During the fall, GPB distributed free books to children in ten communities around Georgia, thanks to a generous donation from PBS KIDS and Overstock.com. These books were distributed in partnership with Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) to help foster a love of reading and learning.

Ten of Georgia’s public library systems were selected for this book distribution program. Each system was awarded 92 books to give away as part of one of their early literacy initiatives. The books included: Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, Danny and The Dinosaur by Syd Hoff, and Days with Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel. The library systems were chosen based on per capita funding and demographics of the children served.

Houston County Public Library System incorporated the books in a structured early literacy age-appropriate library program. The program consisted of reading the books aloud to the children, having a tactile makerspace project that would be directly related to the book concepts, providing educational reading directives to the parents or caregivers, and finally presenting the book for the children to take home.

“The opportunity for children to take a book home that belongs to them is a wonderful idea and we were honored to have the opportunity to participate,” says Sara Paulk, Director of Houston County Public Library System.

Richmond Hill Public Library, part of the Statesboro Regional Public Library System, distributed the books at their Baby Lap-Sit Program, which is conducted twice a month at 10:30 am on Thursdays. Pre-literacy skills are a major part of this initiative. Cherokee Regional Library Systems chose to do a special “introduction the library” story time and gave away the books afterwards. Other systems distributed books as incentives for signing up for a library cards, giveaways at annual fall festivals, and leave behinds at story time for local Pre-K and Preschool class visits.

GPLS works with the 63 library systems across Georgia to promote and support early education through myriad library programs and services such as story times, puppet shows, Summer Reading, family engagement programs like PRIME TIME and PRIME TIME Preschool and Every Child Ready to Read workshops.

Overstock.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:OSTK) is an online retailer based in Salt Lake City, Utah that sells a broad range of products at low prices, including furniture, rugs, bedding, electronics, clothing, and jewelry. Forbes ranked Overstock in its list of the Top 100 Most Trustworthy Companies in 2014.

PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, digital platforms, and community-based programs. Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including digital games and streaming video. PBS KIDS also offers mobile apps to help support young children’s learning.