OUR MISSION
An Open Book Foundation connects Washington DC-area students with authors, illustrators, and their books to nurture a lifelong love of reading.
We support educational justice by building equitable access to interactive literacy enrichment and high-quality books.
Terry Catasus-Jennings • The Little House of Hope • Raymond Elementary School
OUR VISION: Children see themselves as readers, who use their written and visual literacy skills to navigate a complex world and define their own future.
An Open Book was created to provide access to books, authors, and illustrators. AOB’s programs offer students in qualifying schools the opportunity to connect with authors, illustrators, and their books. Students receive their own signed copy of the featured book to add to their home libraries. Studies confirmed that growing up with home libraries boosts adult skills in literacy, numeracy and technological problem solving.
Some of our programs provide breadth—every year, our Flagship Program offers upwards of 10,000 students the opportunity to meet and interact with an author and/or illustrator. Some of our programs provide depth—an opportunity for students, teachers, and authors/illustrators to further explore a particular aspect of a book or a component of the writing or illustration process.
These personal connections are inspiring the next generation of storytellers.
PROGRAM FORMAT
ENGAGING SCHOOL VISITS
Ballou HS students gathered at the center of their vibrant school library – they listened intently as author Ebony LaDelle read an excerpt from her debut novel, Love Radio. Enmeshed with the storyline, you could hear a pin drop. After the reading, questions and commentary rolled in—followed by book signing.
During AOB school visits, authors/illustrators connect with students for up to (3) author talks/presentations. Presentations vary widely—every student receives a copy of the featured title. The school library and participating classrooms also receive a copy of the featured title along with up to (10) backlist titles, when applicable.
BOOK SIGNINGS
Students were full of excitement and questions throughout Tommy & Charlie Greenwald’s presentation of The Rescues Finding Home. A highlight of every in-person author/illustrator visit is witnessing student’s curiosity and their faces light up during book signing. One-on-one interactions always make way for interesting questions and connections.
MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS
Every author or illustrator presentation varies based on content, age-appropriateness, and the creator’s personal preference. It’s always wonderful pairing students with creators and meaningful conversations—current events, raising cultural awareness and sensitivity, and/or promoting self-awareness—to name a few. Pictured here are young readers with local author & musician, Ofosu Jones-Quartey (singing bowl in hand), as he and the group participate in a mindfulness exercise based on his book Love Your Amazing Self: Joyful Verses for Young Voices.
NEW AND EMERGING ARTISTS OF COLOR
Our program for new and emerging authors and illustrators of color amplifies the creative voices of Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color authors/illustrators. It provides additional opportunities for the students we serve to see themselves, not only in books but also in the creators of these works. We offer a small stipend to debut authors and illustrators, acknowledging the very real financial constraints on emerging artists in the field of children’s literature.
Pictured here is Thien Pham connecting with middle schoolers over his debut graphic novel memoir, Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam.
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
Students were thrilled to create their very own “DC is My Home” booklet, inspired by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris’s picture book The Bronx Is My Home. Students engaged with the author and her book during our Flagship event and received signed copies of the book for their personal collections.
AOB staff developed an activity to extend learning with students and visited the school following the Flagship event to engage students with the activity. Each participant created a booklet that included places in DC that are important to them.
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
Over a four day period, visiting illustrators introduce an art form represented within their featured title and guide students towards creating their own art related to what they’ve learned. Artist Jacqueline Alcantara met with elementary students to share tips on watercolor techniques, silhouette painting, and symbolism, to name a few. By day four of the residency, students developed their very own watercolor palettes and watercolor portraits. Each participant received an art kit and a signed copy of Ordinary Days: The Seeds, Sound, and City That Grew Prince Rogers Nelson.
STEM RESIDENCE
How can we protect wildlife in our increasingly congested world? Author Heather Montgomery encourages students to think creatively and design highway crossings using a selection of materials they each received from AOB. Straws, tape, rulers, paper, blocks, and putty become bridges with lanes, signals, and native foliage to support safe crossing for all sorts of creatures. Using Montgomery’s book, Something Rotten: a Fresh Look at Road Kill for primary research, students record their findings in a scientific journal as they test various methods and designs.
