October 2026

Our Fall Student Interns

Meet Yesenia Perez, Health Literacy Intern

Yesenia Perez brings over 20 years of healthcare administration experience, including leading marketing teams in home health and vascular care.

Meet Oscar Lira Loera, Health Literacy Intern

Oscar Lira Loera is a registered nurse in the trauma unit at University Medical Center and a physician trained in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.

Dear Books Are Gems Families,

Join us at Books Are GEMS this Saturday, October 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a Halloween celebration filled with stories, creativity, and family fun! 🎃📚

Wear your costumes for our children’s costume contest, enjoy arts and crafts, and celebrate with goodies and much more!

Our Storytime selections include Wooshi Witch Grows a Garden and The Greatest Bedtime Story Ever.

Our health literacy interns, Yesenia and Oscar, will also read My Dentist Visit, sharing a friendly reminder to brush those little teeth—especially after enjoying Halloween candy! 🦷✨

Bring the kiddos in costume and join the fun—we can’t wait to see you!

Remember, Every child can take home FREE books!

Join us as we continue inspiring young readers, empowering families, and building a healthier, more literate community!

With appreciation,

Your Team at work,

Board of Directors

Emma Acosta, Executive Director

Susan "Susie" Patterson, Bookstore Manager

Your team at work:

Emma Acosta, Executive Director;

Susan Patterson, Bookstore Manager;

Soto, our University of Chicago summer intern

We are proud to work together every day for the children, teachers, families, and customers we serve throughout our region.

Remember,

We are open Mon, Wed, Fri

from Noon to 6 p.m.

Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Except for Halloween, we will be open until 2 p.m.

Every child receives on new book and 10 gently used books of their choice!

Stop by & Have a Happy Weekend!

Visit us and Stay Warm & Read a Book!

The following books will be read on

Saturday

11:30 a.m.

Remember, the first 15 families

recieve the Books Free!

Wooshi Witch Grows a Garden by Dai Yun

A whimsical journey that inspires young readers to uncover their extraordinary powers hidden within everyday items.

Join Wooshi Witch on her quest to cultivate a spectacular garden. Despite years of trials and failed experiments, Wooshi is determined to find the secret to success.

Unexpectedly, guidance arrives from an unlikely source – humans. Through unwavering perseverance and a sprinkle of magic, she unlocks the extraordinary potential hidden within ordinary elements.

The Greatest Bedtime Story Ever by Jessie Sima

From the New York Times bestselling creator of Not Quite Narwhal Jessie Sima comes a fantastical, “playfully self-referential” (Shelf Awareness, starred review) tale of how an elf facing a dangerous dragon was inspired to write The Greatest Bedtime Story Ever to save himself!

My Dentist Visit: An Interactive Storybook with 36 Reusable Stickers is a fun, reassuring, and educational introduction to dental care designed to help young children understand what to expect at the dentist in a friendly, engaging way.

This storybook takes children step by step through a typical dental appointment, from sitting in the waiting room to meeting the dentist, checking teeth, and learning about oral hygiene.

Click on the Image above or here to Donate, Thank You!

Every book opens a door.

Every child deserves a key.

Your gift helps us provide free books, Storytime, and creative learning to children and teachers in our community.

A small donation today can spark a lifetime love of reading.

Thank you for your generosity and support!

The Books Are Gems Team

Dear Sponsors,

Thank you for your incredible generosity and support throughout this year. Your contributions have been the cornerstone of our success, enabling us to provide free books, host engaging literacy programs, and empower our community.

You have helped us open new doors for countless children and families, creating a brighter future one book at a time. We are deeply grateful for your belief in our mission and for making such a profound impact.

With heartfelt thanks,

The Books Are Gems Team