Books On Bases

Books on Bases Program Overview

Purpose

Books on Bases, Smiles on Faces is a program created by Blue Star Families in conjunction with Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) to positively impact the lives of military children through the power of reading.  With the generosity of partners such as K.I.D.S. and BAE Systems, Blue Star Families donates books to military children, base libraries, Department of Defense schools, and military-impacted public schools.

Who We Are

Blue Star Families is a bridge between military families, the shapers of policy affecting military life, and the nation.  Our members are military spouses, parents, and families from all branches of service, including National Guard and Reserve. The American military is the most diverse on the planet and our members are equally diverse. Our members are of every age, race, sex, religion, political affiliation and service member rank.  Blue Star Families seeks to connect, support and empower military families by offering solutions that make military family life more sustainable.

The Program

On September 10^th,  2009, Blue Star Families and K.I.D.S launched the National Books on Bases, Smiles on Faces program with an event in Fayetteville, NC.  The Ft. Bragg event included the distribution of approximately 4000 books to military base libraries as well as every DOD school in the state of NC and approximately 20 military impacted public schools in the local area.  Children with parents serving in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard benefited from this significant donation to their schools and libraries.  The educational impact of library donation is far greater than direct donation to children. 

Since the launch in 2009, Blue Star Families has distributed books to military children, and military-impacted schools and libraries across the country. These books will provide on-going support in the effort to promote literacy in America’s children.

Blue Star Families plans to distribute 10,000 books to military children over the next year. If you'd like to bring Books on Bases to your military community, email books@bluestarfam.org.

Get Books for Kids in Your Military Community