OUR EVENTS
Our events reach students in PreK through Grade 12. Here’s a sample. To stay up-to-date, follow us on social media.
HEATHER MCGHEE AT IDA B. WELLS MIDDLE SCHOOL
Students listened to stories from The Sum of Us and talked about the importance of economic, racial, and social justice.
HANNAH SAWYER WITH DUNBAR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Hannah connected with two groups of students to share her debut novel in verse All the Fighting Parts.
JACQUELINE WOODSON WITH HOUSTON AND CLEVELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
AOB, along with 1st, 2nd, & 3rd graders took a field trip to the Kennedy Center to witness the debut of the commissioned musical, The Day You Begin.
HEATHER MONTGOMERY AT JOHN BURROUGHS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Over the course of a three-day STEM Residence, students engaged in hands-on activities inspired by Something Rotten: A Fresh Look at Roadkill, building model bridges to transport wildlife.
ISABEL ROXAS AT TWINBROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Students created their own characters and stories in a two day comics workshop inspired by The Adventures of Team Pom: Squid Happens.
DR. IBRAM X. KENDI WITH JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL ACADEMY STUDENTS
Historian and author, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, discussed Barracoon: Adapted for Young Readers with a panel of students and the school librarian, before 6th, 7th, & 8th graders.
SINCE 2011…
STUDENTS REACHED
SCHOOLS & INSTITUTIONS VISITED
AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR PRESENTATIONS
BOOKS DONATED
OUR IMPACT
An Open Book visits DC-area Title 1 schools. Since 2011, we have reached over 110,000 students, organized 2,800 presentations, and donated more than 135,000 books.
A snapshot of the impact AOB events have on students and educators:
Educators surveyed following our Flagship events said:
57% of their students were very interested in reading their new book following the author/illustrator visit
40% of educators planned to use the new classroom book(s) in lesson plans or classroom activities
Of the educators surveyed following our multi-day Artist in Residence (AIR) program:
100% of educators indicated that the residence:
— aligned with curriculum / content was relevant and appropriate ;
— sparked new ideas and conversations
Following one of our multi-day STEM residences with Jorge Cham (Oliver’s Great Big Universe) an educator shared:
“The author’s ability to connect with the students was what I enjoyed the most about the program. Students were so excited to meet, talk with and read Mr. Cham’s book. Also Mr. Cham provided sessions in Spanish, that was a huge success and so impactful for our English Language Learner students. It is wonderful, inspiring and necessary to see someone you naturally relate to do great work.” — DCPS educator
We surveyed students following our CABA Flagship events:
78.9% of students indicated that they could now see themselves as a published author
The generous authors and illustrators who donate their time and talent, and the publishers and literary agents who support their efforts, remain the backbone of An Open Book Foundation’s event program. The connections authors and illustrators make with students lie at the heart of an AOB event. They not only share their books with students, they often share their personal stories and their individual journeys – providing a glimpse into possible career paths.
Participating Authors and Illustrators
An Open Book Foundation works with each author and illustrator to tailor each event; past presentations have included writing workshops, science demonstrations, work with primary sources, reading and Q&A, and art projects. Authors and illustrators who’ve participated in our program routinely describe their experience as impactful and meaningful.
LITERACY PARTNERS
Essential to the success of An Open Book Foundation are the dedicated educators and administrators at the schools we visit and the authors and illustrators who participate in our events.
Christine Platt • Frankie and Friends: Breaking News • J.O. Wilson Elementary School
Combining all our efforts, we look to inspire the quiet kid in the back who always thought she might have a story inside of her, but was never brave enough to believe it. Or the struggling student who finds math and English a challenge but thrives in art and needed to see where that might take him. Perhaps connecting with an immigrant student who truly benefits from seeing someone who understands what they are going through. Finally, connecting with so, so many children and teens through quiet little conversations that happen during book signings.
FOR AUTHORS, ILLUSTRATORS AND PUBLISHERS
AOB’s guests include a mix of award-winning authors and illustrators. Our New and Emerging Artists of Color Program amplifies new voices in children’s and teen literature. Representation is important, and each year, between 65-70% of the book creators we bring into classrooms are authors and illustrators of color.
