Tandem, Partners in Early Learning

Home
United States
San Francisco, CA
Tandem, Partners in Early Learning

Our mission is to co-create equitable, high-quality early learning experiences for children ages 0-5. Visit us at www.tandembayarea.org.

Tandem, Partners in Early Learning® is a Bay Area nonprofit working at the intersection of social justice and early childhood education. We work alongside school districts, early childhood education providers and community-based organizations to co-create equitable, high-quality early learning experiences for children ages 0-5. By partnering with adults across children’s lives, we deliver impactful learning experiences that meet community priorities and address systemic barriers to opportunity.

06/05/2026

At our Building on Books Celebration on May 7th, we honored local children’s book author Joanna Ho () with the second-annual Mirrors and Windows Award. This award recognizes local children’s book authors whose work embodies the power of literature to serve as both a mirror (reflecting a child’s own experiences) and a window (offering insights into diverse perspectives).

Joanna is an educator and a New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of many children’s books. She has a passion for anti-bias, anti-racism and equity work, and has been an English teacher, a dean, the designer of an alternative-to-prison program, a creator of educator professional development, and a high school vice principal. Tandem features several of her books in both our rotating and give-away book collection, including: "The Day The Books Disappeared", "Eyes that Kiss in the Corners," "Eyes that Speak to the Stars", "One Day", and more.

At Tandem, we believe that every child deserves access to high-quality, equitable early learning experiences. The books children read and the stories they hear open the door to possibility, shaping how they see themselves and the world around them. Though small in size, these books carry big lessons, helping to build identity, spark curiosity, and nurture a lifelong love of books and learning.

You can watch her acceptance speech here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53MXkxXqlfA&feature=youtu.be

05/20/2026

✨ A heartfelt THANK YOU to the incredible authors and illustrator who made our 2026 Building on Books Celebration so special! 📚💛

We are so grateful to Charlotte Cheng, Shruthi Rao, and Kaylani Juanita for sharing their diverse, powerful stories with our community. Their work beautifully embodied this year's theme — Small Books, Big Lessons — reminding us that the stories we share with young children have the power to shape how they see themselves and the world around them.

Charlotte, Shruthi, and Kaylani — your generosity, warmth, and wisdom made this evening truly unforgettable. 🙏

04/30/2026

Special Guest Author Spotlight! 🌟📣📚

We are so excited to welcome Shruthi Rao () as one of our special guest author's at Tandem's Building on Books Celebration! Shruthi Rao writes books for children. She is the award-winning author of 20 fiction and nonfiction books published in India and the US. She made her American publishing debut in 2024 with "Kadooboo!: A Silly South Indian Folktale", an NYPL Best Book 2024. "When Science Stood Still" (Oct 2025) is a JLG Gold Standard Selection. Shruthi has a masters degree in energy engineering and worked for a few years in tech before becoming a writer. Originally from India, Shruthi now lives in California. She loves desserts, benches and long walks.

Please join us at our Building on Books Celebration on May 7 at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center where you can meet Shruthi, participate in a guided activity based on her book "The First Girl on Stage", and even take home a signed copy of it! (Tickets linked in bio!)

04/15/2026

📚🌻Celebrating Spring Through Story: 10 Children's Books That Nurture a Love of Nature🌻📚

Nature is full of wonder, and young children are natural explorers! The changing seasons, a seed pushing through the soil, a sunrise, and a walk through the woods are all rich with opportunities to observe, discover, and connect with the living world. When children learn to notice and appreciate nature early, they develop curiosity, a sense of wonder, and a growing respect for the earth and everything it provides.

Books are a wonderful way to nurture that connection. Whether a story follows the quiet magic of a sunrise, a child exploring their neighborhood park on a spring day, or a tiny seed growing into a flower, each one invites children to slow down, look closely, and feel at home in the natural world. Stories also open the door to important conversations about caring for our planet and the small but meaningful ways we can all help.

Here you will find ten books for young children that celebrate nature, the seasons, and our shared responsibility to care for the Earth. On our blog, each title includes a talking tip to help spark conversation and curiosity, whether you are reading together indoors or stepping outside to explore. We hope these stories inspire many adventures!

04/14/2026

Special Guest Author Spotlight! 🌟📣📚

We are so excited to welcome Charlotte Cheng as one of our special guest authors at Tandem's annual Building on Books Celebration fundraiser! Charlotte has written and illustrated a variety of books including "Night Market Rescue", "A Name For Sister", "Roar-Choo!", and "I Miss You Most". Represented by Red Fox Literary, Charlotte’s spoken at diverse events and taught interactive workshops around the world. With over 20 years of EdTech experience, Charlotte has also developed curriculum for companies that include: CodeCombat, Disney, KQED, and Wonder Workshop. She lives locally in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she enjoys playing board games and the ukulele while sampling local boba beverages. Learn more about Charlotte’s work at: www.charlotte.art.

Please join us at our Building on Books Celebration on May 7 at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center where you can meet Charlotte, participate in a guided activity based on her book "I Miss You Most", and even take home a signed copy of it! (Tickets linked in bio!)

04/02/2026

📣🌟We're thrilled to reveal our special guest Bay Area children's books authors and illustrator for our 2026 Building on Books Celebration! It is an honor to have Charlotte Cheng () , Kaylani Juanita (), and Shruthi Rao () join us this year and share their stories. Get ready to engage with our inspiring guests and take home a signed copy of one of their books for your own library. Mark your calendars for an unforgettable evening on May 7 2026, at the San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center and purchase tickets at https://www.tandembayarea.org/building-on-books-celebration/ .

P.S. Can't make it? You can still be part of the magic! Donate at our ticketing page to help us put small books with big lessons into the hands of children across the Bay Area. 🩷

03/31/2026

Join Tandem this April virtually or in-person at our many events!

Our interactive Read Alouds promote social emotional awareness, math, language, and other key skills critical to early development. You can register for all of our virtual Read Alouds at www.tandem.ngo/signup! (Check your email for the link to our Zoom Room)

The virtual Trauma 101 workshop will introduce participants to the basics of trauma and its effects on the brain. We will also share strategies for responding to children's extreme emotions and behaviors and help create personalized support plans.

For an in-depth look into our events calendar, visit tandembayarea.org/calendar !

03/16/2026

6,500+ books. 1,000+ children. One incredible community. 📚

Tandem's biannual Read & Play Club launched earlier this year in San Francisco! Each child received a box filled with books, activity guides, and supplementary supplies — everything they need to learn, thrive, and develop a love of learning.

Powered by our partner educators and child care providers, this program is breaking down barriers to high-quality early learning curriculum and building kindergarten readiness across the city. This is what it looks like when a community shows up for its youngest learners. 💛

03/10/2026

🌟Celebrating Unsung Heroes in Women's History Book List🌟

At Tandem, we believe that books should inspire. And that's the spirit behind this book list that celebrates Women's History Month by introducing children (and their grownups) to stories of trailblazing women in the arts, science, politics, activism, and sports.

Check out our blog (www.tandembayarea.org) that includes accompanying resources for these books for a deeper dive into the lives of these amazing women!

03/03/2026

⭐Building on Books Celebration 2026 ⭐

Join Tandem for a fun-filled cocktail party with interactive exhibits, stellar auction items, and guest appearances from esteemed authors and illustrators! Your support will help us build towards a more equitable future for children and families in the Bay Area. Tickets are available now and available at the link in our bio.

Address

1275 Fairfax Avenue #201
San Francisco, CA
94124

Telephone

+14156835460

Website

http://www.tandembayarea.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Tandem, Partners in Early Learning posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Tandem, Partners in Early Learning:

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in San Francisco?