'Today I had the privilege of getting over 100 books from BookSmiles. This organization, started by TCNJ alum Larry Abrams, provides children’s books to teachers who are building their classroom libraries! To my fellow educators, spread the word about this incredible organization! Thank you again Larry!
Mary DiRienzo
Student Teacher
The College of New Jersey
Mary DiRienzo
Student Teacher
The College of New Jersey
"Thanks to @booksmilesnj and my many trips to them (pre and during quarantine), a little under 500 books went home in care packages to our students today! Most of my students have few to no quality books at their level in their homes and unfortunately our school has no library to pull from (that’s our next project 😊). The majority of our students are craving the consistency and support of school staff. A book may not fix everything but it will increase their fluency, their language skills, and maybe give them a little piece of the support and love they’re missing from school. If you have books to donate, consider donating to @booksmilesnj and if you’re in need of books for your students look them up! Some of my kids now own their VERY FIRST BOOKS of their entire lives because of this wonderful organization!
Julia Lanuez
Elementary Teacher
Julia Lanuez
Elementary Teacher
"I want to say a special thank you for your mission. I was in yesterday and among my books I picked up one Spanish novel (It was a Spanish copy of The Outsiders). Today I brought my bags into my 7th grade classroom. My students clamored over to the bags- wanting to pick. One of most quiet students immediately found that book and said "Ms. Bitzer, this is in Spanish. I can read this with my mom. She doesn't read English." I told her that I picked it up with her in mind and she could take it home. She was excited and said "I can read with my Mom now!" Thanks so much for making my students day!"
Cindy Bitzer
Middle School Teacher
Ridgeway Middle School
Edgewater Park,NJ
Cindy Bitzer
Middle School Teacher
Ridgeway Middle School
Edgewater Park,NJ
"I cannot thank you enough for all of your hard work with BookSmiles.” I organized and displayed all of the books I grabbed on Sunday. My third, fourth, and fifth graders took beginner books home for younger siblings and other family members. I also have a bus driver whose aide is reading the books to their four-year-old passengers. They read a story a day and then send the book home with one of the students. They are so excited! I have the chapter books in my classroom for check out. We are also planning to let our families “shop” for books when they come in for conferences next week. Your mission is awesome! We appreciate all that you do."
Denise Martin
Elementary Teacher
Alexander Denbo Elementary
Pemberton, NJ
Denise Martin
Elementary Teacher
Alexander Denbo Elementary
Pemberton, NJ
"Lab Charter students and teachers are so excited when I bring boxes of books into school from BookSmiles. Our students can’t believe the book are all FREE! So far this year, every student has taken home 10 free books. Many of my students had 0 books at home. Classroom libraries are filling up, our school library which was created through book donations is getting bigger, and best of all, students are beginning to LOVE reading! Thank you BookSmiles!
Katie Odile
Elementary Teacher
Lab Charter School
Philadelphia, PA
Katie Odile
Elementary Teacher
Lab Charter School
Philadelphia, PA
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"I’ve spent the last few years working in a preschool classroom with 3, 4, and 5 year olds. This year I suddenly found myself in a new school district, teaching 3rd graders and not having any supplies for my students. Larry Abrams and booksmiles helped me out to fill my classroom library. Now my students have a large number of books to choose from in many different genres. My students and the other 3rd grade class are thoroughly enjoying all the books that were donated. Thank you so much!"
Kristen Champion Elementary School Teacher Bridgeton Charter Bridgeton, NJ |
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"It was so nice meeting you today and having a gorgeous BIG BAG of new reading books to bring to school tomorrow.
My high school English Learners will so appreciate the variety of materials this program is making available to them, as they develop their skills and (life-long!) love of reading. BIG THANKS to you, and all the generous people who make BookSmiles happen! :)"
Theresa Daly
ESOL Teacher
Philadelphia, PA
My high school English Learners will so appreciate the variety of materials this program is making available to them, as they develop their skills and (life-long!) love of reading. BIG THANKS to you, and all the generous people who make BookSmiles happen! :)"
Theresa Daly
ESOL Teacher
Philadelphia, PA
'Being switched to 2nd grade from 4th grade two weeks before school started meant that my classroom library was empty. However, with the amazing generosity of BookSmiles I was able to start my classroom library. Thanks so much for helping to spread the love of reading."
Lindsay Comisky
Elementary Teacher
John Paul II Regional Elementary School
Camden Diocese
Lindsay Comisky
Elementary Teacher
John Paul II Regional Elementary School
Camden Diocese
"Thank you! So many kids from Kroc Center - Camden are taking home books (and starting up their home library!)"
Barbara Pfeiffer
Volunteer
Salvation Army Kroc Center
Camden, NJ
Barbara Pfeiffer
Volunteer
Salvation Army Kroc Center
Camden, NJ
"Thank you for the most recent donation of books you gave me to bring to DHS. There are some beautiful books in there and a great variety as well. I have been bringing about 30 books each day in a bag on the train and there are a few social workers who check back a few times a week for new books they can bring to the families they are working with. It’s slowly starting to spread that social workers can access great books for the families we work with.
