Jennifer is a role model to all who know her, including me. In this life, we learn that love is about actions, but few of us have the courage to completely live this ideal. Love is about service. Love is selfless. Jennifer is brilliant, and could easily have left a mark in the corporate publishing world - or in any industry. She chose to take a path of struggle, hard work, long hours, and little attention. She chose a path of service - of love. She is the very best of us - and she is someone you can be proud to support. She is what we all would be - if we had the courage :)
Bess is a great opportunity to get entertaining and engaging books in the hands of our students. The kiddos love going home with a brand new book with their favorite character or topic. We appreciate Bess the Book Bus!
It was great having Bess The Book Bus visit our school. The students were excited to get to pick out a book they could take home and the bags that they gave out. The book selection was great and every student found something they wanted to read!
I am a 4th grade teacher in a very small community. When my students heard that Bess the Book Bus was coming to our village, they were SO excited! All year we preach and encourage the importance of reading. Then we are given an amazing opportunity for our own young readers to get to choose their own stories...the impact of that is priceless. This is a fabulous nonprofit that inspires young readers and provides AMAZING titles for our students to choose from.
Thank you!! We love Bess the Book Bus!
From, Mrs. Prueter's 4th Grade Class #ReadersAreLeaders
We absolutely love Bess the Book Bus and her founder, Jennifer. As a teacher, our 3rd grade class was looking for a meaningful outreach to support and through timing, patience, a little bit of luck and a good Google search we found them. We were immediately on board their mission and began raising money as a class to help fund the book fairs they travel across the country to deliver. We have raised money for two years now and not only do our students (and teachers) feel the reward of what we have been able to accomplish, we all feel the gratitude from the Bess the Book Bus team with postcards flooding our students of their travels and updates on their success as it unfolds in various states. We also look forward to visits from them each school year to learn of their upcoming goals and past accomplishments. We know and have seen the good that Bess is doing in our Tampa community and beyond and we feel blessed to be a part of helping her carry out her mission and that of her founders dreams.
Bess the Book Bus has been one of the more rewarding experiences I've had. The ability to give a child a book and to see the smile on their face when you tell them it's free and theirs to keep, is imaginably rewarding. I would recommend anyone to volunteer their time to a nonprofit that has impacted my life as much as Bess has. Go out and volunteer!
“Jennifer is such an inspiration to us all! Her enthusiasm and creativity in encouraging children to read makes learning not only accessible but genuinely fun. She’s making a lasting impact—one joyful page at a time!”
Karen Smith, Wharton Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture
Thank you for visiting our Life Skills classroom. We loved the fact that there were many choices for our students.
Thank you so much for visiting our classroom and bringing books for our 1st graders! Your kindness and generosity made their day so special. The students were so EXCITED to receive their very own books, and it's moments like these that help foster a lifelong love of reading.
We truly appreciate the time and care you put into your visit. Thank you for making a difference in their lives!
I absolutely love Bess the Book Bus! I work at a transformation school and my students love to receive new books from Bess. Many of them don't have books at home to read and Bess is helping them build and expand their personal libraries!
BessTheBookBus is such an inspiration to our kids. They really look forward to not only picking a book but listening to her read a story to them. If you could see their faces, you would see how much she Impacts them. When she leaves, they always ask when she is coming back. most of our kids are well below the poverty level so when she comes, she is also given them an experience that they might not see. I'm really so happy and excited that I invited her to come to Edison Elementary. I have to keep her coming back. She is a vital part of our team.
Ivan Crawford
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When I first heard about this program, I was very interested in doing this for the Head Start class that I had. When we finally met, I thought this was a Great opportunity for all the kids at the school. I loved the interaction that she has with the kids. They really were happy to get a book. This year I have scheduled at least 3 times. This is a Great thing you have going and really hope it continue.
I can't say enough wonderful things about Bess the Book Bus and her crew. Jennifer doesn't just provide kids with free books, she also builds connections with each child with her genuine warmth and kindness. She chatted with the families, helped kids pick out the right books for them, and just in general created an amazing atmosphere that encouraged so much excitement about reading. I was also impressed with the incredible book selection. She had a large variety of super popular titles that the kids are always clamoring for at my library. I'm so grateful that Bess and crew visited our community and spread so much love and joy through books.
Our kids LOVED the book bus! I've never seen them so excited to read. They loved identifying the artwork on the bus and were absolutely thrilled to pick out a book to keep. They even let me take extra books to keep in our library so the kids had an easier time making their decision, knowing they would get a chance to check out additional books later. Incredible service, we are so grateful! - Bealsville rec center
Working with Jennifer to bring Bess the Book Bus to our campers this Summer was so easy and so rewarding for us and our kids! Bess the Book Bus provides children with high quality and up to date books for every reading level. Jennifer was wonderful when working with our campers to help each child find something they will love at their individual reading level. Being able to provide our campers with books to ensure their love of reading continues to grow was a special moment for us and we are so grateful to Jennifer and everyone else with Bess the Book Bus!
Working with Jennifer has been absolutely amazing and so rewarding. Being able to take part in Bess the Book Bus and instill a love for reading in children is fantastic. I think everyone should learn more about this nonprofit and join her along the way as she travels across the nation. Working with someone who is passionate and loves what they do is rare, and I could not be happier to play a small part along her journey! Wish I could attend more visits!
The book bus visited Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department Balm Park. Balm Park Summer Camp loved the visit from the book bus. It is an opportunity for the children to continue to read for the summer months. Lots of smiling faces.
