Kyle and Brady Baldwin started My Own Book because they love books. Years ago, at summer school, the librarian gave books out to each child in the class. For many of the children, this was their first chance to have a book of their very own. Kyle and Brady learned that a study done in Los Angeles by Dr. Rebecca Constantino "with about 40 families from low- and high-income areas found that the low-income area elementary school children on average had no more than about TWO books at home (many with none), while the high-income area children had close to 200!"* Then, Kyle and Brady heard an advertisement on the radio that said if you brought in a book, you would receive free pancakes and IHOP would give your book to a child that did not own one. Kyle and Brady tried to arrange a visit to an elementary school class to read to children and hand out books. Unfortunately, to the already overburdened school administrators, it was just more work, and they were reluctant to cooperate. Not to be deterred, Kyle and Brady organized a Reading Day at the public library for 4-H members. On this day, 4-H members built bookshelves, attended a Read Aloud Workshop, and made books on tape for the pediatric ward of the local hospital. Through the generosity of The Storyteller and 4-H members hundreds of books were donated to a shelter in Fairfield, as well as books and books on tape for the hospital. It was a good start and they wanted to do more. Kyle and Brady then visited a school and gave away books to the children. They got hooked on spreading the joy of reading.
In the spring of 2006 Kyle and Brady started My Own Book to bring top quality new books to less fortunate children. They were awarded a Youth Venture grant in August 2006. This helped Kyle and Brady get initial funding, new ideas, and a better organizational structure. Since then, My Own Book has been awarded grants from the Northern California Children's Book Association, Best Buy@15 Challenge, National Education Association, Tides Foundation, First Book, Do Something, and Target. Through these grants, community book drives, and donations they have been able to collect books for children. Their mission is to spread the love of reading to other children.
*email from Dr. Jeff McQuillan, reading expert, 6/19/08
