WHAT IS BOOKS FOR FREE?
Books for Free is a program of The Children’s Trust in partnership with Miami Book Fair at Miami Dade College. Our goal is to get more books into the hands of children who need them most – magical, world-building, life-changing books that they can keep to read with their families over and over again. We do that by delivering an average of 2,443 new and gently used books per week to 77 public bookshelves located in high-traffic locations throughout Miami-Dade County’s most underserved neighborhoods. These books are free for the taking by children and their caregivers.
Little Haiti Book Festival
Miami Book Fair presented the annual Little Haiti Book Festival in May, featuring authors from Haiti and the Haitian diaspora, a Haitian documentary, workshops for writers, storytelling and hands-on activities for children, dance and music performances, a meet-and-greet with Little Haiti community leaders, and more. Panel topics included Haitian Vodou and Haitian music, with a special presentation celebrating the 100th birthday of two Haitian literary masters: Jacques Stephen Alexis and Émile Célestin Mégie.
Miami Gardens Youth Music Festival
Presented by The Miami Gardens Music Alliance, Music Access Miami at The Miami Foundation, and Councilwoman Linda Julien, the first edition of the Miami Gardens Youth Music Festival, held May 21, featured the next generation of musicians from Miami Gardens and beyond, accompanied by local food trucks, tents, activations from community partners, and free books provided by Books for Free.
Bedtime Stories Under the Stars
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens and the South Miami Chapter of Jack and Jill of America hosted a special night of incredible stories and imagination! During this magical evening, families were treated to readings from local authors, art workshops, and history, told in first-person by museum educators. All activities took place outdoors, creating a perfect opportunity for families to learn more about the history of our community and inspire them to tell stories of their own.
Taste of the Caribbean Islands
The city of Miramar presented Taste of the Caribbean Islands June 25 at its Vizcaya Park – a food fest, book and art fair, and concert all in one! Live entertainment included Destra Garcia, the “Queen of Bacchanal,” Bahamian artist Julien Believe, the Lee Kelly Band, DJs Sinistar and Tony x Miami Dream Team, and Gianpaul & Latin Soul Band, with traditional Moko Jumbie stilt walkers adding to the excitement.
Three Little Birds Summer Camp Performance & Book Giveaway
City Theatre Miami produced and performed reggae musical “Three Little Birds” as part of its community building summer camp program. A Books for Free book giveaway was part of the event, with 150 copies of “Every Little Thing” by Cerdella Marley gifted to Miami-Dade campers attending the performance.
