Please take three minutes to learn about the LSSI Storybook Project by watching the video below. This effort, as simple and profound as a bedtime story, connects incarcerated parents with their children.
Have some fun this Mother’s Day weekend, and make a real difference. You can
- Donate to the Storybook Project in honor of the person who read you bedtime stories or the little one who shares a favorite book with you. I gave $10.29, the purchase price of one of my favorite children’s books, I Love You Through and Through. A $5.12 gift (Mother’s Day is May 12) could contribute to the cost of shipping a book and recording to a child.
- Send one or more new children’s books to Gail Beard, Storybook Project director. Find the guidelines below the video. Even if it has been years since you’ve last read a children’s book–enjoy sometime in a bookstore and pick up a classic or a new favorite.
- Invite others to do the same.
God bless us, everyone! Sue
Below, Gail Beard, Storybook Project director, offers a list a recommend of requested titles. Please follow the guidelines carefully, for example, only new books are accepted. Mail your donated books to the address above. Church groups and civic organizations might consider a book drive in support of the Storybook Project. Blessings! Sue
We are happy to receive any popular new book for children, but here is a list of the books that are often requested by our incarcerated parents.
- Books need to be “brand new”—or like new with no damage, no markings and no names in the books, even from the organization or person who donates it. This book will be a personal gift from the incarcerated parent to their child.
- Small books or paperbacks are good because of shipping costs. There can be no stickers, CD’s, toys, or other items included with or attached to the books—any moving parts must be permanently attached to the book.
- Books are mailed in manila envelopes. Please remember, it really helps if the books fit in either a 10” x 13” or smaller envelope.
STORYBOOK PROJECT FAVORITES BOOKLIST
Dr. Seuss books
“Dora the Explorer” books
“Bob the Builder” books
“Clifford the Big Red Dog” books
“Thomas the Train” books
Infant books (cardboard)
Pop-up books (no parts that can be removed)
Mom, Dad, Grandma or Grandpa books
Any Christian books, for all ages
Disney books or books about other popular children’s movie characters
Holiday or Seasonal books
Any sports books
ALWAYS NEEDED:
“Just the Two of Us” by Will Smith
“Amazing Grace” by Mary Hoffman/Caroline Binch
“When Daddy Prays” by Nikki Grimes
“Sunday Best” by Juwanda G. Ford
OFTEN REQUESTED
Author Robert Munsch: Love You Forever; Get out of Bed; No Clean Clothes; Smelly Sox; Alligator Baby.
Author Louis Sachar: There’s a Boy in the Girls Bathroom; Sideways Stories from Wayside School; Wayside School is Falling Down; Wayside School Gets a Litter Stranger
Author Barbara Park: Don’t Make Me Smile; Skinnybones; Operation: Dumb the Chump; Rosie Swanson: 4th Grade Geek for President #2.
Author Judy Blume: Freckle Juice; The Pain and the Great One; Here’s to You, Rachel Robinson; Tales of 4th Grade Nothin; Superfudge; Fudge-a-mania; Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great.
Author Jerry Spinelli: The Library Card; Maniac; Crash; School Daze; Space Station Seventh Grade; Who ran my Underwear up the Flagpole.
Author Roald Dahl: James & the Giant Peach; Charlie & the Chocolate Factory; Georg’s Marvelous Medicine; The Giraffe & the Pelly and Me; Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.
Author: E.L. Konigsburg: From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweier; The View from Saturday;.
Author Kate DiCamillo: Because of Winn-Dixie
Author E. B. White: Charlotte’s Web; Stuart Little; The Trumpet of the Swan.
Author Beverly Cleary: Ramona and her Father; Ramona and her Mother; Ramona the Brave; Ramona the Pest; Beezus and Ramona; Ramona Quimby Age 8.
Mail to: Gail Beard
LSSI Prisoner and Family Ministry
2600 S. 5th Street
Springfield, IL 62703
