UP with Books

UP with Books is a reading and literacy campaign for children with mothers in prison. 

UP with Books purchases, ships, and donates new children’s books to interested prisons, then facilitates a reading day to help incarcerated mothers stay connected and involved with their children on visiting day. The child then takes the book home. UP also leaves high-quality, diverse children’s books for ages 0-18 in the prison visiting room.

We believe literacy is a social and revolutionary action for change.

• Literacy increases by 46% when children own books.

• Grades at school improve, which increases self-respect and confidence in children.

• The highest rate of vocabulary development occurs during pre-school years, and it’s a critical time for skill building.

• Early education and reading are critical in closing the gap in learning for low-income students. This gap impacts children of incarcerated parents, most of whom are low income.

• Literacy and education are preventative measures on the road to reducing incarceration.