Dear Chicago: Help Us Build the Village Our Children Deserve

For more than a decade, Burst Into Books has been committed to one simple belief: literacy changes lives.

Every day, we witness the transformative power of books, storytelling, arts education, and community. We see children discover confidence through creative writing. We watch young people find their voice through theater, poetry, and public speaking. We support parents and caregivers as they become their children's first and most important teachers. We create spaces where families can learn, grow, heal, and thrive together.

Today, we are asking for your help to ensure this work continues.

Across our city and nation, literacy challenges continue to grow. Students are struggling to read at grade level. Families face barriers to accessing books and educational resources. Schools and community organizations are being asked to do more with fewer resources. At the same time, funding for nonprofits has become increasingly competitive, making it more difficult to sustain the programs communities rely on every day.

Yet the need has never been greater.

At Burst Into Books, literacy is about more than reading. Literacy is about opportunity. It is about helping a child develop the skills to succeed in school, advocate for themselves, secure meaningful employment, and contribute to their community. It is about ensuring families have access to resources that strengthen learning at home. It is about creating pathways for young people to become leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, educators, and changemakers.

That is why our work extends far beyond books.

Your support helps sustain year-round programs and resources that serve children, youth, and families throughout Chicago, including:

Early childhood literacy programs for babies, toddlers, and caregivers
Family literacy nights and parent engagement workshops
Writing, storytelling, and publishing programs for youth
Arts, theater, and creative expression opportunities
Community wellness and resource events
Youth leadership and civic engagement initiatives
Free book distributions and literacy resources
Educational workshops for students and families
Community arts programming and cultural celebrations
The Words of Wonder Literary Festival

The Words of Wonder Literary Festival remains one of our most visible and beloved programs. For five years, the festival has brought together authors, educators, artists, performers, families, and community organizations to celebrate literacy and culture. Thousands of children have received free books, participated in hands-on activities, met authors, and experienced the joy of storytelling.

But the festival represents something even bigger.

It represents our vision for what is possible when a community comes together around literacy, learning, and opportunity.

Every workshop we host, every book we distribute, every family we support, and every child we inspire is part of a larger effort to strengthen our communities from the ground up.

We often hear the phrase, "It takes a village to raise a child."

We believe it also takes a village to sustain a community.

No single nonprofit, school, teacher, parent, or community leader can do this work alone. It will take all of us—families, businesses, foundations, donors, educators, elected officials, and community members—working together to ensure our children and families have access to the resources they need to succeed.

Your contribution helps us continue providing free and affordable programs, expand access to books and educational resources, support local artists and educators, and create safe, welcoming spaces where families can learn and grow together.

Whether you give $25, $50, $100, $500, or more, your investment directly supports the children, families, and communities we serve.

This is more than a fundraiser.

It is an opportunity to invest in literacy, creativity, education, and community. It is an opportunity to strengthen the village that supports our children. It is an opportunity to help ensure that every family—regardless of income, zip code, or circumstance—has access to the tools and opportunities they deserve.

Together, we can ensure that Burst Into Books continues to serve as a resource hub, a gathering place, and a catalyst for change for years to come.

Together, we can write the next chapter.

Join the village. Invest in our children. Strengthen our communities.

Donate today and help us sustain and grow the programs that make a difference every day.

Burst Into Books is a CPS Vendor and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Dear Chicago: Help Us Build the Village Our Children Deserve

Investing in Literacy, Families, and Community So Every Child Has the Opportunity to Thrive

Team Members