We hosted Bess the Book Bus this year to coincide with preregistration for our Summer Learning Challenge. The Bess staff is amazing and took care of all the setup, and they were also so kind and attentive to each and every child they visited with. It was a wonderful way to kick off a summer of reading, and I hope we can book them again next year!
Bess the Book Bus visited MY Place, a nonprofit organization serving kids in the Mankato area. What a joy to be able to send our kids home with a free book. They were so excited to get to pick one out, and our staff were also thrilled to get a book for each classroom. This resource is truly impacting kids' lives, and we feel fortunate to have partnered with them!
I had the pleasure of helping hand out books at several locations with Jennifer and Bess the Book Bus. It was an amazing experience, and I am so glad I got to participate. Seeing each kid interact with Jennifer was amazing as she knew just how to handle every reader and make sure they went home with a book or two they would actually read!
Jennifer and Bess the Book Bus are amazing!! The work they're doing in local communities where children and families don't have as much access to free literature is an absolute blessing.
Support. Donate. Volunteer - whatever you can!!
Last year was the first I’d heard of Bess the Book Bus. I thought, what an amazing program!
We had her come to our library at the beginning of summer. I was so impressed that I have already contacted her to see if she can come again this year. I was so excited to see how many parents, caregivers, and children attended! The kids were so excited! They enjoyed coming into the library and hearing Jennifer read them a couple of stories. We went outside after that and the kids waited patiently and with excitement for their turn to pick out their books to take home. Many kids were excited to see Bess the Book Bus and had their picture taken in front of the bus. Jennifer is great to work with. I loved her personality and excitement which rubbed off onto the rest of us. Books can be expensive and some kids don’t have many books at home. By having this at the beginning of summer was a great way to get books into the kids’ hands over the summer, and the books were free. Everyone should start reading to their children at an early age. I haven’t seen many kids who don’t want to sit and listen to you read them a story. They usually say, can you read one more? We all need to do all that we can to get children excited about reading. This literacy outreach program is awesome! What a creative idea! Thank you to Jennifer, her team, and sponsors for making this happen. Keep up the great work!
Bess the Book Bus visited our library the first part of August in 2023. Over 50 children were able to choose a book from the wonderful selection that was offered. The children and adults were thrilled with the selection and, quite frankly, in awe that such a service was offered.
Jennifer was great with the children, going out of her way to search for the just right book for each child. We couldn't have been more thrilled with this program and with Jennifer.
We have little ones asking when the Book Bus will be coming back. :)
Each summer our community looks forward to seeing Bess the Book Bus arrive for a special event in our city. The impact that Jen's mission has on on children and teacher's is incredible. Seeing the children walk through the bus choosing their book/s, then sitting on the sidewalk or grass and immediately cracking it open a book or just wanting to chat her up about their favorite author or character is not only heart warming, it's inspiring. For teacher's and literacy advocates, I think it lifts them up in new ways to know that there are programs like hers dedicated to supporting literacy in their very own community. We are so grateful for the work that Jen does to help inspire life long readers. We can't wait to see her again this summer!!! -Annemarie Maitri
We met Jenn and Bess because we also give away books. No where near the level that Jenn and her crew does.
When she does one of her tours up the east coast on her way to Maine, she makes our day by stopping in Camden, NJ for a day. We'll arrange a venue and Jenn takes it from there. The quality of her books is amazing but what really makes our day is the way she is with kids and parents. She treats each child as if they were her own. The kids feel the love and are immediately at ease.
Jenn also empowers everyone at the event, she will make sure all the community partners are part of BessTheBookBus for the day.
I have no idea how she does things logistically, but she always has enough books and will let us cherry pick what we want to give away ourselves.
I am not sure I could do what she does, just being on the road for weeks on end would get old.
And she sleeps in the Bus sometimes to save money.
I am so proud to know her and feel so privileged to be able to work with her even if it's just one day a year.
Tom Martin
tom@thefreebooksproject.org
856 308 6992
Jess and Bess were around before BookSmiles. She is one my inspirations, compelling me to start a Book Bank here in the Philly region. Can't wait to have them visit again.
Bess the Book Bus, Inc. is such a great organization that I'm grateful to experience. Originally, the bus worked with the higher grades and would occasionally provide books schoolwide. My journey began last year, when a coworker of mine introduced the organization to me after we were partnered as "Hornet Buddies." With this change our classes partnered up and began a monthly buddy reading system. Seeing my 1st grade students have the opportunity to receive free books and build their at home library has strengthened their interest and love of reading. The students truly enjoy when Bess comes, and the teachers love it just as much! I love the work of Bess the Book Bus, Inc. and fully support them in all that they do!
The most powerful partnership I’ve ever had throughout my 20 years of teaching!! Students are so empowered as they build their own personal libraries that align to their identities, interests and passions! Our classroom library is on fire because students build it together as they choose books from Bess the Book Bus!!! We never have reluctant readers because students choose books that bring them joy that they can’t put down during independent reading time! We are so grateful for this incredible partnership!!
Jennifer has brought joy to Alief ISD students for over 15 years. Our students look forward to adding books to their home library and truly her visits each year. Jennifer puts service before self and I appreciate her bringing her bright shining light to every child.
Dee Jones
Alief ISD
Business and Community Coordinator
Having known and worked with Jennifer for over 20 years it's a pleasure to have been a part of so many amazing events with Bess being a part of. Jennifer has a sincere passion for spreading literacy to the youth which is very important with today's reading skills seeming to diminish. I look forward to working with her for another 20 years!
