Building Readers. Strengthening Futures.
At the Natalie Woolsey Toy Drive, literacy is more than a seasonal initiative. It is a long term investment in the future of our children and our community.
We believe every child deserves the opportunity to grow up surrounded by books, language, and stories that spark imagination and build confidence. That belief drives our partnerships with Scholastic and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, helping us place high quality, age appropriate books directly into the hands of young readers.
Why Early Reading Matters
Reading is the foundation for all learning. When children develop strong literacy skills at an early age, they are more likely to succeed academically, graduate on time, and pursue college or career opportunities with confidence.
Early exposure to books helps:
Build vocabulary and language development
Strengthen comprehension and critical thinking skills
Improve focus and attention
Foster creativity and imagination
Increase empathy and social understanding
Support English language learners
Create confident, independent learners
Research shows that children who read consistently in their early years build stronger academic momentum over time. Access to books at home plays a critical role in that success.
For some children, owning a book is not guaranteed. We are working to change that.
Our Partnerships
Scholastic Literacy Partnership
Through our partnership with Scholastic, we ensure every BISD elementary student receives a book to take home. These books are selected to engage readers, support skill development, and encourage independent reading.
Ownership matters. When a child chooses a book and takes it home, reading becomes personal. It becomes theirs.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
We are also proud to partner with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which provides free, high quality books to children from birth to age five. By reaching children before they ever enter a classroom, we help lay the groundwork for lifelong literacy.
Early access to books creates a text rich environment in the home and fosters a reading culture that begins long before kindergarten.
Expanding Across Brazoria County
Our vision does not stop with BISD. We are actively working to expand our literacy program to reach all of Brazoria County, ensuring that more children have consistent access to books and early reading support.
Every child, regardless of zip code, deserves the opportunity to build strong literacy skills from the very beginning.
