November 2025

Barkley's Vision:

Every child is a reader, and every child is a book owner.

Barkley's Mission:

Enriching children's love of reading by providing books that they can call their own.

Thoughts from the Bookshelf:

Hello, friends of Barkley’s Bookshelf! It’s the season of giving, and we are busy preparing for several book fairs this holiday season. Seeing the joy of children receiving a new book is heartwarming year-round, but even more so during the holidays.

If you would like to support children’s literacy in our community, there are many ways to get involved. Become one of forty donors participating in our collective giving campaign: Reading is Believing. By pledging $25 per month, your donation will help bring a free book fair to a local Title 1 school. Details on the campaign are featured in the newsletter.

Another way to advocate for our mission is through a virtual book drive, like our newest partner, the Towne Lake Community. Promoting the event through their weekly community newsletter, Towne Lake will be providing books for many of our holiday events. Your neighborhood, book club, or any group could do the same.

Local businesses also provide support at our book fairs, and we’re thrilled to partner with Texas Roadhouse, located at Hwy 290 and FM 1960. Texas Roadhouse has donated 250 free kids' meals (with the purchase of one adult meal) for young readers who read three books. The free kids' meal bookmarks will be distributed at book fairs in December with our nonprofit partners.

How can you spread book joy this season? Reach out, and we can discuss one of the ideas mentioned or brainstorm a unique idea tailored to you. We’re ready to partner with you this holiday season!

Yours in reading,

Brenda Polivka

Founder

Barkley's Bookshelf

40 People @ $25 a month for ONE year =

THREE Title 1 School Book Fairs!

Click to become ONE of the FORTY who think Reading IS Believing

Title 1 School Bookfairs

Barkley's Bookshelf has collaborated with Title 1 schools in CFISD, and it has been a rewarding experience, thanks to a grant from CenterPoint Energy. We work together with the librarians to select books suitable for each grade level, allowing every student to choose a book they can keep. The students are often surprised and grateful to learn that the books are free—something we sometimes take for granted. The teachers and administration appreciate this initiative, as they understand that fostering a love of reading is essential for literacy, and having books at home can make a significant difference. Join us in our mission to serve more schools; the need is urgent, and your support is vital.

Click to read: My Neighborhood News article - Lee Elementary

Click to read: Article by CFISD

Minted.com

Barkley’s Bookshelf announces a partnership with Minted.com. Minted is an online marketplace of premium design goods created by independent artists and designers. Stationery, art, wedding, home and gifts for every life moment. The company sources art and design from a community of more than 16,000 independent artists from around the world.

Using the promo code FUNDRAISEBARKLEYS, customers will receive 20% off their purchase, and Minted will donate 10% to Barkley’s Bookshelf!

Go to Minted.com to view their beautiful selections, just in time for the holidays.

Note that this partnership is valid year round. Consider this opportunity for future stationery needs and gifts.

Kendra Scott

December 20th from

12pm - 2pm

We are thrilled to partner with

Kendra Scott, Towne Lake Cypress, for KENDRA SCOTT giveback events. Kendra Scott will donate 20% of sales to Barkley's Bookshelf. An online code will be available closer to the event. Watch email and social media for online code.

Corporate Matching

If your corporation offers a matching grant, we encourage you to connect with us at info@barkleysbookshelf.org. This is a fantastic opportunity for Barkley's Bookshelf, and your involvement could make a significant difference. Don't miss out on the chance to amplify your impact!

Thank you, Bank of America!

Amazon Wishlist

Visit our Amazon Wishlist to support Barkley's Bookshelf with Book Donations OR a Virtual Book Drive!

Visit our Walmart Registry to support Barkley's Bookshelf with Book Donations OR a Virtual Book Drive!

Upcoming Events:

Cy-Hope Book Fair - December 4th
Bane Elementary Book Fair - December 8th & 9th
Cy Fair Helping Hands Client Christmas Party & Book Fair - December 13th
Bang Elementary Book Fair - December 15th & 16th
Kendra Scott Towne Lake Giveback Event - December 20th

COMMUNITY

Cy-Fair Helping Hands Festival of Trees

We are excited to support our community partners beyond book fairs. This year, Barkley's Bookshelf will donate a beautifully decorated tree to the Festival of Trees to raise funds for its vital community programs.

Towne Lake Community Book Drive

The Towne Lake community is hosting a Book Drive until November 14th to support our upcoming book fairs. Residents can participate by shopping from our Amazon Wishlist or Walmart Book Registry. You can choose to have the books shipped directly to Barkley's Bookshelf, or you can drop them off at The Lakehouse if you prefer to shop locally.

Thank you, Towne Lake community!

Book Donation Guidelines

Little Free Library

We have placed 100 books at the little free library at Texas Roadhouse, located at Hwy 290 and FM 1960. In turn, Texas Roadhouse has donated 250 free kids' meals (with the purchase of one adult meal) for Barkley's Bookshelf young readers who read three books. The free kids' meal bookmarks will be distributed at our book fairs in December with our nonprofit partners.

Thank you, Texas Roadhouse!

GRATITUDE

🌟 **Thank You to our 2025 Donors and Volunteers** 🌟

A big thank you to our amazing donors and volunteers! Your support is crucial to achieving our mission.

Every dollar and every hour you give makes a real difference in our community. Your efforts inspire us and help those we serve.

We appreciate all you do. Together, we are making a meaningful impact on children's literacy through book ownership.

Book Drives

Virtual book drives sponsored by a group, company, or organization are a fun way to unite and provide much-needed books for our Book Fairs and Book Bundles. Using our curated lists through Amazon and Wal-Mart, the process is easy, and the excitement is contagious.

Book Drive

Volunteer

Barkley's Bookshelf is always seeking invested volunteers who appreciate children, children's literature, and the joy that connects the two. If you want to become a Book Fair volunteer or serve in another capacity, please get in touch with us, info@barkleysbookshelf.org,

Your contribution will bring smiles and inspiration to many young minds.

Donations

Monetary donations are always needed as Barkley's Bookshelf strives to provide new books for our students' personal libraries. For many of our students, this will be their first opportunity to choose and keep a book. Your donation is not just a gift, it's a commitment to their future. Barkley's provides bookmarks and sturdy tote bags for their new literary treasures. Donate

Facebook Fundraiser

Barkley's Bookshelf is an approved non-profit if you would like to host an online fundraiser through their platform. By hosting a fundraiser, you can directly contribute to our mission of promoting children's literacy and book ownership. Facebook Fundraising

Donate

BarkleysBookshelf.org

Contact