Thank you for all you do!
Bess the Book Bus came to first grade at our school. The students were pumped to get to choose a brand-new book! There were many fun and new titles that the students could choose from. Then after students picked their book, they were engaged in a fun read aloud with Bess! They were giggling and loving reading! This was an amazing experience, and I would love to do it again! Thank you Bess the Book Bus!
Bess The Book Bus is a friend and partner of Hillsborough County's Transformation Network Schools. Over the last 5+ years there has been a concentrated effort to support literacy in our most underserved areas in our communities. Thirty-nine schools have received books for all of their kindergarten students to add to their home libraries. We also have been privileged to host pop-up libraries quarterly in 6 pre-identified schools. This includes a book read and book to take home. Literacy is the pathway to a child's future and no greater donation of time and resources fits the bill more than Bess The Book Bus. We appreciate you:)
This bus has been a wonder for our kids! A lot of these kids don't have the finances to go buy their own books for reading at home. The free book bus allows them to find new, relevant books that are interesting to them and where they can practice at home. Thank you so much for coming to our school!!
I would like to say that Bess the Book Bus coming to Edison Elementary School has impacted students in such a positive way. Bess the Book Bus gives all students a fair advantage to select books that intrigue and motivate them to become readers.
Bess the Book Bus visits the elementary school I work at least twice each academic year & the gift of books given to all the students is amazing.
My students have had the opportunity to visit the book bus twice at our elementary school. Each visit has been amazing. My students were able to pick out multiple books and I was also able to pick a few books for my classroom library. My students had an amazing time receiving books and parents reached out to me because they were so grateful to have books to read at home. We are so thankful for the book bus and the kids have loved getting books!
We love Bess the Book Bus! As the principal of the school, I am grateful our students have the experience of picking out a brand-new book to take home to read and share with their families. Bess the Book Bus builds a LOVE of reading in our students. Thank you, Ms. Jennifer and the Bess the Book Bus donors! We so hope our students can continue this tradition. They cherish the experience, the books, and the memories they make with them.
My students love when Bess the Book bus come visit our school! They get excited and cheer. They provide books in both English and Spanish to support our students. They have many fun and popular characters that our students love.
Bess the book bus is such a blessing to our students at Potter Elementary! There efforts are allowing our students to create their own personal library at home. Always serving with a smile and kind words the entire campus looks forward to visits from the book bus!
The staff was super accommodating to our student population with special needs. They asked each student individually their interest and selected a book specifically for them. We loved the buses organization and presentation of the books. I hope this bus stays around for a long time!
We look forward to seeing Bess the Book bus each year. She provides a wide variety of books for the students to choose from. This gives them an opportunity to choose a book that piques their interest and also provides them with the opportunity to choose a book they might not have been introduced to otherwise. If is such a positive experience for our students with special needs!! Thank you, Bess!!!!!
Bess the book bus is always a huge hit with your students. All the students at my school have special needs and require a very small learning environment and Jennifer is always so wonderful with them. She is extremely passionate about what we she does and truly shows every time the book bus makes a visit. The students love going to pick out books and enjoy the entire experience from beginning to end. There is always a variety of books and each student always finds one that they like. Thank you so much for all that you do, Jennifer! You are always welcome at our school!
The students are so excited when Bess the Book Bus comes to school. It is so special for the students to be able to select a brand new book to add to their home library. Jennifer does a great job assisting the students. More than once I have seen her look through a box or bin to find a book that a student has requested. We love this program and truly appreciate everything it takes to put the books into the hands of our students.
Beep! Beep! Here comes Bess the Book Bus driven by our friend, Jennifer. Their yearly visit is a highly anticipated event at LaVoy. The smiles on the students' faces when they receive a book of their own are priceless. We think Jennifer is an amazing person. Her vision for and dedication to literacy are unsurpassed and we hope to continue our annual visits from Bess the Book Bus for years to come.
Bess the Book Bus is amazing! The students love seeing the bus as they know they are about to receive new books. For many of our students, Bess the Book bus provides them with their very first few books and accumulates their collection at home with each visit. As the Head Start teacher, I am very thankful for this program and the wonderful benefits they provide students and teachers.
We are so thankful for Bess the Book Bus. All of our kiddos look forward to the books they receive every time Bess Bus comes through. We are very appreciative of this program and can’t say enough about what they do for our community. Thank you for what you do!
What a wonderful organization. Our students at Reddick have been able to receive new books several times this school year all because of Bess the Book Bus. I love seeing the excitement of each child as they get to select books of their very own. My heart melts when I hear a child say I don't have any books at home, but now I do.
Bess the Book Bus continues to provide our students and classroom libraries with beautiful, new and age appropriate books. Visits from the Book Bus are always highlights for the children and staff! We are so thankful that this opportunity is available to our community!
Bess the Book Bus is a heroic and beautiful nonprofit organization. Through the leadership of their passionate director, Jennifer Frances, Best the Book Bus champions kids and literacy through distribution of high interest books directly into the hands of kids in communities where books and funds to obtain them are scarce. When the Book Bus visits a community school, it is like a holiday. Kids get to take a magic trip into the Book Bus, review and select a book and keep it. For some kids, it is the first book they ever own. This transformative experience celebrates literacy and teaches kids they are valued and that the joyous world of reading is open to them. Bess the Book Bus makes these moments happen nationwide. I only wish every school could have a Book Bus visit several times a year!
