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Our 2025 Impact Report is a celebration of book joy -- of children choosing their very own books, of families snuggling up to read one more story, of a community full of people who believe, fiercely and joyfully, that every child deserves a home library filled with books they cherish.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) introduced the Open Books, Open Doors Act to tackle book deserts, and break down barriers to the opportunity and promise of reading for millions of children in the United States. This comprehensive legislation would work to expand equitable access to books in every corner of the country, and close literacy gaps – so every child is positioned for long-term success in school, the workforce, and life.

On March 26th, Book Harvest was honored to receive the 2026 James B. Hunt, Jr. Celebrate Literacy Award from the North Carolina Reading Association (NCRA). The award recognizes local North Carolina reading councils, organizations, or individuals for service in promoting literacy among children and adults and in developing reading and writing communities.

We are thrilled to share that Book Harvest is endorsing the Open Books, Open Doors Act, introduced yesterday by Senator Andy Kim (NJ) who believes, as we do, that every child deserves a home library brimming with opportunity and possibility.

In the first three years of life, babies’ brains form more than one million neural connections every second. What fuels that growth? Nurturing adults. Responsive interactions. And access to books.

Literacy has a long history of being connected to civic participation, and in many cases served as a barrier to voting. In the past, literacy tests have been used to prevent racial minority groups from casting their vote. Low literacy rates continue to keep many eligible voters from engaging in the electoral process today.

Being able to communicate in Spanish empowers us to host bilingual storytimes, build trust with the Hispanic families we partner with, and demonstrate our commitment to being a truly inclusive organization. In that sense, Cafecito Chats are not just an hour of conversation–they’re a reflection of our values and a vital investment in the community we’re here to serve.

On April 28, Book Harvest received alarming and tremendously upsetting news: the North Carolina LiteracyCorps — along with more than 1,000 other AmeriCorps programs across the country — was being terminated, effective immediately.

Maria and Tiara’s stories emerge from Book Harvest, a North Carolina-based organization that has provided 2.5 million books to families

Book Harvest was able to help replenish bookshelves in Western North Carolina.

On Dec. 9, my colleagues and I found ourselves driving west in the Book Harvest book truck toward the mountains of North Carolina.

Free books encourage bilingual literacy for students By Jenna Rae Gaertner, Durham County Jan. 03, 2025 READ FULL ARTICLE ONLINE

For the past 12 years, Book Harvest has actively worked to address this need by partnering with school districts to implement Books on Break

ECU HEALTH | JUNE 14, 2024 Originally published on ecuhealth.org Books from Birth, a Book Harvest program, will begin providing...

It’s never too early to start inspiring children's civic engagement with books. Book Harvest is excited to partner with Kids Voting...

one question every superintendent should be asking themselves right now is this: What is our summer 2024 learning strategy?

Children’s savings accounts are a proven strategy that works.

This flurry of attention to children’s literacy fails to acknowledge and act on one driving truth: literacy begins at birth.

Children who have college savings of as little as $1-$499 are three times more likely to attend college.