August 15, 2015
We started My Own Book almost a decade ago, when Kyle was 15 and Brady was 13. From the start, we focused on making the program high quality. We didn’t want to just give out books; we wanted to spread the love of reading. And we saw early on that children couldn’t be hooked on reading through a conveyer belt of free books. That is why My Own Book focused on reading to children; acting out books; involving firemen, police officers, and chocolatiers; and exciting children about visiting the public library.
Today we find ourselves in separate cities, thousands of miles from the place where we started My Own Book. We have new interests and responsibilities, and have found that we are not able to give My Own Book the attention it deserves. We have decided to focus on new endeavors. Before we do, we would like to celebrate the accomplishments of our volunteers and supporters, and declare a victory for My Own Book. Here is some of what we did together:
- Organized an annual school-district-wide Favorite Book Coloring Contest
- Won the Best Buy @ 15 Grant Competition
- Read at Junior Giants Days at AT&T Park
- Attended a Center for the Book conference at the Library of Congress
- Read and acted out books in hundreds of classrooms
- Hosted a Coast-to-Coast Reading Day at public libraries across the country
- Distributed over 50,000 books
There is a much work left to do. We would love to pass on the lessons that we have learned. We would love to help others spread the love of reading. And we would love to help any young person make a difference in the field that they find interesting. Part of the magic of My Own Book was that it was an organization run by teenagers. We’d like to help create that magic for others. Anyone who is interested should contact us at info@myownbook.net, which will remain active.
We’re proud of the difference My Own Book has made. And it’s been an incredible ride. To everyone who has made it possible: thank you!
Sincerely,
Brady and Kyle Baldwin
sharing the love of reading • www.myownbook.net • 707.980.0883