Bess the Book Bus has been coming to our school (Potter Elementary) in Tampa Florida for years now to provide our children with great quality books and reading experiences that many times our young children lack at home. The children and the learning environment are both enriched by Jennifer's stories and the genuine love she has for books and for kids. She is a great community asset to our early childhood program.
Bess the book bus is such a blessing to our school. Over the last 4 years or so she has donated books every year so our title one students have books at home to read. She has also donated to new teachers classroom libraries. Our students love it when Bess the Book Bus comes to family night and they get to see the bus and pick a book out of the amazing collection. ❤️
I have known Bess the Book Bus and its founder Jennifer Frances since 2012. She was motivated to spread her love of books and reading by her Nana Bess. She started with a used
VW bus with new and donated books to travel to schools where kids may not have any books
at home. I have volunteered with her a number of times and seen the look of surprise when
told this brand new book they selected was their's to keep. Bess not only gives books to kids who may not have any books at home but she and her volunteers engage and share their enthusiasm for reading and where books can take you.
Bess (aka Jennifer Frances) has expanded her mission beyond the Tampa Bay Community
as she has gone on the road as far west as Navaho communities and also to the inner cities of the Northeast US. She is tireless in her mission and always goes the extra mile to fit in one more site that she can visit.
She -- Bess the Book Bus and Jennifer Frances -- deserve to be considered a Great Nonprofit.
Putting free books into kids hands! Books the kids select for themselves from the shelves on the bus that comes to their school, community center, after school program, or shelter. What a wonderful nonprofit!
Bess the Book Bus is amazing! For over a decade, the organization has been providing books to the children, families and classroom staff in our program. The expression on the children's faces after receiving books from the Bus shows their excitement. Bess the Book Bus has been a catalyst for our literacy efforts and in building home libraries for families!
The smiles I see on the faces of the children as they choose their book is inspiring and just makes my day every time I'm able to participate. I thank Bess the Book Bus for such a unique literacy program that comes right to our community in times where we feel like we need it most.
Bess the Book Bus has come out to numerous Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation facilities to visit our Summer Camp participants. The impact the organization has made on our Summer Campers is amazing. Seeing the campers visit the bus, search for a book that speaks to them and then receive the book is stunning. The smiles, followed by children reading is an awesome opportunity for our campers. We love Bess the Book Bus and the impact they make in our communities.
I have seen Jenn and Bess in action for years, and I am always moved by the genuine lovea nd enthusiasm she has for her mission. I know countless children whose only books are from Bess, and who love the magic they feel at a visit from Bess. Jenn always sees what others miss. I recall staying at a hotel with her and saw her getting the ages of children of the staff working at the hotel and setting aside books for them. Her mission is always to spread the joy of reading, and get books into the hands of children who otherwise would have none.
We have had Bess the Book visit for several years and always look forward to this end of summer event. I think the number of children, parents, and teachers who are able to enjoy free books from the bus has grown every year. It is so rewarding to see how excited the children are to be able to pick out a free book of their own. And as a library director, I also appreciate being able to pick out books to add to our collection.
Bess the Book Bus was an absolute joy! Their excitement about books is infectious! The children loved story time and the staff were very helpful when the children chose their books. We can't wait for them to visit again!
I have had the opportunity to volunteer with this organization at some community events. The events include reading to children and then providing them with a book of their choosing. The children become excited about reading and, for many, this is their first opportunity to get a book of their own. As a Board member with a local foundation that provides financial support to this organization. I believe that these monies are well spent. Bess the Book Bus, Inc. provides a valuable service. Staff of the organization are professional, committed, and, through their enthusiasm, further encourage love of reading.
LOVE Bess the Book Bus and the experience she brings to every community event and school! We have partnered with her for years and love the joy she brings to the kids as they take their time choosing which book to take home with them. I also love how the parents get involved in picking a book as well. Jen truly brings so much variety for all the ages and really great books that engage all age groups (parents, teens and little ones)! My girls have a little library of all their favorites from Bess the Book Bus and, now that they can read independently, they go back to time and time again.
For many years Bess the Book Bus has been coming to our preschool. The children are always excited for the bus to visit. They love hearing new stories and then selecting a new book to take home. Early exposure to literacy helps children develop the skills necessary to become successful readers. Bess the Book Bus has helped countless children become excited about reading, and when children love to read, they become life long learners.
I LOVE working with Bess the Book Bus! Their literacy programming is excellent. Students have a great experience selecting what is often their very first book to bring home. The organization is transparent and your donations go a long way to supporting programs.
Bess the Book Bus has been a valuable partner. We are proud to support their mission, as they actively involve us beyond a "branded partnership", but include our team members in monthly activities. This allows us to fully see the impact of our sponsorship, as well as make a difference in the community that is beyond a monetary value.
As the program manager of an after school program located numerous Title One Schools in St. Petersburg Florida I’ve had the honor of collaborating with Bess The Book Bus. At last count Bess has provided nearly 10,000 books to hundreds of students in the last four years. Ms. Frances makes it her business to visit our elementary schools a minimum of four times a year. Students are able to pick books of their interest for not only their program libraries, but to build home libraries as well. Before my eyes I’ve seen students go from “ I hate to read” to “When’s Bess coming, I need a new book”. Our program, our students and our staff are better, brighter and wiser for have Bess The Book Bus in our lives.
