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Texas BookShare

  • All About Texas BookShare

    Texas BookShare aims to improve literacy among Texas children by encouraging parents and kids to read together, with an emphasis on learning and forming healthier habits.

    The program grew from a collaboration between Bell County Medical Society Alliance, The Leaders Readers Network nonprofit, and Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center, tasking physicians to “prescribe” books on healthy living topics to their young patients during well-checks. Texas BookShare has grown to 14 Texas counties, with more than 9,200 Texas children having received a book since 2021.

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  • How it Works

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    The success of Texas BookShare lies in the power of collaboration. Alliance chapters and county medical societies join with a local health clinic or physician to distribute books to patients in underserved areas. The host groups work together to market and launch the local project – and write personalized messages inside each book. Physician hosts who treat children can have their own book distribution or collaborate with one who does.

  • Host a Literacy Event

    Start-up is FREE for TMA Alliance chapters, county medical societies, and TMA physician members. First-time hosts receive $1,500 worth of books for different age groups, available in English and Spanish. Topics focus on healthy habits, such as staying active, growing a garden, and eating healthy foods. Renewing participants receive $1,500 in books, $1,000 from TMA with a $500 contribution.

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