Revised 7/05/11

Book GuidelinesBooks in the program must follow the guidelines listed below. Ask the SMART Site Coordinator to furnish a wish list for a particular site.

SMART prefers financial contributions to book donations.

All purchased and donated books are approved by and property of SMART.

Every SMART site has a giveaway collection of new books purchased by or donated to SMART.

The permanent collection is comprised primarily of donated, hardbound books. These books provide reading pairs with a selection of high quality books that SMART is unable to purchase through its vendors.

Books are chosen for the program based on their appeal and ability to draw students into the illustrations, story and meaning. Site Coordinators and/or SMART managers have the right to refuse any book that:

Is damaged and worn

Does not meet the needs of a PreK-3 child’s developmental level both in listening and reading language

Includes holiday, religious and/or issue-oriented themes.

SMART partners with more than 250 schools and Head Start programs across Oregon with high populations of children from low income families, as these students are most at risk for falling behind. SMART helps to avoid this outcome by engaging community volunteers to provide one-on-one reading support and mentorship. Additionally, each child in the program receives up to 14 books each year to take home and keep.

Research proves that shared book reading and the availability of books in the home during a child’s first, formative years are the strongest predictors of early literacy skills. SMART provides both.

Guidelines for Book Donations

Frequently, corporations and individuals are interested in donating books to SMART – books are a fun and tangible way to support children’s literacy. SMART welcomes this interest and support!

Thanks to longstanding relationships with leading publishers, SMART is able to purchase books at a considerable discount from standard retail prices. As a result, SMART’s book-buying dollars go farther and purchase a greater number of books. For example, a donation of just $35 helps SMART buy 14 books for one child for entire the year – that’s $2.50 per book, well below retail price. Therefore, the most helpful way to support SMART with book purchases is to make a financial contribution. SMART can leverage monetary donations to purchase more books for more SMART students!

In this document, you’ll find guidance and suggestions on SMART book donations.

Guidelines for Book Donations Page 1

Revised 7/05/11

Donation ReceiptsDonors receive a SMART Donation Form to document the value of the donation. It is only necessary to tally the number of books donated rather than listing each book by title.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does SMART accept book donations?Yes, SMART accepts book donations. However, because SMART receives significantly discounted prices from book publishers, we prefer to receive financial contributions instead of book donations. SMART requests that organizations and individuals considering holding a book drive for SMART know where and how their gifts may have the greatest impact. If book donations are the preferred method of supporting SMART, we highly encourage the donation of new paperback books (see our Book Drive Wish List for suggested titles) that can be used as giveaway books for SMART students.

What does SMART do with books it cannot use in the program?If SMART receives a donation of new books that cannot be used in the program the organization does one of the following: Exchanges new books at local bookstores for titles that can be used (it helps if store stickers are left on so SMART can return them to the store where they were purchased); Sells books that cannot be exchanged to Powell’s Books for credit toward other books; Donates books to other local nonprofit organizations or school libraries.

Does SMART accept used children’s books?SMART requests that only new books be donated to the program, and highly encourages new paperback books from our Book Drive Wish List. If an individual or organization would like to host a used book drive to benefit SMART, we request that books are taken directly to a bookstore that buys used books over the counter, such as Powell’s Books in Portland. The credit or cash the individual/organization receives could then be donated to SMART to purchase new children’s books. Unfortunately, SMART does not have the resources to handle the number of used book donations we are offered.

Guidelines for Book Donations Page 2

Revised 7/05/11

Recommended AuthorsTedd ArnoldJan BrettMarc Brown (creator of Arthur)Margaret Wise BrownEric CarleJoanna Cole (creator of The Magic School Bus series)Tomie dePaolaLois EhlertJan FalconerKevin HenkesEric Hill (creator of Spot)Elizabeth & Victoria Kann (Pinkalicious)Jeff Kinney (Diary of a Wimpy Kid series)Kon KlassenLeo LionniJonathan LondonJames MarshallMercer Mayer (creator of Little Critter)David McPhailLaura NumeroffJane O’ConnorMaurice SendakDavid ShannonJackie Urbanovic Rosemary WellsDavid WeisnerMo Willems Don & Audrey Wood

Recommended Early Reader SeriesCaptain UnderpantsEyewitness Readers (DK)Green Light Readers (Harcourt Brace)Junie B. Jones (Barbara Park)Magic Tree House (Mary Pope Osborne)National Geographic Readers Rainbow Magic (Daisy Meadows)Step Into Reading (Random House)

Guidelines for Book Donations Page 3

Book Drive Wish List

Recommended Nonfiction SubjectsAirplanesAnimalsCarsDinosaursScienceSnakesSpaceSpidersSportsTrainsTrucks

Suggested TitlesA Bad Case of Stripes by David ShannonAmelia Bedelia (series) by Peggy ParishArthur (series) by Marc BrownClick, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen CroninClifford the Big Red Dog (series) by Norman BridwellCurious George (series) by Margret and Hans Augusto ReyDog Breath by Dav PilkeyFancy Nancy (series) by Jane O’ConnorGallop! by Rufus Butler SederIf You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Nu-meroffJunie B. Jones (series) by Barbara ParkMagic School Bus (series) by Joanna ColeMagic Tree House (series) by Mary Pope OsborneSkippyjon Jones by Judy SchachnerSmelly Bill by Daniel PostgateSplat the Cat by Rob ScottonThe Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear by Don & Audrey WoodThe Mitten by Jan BrettToday I Will Fly by Mo Willems

Thanks for your generous support!

Paperbacks, please!