Debra Canning
Pinellas County Schools
21st Century Learning Centers
Canningd@pcsb.org
I Voluntee at an elementary school in nw florida. Bess was able to visit OBE and gift our preK-5th grade with books!! Each child was so excited with the opportunity to choose their very own book to take home!! It melted my heart when a child chose to get a book for his brother, and Jennifer made sure that he also chose a book for himself. Not only is she encouraging and supporting the literacy of the next generation, but displaying kindness, thoughtfulness, and generosity.
Bess the book bus has been a major donor to Mothers of Minors! They provide books for every event we have to make sure all the families we serve have books for their babies!!!
I stumbled upon this sweet lil buss and her crew at Citgo one sunny morning! I’ve never known this bus to exist so i was excited. I brought my daughter who LOVES books and she and I stood in line to see what the hype was all about! I love how the book selection feels like an actual lil book store someplace rather than at a gas station...the atmosphere and how they make it so personal although there are usually several people around. I felt like a kid again selecting a book for my daughter! The interior design is fantastic and cozy! haha! It’s obvious I am a total Bess fan, and I appreciate everything that the crew does for the sake of literacy, education and most of all....the children!!! I cannot wait to see Bess and her people this summer!!! Thank you for ALL that you do to inspire my daughters love for reading! ❤️❤️
We have come across The Book Bus several times over the past few years and have become friends with Ms Jen. Every time we stumble across this fantastic bus, my kids eyes light up as they go running to pick out new treasure! The enormous selection brings them great joy as they spend time picking out thier perfect adventure. They cant wait to sit down and start reading! Ms Jen's generous heart shines through every time we see her and get the awesome privelege of visiting Bess the Book Bus!
Jen from Bess the Book Bus is a great person with a ton of passion promoting a love of reading to kids all over the country. Mostly these are children who have little resources or access to books. Having a new book they can call their own can have a huge impact on a child. You never see a frown when Bess the Book Bus is on site. Smiles from ear to ear.
Previous Stories
Bess the Book Bus is an amazing literacy outreach organization that provides books to children. I've seen first-hand the enthusiasm for reading as well as the joy that this program brings to children of all ages. We've provided hundreds of books to Bess over the past few years and will continue to do so. Please keep up the great work you are doing!
I've seen the great people at this nonprofit at work several times, and they are doing great work! I always look forward to seeing them at community events, or even once-just seeing the Bus out on the road. Seeing the Bus on its way to an event really brightened my day, because I knew they were out there to do something wonderful. The world needs a whole fleet of busses like this-keep up the good work!
I have never seen my students more excited than when Bess the Book Bus came! They couldn't believe that they got to pick out ANY book they wanted! Books that they probably wouldn't be able to get any other way! Bess the book bus is an amazing program that does so much good for so many!
I have had multiple interactions with Bess and the love the comes flowing out of this organization is amazing. They have helped educate and open doors (minds) of children all over that otherwise would not have ever had the opportunity. Bess is changing the world and our future 1 child at a time. Keep up the great work.
What a near and dear to my heart organization!!! EVERYONE needs to read and best to get started young. Thank you for all that you do. You touched my son and we can't thank you enough for you generosity and kind loving spirit.
Bess is so much more that the gift that she obviously is. The opportunity to read allows not only one to temporarily travel to another time and place, but the opportunity for growth. Books are not cheap and many people can't afford them. Many times Bess gives children the first book they have ever owned. This resource is not only s physical gift but an emotional one as well. We couldn't thank Jennifer and Bess enough for blessing out school and community!!
Before the children board Bess the Book Bus Jennifer reads them a book piquing their interest just a bit. Then as the children board Bess she asks if they have a special interest such as dogs,cats, or sports. However they respond Jennifer comes up with the perfect book. She might ask them if they have a favorite author again the ultimate book is passed to the child and the look of joy warms the heart. Jennifer is amazing and is doing what makes others happy, therefore making her happy how many people can actually say their job makes them that happy. Bless Jennifer and Bess the Book Bus.
A book opens the door to a new world. It allows us to reimagine our circumstances, to test our personality and our ideas. It makes us who we are, a self that continually develops and gains definition through reading.
One thing that soon becomes clear in Reading is that a humanist love of letters has, for most of our history, been the exception rather than the rule.
The reader would be able to roam about everywhere,thinking for himself and forming his own judgements.We should have a sense that reading and writing threatened extant authority by granting people excessive freedom, cultivating a consciousness of alternative, future possibilities, Bess the Book Bus has a belief in the power of reading, its ability to allow us to reimagine our circumstances, to test our personality and our ideas.What’s very interesting is that the early critics of reading picked up on the fact that reading provides people with a gateway to a different moral world, where alternatives can be countenanced. And therefore reading always poses a threat to the prevailing order.A child that can own a book something to call their own.and learns to read.Has endless opportunities.When you can read you can take so many journeys.Vacations you cannot afford, you can travel where you heart want to take you.Bess The book Bus does that for children and adults.In these time no one should be illiterate,But sadly many are.Bess The Book Bus search the people out and helps them own a part of themselves.Yes ,we have libraries,you may check a book out.But many cannot even afford the I.D. needed for such.a simple thing.I co-wrote a book called Bess The Book Bus with the intent for anyone to understand how valuable the program is for our youth as well as our older adults.I think we all need this to continue.
I love witnessing this organization in action, whether I'm right there where the action is going on, or I am following the Bus on its journeys via social media. The smiles on the faces of the children who leave the bus, books in hand, speak volumes about the good work (and love) that comes of this program.