Publishers and their authors/illustrators often add an AOB event onto a DC tour so that the publisher incurs very little added expense. In addition to increased author and illustrator visibility, AOB book purchases lead to increased sales. However, publisher donations are always welcome.
The following authors and illustrators joined AOB in the 2022-23 school year.
A.S. King
Adriana Bergstrom
Aixa Pérez-Prado
Alan Gratz
Alexa Laurel Patrick
Alexis Romay
Ali Kamanda
Alina Chau
Alison Goldberg
Alison Green Myers
Andrea Menotti
Andrea Rogers
Angeline Boulley
April Harrison
Brent Schoonover
C.C. Harrington
Carole Boston Weatherford
Carole Lindstrom
Caroline Brewer
Caron Levis
Chad Sell
Chana Stiefel
Christian Robinson
Christina Soontornvat
Christy Hale
Claribel Ortega
Costantia Manoli
Cozbi A. Cabrera
Dan Gemeinhart
Daniel Bernstrom
David Barclay Moore
David LaRochelle
David Obuchowski
Debbi Michiko Florence
Des Cooper
Elizabeth-Irene Baitie
Emeline Lee
Erica Perl
Erminia
Faith Erin Hicks
Felicia Hoshino
Frantzy Luzincourt
Gaia Cornwall
Gale Galligan
Harold Green III
Heather McGhee
Heather Montgomery
Hena Khan
Ibtihaj Muhammad
Isabel Roxas
Ishita Jain
Jack Wong
Jacqueline Woodson
Jamar Nicholas
James Ponti
James Smith
Jane Park
Jeanette Bradley
Jerdine Nolen
Jerry Craft
John Parra
Jonathan Hill
Jonathan Roth
Jorge Redmond
Joy Jones
Juana Medina
Julia Kuo
June Smalls
Justin Reynolds
Karina González
Katherine Applegate
Katherine Marsh
Katie Yamasaki
Katie Zhao
Keila Dawson
Kelly McWilliams
Ken Daley
Kim Taylor
Krystal Quiles
Kwame Mbalia
Lamar Giles
Laura Freeman
Laura Gehl
Lauren Castillo
Linda Sarsour
Lindsay Metcalf
Liza Wiemer
Lulu Delacre
Lydia Lukidis
M.T. Anderson
Mac Barnett
María Teresa Santiago Álvarez
Marilyn Nelson
Mary Quattlebaum
Meg Medina
Melina Bellows
Michael Long
Michelle Edwards
Mika Song
Mike Curato
Misa Sugiura
Naaz Khan
Nathan Hale
Nick Brooks
Nick Bruel
Ofosu Jones-Quartey
Patricia Park
Paula Shelton
Raakhee Mirchandani
Rose Bousamra
S.R.P.
Saadia Faruqi
Sadé Smith
Safia Elhillo
Samantha Berger
Sara Shepard
Sarah Pedry
Shadra Strickland
Sherri Duskey Rinker
Shreya Gupta
Sue Fliess
Suma Subramaniam
Susan Katz
Susan Stockdale
Susan Verde
Susie Jaramillo
Sylvia Liu
Tami Charles
Terry Catasús Jennings
Tiffany D. Jackson
Tom Angleberger
Tommy Greenwald
Traci Sorell
Useni Perkins
Vashti Harrison
Wendy Shang
Winsome Bingham
Yancey Labat
Ying-Hwa Hu
Yohuru Williams
Young Vo
Ysaÿe Barnwell
“I really liked being able to talk to an author who has published and is still writing. It helped me to see more what a future as an author would be like...”HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT
“Thank YOU and the foundation for bringing me to such awesome schools. You guys have such a unique ability to remind us authors/illustrators what making books and sharing books is all about.”RUTH CHAN
AUTHOR - ILLUSTRATOR
“I know they will treasure their books for years to come. I wish you could have seen the excitement at dismissal! Personally, this event was a highlight of my teaching career.”2ND GRADE TEACHER
“It was almost like you could see the wheels turning in some of their heads as they thought about the fact that 'someone just like them was a real author.' Not only did it get them interested in reading the book, it made them realize that writing is possible too. I am excited to let you know that every single one of my students asked me if we could start reading the book on Monday. I have never had this level of excitement over reading a book before.“MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER
SUPPORT AN OPEN BOOK FOUNDATION
An Open Book Foundation depends on the generosity of donors of all types. We gratefully accept donations of any size.
