Fund the Wandering Bookshop

Help us get Moss & Pine on the road and books into the hands of Maine families who need them most.

Hi, I’m Casie, the founder of Moss & Pine Wandering Bookshop, an independent mobile bookshop based in Oxford County, Maine.

It began with an Instagram post.

A friend shared a photo of a mobile bookstore in another state, a beautiful trailer with books spilling out of it, excited readers gathered around. I was immediately captivated. And then I started thinking, “Could I bring something like this to Maine?”

The more I sat with the idea, the more I realized it didn’t have to stay an idea; it was something I could genuinely make happen. But I wanted it to be MORE than just selling books. I wanted to make a difference in my little part of the world.

Maine’s childhood reading scores have declined since the COVID-19 epidemic, and access to books, especially for rural and low-income families, is a real and persistent struggle. Watching my toddler’s exceptional love for books flourish with each read, I felt called to action to help other children love books as much as we do.

With Maine having a wealth of rural communities, public libraries, while they are wonderful resources, are not always a realistic option for many families. From limited hours, to lack of funding for new books, late fees and travel factors steering off potential story-seekers. I want to bridge that gap, so every child gets to experience the irreplaceable feeling of owning a book, one with a worn spine and dog-eared pages, one they can return to again and again, on their own shelf, in their own home. As a kid who used to get lost in stories everyday after school, I can’t imagine children not getting that incredible experience of finding themselves lost in an adventure they don’t want to step away from.

That fateful realization became the heart of Moss & Pine. Our mission is to ensure that every child in Maine's underserved and remote communities has a bookshelf they can count on and a book in their hands they can call their own. I believe no child’s imagination should be limited by their zip code, and no child should go without a magical story to hold onto, as they shape the next chapter of Maine’s history.

And so Moss & Pine was born.

The vision is a beautifully curated, converted enclosed trailer that travels to farmers markets, parks, beaches, and community events, bringing hand-selected books directly to the heart and soul of Maine’s communities. No storefront. No barriers. Just good books, showing up where you are. Our inventory will be sourced thoughtfully, through library sales, remainder wholesalers, and books diverted from landfills, so we’re keeping books in circulation and out of the trash!

Here’s What We Need

The trailer is the beating heart of the mission. It's the vital link that transforms Moss and Pine from a vision into a rolling treasure trove! One able to reach the very families and communities the project is built to serve.

We’re raising $6,000 to cover a trailer (around $4,000), finishing out the interior with shelving and displays ($1,000), and filling it with books ready for opening day ($1,000). Every dollar goes directly toward getting Moss & Pine on the road.

What Your Donation Makes Possible(beside helping kids!)

$10 — a digital thank-you note from Casie personally
$25 — a Moss & Pine bookmark + sticker
$50 — a handwritten thank-you note, bookmark, + bookplate stickers to mark your own shelves
$100 — all of the above + a dedicated social media shoutout + a Moss & Pine tote bag
$250 — a Moss & Pine tote bag + library-scented candle + an Instagram mention at the close of the fundraiser + your name permanently listed on our website as a founding supporter
$500 — everything above + a Moss & Pine t-shirt + your name (or name of your choosing, subject to approval) permanently displayed as a sponsor inside of the trailer
$1,000 — the full collection + a personal book recommendation from Casie + first pick at inventory at our opening market day + your name (or name of your choosing, subject to approval) permanently displayed as a sponsor inside of the trailer

Can’t Give Money? Give Books.

We’re also accepting gently used book donations, and we’d love to foster yours! We’re currently scheduling drop-off times on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with location and time flexible depending on where you are in the area. If you have books you’d like to donate, reach out to us on Instagram at @mossandpineme or by email at mossandpine@proton.me and we’ll figure out a time and place that works for you.

We gratefully accept:

Fiction
Children’s books and picture books
Young adult
Nature writing
General nonfiction in good condition

To make sure every donation can actually be used, we’re unable to accept:

Books that are heavily worn, water damaged, or extensively written in
Outdated textbooks or old college course books
Reference books like encyclopedias or dictionaries
Books with significant mold, mildew, or musty odor

Every book that comes through our doors is one more book that stays out of a landfill and one more book in the hands of curious readers.

We roam. You read. I can’t wait to see you out there.

— Casie Arietti, Founder

Moss & Pine Wandering Bookshop

Fund the Book Mobile!

Help me get books into the hands of children of Oxford County, ME and beyond!

Team Members