Independent publisher, The Collective Book Studio, has launched a new donation campaign on its website making it easy for consumers to purchase children’s books to be donated directly to My Very Own Bed, a nonprofit organization committed to providing new beds and Dream Kits to children in Minneapolis who have experienced housing instability. Each Dream Kit provides bedding, a book, and a stuffed animal as well as information about the benefits of sleep and tips for improving the quality of sleep.
Through this new initiative, supporters can choose books they would like to donate on The Collective Book Studio’s website. All donated books purchased through the page will be delivered directly to My Very Own Bed for distribution to the children and families they help to ensure that each child not only has a safe place to sleep, but also meaningful stories to call their own.
Many of the children served by My Very Own Bed are very young, making durable board books especially valuable and consistently among the most-needed items. By including age-appropriate books in each delivery, the program helps create comforting bedtime routines and encourages early literacy at a critical stage of development.
“Books have the power to comfort, inspire, and create a sense of belonging—especially for children navigating big life transitions,” said Angela Engel, publisher and CEO of The Collective Book Studio and a Minneapolis native. “We are honored to partner with My Very Own Bed to help place beautiful, engaging books into the hands of children who need them most.”
In addition to supporting children served by My Very Own Bed, proceeds from donated book purchases also help support Strive Publishing & Bookstore in Minneapolis dedicated to expanding access to books and literacy opportunities within the community.
“We are committed to providing books that reflect the diversity of the children receiving beds so that all children can see themselves as authors, adventurers, superheroes,” says Meg Hobday, dream developer at My Very Own Bed. “We are grateful for The Collective Book Studio's willingness to come alongside both organizations to make it easy and affordable to purchase their books and to support Strive by donating a portion of the funds raised from these sales. For children experiencing housing insecurity books are a great tool for winding down without electronics.”
“It means so much to be part of an effort that not only supports children and families but also uplifts literacy and access within our community,” said Mary Taris, founder and owner of Strive Bookstore. “Thank you for investing in Strive Bookstore to help keep the doors open to the community.”
“As a native of the Twin Cities, my heart—and much of my family—remain in this community,” Engel added. “Creating a partnering with My Very Own Bed and Strive Bookstore is a way for me to give back to the city.”
To participate, visit The Collective Book Studio’s website donation page, select the books you would like to give, and the team will ensure they are delivered directly to My Very Own Bed for distribution.
About My Very Own Bed
Since founded in 2014, My Very Own Bed has reached over 11,000 children living in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area with a new bed and Dream Kit (bedding, book, and stuffed animal). By adding books to these deliveries, the partnership enhances the bedtime experience and encourages reading as part of a comforting nightly routine. They primarily work with children ages 2-17, most of whom are part of families who have recently experienced homelessness and have now secured more stable housing. The children they work with are often sleeping on the floor or an air mattress or sharing a bed with a parent or sibling. A new bed inspires improved sleep, which, in turn, boosts their overall health. It also sends a tangible message that the community loves and supports them. To identify children who would like a bed of their own, they partner with 28 other organizations supporting families in other ways (supportive, affordable housing; education; domestic violence; mental health; employment). To learn more visit https://www.myveryownbed.org/
About Strive Publishing + Bookstore
Mary Taris began teaching in her 40s in North Minneapolis and says being the only Black teacher in a school with mostly Black students was frustrating. “My students felt invisible when they went to the library, the way I had as a child,” she explains. She recalls that when she tried to use an arts grant to encourage students to write their own autobiographies, they said, “All we can find about Black people in the library is Beyonce or Sojourner Truth or Michael Jordan!’ It was then, in 2018, that Taris decided to found her own publishing company, which is focused on giving Black voices an outlet, especially in the area of children’s books. Strive Bookstore came to be in 2022 at the Sistah Co-op. The store featured all of Strive’s publishing as well as a wide collection of under-represented authors and indie publishers. “People come in, and they get happy—it’s beautiful,” says Taris, who adds that women-owned businesses, like her publishing company, have “more of a community, caring vibe. It feels like we’re a family learning and growing together.” To learn more visit: https://strivepubandco.com/
About The Collective Book Studio
The Collective Book Studio is a woman-owned, full-service publishing studio that works with authors, brands, and companies to create, develop, and publish high-quality books. Known for their beautifully designed and curated titles, The Collective Book Studio connects readers with stories that matter, making their books ideal for gifts and personal collections alike. With a focus on innovative content and striking design, The Collective Book Studio offers a unique approach to the publishing process, providing clients with expertise and collaborative support from concept to creation.
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