To foster a lifelong love of reading and support local families, Friends & Family Thrifting is launching a free children’s book giveaway and interactive reading challenge starting on Saturday, June 13.
Every child who visits the non-profit thrift store, located at 4625 National Pike | Suite 1 | Markleysburg PA 15459, will be invited to select a picture book by local author and illustrator, Kristin Emily Friend.
Kristin will be in the store all day on Saturday to personalize and sign her books. A free 3-D animal, representing a character from her books is also available.
Alongside the free book, children will receive a “Reading Bingo” card designed to turn reading into a fun game. The card encourages kids to engage in fun literacy activities at home, such as reading in a blanket fort, making funny animal sounds, or reading to a favorite stuffed animal. Once a child completes five challenges in a row, they can bring the card back to the thrift store to claim a special prize: a free book of their choosing.
Parents and caregivers will also receive a companion tip sheet packed with quick, practical advice on how to read interactively with young children to boost early language and comprehension skills.
The Reading Bingo challenge will run through the end of July.
Friends & Family Thrifting is open Wednesday 10am-4pm, Thursday 10am-4pm, Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 9am-2pm.
For more information about the event or to learn how to donate children’s books to the cause, please email info@friendsfamilythrifting.org or call 724-329-7771.