I am the Executive Director of Boards for Bros - a non-profit dedicated to giving the gift of skateboarding to underserved youth. We have had the privilege of working with Bess the Book Bus on numerous occasions and we have seen the transformative impact that her presence has had on the communities that we serve. We have witnessed first hand Bess' visitors faces light up and focus as they lovingly carry their books and sit right on the sidewalk and start reading. Bess reaches the kids that need to be reached and gives the gift of reading and is a direct demonstration that someone cares. Jennifer and her volunteers are completely dedicated to reaching every kid she can. We strive to work with Bess as often as we can. The world is a better place because of Bess, Jennifer and her volunteers.
Bess the Book Bus has helped mold the lives of many children by making books accessible to all. Reading is an essential part of developing and Jen has been committed to making sure EVERY child has an opportunity to fall in love with a story. Jen and Bess set out on many journeys throughout the year and cover thousands of miles from coast to coast for the opportunity to read and put a new book in a child's hand whom without Bess may not ever have the opportunity to fall in love with that fresh smell of a new book. The response she gets from the children and parents is heartwarming and keeps Bess and Jen pushing for the next opportunity. Bess is a non profit that we need in every community!!
Bess the Book Bus is an amazing nonprofit. Jennifer Francis does a wonderful job of bringing the love and importance of reading to children around the country. She started this organization with her own hard earned money because she felt a deep gratitude towards her grandmother, the Bess that the bus is named after, for instilling in her a love of reading. Through her grandmother she learned how very important it is that ALL children have the opportunity to to have something so important in their lives. I hope to see Bess continue her journey across this country helping children and playing a part in shaping the future.
Jennifer and Bess have brought joy to our students who don't live in houses full of books! Seeing our students enter a bus full of books and come out with a smile is amazing! This is an amazing way to encourage students from all walks to read! Now let's get her bus souped up, funded, filled with new books and ready for more meaningful journeys!
As an early childhood educator in a school serving students from ages 3 yr old pre k through 5th grade, we strive to immerse our students in literature in our classroom and at home. Providing our children with wonderful books they can have in their hands at home is invaluable. Our school population represents a culturally and ethnically diverse lower economic community where items such as a new book or access to a variety of books can be limited. Having Bess the Book Bus and Jenn Frances visit our school has given our students an amazing opportunity to select their own special book, one that appeals to each student, as unique as they are. Seeing the children carefully and thoughtfully search for that one special title that grabs their interest is a joy to see. Jenn herself connects with each child, offering ideas and encouragement to find the one special book that will draw them in. Each child comes away with a treasure in hand, their smiles and their appreciation in being given a book of their own speaks volumes. Seeing them quickly move to find a place to bury their noses in their new book is so inspiring as they sit on the sidewalk or grass nearby, unable to wait to open the cover. We look forward to having Bess the Book Bus return to our school again soon to continue sharing the love of reading with our students and their community. I cannot imagine a more worth cause than to support literacy and reading.
Giving to Bess The Book Bus is almost in my genes. Both of my parents are children's book authors having published hundreds of titles. We toured book stores, international children's book festivals, and libraries around the world growing up; all to encourage the joy and a lifelong love of reading in children. I had the pleasure of meeting Jenn at the Blue Ridge Leadership Institute's annual convention in Fall Creek Falls State Park, Tennessee as she generously supported the Youth Leadership Academy with a visit with Bess the Book Bus. I am in awe of her commitment and clear sighted goals for children's literacy! This is the best program I have given to all year!!
What an inspirational person for both children and adults. She has took a dream from her childhood and made it come true. She has this gift inside her that comes from her heart. Her Love for others, and her love of reading. She has made this happen. Her passion shows in her interaction with children. She put a lot of hours and dedications to keep this company going. Our Children at our Early Childhood program just Love Bess the Book Bus and Ms. Jen.
Ms. Jen has been a big part of our program for many many of years. Always with a smile. She takes the time to reads to every age group, has the talent to keep their interest. There little feet march to the Big Bus with their happy smiles. The joy in their faces as they are able to get on the bus to pick out that special book. She has build a many of home libraries for our little ones and encouragement she gives to the parents to keep this going. This program is an amazing gift to all whom comes in contact with Best the Book Bus. A gift of hope, kindness, love and the amazing gift of site for some, when she teams up with the Vision Screening. I just can not say enough positive things that I have seen first hand. She is what this country needs more of. This program makes a big difference, one book and one child at a time.
I connected with Bess the Book Bus for the first time through First Book, many years ago. Her charity was still in its infancy but Jenn's commitment to bringing the love of literacy was very apparent. It amazed me how she moved mountains and braved thousands of miles in order to bring books to my school in Oregon. She's been to many more of my schools as I've moved around (I'm an elementary Literacy Coach). I host her at my home and it's always such a pleasure!
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Bess the Book Bus and Jennifer Frances have visited all the schools that I've worked at in the past 8 years. She has given away close to probably 1,000 books in 3 schools in which I have taught. She does more (almost single-handedly) than some larger organizations. She is extremely accommodating and flexible when it comes to scheduling. My schools have been so appreciative to have her support and generosity. We love Bess & Jenn!
Jennifer and Bess the Book Bus do amazing and important work, bringing the love of reading to poor and under-served communities. She is truly inspiring.
Volunteering for Bess the Book Bus was wonderful! In 11 days I helped hundreds of kids pick books, and every one of them left the bus excited to read!
