Request a Free Book Fair!

Birdie's Bookmobile is a non-profit organization addressing generational illiteracy patterns by getting books into the hands and homes of children and families in Detroit.

We are dedicated to making quality diverse books more accessible, increasing the number of books children have access to at home, and improving literacy outcomes.

Hatched June 2022

"Birdie's Bookmobile is one of the most refreshing groups I have ever worked with. The dedication to assure kids have culturally responsive books AND a love of reading shows in all they do and are. Working with them is a treat that keeps giving."

Cindy Eggleton

Co-Founder & CEO

Brilliant Detroit

Our Impact

Birdie's Bookmobile has distributed more than

17,000 new and gently used books to children and families in partnership with schools, community organizations, and police precincts.

We have installed and steward sixteen Little Free Libraries at schools and non-profit organizations in communities in Detroit.

Birdie's Bookmobile developed a replicable book collection, distribution, and engagement model that other organizations are using.

Metro Detroit Schools

and Organizations

Our community partners are the backbone of our work. With their help,

Birdie's Bookmobile has distributed over 17,000 books to the children and families they serve.

313Reads

Barack Obama Leadership Academy

Brightmoor Alliance, Inc.

Brilliant Detroit

Bunche Preparatory Academy

Carstens Elementary Middle School

Center for Success Network

Central Detroit Christian

Detroit Community Solutions

Detroit Enterprise Academy

Detroit Institue for Children

Detroit Merit Charter Academy

Detroit Parent Network

Detroit Parks & Recreation

Detroit Prep

Detroit Riverfront Conservancy

Developing Despite Distance

Downtown Boxing Gym

Edward "Duke" Ellington

Emagine Health Services

Girlz Empowered

Hope House

Laurus Academy

MACC Development

Mack Avenue Community Church

Marcus Garvey Academy

Marion Law Academy

Matrix Human Services Head Start

Mosaic Youth Theater Summer Camp

Nichols Elementary and Middle School

Racquet Up

Renaissance Head Start

Soar Detroit

Southeastern High School

Strategic Community Partners

Sundrops Playschool

The James and Grace Lee Boggs School

The School at Marygrove

Thirkell Elementary-Middle

Urban Neighborhood Initiative

Voyageur Academy

YMCA Detroit

Funders

Awesome Foundation Ann Arbor

Teach for America

The Holley Foundation

The Junior League of Detroit

United Way of Southeastern Michigan

Thank You for Your Support

27th Letter Books

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

Bookstock

Brilliant Detroit

Central Detroit Christian

Eastern Market

Ford

Next Chapter Books

Rocket Connections

Starbucks

The Congregation

The Guerrilla Politic

University of Michigan

Wayne State University

Free Book Fair

Free Book Fairs!

Birdie's Bookmobile distributes FREE BOOKS at no cost to students, schools, and

partner organizations in Detroit via recurring grade-banded monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly book fairs. We also offer embedded literacy enrichment programs.

Birdie’s Bookmobile is doing powerful, joyful work to bring books to our children and community! No child should grow up in a book desert and Birdie’s grows book access and literacy with every single book they provide.

Birdie’s also provides enriching programming that promotes book joy — one of our favorite Birdie’s memories is children and families eagerly gathered together around the book bus learning about how honey is made from a local beekeeper and Ms. Alyce sharing related books that got them even more excited about insects and nature. Birdie’s brings books alive!

Dr. Leah van Belle

Executive Director

313Reads

Donate Books

Donate Used Books

Reading plays a crucial role in a child's development. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to quality books. Birdie's Bookmobile will share your donations of gently used books with children and

families in Detroit.

Your book donations will help build home libraries, encourage shared reading experiences, and improve literacy outcomes.

Birdie's Bookmobile will pick up books or books can be dropped off.

Connect with us to donate books!

Host a Book Drive

Hosting a book drive is a great way to partner with Birdie's Bookmobile in our literacy work. Book drives can be held in one or more locations or virtually.

Our book drive toolkit provides all the information and resources needed to organize and run a successful book drive — including, a checklist, flyers, approved logos, and email and social media templates.

Connect with us to host a book drive!

Buy New Books

Amazon Wish List

We have a curated list of board books, picture books, graphic novels, chapter books, and YA books on our Amazon Wish List. The books on our list are interesting and relatable, use engaging language, and are beautifully illustrated.

These selections will make great additions to the home libraries of children and teens in Detroit.

Books ship directly from Amazon.

Read Aloud

A few favorites from the bookmobile we love to read aloud. Click the picture to learn more about the books featured on Birdie's Book List!

Learn More

Join Our Book Club!

Birdie's Book Club offers literacy strategies and developmentally appropriate tips for stimulating language development, teaching reading, and helping struggling readers at home and in the classroom.

Learn More

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