A Book in Every Mailbox: Local Nonprofit Hopes to Bring Beloved Book Program to East SGV Families
Bithiah’s Family Services is fundraising to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program to children in San Gabriel Valley — a resource advocates say is especially critical for youth in foster care.
Dolly Parton is well known as a performer, but she is also building a legacy of literacy. Parton's Imagination Library sends one book a month to more than 3 million children through 2,800 local program partners across five countries (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland). Los Angeles County does not currently have a local Imagination Library affiliate. But Bithiah’s Family Services hopes to change that.
“Children get excited to go to the mailbox. As the children get older, they're starting to understand that these books came in my name, it's my gift, it gets to be my book,” said Manisha Braithwaite, a community engagement coordinator for Imagination Library. “It's a pretty special program.”
Lisa Brown, a residential treatment specialist at Bithiah’s, agreed, especially when it comes to benefiting children in foster care. “Reading just opens up such a different world for everyone,” she said. “But mostly these are the kids who maybe, they just need a distraction. Maybe they just need something that's their very own. Wherever you go, you can take this because it's yours,” she said. “I think that's such a beautiful thing for kids who don't often get that opportunity.”
All children under 6 in the East San Gabriel Valley will be eligible for the program, but children in foster care, like those served by Bithiah’s, especially stand to benefit.
“We serve a really vulnerable population. With the frequent moves of being in foster care and changing placements and things like that, there isn't really a ton of access to stable education and also lots of gaps in education,” said Bithiah’s Executive Director Michelle Thompson. “So, for our community in particular, it's pretty incredible.”
Bithiah’s, founded in 2014, provides a range of resources to families experiencing foster care, from diapers and formula to spaces for parental visits to residential housing for former foster youth.
Thompson said the group must raise $175,000 to launch the program locally. The funds would be matched by state support and are intended to cover at least two years of book distribution. Bithiah’s would fundraise to ensure the program continues.
Thompson said they’re aiming to raise the full amount to launch the program by May. “That’s an aggressive goal,” she said, “but I have high hopes.” Once the initial fundraising goal is met, Bithiah’s can begin enrolling children in the program, who will each begin receiving one specially selected book a month.
Braithwaite said the program operates by identifying a local lead partner that collaborates with community organizations, businesses and residents to bring the initiative to a specific region. Bithiah’s agreed to serve in that role for the East San Gabriel Valley.
Thompson was introduced to Imagination Library when Braithwaite joined Bithiah’s board of directors three years ago.
“I was very interested from the beginning,” Thompson said. “My husband and I are both credentialed teachers, so anything books- or education-wise, my ears were always perked.”
Educators say early access to books can improve literacy outcomes.
“I’m very passionate about early literacy. It’s extremely important, and it’s such a predictor of academic and reading success,” said Nancy Bird, an intervention teacher and reading specialist at Claremont’s Oakmont Elementary School. Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking are just a few of the skills that early exposure can nurture, she said. ”I really do find that when you do that exposure early, you will find the lifelong reader.”
Imagination Library books come from Penguin Random House, the program’s publishing partner. A group of expert educators and early literacy experts—part of the program's Blue Ribbon book selection committee—select the books.
Braithwaite said the group is "really thoughtful and intentional" about choosing the books. "They really ensure that they're very age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate."
This year’s selections include classics like “Corduroy” by Don Freeman and “Richard Scarry’s 100 First Words” as well as newer favorites “Llama Llama Red Pajama” by Anna Dewdney and “Exactly as Planned” by Tao Nyeu.
Imagination Library recently introduced the English-Spanish bilingual collection, which, Braithwaite said, “really will be impactful to our families in California.”
Brown, started fostering in 2023 after raising her two biological sons. She and her husband welcomed two siblings into their home.
“To be able to instill the love of reading into children who come from hard places is so important. I firmly believe there's a book out there for everyone that's going to make you fall in love with reading,” Brown said.
Since joining Imagination Library in 2024, Braithwaite has heard many positive stories from families. She said families often describe the excitement children feel when a new book arrives in the mail and the way it creates shared reading time at home. Over time, children begin to recognize the books as their own, building a personal library that can total about 60 titles if they are enrolled from birth through age 5.
Disclosure: When we report on organizations or initiatives we’ve interacted with, we will disclose those connections and continue working to ensure our coverage is fair, thoughtful and independent. Your trust matters to us. Editor & Publisher Staci Baird is a volunteer supporting the local Imagination Library effort.
La Verne Daily News