I had the distinct pri ledge to watch Bess being joy to some children on the Navajo reservation and to this day when I think of the smiles on those little faces it makes my heart fill with joy. To see those children experience something that they might not ever have the opportunity to experience and to watch them laugh and smile and share their selected books with others was something I hope more children in vulnerable areas get to experience. Our children need Bess!
Bess the Book Bus is needed to connect people to people and people to books, in this digital age it is even more important for the itinerant book bus to stay on the road, inspiring families with children to read together
Having Jenn and Bess the Bookbus visit our library at the end of summer is just terrific! We use her visit to wrap up our summer reading program. Having the kids being able to pick a book off the bus makes that day special for all our readers and readers from our surrounding communities! This year having the drumming program added more excitement to the visit. We are SO hoping this visit becomes an annual event for us. We are lucky to have had Cynthia Lord, a wonderful Maine author, make the connection for us with Jenn and her bus last year!
My school in Jacksonville, Florida is on the "hopeful" list. That is - hopeful that one day Bess The Book Bus will visit. As a school librarian in an inner city school, I know and fully understand the importance of placing reading materials into the hands of children. The work that is done by these volunteers fills the reading and literacy gap that exists for many children. Keep up the good work - we need you out here!
I have had the extreme pleasure of knowing Jenn and Bess the Book Bus for over 20 years. She has faithfully come to my school to place books into the hands of students who truly need them the most. My school serves many hard working families that struggle to supply the basic needs for a home. Unfortunately, books and home libraries become a luxury instead of a necessity in these households. Thanks to Bess the Book Bus, our students are able to experience the joy of choosing their very own book for free and the pleasure of taking it home to keep. You can not erase their smiles as they step off Bess the Book Bus holding their new book! Jenn always shares a book with our students in
a read aloud, and her passion for books is infectious! The kids just love to hear that she has scheduled a visit at our school! This mobile literacy program is a miracle in my eyes! Thanks to Jenn and Bess for their love and dedication to our students!
I am only a Facebook friend of Bess The Book Bus, just an interested stranger, but I am in love with every little thing about it. I am amazed it exists and I think the good work it does is beyond measure.
Bess the Book Bus is close to my heart! My oldest son has visited with Bess several times around our home town Fort Walton Beach and she has even visited his school. Bess the Book Bus truly gets children excited about books and reading.
The last 2 years Bess the book bus has visited in my small town. My 3 children, ages 12, 9, & 1 enjoy being able to choice a book of their liking. Such a great organization! We hope Bess visits Milbridge again in the future.
Bess the Bus has visited West Tampa Elementary numerous times, Each time Jenn visits she shares a READ Aloud story and then each student gets to board her MAGIC Reading Bus and choose their own book to take home and read. The Kindergarten students talk about her kindness and her visits for days afterwards . These students often come from very low income families and love that their child can start building their home library with each visit from Jenn and Bess the Bus. All you need to do is the faces of these students after a visit (The smile goes from ear to ear ! )
One look at the faces of the children who get a book from Bess the Book Bus tells the whole story. Jennifer Frances's love and dedication shows in the way she interacts with young readers and how she helps them pick out their very own books. She goes into the most impoverished areas with her yellow book bus and changes lives for the better, opens hearts and minds. I once watched her outside a hotel conference center when she called over someone from the hotel staff who was leaving. "Do you have any children at home?" she asked. "Would they like a free book?" She's a wonder and is doing so much good in the world!
Speaking from the perspective of an author, fantastic organization and people who are 100% dedicated to serving the community and bringing magic to kids. They are so supportive of authors and books, but most importantly go places and see kids who may never have had their own book. I hear from teachers that the kids' excitement and delight with their books and with reading lasts long after Bess has left.
The Clearwater Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi has worked with Jenn and Bess the Book Bus for 2+ years. Nothing but positive things to say! A great organization with a great mission. We have both donated books and also volunteered with Bess.
Jen at Bess the Book Bus is dedicated to getting books out to underprivileged kids. She is tireless in her efforts to help kids learn better reading skills and be excited about learning.
We look forward to Bess The Book Bus' return to downeast Maine every year!! Jen is a delight and remembers (how I dont know!) book conversations she has had with my kids from year to year. They talk about the book bus for weeks before she arrives and for weeks after. I cannot even begin to express how much Jen has encouraged and helped my kids' love of reading. As a homeschooling mom this is incredible, but as a person who loves book and loves to see kids' faces light up when they discover the magic between the pages, the work Jen is doing with her book bus is priceless and incredible.
Bess the Book Bus is unique because she travels all over the country sharing the valuable lesson of a love of reading with folks from all over America. Such a well done valuable service. Love it.
I have had the pleasure of watching Jennifer Frances and Bess the Book Bus in action here in Maine. Her annual visit to our local EduCare center is always a high point of my day. Watching several hundred children each choose a book for their very own is a joy. Jennifer is wonderful with the children, guiding them to books that appeal and are appropriate for their ages. I've also gone to several other sites where Bess was parked (a small public library and a local bank) to watch the magic happen. I feel privileged to be able to donate advanced reading copies to Jenn each year so that she has more books (and a wider variety) to offer older children. Her mission to spread the joy of reading is one of the most amazing charities I know. Truly grassroots! With very little money she makes magic happen!
Having Bess the Book Bus visit is the highlight of our summer reading program. Love to see the smiles on the faces of the kids as they are allowed to pick out their own book to read. Many of them can't wait until they get home and will sit down and start reading right in the parking lot!! In addition to the individual books for children, teachers and librarians that need books are also welcomed. Thank you Jennifer and Bess the Book Bus for helping to spread the joy of reading and a love for books!