As always, Larry, thank you so much for all the support over the last year plus.
Dan McVay, MSW
Social Work Supervisor
Philadelphia Department of Human Services
As always, Larry, thank you so much for all the support over the last year plus.
Dan McVay, MSW
Social Work Supervisor
Philadelphia Department of Human Services
"I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful organization BookSmiles is. They gave me the books I requested and delivered them the next day. The great thing is that they asked what series that the kids would like and the teachers were able to give input as to the books their students would enjoy. I can't wait to give the teachers the books to distribute to their students next Friday, which is the last day that I will read to my BookMates kids. I'm sure the teachers and students will be very happy!
Thanks so much to Larry and Jim, I think this is a great partnership for the BookMates program."
Laurie Korth
BookMates Volunteer
South Jersey
Thanks so much to Larry and Jim, I think this is a great partnership for the BookMates program."
Laurie Korth
BookMates Volunteer
South Jersey
"Thank you so very much for all of the books that you gave to Florence Township "Stop Summer Slide" program. We will now be able to send all of our students in grades pre-K- Third Grade with books to read over the summer. We are very excited to be able to give all of our students books. Thanks for helping us make that possible!"
Robyn Kaminer
Basic Skills- Literacy Teacher/Grades 1 and 2
Roebling Elementary School
Florence, NJ
Robyn Kaminer
Basic Skills- Literacy Teacher/Grades 1 and 2
Roebling Elementary School
Florence, NJ
"Thank you for your generous donation of 500 age-appropriate books donated to the Pittsgrove Township Middle School. These books replaced those in Ms. Godwin's 5th Grade Class that were water damaged when a pipe broke in the building. We will also place some of the books in our media center for use by all of our Middle School students. As Superintendent of Schools, I am extremely grateful for your generosity toward our students. As you well know, public schools operate on a very tight budget. Without your contribution, we would not have been able to replace all the books that were damaged in such a short timeline.
Companies like yours enable this school district to accomplish far more than it otherwise could have. On behalf of the parents, students and staff of the Pittsgrove Township Middle School, I thank you again."
Dr. Scott Hoopes
Superintendent of Schools
Pittsgrove, NJ
Companies like yours enable this school district to accomplish far more than it otherwise could have. On behalf of the parents, students and staff of the Pittsgrove Township Middle School, I thank you again."
Dr. Scott Hoopes
Superintendent of Schools
Pittsgrove, NJ
"Thank you so much for your generous donation of books for my classroom library. By donating books to my classroom library, you have provided so many children with rich literature and wonderful opportunities to read that they did not have before. My classroom library was slowly growing, but with your help it is now complete. I look forward to giving these books to children who do not have anything to read at home. Your organization is paving the way for the future of children in South Jersey! BookSmiles is wonderful organization that can help children have rich literature experiences for the rest of their childhood. Thank you again and I look forward to seeing how your organization grows in the near future!"
Molly Stout
2nd Grade ICS/ICR
Avon Elementary School
Barrington, NJ
Molly Stout
2nd Grade ICS/ICR
Avon Elementary School
Barrington, NJ
"I have 141 books to give out to students!! I m beyond grateful and don’t have words to express how much this means to our students. I teach at Laboratory Charter School in Philadelphia. We are hosting our first Family Literacy Night this Wednesday and it is our goal for every student who attends to take a book home with them."
Katie Odille
Teacher
Laboratory Charter School
Philadelphia, PA
Katie Odille
Teacher
Laboratory Charter School
Philadelphia, PA
"Having a BookSmiles donation bin at our school has been a great way for our young students to participate in the act of sharing and giving while also supporting our school character goals of "Respect, Responsibility and Citizenship." Our school community was eager to participate and collected over 400 books in just one month. Some of these books will be given to families in our own school community to help them establish their own home libraries. BookSmiles has provided a simple, fun and impactful method of supporting literacy and charity at any age. We look forward to being a permanent donation site."
Jillian Soriano
Teacher
Barclay Early Childhood Center
Cherry Hill, NJ
Jillian Soriano
Teacher
Barclay Early Childhood Center
Cherry Hill, NJ
"I can't thank BookSmiles enough for refreshing my classroom library. The students are excited to start new texts and trade out some of their home libraries as well. From all of us in 3rd grade, thank you!
Karen Tropp
3rd Grade Reading Teacher
Clementon Elementary School
Clementon, NJ
Karen Tropp
3rd Grade Reading Teacher
Clementon Elementary School
Clementon, NJ
"On behalf of the students at D'Ippolito Elementary School in Vineland, I would like to thank you for creating an awesome book recycling program! The student's enjoyed getting a book to take home! It is such a great program!"
Val Detetta
School Counselor
D'Ippolito Elementary School
Vineland, NJ
Val Detetta
School Counselor
D'Ippolito Elementary School
Vineland, NJ
"My program requested 300 books to give to the preschool children we serve as holiday gifts. We were given not only the 300 we needed for our enrolled students, but got an extra 100 to hand out to siblings as well! They’re all in good condition and perfect for our kids! We’re so happy to work with Booksmiles!"