An Open Book Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Ellen Oh • You Are Here: Connecting Flights • Brookhaven Elementary School
Your contribution will have a direct, meaningful impact on the literacy of a child. Whether you donate $30 to purchase beautiful new hardcover books for 3 PreK students, $100 to cover the cost of a set of books for the school library, or $1,000 to fund books for an entire grade level, you donation furthers the number of students we can reach.
Since 2016, An Open Book Foundation has been recognized by Spur Local as “one of the best small charities in the Greater Washington region.”
To donate online, visit our donation page.
To donate by check, mail your donation to:
An Open Book Foundation
508 Kennedy St. NW, Suite 309
Washington, D.C. 20011
To donate through your Donor Advised Fund, please contact your financial advisor or use DAF Direct.
To donate stock, please follow these instructions.
Legacy Gifts to An Open Book Foundation
Your donations today make a difference in the lives of the students we serve by providing funding for our current in-class programming and book purchases. The sustainability of An Open Book Foundation (“AOB”) for future DC-area students is equally important to us.
To that end, we gratefully accept donations to help us grow and strengthen the organization for the future, to ensure that the work of AOB will continue to make a significant mark on the children we serve by nurturing a lifelong love of reading. You can amplify your impact by including An Open Book Foundation in your estate planning.
Support from corporate and foundation donors is critical to the ongoing success of An Open Book. Our programs support equitable access to literacy, arts and humanities programs for students in low-income communities from early childhood through high school. While all of our events promote literacy, they also address specific curricular goals including ELL, S.T.E.M., Common Core, and fine arts.
Given the variety and number of An Open Book events, we are happy to match an event(s) with your philanthropic goals. If your staff is interested in seeing the work we do, contact us about attending an event by sending an email to [email protected].
Grants
An Open Book’s funding sources include grants from local government, corporate and family foundations, public charities, and individual donors.
Bookplates
AOB places a printed bookplate label in every book a student receives. For individual, corporate and foundation donations of $5,000 or more, An Open Book will create custom bookplates with your name or logo to include in the books you’ve helped support.
ABOUT AN OPEN BOOK
Gabrielle Balkan • Meet the Megafauna!: Get to Know 20 of the Largest Animals to Ever Roam the Earth • Whittier Elementary School
OUR STORY
An Open Book was founded in 2010 by former children’s booksellers Dara La Porte and Heidi Powell. After years of hosting author events for and recommending books to young neighborhood customers, they continued to struggle with the fact that the vast majority of local students were unable to attend the store’s author events or purchase the books.
After receiving unanimous encouragement from teachers, librarians, authors, illustrators and publishers Dara and Heidi used that positive energy to create An Open Book and begin to take authors into qualifying schools. By the end of 2011, they had hosted 11 events and given away more than 1,000 books to students and libraries.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Carolyn Vinson Bou
Carolyn Vinson Bou is Counsel in the Tax and Wealth Planning Group at Venable LLP, specializing in estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax planning and wealth preservation strategies. Carolyn has chaired planned giving committees at the Washington National Cathedral and the National Cathedral School (“NCS”), is a former board member at NCS and also co-chaired its last capital campaign. A mother of three, Carolyn is passionate about improving literacy in the District of Columbia.
Hope Harrod
Hope Harrod has been a 4th and 5th grade teacher in DC Public Schools for 15 years. She has a Master’s in Education from Boston College. In the 2012-13 school year, she received DC’s highest teaching honors, the Excellence in Teaching Award and Teacher of the Year. She currently serves on the boards of An Open Book Foundation and Live it Learn it, a non-profit, also in DC. She is also a trustee at Kenyon College.