We began working with Bess the Book Bus in 2011 and have always had incredibly positive experiences. The look on the kids' faces when they realize that they get to pick out and KEEP their own book melts my heart every time. There is NO ego involved in this organization. The founder does this all for the kids and is 100% committed to serving as many kids as possible -- even when that means driving for hours and giving up some personal comforts. I can't recommend Bess the Book Bus enough.
Bess the Book bus does something nothing else can, it brings the joy of reading, it fights illiteracy by giving children books, books that teach, books that inspire, books that open up new worlds and build imaginations. There are thousands of happy and thankful children in our country who now have a book to call their own thanks to Jennifer and Bess.
I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to volunteer many times for Bess the Book Bus. Watching what Jennifer does first hand is a magical, inspiring and heart warming experience. I must admit that I've had to hide my tears on that bus a few times when i watch child after child light up when they realize that this brand new book that they have chosen is there's to keep! Jenn is a brilliant story teller, an amazing woman and has created such a wonderful non-profit company. Bess is the little bus that could. I can't imagine a child not owning a book. Jennifer not only makes that happen but through her fantastic story telling, she encourages a natural love for reading. Go Bess!
Bess the book bus is a blessing for so many children. She brings access of the love of reading to schools and children that are thirsty for books, but may not have the means to purchase books. As a teacher I've seen the delight first hand when my students picked out their very own book!!! The best part is they get to escape whatever they may be facing, often times poverty and other challenges that go along with it, into a world of reading!!!
I give away books on the school bus I drive in the San Francisco Bay Area. Bess met with me on her National Tour and generously donated several boxes of appropriate books for me to give as I do, to individual students on a day-by-day basis, as well as GREAT picks of hers for me to pass on to a couple of local after-school learning programs. She is a passionate promoter of love of literacy. Her enthusiasm and dedication are infectious, her generosity of time, energy and resources inspirational. I can't think of a better way to allocate your donation dollars than to Back the Bus!
Review from Guidestar
Bess the Book Bus came to our town and had event at the Boys and Girls Club--after a darling little girl got off the bus, she asked very timidly--"Can I really keep these books?" The kids were thrilled to get the books and Jennifer helping them pick out just the right book to interest them. She isprovidint such a wonder resourse to area without book mobiles or easy access for these kids to get to a library. All the children and parents are grinning from ear to ear-it's like Christmas for them! And the parents are thrilled to see their children get a book of their own. Cannot say enough great things about this organization--I just hope she continues her outreach!!!
Bess donated over 100 books to Pepin Academies annual Camp-Read-A-Lot. The children were thrilled with the opportunity to be able to take home a book of their very own. In addition, Jen was a pleasure!
Review from Guidestar
My 13 year old son was given a Gift Certificate through Bess the Book Bus and Transitions for an eye exam and glasses. As a parent, you want your child to succeed and exceed in school and eye sight and literacy go hand in hand. Because of the G.C my son was able to get glasses and confidence. In return for the G.C my son wanted to volunteer with Bess The Book Bus and give back in some way for the glasses. He went out to the Transitions Golf Tournament in Tampa and volunteered. He came home a changed boy! He said to me," mom seeing those kids so excited about getting a book to read was overwhelming! I saw myself in each one of those kids, and to be able to put a smile on all those faces was the most amazing feeling I've ever had! Bess The Book Bus is way more than just a bus or a person giving books away. It's touching each and every spirit in those kids and giving them happiness that maybe they haven't had in a while." I've never seen my son so moved. He wants to volunteer as much as possible through the summer. Thank You Bess for touching my life and my son's life in a way that neither of us had experienced!
Review from Guidestar
My name is Concetta M Payne author of four children's books. One is very dear to my heart "Bess the Book Bus Book" co-authored by Freda Roberts. We are dedicated supporters of Bess the Book Bus, Inc. With Jennifer E Frances' endorsement our book was created. Townsend Press is a major sponsor of Bess the Book Bus, Inc. When he received a copy of our book he thought it was a great idea, and it would make sense to include the book starring Bess herself. Townsend Press financed the printing of 5000 copies to Jennifer, and it was our pleasure to donate our royalties. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from the Bess book sales will benefit Jennifer's cause. It has been proven that early reading habits directly relates to scholastic achievement.
I am proud to be on the board of Bess the Book Bus. Bess is a non-profit mobile literacy outreach dedicated to getting books into the households of children who would otherwise go without. There is ample research that shows kids without books in the home are significantly more likely to spend their entire lives below the poverty line. This organization is staffed by ONE person, the visionary and founder, Jennifer Frances. Jennifer has build this organization based on a strong desire to build a love of reading in children similar to the one her grandmother, Bess, gave to her. Bess is based in Tampa, FL but is on the road across the United States annually. In 2011 she placed over 50,000 books into the hands of children in over 20 states. Her budget is minimal and focuses on maintaining the bus and keeping it fueled (the major expense). When you factor in the in-kind book donations along with those purchased, Bess distributed over $2M in product last year. It is difficult to really explain the magical quality that Bess has in these kids' lives... they light up when the bus pulls up and they are allowed to climb aboard and select their very own book. Jennifer also conducts 'read alouds' with the kids as part of her program... and the kids love it because she approaches her reading from the perspective of the child that is listening... she really understands them. You can experience Bess by going to her web site: bessthebookbus.org. This is one organization that you can have confidence is focused on the bottom line... helping children explore the world between the covers of a book.