Free Book Stores

Our Kids Read is proud to announce the launch of our first FREE Diverse Children's Book Store in Baltimore, MD!.

Powered by a generous donation of storage space from MCB Real Estate (thank you David Bramble, Princeton '98!), Our Kids Read has opened the country's first free children's book store. Featuring diverse books from many cultures, the OKR Free Book Store is OKR's way of ensuring we have a way to reaching children who need it the most in Baltimore. The store is open Fridays - Sundays at the Eastpoint Mall in Baltimore, MD, from Noon - 6 PM.

Special thanks to the following sponsors for their grants and gifts that made this free children's books store possible: MCB Real Estate, Scholastic and the Baltimore Community Foundation.

If you want to support putting books directly in the hands of our nation's youth in underserved communities, make a gift using the form below. We appreciate any and all gifts, big and small.

Upcoming Events

February

Grand Opening of OKR Free Diverse Children's Book Store in Eastpoint Mall!

Join us for our free book store's grand opening! Every child will receive 3 free books, we look forward to seeing you at the Eastpoint Mall in Baltimore, MD.

Location:

Our Kids Read Free Children's Book Store & Literacy Hub Eastpoint Mall 7839 Eastpoint Mall Baltimore, MD 21224

March

Saturday diverse book give-away event!

Description: One Saturday a month Our Kids Read will host storytelling and book giveaways at their Baltimore Eastpoint Mall location..

Location:

Our Kids Read Free Children's Book Store & Literacy Hub Eastpoint Mall 7839 Eastpoint Mall Baltimore, MD 21224

Recent Free Book Festivals

Glenmount Elementary School Back-to-School Resource Fair

Baltimore, MD

DATE: Wednesday, September 11, 2024

EVENT NAME: Glenmount Elementary School Back-to-School Resource Fair

DESCRIPTION:

Thanks to a generous book grant from the Baltimore Community Foundation, Our Kids Read will bring over 500 books to the Glenmount Elementary School Back-to-School Fair. In addition, students will have the opportunity to sign up for the Our Kids Read evening remote Reading Buddies program.

Yankee Stadium x Scholastic Book Festival

Bronx, NY

DATE: Thursday, August 15, 2024

EVENT NAME: Yankee Stadium x Scholastic Back to School Resource Fair with NYC District 9

DESCRIPTION:

Our Kids Read and the NYC Public Schools District 9 and the New York Yankees teamed up for a 2024 Back-to-School Resource Fair. Thanks to a generous gift from Scholastic, over 4,000 books were distributed to students in largely underserved communities of New York City.

ARCO x Oak Cliff Cultural Center

Dallas, TX

DATE: Saturday, August 10, 2024

EVENT NAME: ARCO and Our Kids Read Free Book Festival at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center

DESCRIPTION:

Our Kids Read partnered with Activating Reading Communities Organization (ARCO) to give away culturally responsive books and bring storytellers to the children of Dallas, TX! Special thanks to the Oak Cliff Cultural Center for hosting this event and thanks to the City of Dallas for sponsoring the storytellers at the event through the Community Artist Program (CAP).

Jasmine Nyre Center x Erie Insurance

Pittsburgh, PA

DATE: Friday, July 26, 2024

EVENT NAME: Jasmine Nyree Center Pittsburgh Summer Literacy Celebration

DESCRIPTION:

Excited to partner with Erie Insurance, our newest corporate partner, to deliver over 500 books to the K-5th grade students at the Jasmin Nyree community center in Pittsburgh, PA.Students will receive three free books each and will be entertained by storytelling and West African drumming.

Ford Motor Company Foundation

Detroit, MI

DATE: Thursday, June 15, 2024

EVENT NAME: Detroit Community Resource and Literacy JUNETEENTH Celebration - Ford Fund (FREC)

DESCRIPTION:

Our Kids Read is partnering for the 2nd consecutive year with the Ford Motor Company Resource and Engagement Center (FREC) Detroit! OKR will bring books and storytellers to the June 15th event. Children will also be invited to participate in the Our Kids Read evening remote virtual Reading Buddies program.

Princeton Reunions 2024

Princeton, NJ

DATE: Thursday, May 25, 2024

EVENT NAME: Princeton Reunions Class of 1979 Literacy Service Event

DESCRIPTION:

Our Kids Read, in partnership with the Princeton University Class of 1979 and the Association of Princeton Graduate Alumni (APGA) brought a Free Book Festival to the 2024 Princeton Reunions!

As part of this year's 2024 Princeton Reunions, Our Kids Read partnered with the Class of 1979 and the APGA to bring a group of 5th graders from a local Trenton elementary school for a day of literacy and mentorship. The Class of '79 service event featured events at Firestone Library, a campus tour, storytelling and, of course, FREE BOOKS for every student!

Nike Global HQ

Beaverton, OR

DATE: Thursday, September 21, 2023

EVENT NAME: Boise Eliot Elementary School x Our Kids Read x Nike Literacy Event

DESCRIPTION:

In partnership with Boise-Eliot Elementary School, a Portland public school, and Nike, we brought 42 student to Nike Global HQ in Beaverton, OR. Nike executive leaders read with the students and West African drummer and storyteller Yaw Amponsah held students entranced with stories of Anansi the spider.

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ

DATE: Thursday, May 25, 2023

EVENT NAME: Foundation Academy x Our Kids Read x Princeton Class of 1998 Reunions Service Event

DESCRIPTION:

In partnership with Trenton, NJ elementary school,| Foundation Academy and the Princeton University’s Class of 1998, OKR planned and executed a literacy event featuring a tour of Firestone Library, a tour of Princeton’s class, a visit by celebrity Princeton Men’s basketball coach Mitch Henderson, visit from celebrity guest 6-year old author Cassidy Bridges (author of “Thank you! It’s an Afro!”), professional storytelling by OKR storyteller Simi Murumba and masater drummer Fitz Sam and much more.