Deep Master
As a tax manager at the Han Group, Deep Master helps run the non-profit tax practice at his firm. Deep has expertise with tax compliance and consulting for non-profit organizations that include hospitals, healthcare organizations, public charities, private foundations, social welfare organizations, trade associations, private schools, and affordable housing organizations. Deep has taught courses related to Form 990 compliance, lobbying and political activities, and compensation issues for tax-exempt organizations. Deep has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Taxation, both from American University. Deep was also a Division One varsity swimmer on American University’s swim team. Deep has served as an advisory board member for Mission for Vision Foundation USA and is currently an advisory board member at Pool and Hot Tub Alliance.
Drew Ades
Drew is a senior advisor to RMI’s Climate-Aligned Finance Program and the Carbon-Free Buildings Program, where he uses his extensive real estate, finance, and executive experience to help RMI create and equitable, just, and climate-aligned real estate finance industry and decarbonize the building stock.
Prior to joining RMI, Drew was part of the Leadership team of the Multifamily Lending Platform at Capitol One. Drew was also the founding president and CEO of the Housing Partnership Equity Trust (HPET), a private REIT focused on the acquisition and preservation of affordable and workforce housing properties. He previously served as co-president of CAM LLC, a wholly owned real estate operating company subsidiary of Fannie Mae. Prior to this, Drew served in various management positions within Fannie Mae’s multifamily business and was the visionary behind the creation of Fannie Mae’s Multifamily Green Lending Program. He holds a BA from Williams College and an MBA from UC, Berkeley.
Deb Shapiro
A former journalist and bookseller with an MA in children’s literature, Deb Shapiro worked for more than twelve years in book publishing, creating and executing publicity and marketing campaigns for publishing houses large and small before launching her own company in 2011. She is also an instructor at the Columbia School of Journalism’s graduate publishing course, and an active volunteer with several literacy organizations. For more than a decade she traveled extensively on book tours, fostering relationships with booksellers, educators, and media throughout the country and developing a broad understanding of what readers of all ages respond to and are interested in. She lives in Washington, DC with her daughter.
Alissa Platz
Alissa Platz is currently the Director of Donor Engagement at the EDJCC. She is a fundraising and communications professional with a passion for creative storytelling and strategy development. In August 2023, Alissa completed her Master’s degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies. She has previously worked in fundraising and community engagement roles for nonprofits across Washington, DC. She is an active member of the Washington, DC Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP DC) and regularly volunteers with Washington Improv Theater. Outside of being a fundraiser, Alissa enjoys doing improvisational comedy and going to concerts around the city. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from American University in International Studies and Spanish.
Marie LeBlanc
Marie LeBlanc is a senior associate with the Leadership Development team at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, where she develops and implements programs designed to build leaders’ capacity to make powerful contributions to equitable outcomes for young people and families. Marie has over ten years of experience in nonprofit capacity building, strategy planning, and leadership development. Outside of work, Marie enjoys exploring her neighborhood in Silver Spring, practicing yoga, and reading with her cat. Marie earned BAs in International Affairs and Spanish & French from the Florida State University, and an MSc in International Development from the London School of Economics.
Chantalle Carles Schropp
Chantalle serves as Legal Director of Litigation for PepsiCo, Inc. Before joining PepsiCo, Chantalle practiced law at a global law firm in Washington, D.C. where she focused on commercial litigation and congressional investigations. Prior to her legal career, Chantalle was a public school teacher in rural North Carolina and later a philanthropic fellow for The Duke Endowment where she focused on education-intervention programs. A native of Miami, Florida, Chantalle earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Florida, a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University, and her J.D. from Duke University.
Niesha Parekh
Niesha Parekh is Director of Investments at the Chicago Office of Graystone Consulting from Morgan Stanley with more than 24 years of institutional portfolio management and investment consulting experience. She supports a team of institutional consultants who worked with a broad range of foundations, endowments, nonprofits and religious organizations throughout the country. Originally from Mumbai, India, Niesha holds an M.B.A. with a concentration in Finance and Economics from Loyola University Chicago. Outside of work, Niesha is an avid reader and passionate about encouraging reading in young people. She lives in Rockville, MD with her husband and two middle school age boys.
