🎁The magical Holiday Season 2025 is vastly approaching, especially for children. But for many kids in the City of Detroit, books are a luxury that families simply cannot afford. The pressures of inflation and stagnant income are being felt by many families and this holiday season is definitely going to be a time of additional financial strain making it difficult to gift their kids anything. (...the city’s poverty rate has climbed to about 34.5%, showing that one-third of Detroiters struggle to make ends meet. source: Bridge Michigan)

That’s why Detroit Book City BookUp Literacy Program is launching a special children's Holiday Book Drive to place one or two heart-warming Christmas picture books into the hands of 200 needy children. We chose three newly released Santa titles from our curated collection! These three beautifully illustrated picture story books allow the kids to see positive portrayals of characters who look like them, share their tradition and celebrate heritage that will help affirm their sense of self-worth and belonging. This is especially critical during the holidays, which often feature stories that do not reflect diverse cultural and racial backgrounds.

Detroit Book City BookUp Literacy Program Holiday Book Drive 2025 will put a new book or three on 200 kid’s book shelves that they can connect with and see themselves in. What is more rewarding, this can be the start of a home library for many kids which leads to improved academic and social outcomes.

✨Your support can make this possible! Take a look at the magic inside each of these holiday stories: (click to see full descriptions and reviews only)

Santa in the City by Tiffany D. Jackson ~ A heartwarming picture book that shows how Santa brings holiday magic to children in the city, reminding little ones that Christmas joy can be found everywhere.

Santa’s Gotta Go! by Derrick Barnes ~ A laugh-out-loud story about Santa deciding to take a vacation after Christmas—only to realize the world isn’t quite ready to let him go. Fun, lively, and full of holiday spirit!

The Real Santa by Nancy Redd ~

A beautifully illustrated celebration that shows Santa can be real in many different ways, reflecting diverse families and traditions during the holidays.

Donate just $19 and partner to share the gift of literacy, imagination and holiday cheer to one, two or three children this holiday season! We will purchase copies of these books and the Santa stockings.

Pick-up day: Sat. December 13th, Santa in-person will autograph copies and take selfies with each kid who shows up…just-in-time for Christmas.

Virtual “Read-A-Loud”: Sun. December 21st, Kids across Metro Detroit will be invited to partake in the festivity – the first day of winter.

How You Can Help:

🌟$19 – Provides one child with a brand-new book! (your choice of Santa in the City, Santa’s Gotta Go!, or The Real Santa)

🌟$38 – Gifts books to two children. (give double the joy to two children!)

🌟$57 – Gift books to three children to experience the joy of reading this holiday season.

Check out our GoFundMe page:

Hey Partner… any amount makes a difference and brings us closer to THE GOAL of reaching 200 Kids! Together, we can spread Holiday Joy and inspire a lifelong love of reading. Let’s show children in Metro Detroit that books truly are the greatest gift of all.

Donate $19 today and help us reach 200 Kids for Christmas 2025!

The Book Drive runs from NOW - Fri. Nov. 14, 2025.

Kids with accompanying parent/guardian will pick-up the physical books “in-person” with a ‘Santa Visit’ on Sat. Dec. 13, 2025 from 11am-1pm (or until book supplies run out).

The Virtual Read-A-Loud is scheduled for Sun. Dec. 21st -- the first day of the Winter Season.

👉 Learn more about Detroit Book City BookUp Literacy Program

👉 Learn more about Detroit Book City

Thank you for being a part of this incredible holiday miracle for 200 Children in Metro Detroit! DONATE TODAY!!!