‘Book Fairies’ nonprofit helps to keep students reading amid COVID-19 pandemic

Educators say it’s important for children to read over the summer because those who don’t tend to fall behind.

News 12 Staff

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May 5, 2020, 9:55 PM

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Updated 1,451 days ago

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An effort is being made to ensure students in underprivileged communities have access to books during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grace Ryan, a second-grade teacher in the William Floyd School District, drives to a warehouse in Freeport called “The Book Fairies” where she stocks up on free books to deliver to her students.

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“Not everyone can afford books on Amazon,” she told News 12. “These children need books. The library is closed. They need books in their hands.”

Educators say it’s important for children to read over the summer because those who don’t tend to fall behind.

Eileen Minogue runs the nonprofit company that provides 50,000 books to kids on Long Island every month.

“We take the books from kids who have the abundance, and we give them to the kids that are in need and it levels the playing field,” says Minogue.

The Book Fairies warehouse currently cannot accept donations or have volunteers work inside the warehouse due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, those that wish to help the nonprofit can do so on its website.

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