Kyra Stauts
Preschool Teacher
Jumpstart Camden
Kyra Stauts
Preschool Teacher
Jumpstart Camden
"Hi Larry! I really can’t thank you enough for the book sets! The Goosebump series was in my library for about 5 minutes before 7 books were borrowed by students! They are THRILLED!! I attached the picture and will be posting about it to share with my friends."
Kelly Stroemel
4th grade teacher
Berlin Community School
Berlin, NJ
Kelly Stroemel
4th grade teacher
Berlin Community School
Berlin, NJ
"Our book give-away during our Open House was amazing!! WE handed out ALL of the 250 books that you gave us. Our parents and students were so excited!"
Ezekial Gadson
Principal
Lindenwold Pre-K
Lindenwold, NJ
Ezekial Gadson
Principal
Lindenwold Pre-K
Lindenwold, NJ
"My name is Mollie Taylor, I am a South Jersey resident and I am beginning my teaching career this year in the Philadelphia School District as a third grade teacher. I have always been an avid reader and hope to instill the same love of reading for my future students.
The kids love the books! In the boxes you gave me, there was a whole set of My Weird School and Junie B. Jones. They really love them and it makes me so happy! I would love to continue the partnership if possible."
Mollie Taylor
Teacher
Philadelphia Public Schools
The kids love the books! In the boxes you gave me, there was a whole set of My Weird School and Junie B. Jones. They really love them and it makes me so happy! I would love to continue the partnership if possible."
Mollie Taylor
Teacher
Philadelphia Public Schools
"We can't thank you enough for the books! I will send you some pictures of our students' smiling faces as the browsed through our Pop Up Book Fair today in the Media Center! Every student left with several books. They were so excited. And the book selection was GREAT!
We would love to "Pay it Forward" and hold a book drive next school year. I live right down the road from Lindenwold HS, and I'll be happy to get some books together for you. Please let me know if that is possible."
Kristen Speakman
Assistant Principal
Dr. William Mennies Elementary School
Vineland, NJ
We would love to "Pay it Forward" and hold a book drive next school year. I live right down the road from Lindenwold HS, and I'll be happy to get some books together for you. Please let me know if that is possible."
Kristen Speakman
Assistant Principal
Dr. William Mennies Elementary School
Vineland, NJ
"A huge Thank You for your wonderful donation of boxes of books! We gave them to our school students, as well as to some of our Adult day programs. We really appreciate you helping our students and adults enjoy reading."
Dawn Gardner
Program Director
HollyDELL School
Hurfville, NJ
Dawn Gardner
Program Director
HollyDELL School
Hurfville, NJ
"I wanted to relay gratitude from the Director of Virtua’s Pediatric Early Intervention Program. She picked up 100 books yesterday and they were gone by the end of the day. She came by and picked up 200 more books today and couldn’t have been more thankful."
Gregory Mayers, MPH
Project Coordinator, Community Health Engagement
Virtua Health System
Marlton, NJ
Gregory Mayers, MPH
Project Coordinator, Community Health Engagement
Virtua Health System
Marlton, NJ
"Just wanted to send a heartfelt thank you for the donation of books from BookSmiles this past spring. I work at Dr. Horton school in Newark, NJ and connected with Julie Nortillo who was so very helpful in getting these books in the hands and hearts of children and families.
We received several boxes of beautiful books for our children. We hosted 3 Family Literacy Nights this year, and our last one was the most successful with over 125 people coming out for our play, interactive literacy workstations, and Family Picnic! One of the most popular stations was Booksmiles. Children were encouraged to peruse the beautiful books on display, and select a book of their choice that they wanted to read and found interesting. Children had the opportunity to write a thank you note to Booksmiles for making us all smile at Family Literacy Night! Our teacher volunteers said this was the most popular workstation that we had for the children:)
Each child that attended our Family Picnic received a free book thanks to Booksmiles. I am attaching some pictures from the event in June, and look forward to our continued partnership!
Everyone was SMILING!!!
With thanks and appreciation,
Gina Molinari-Schiano
ELA Coach
Dr. William H. Horton School
Newark, NJ
We received several boxes of beautiful books for our children. We hosted 3 Family Literacy Nights this year, and our last one was the most successful with over 125 people coming out for our play, interactive literacy workstations, and Family Picnic! One of the most popular stations was Booksmiles. Children were encouraged to peruse the beautiful books on display, and select a book of their choice that they wanted to read and found interesting. Children had the opportunity to write a thank you note to Booksmiles for making us all smile at Family Literacy Night! Our teacher volunteers said this was the most popular workstation that we had for the children:)
Each child that attended our Family Picnic received a free book thanks to Booksmiles. I am attaching some pictures from the event in June, and look forward to our continued partnership!
Everyone was SMILING!!!
With thanks and appreciation,
Gina Molinari-Schiano
ELA Coach
Dr. William H. Horton School
Newark, NJ