence in children’s and young adult literature.

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Host a Book Drive for the East Bay Children’s Book Project

January 4, 2010

Want to help the East Bay Children’s Book Project but live too far away or don’t have time during the week? You can organize a book drive.

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Give a Day, Get a Day at Disneyland

January 4, 2010

You heard it right. Disneyland is generously offering a voucher for free admission to Disneyland to anyone who signs up and volunteers 8 hours for a participating non-profit – like the East Bay Children’s Book Project. This has been unbelievably popular so it would be wise for you to sign up as soon as possible. [...]

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New Year’s Resolutions

January 1, 2010

Happy new year!  The East Bay Children’s Book Project humbly offers a few New Year’s resolutions that we hope will make your lives, and those of the East Bay’s children, happier and more book-filled in 2010:

Come see us! The East Bay Children’s Book Project will re-open on January 5, 2010.

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