- Benay Hicks
- 58 minutes ago
- 5 min read
The Person Who Asked All the Right Questions
By Benay Hicks
April 30, 2026
Books ignite the imagination. They inspire curiosity, broaden our horizons, and help us grow. Few people have embodied that truth more fully than Isabel Geffner — and today, after 9.5 remarkable years, is her last official day at Book Harvest.
When Isabel first arrived, Book Harvest looked a lot different. There was just a small handful of staff and a scrappy grassroots spirit. Isabel saw what others might have missed: open doors, open windows, and a path from a small Durham nonprofit to what is now a growing national organization. She asked bold questions. She dreamed big. And she helped build something that will outlast any single chapter.
Last November, when Isabel marked her ninth anniversary with us, Founder & CEO Ginger Young said:
"Isabel has been powering our big dreams over these nine years in ways that are impossible to adequately express. She has asked all the right questions, brought all manner of insights and experience to our journey, and created spaces for discovery through deeply formative times... Her unstoppable commitment to excellence, to strategic thinking, to asking hard questions, and to learning is an inspiration — as are her giant heart and enduring commitment to always doing what is best for the children and families we serve."
That's Isabel.
She is the architect of the annual impact report — each one a filled with joy and love. She is warm and welcoming to everyone who walks through the door. And she is, famously, the world's fastest envelope stuffer.
When it came time to celebrate Isabel's departure, we asked every member of the Book Harvest team to share words that describe her. They delivered — and we turned those words into a Dr. Seuss-style book, because if anyone deserves a send-off with a little rhyme and a lot of heart, it's Isabel. We'll share it below.
Isabel: thank you for the questions you asked, the doors you opened, and the people you believed in. We will always consider you part of the Book Harvest family!
Isabel's ABC
Written with love by the Book Harvest Family
Durham, North Carolina · 2026
First edition. One of a kind. Just like her.
A Big A, little a, A is for Isabel! Analytical, Assiduous — she asks questions well. An Activist always, for the greater good, She'd ask ALL the questions if only she could!
B Big B, little b, Brave and so Bold! Brilliant and Boisterous — what a story to be told! She brightens the room and she brightens the day, And wherever she goes, great ideas find their way!
C Big C, little c, Curious as can be! A Connector, Compassionate — that's Isabel, see? Community matters; she holds it with care, And she Connects all the dots with remarkable flair!
D Big D, little d, Discerning and bright! She sees what is hidden just outside your sight. While others see something, she sees something more — A Discerning mind opens a whole other door!
E Big E, little e, Energetic and true! Enthusiastic and Eloquent in all that she'll do! An Engaging Listener — she hears every word, And makes sure that each voice is honored and heard!
F Big F, little f, Fabulous and Fierce! She breaks through the patterns, whatever adheres! A Forward-Thinker and Fruitarian too — She sees paths in the future the rest never knew!
G Big G, little g, Gracious and Grand! Generous always, she lends every hand. She works for the Greater Good — that is her aim, And the world is more wonderful since Isabel came!
H Big H, little h, Helpful, hooray! The most Helpful person you'll meet any day! She helps with a smile, she helps with great flair — Helpful is Isabel, always right there!
I Big I, little i, so many fine I's! Inquisitive Isabel, wonderfully wise! Ingenious! Inspiring! Intrepid and true! Indomitable, Indefatigable through and through!
Irreplaceable? Yes. (We could have told you that too.)
J Big J, little j, Justice for all! She stands for what's right and she answers the call. Justice-oriented, she fights for what's fair, With a fire in her heart and great courage to spare!
K Big K, little k, Kindness — and more! Knowledgeable Isabel knows what things are for. She'll challenge your thinking — directly, with care — Kindness and Knowledge go everywhere!
L Big L, little l, Learning each day! A Lifelong Learner in every way! She never stops asking, she never stops growing — There's always more Isabel's eager for knowing!
M Big M, little m, Matchless — we say! No measuring stick could measure her way. Matchless in wisdom, in warmth, and in heart — Matchless is Isabel. Matchless. Full stop.
N Big N, little n, Nurturing and near! She brings out the best in each person right here. A Nurturer always — she tends what will grow, And helps every seed find the sunlight to glow!
O Big O, little o, One-of-a-kind! There's no one on Earth with this particular mind. One-of-a-kind — oh, we mean it, it's true! The whole world is richer, kinder and smarter, too!
P Big P, little p, P is the best! But the grandest of all P's? PERSPICACIOUS! She said it one summer in two-thousand-and-eight-een, And someone had to look it up — finest word ever seen. Pragmatic! Persistent! Playful as can be! A Purpleologist! Porphyrophile! — that's she.
Q Big Q, little q, Quick as a wink! Quick-witted and Quirky — she's faster than a blink! She fills an envelope quicker than quick, And her Quirky quick brain does the most wonderful trick!
R Big R, little r, Relational — yes! She builds the connections that make a team best. Relational, warm, she remembers your name — And everyone's better for knowing she came!
S Big S, little s, Soulful — Surprise! A Steadfast Strategist, Supportive and wise! Surprising in all of the best kinds of ways — She sees from a world that will leave you amazed!
T Big T, little t, Tenacious and True! Thoughtful in everything she sets out to do. She holds on through difficult, never lets go — Tenacious and Thoughtful from head-top to toe!
U Big U, little u, Unstoppable — yes! There's nothing that slows her, nothing, no less! Unstoppable Isabel, onward she goes — Through every great challenge that anyone knows!
V Big V, little v, Versatile — wow! She does seventeen things (and she's doing them now)! Versatile, vibrant, she turns on a dime — Versatile Isabel, every single time!
W Big W, little w, Welcoming — come! She opens her arms until everyone's home. Whimsical too, with a twinkle and spark — Wherever she goes, there is less of the dark!
X Big X, little x, eXemplary — see? (X borrows from E, as you know it must be!) eXemplary Isabel, eXtraordinary through — X is just showing what everyone knew!
Y Big Y, little y, Young at heart — what a thrill! She plays and she wonders and always she will. Young at heart always, whatever the year — The youngest heart in the room is right here!
Z Big Z, little z, Z is the end! But Zealous and Zany means never-the-end! Zealous for justice! Zany and bright — Z is for Isabel — what a delight!
