Reading Rainbow Book Drive
Join Reading Rainbow and Buffalo Toronto Public Media (BTPM) in sharing the joy of reading with children and families. From June 13 through July 14, authors across the United States and Canada are invited to donate copies of their books as part of a special book drive celebrating literacy, storytelling, and community impact.
All donated books will be distributed to a nonprofit organization selected by BTPM, helping connect more readers with meaningful stories. Participating authors may also have the opportunity to have their books featured on Reading Rainbow’s social media platforms, introducing their work to a wider audience.
Eligibility
Authors:
- Must be 18 years or older or if under the age of 18, must submit written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
- Open to authors residing anywhere in the United States and Canada.
- All submissions must be original work created by the entrant.
- All published books are eligible, including self-published works.
Submission Guidelines
- Authors may submit and donate any number of new (unused) books of their original authorship.
- There is no entry fee, but you are responsible for covering your own shipping costs.
- Books must be mailed to BTPM and postmarked by July 14, 2026.
- All submitted books must have their primary language in English.
- Books of all genres and age ranges are welcome for donation.
- Your contact information must be included with the submission. Include social media handles, if applicable.
Social Media Feature Consideration:
- While all new and unused books are appreciated and will be donated, only children’s books intended for ages 4–8 will be considered for potential feature on Reading Rainbow’s social media.
- Books outside of this category will not be eligible for feature but are still encouraged as part of the donation effort.
Mail submissions to:
Reading Rainbow Team
Buffalo Toronto Public Media
140 Lower Terrace
Buffalo, NY 14202
Content & Selection Criteria
- Submissions should align with Reading Rainbow’s mission of promoting literacy, imagination, and inclusive storytelling.
- Books considered for social media feature must be appropriate for young audiences and must not contain explicit language, graphic content, or inappropriate themes.
BTPM reserves the right to:
- Select which submissions are featured on social media.
- Decline any submissions that do not meet guidelines or standards.
- Disqualify entries suspected to be AI-generated or not authentically created.
Timeline
- Submission Window: June 13 – July 14, 2026
- Deadline: All packages must be postmarked by July 14, 2026
- Social Media Features: Selected titles will be featured throughout July and August 2026