STAFF
Heidi W. Powell • Executive Director
Before joining An Open Book full time in 2017, Heidi managed the children and teens department at a large independent bookstore. Heidi participated on several American Booksellers Association panels on coordinating book fairs with local schools. Heidi has worked as a city planner at the national, state and local levels. She holds a master’s degree in city and regional planning from UNC Chapel Hill, a B.A. from UC Berkeley, and enthusiastically recommends podcasts to anyone who will listen.
Jennifer Barnes Eliot • Development and Communications Director
Jennifer has worked in communications, development, and marketing in a wide array of not-for-profit and for-profit organizations in the US and internationally, including stints in Bangkok, Hong Kong, Istanbul and New Delhi. She has a B.A. in Public Communication from American University and loves traveling and exploring near and far.
Angela Brooks • Program Coordinator
Angela Brooks is a native Washingtonian; she holds a MSLIS from Catholic University and a BA in Human Relations from Trinity Washington University. She has experience in public and school library settings – she’s also worked in the social services field. Angela is a self-published author who enjoys witting with nature, exploring her hometown and beyond, and planning adventures for herself and her family.
Naaz Khan • Education Coordinator
Naaz has worked in the field of education, refugee resettlement and more recently as a storyteller and bookseller at an independent bookstore. As a third culture kid, she feels connected to multiple places including India, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kenya, and the United States. Her first children’s book, ROOM FOR EVERYONE, which is set in Zanzibar, will be published through Caitlyn Dlouhy Books. Aside from reading and writing, Naaz’s soul is nourished through nature, tinkering around with music, and hosting interfaith gatherings. She holds a Masters degree in Education from Columbia University’s Teachers College and a diploma in Refugee Studies from the American University in Cairo.
Josarie Molina • Education Director
Josarie has been serving children and families for over 20 years as an art teacher, museum educator, art historian, school librarian, school and family program coordinator, storyteller and stage performer. She has a passion for events that foster life-long learning. Josarie loves to spend summers with family in her native Puerto Rico. She has a B.A. in visual arts, an M.A. in art education, and continues learning and creating every day.
Kerri Poore • Program Director
Prior to joining AOB, Kerri served as the director of publisher and author relations for First Book, a national nonprofit that provides new books to children in need. She also worked for 11 years in the Children and Teens Department at a large independent bookstore. Kerri has a Master’s degree from American University in international politics, has worked for the World Bank, the US State Department and lived in Madagascar for four years. She shares her home with her husband, son and their dog Waffles who hails from a small farm in Ithaca, NY.
Kathie Weinberg • Program Volunteer
Kathie is the Co-Director of We Need Diverse Books Walter Award, an award created to honor Walter Dean Myers. She is a library consultant with the Library of Congress, and provides leadership for their Teen Board. An active member of the American Library Association, YALSA and ALsC Divisions, she has presented at annual conferences and served on several awards ceremonies. Kathie has a Masters in Library Science from Simmons College and a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin.
Misael Yanes • Program Coordinator
Misael is a DMV native, who has worked in a variety of spaces ranging from retail work to non profit advocacy groups, such as Asian American LEAD and Association on American Indian Affairs. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from University of Maryland, where he also spent time volunteering with America Reads. In his free time he enjoys boxing, playing video games, and organizing with environmental groups.
Dara D. La Porte • Founding Director, 2010-2023, Retired
Before founding An Open Book, Dara was the manager of the children and teens department at a large independent bookstore. Dara served on the board of the Association of Booksellers for Children, was appointed to the American Booksellers Association’s Advisory Board, and participated on several national panels on young adult literature. Dara also taught middle school for 12 years.
CONTACT AN OPEN BOOK
Whether you’d like to join our newsletter mailing list, sign up to have An Open Book visit your school, or would like to talk about a nonprofit partnership, we’d love to hear from you.
CONTACT INFO
508 Kennedy St. NW, Suite 309
Washington, D.C. 20011
Phone: 202 686 7115
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FOR SCHOOLS & PROGRAMS
