Everyone can be a SUPERHERO!

The Betty's Book Heroes Program works to bring new, multicultural and diverse children's literature to schools and families in "book deserts" across the Memphis Metro area and rural surrounding counties. You can use this interactive map to see how great the need is in our area. Interactive Book Desert Map

How does our program work?

Teachers, community leaders, and parents, can request free books for their classrooms, community spaces, or to donate to children and families.  Since the SLC began the program in 2023, over 3,000 children have benefitted from our Betty's Books program donations. The link to request books can be found on our website, www.shelbyliteracy.com

Why are culturally diverse books so important to reading engagement?

A recent study(2023) by First Book Research & Insights showed that increasing access to diverse books in the classroom not only increases the amount of time that children spend reading, but also positively impacts students’ reading scores.  In her most well-known essay, Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop compared books as being  "windows, sliding doors, and mirrors" for children to learn about others and to see themselves reflected in stories.  

 Take a minute to watch her discuss why this is especially important for children of color.   Dr. Bishop

How can I help with this important work?

We need SUPERHEROES!  Donating funds helps us supply the right books for the right readers, provides printed activities, multilingual information sheets, and literacy resource information to parents and teachers to support their readers. 

Monthly donors are our SUPERHEROES  - this funding will enable us to increase the number of books and materials we are able to share in the community.