Lead to Read KC

08/25/2026

Lead to Read KC is fortunate to benefit from personal and corporate book drives year round. They keep our shelves stocked, our Reading Is Everywhere baskets full, and kids reading.

Even among these generous groups, Books-A-Million in Tanger Kansas City at Legends stands out. Their annual book drive always brings in hundreds of books, but this year they outdid themselves, collecting 784 brand new children's books!

General Manager Callie Coulson shared heartwarming stories of children picking out their favorite books to share with another child. Her team's success over the years even helped inspire The KC Book Drive, our recent metro-wide collection through independent bookstores.

Learn more about our book distribution at leadtoreadkc.org/reading-is-everywhere.

08/24/2026

Every mentor counts. Be part of something that adds up. Help us reach 100 classrooms in year 15 ➔ leadtoreadkc.org/volunteer

08/22/2026

Two days left.

If you’ve been meaning to stop by, this is the weekend. Fifteen independent bookstores across the metro have collection boxes waiting through Sunday.

Buy one children’s book (or a stack, if you’re feeling the anniversary spirit!) or bring a like-new one from home.

Every single one goes to a Kansas City kid who gets to choose it, keep it, and read it as many times as they want.

Find your store: leadtoreadkc.org/book-drive

Thank you, Kansas City. Fifteen years in, you still show up.

Afterword Tavern & Shelves, Basement Books KC, Bliss Books & Wine, Helianthus Books, KD's Books, Little Ladybug Library, Monarch Books & Gifts, Monstera’s Books, New Material Books, Rainy Day Books, Read & Rooted, The Book Club, Trailhead Books, Turnsol Books & Coffee, Typo's Bookstore

08/21/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out for our Back to School BBQ! We're so grateful for every one of you and loved celebrating the beginning of another school year together.

The barbecue did not disappoint (plates were piled high all afternoon), and the number of books you donated to The KC Book Drive blew us away. Every one of those books is going to find its way into a young reader's hands.

Now the countdown is on: reading sessions kick off next month, and we couldn't be more excited to get back in the classroom with you. 📚

08/20/2026

Today is our Back to School BBQ! ♨️ A few reminders for those of you joining us:

- Check your inbox for an email with a parking map and details
- Wear your Reading Mentor lanyard
- Bring a new or like-new children's book to support The KC Book Drive
- Lead to Read KC T-shirts will be for sale at the event

Can't wait to see you all there! 👋

08/19/2026

There’s a difference between a book you borrow and a book that’s yours.

That difference is the whole idea behind Reading Is Everywhere. We stock 95 free book baskets in food pantries, clinics, barbershops, laundromats and more across the metro; places kids already are, often waiting. Every book is free to take home and keep. No due dates. No returns. Volunteers restock them every month.

More than 90% of those books are donated.

Through Sunday, August 23, you can put one book (or more!) into that system at any of 15 independent bookstores.

Details 👉 leadtoreadkc.org/book-drive

Afterword Tavern & Shelves, Basement Books KC, Bliss Books & Wine, Helianthus Books, KD's Books, Little Ladybug Library, Monarch Books & Gifts, Monstera’s Books, New Material Books, Rainy Day Books, Read & Rooted, The Book Club, Trailhead Books, Turnsol Books & Coffee, Typo's Bookstore

08/18/2026

A wonderful spotlight from KCTV5 News Kansas City on The KC Book Drive! Watch their segment, and then find a location at leadtoreadkc.org/book-drive.

A Kansas City organization is partnering with 15 independent bookstores through Aug. 23 to collect new and like-new children’s books.

Details >> https://www.kctv5.com/2026/08/16/kc-organization-marks-15-years-fighting-literacy-crisis-with-metro-wide-book-drive/

08/18/2026

Nineteen years without a yard sign. Then in May, one of our book sorting volunteers finally put one up — ours. Her reason: "I can be neutral on most issues, but not literacy."

She's right. Literacy isn't partisan. It's the foundation of every child's future.

Right now, nearly all of our 33 partner schools have students without a Reading Mentor. School starts in weeks. Every gap is a child who needs someone to step up.

📖 Read the full August newsletter at conta.cc/4pJbIQ1 for how you can help recruit mentors, plus details on The KC Book Drive, our new citywide effort with 15 independent bookstores in honor of our 15-year anniversary.

08/17/2026

It starts today.

Only 23% of Kansas City third graders read at grade level. 61% of families in under-resourced neighborhoods have no books at home for their children.

And 92% of kids finish a book they picked out themselves.

That last number is why we do this the way we do. Not the books we think children should read, the ones they’ll actually want to.

The KC Book Drive runs today through Sunday at 15 independent bookstores across the metro. Buy a children’s book while you’re there, or bring a like-new one from home.

Find your closest store: leadtoreadkc.org/book-drive

Afterword Tavern & Shelves, Basement Books KC, Bliss Books & Wine, Helianthus Books, KD's Books, Little Ladybug Library, Monarch Books & Gifts, Monstera’s Books, New Material Books, Rainy Day Books, Read & Rooted, The Book Club, Trailhead Books, Turnsol Books & Coffee, Typo's Bookstore

08/17/2026

Every mentor counts. Be part of something that adds up. Help us reach 100 classrooms in year 15 ➔ leadtoreadkc.org/volunteer