Stylized sunset landscape with orange clouds, sparkling stars, rolling teal hills, and small grass tufts

Delivering the magic of reading to children and communities.

Stylized illustrations of three open books with teal, orange, and blue accents on a black background
Illustrated yellow and green Mercedes book bus labeled Bess the Book Bus, featuring a cartoon mouse behind the windshield and books-themed artwork.
Bess the Book Bus mobile library van with colorful book-cart displays and visitors browsing outside

Bess the Book Bus programs are nurturing, social book fair experiences that help instill a love of reading one child, one caregiver, and one educator at a time. These events manifest our mission and fulfill the promise of book access, choice and ownership for young readers, bridging economic barriers. We endeavor to spark the joy of reading for pleasure and ignite a lifetime of learning.

Every day we work toward a world wherein children, educators and families have equitable access to books that they can choose for their home and classroom libraries.

Our Vision and Mission
Illustration of a yellow bookmobile labeled “Bess the Book Bus” driving on a colorful landscape

24

years in service

Illustration of a school building with a clock tower, red flag, windows, and green lawn

5k+

bus stop events

Colorful stack of patterned books and boxes against a stylized landscape background

1Mil+

books given

Two smiling children celebrating with raised hands in a colorful cartoon illustration

500k+

kids’ lives enhanced

Join Our Journey on Instagram

Joy of Reading Summer Book Party with our friends at @unitedwaysuncoast !
This young lady was so excited to find the book Love That Dog. They are reading it in class. She picked it up, gasped and yelled “It’s PERFECT!”
Day 1 at Harms Elementary in Detroit was full of joy and wonder! We threw a school-wide Joy of Reading Book Party alongside our friends at @vspvisioncare — because healthy sight and a love of reading go hand in hand. When you can’t see cl
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Our Gracious Partners & Supporters

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