Inspiration Through Reading
Our core focus is to promote childhood literacy by connecting kids with the joy of reading. With best-in-class partners, we’re empowering the next generation by sharing diverse titles and amazing reading experiences where they’re needed most.
See Our Work in Action!
Our love of children’s literacy came to life through a Book Bash we hosted at the Missouri History Museum – a giant party for over 500 St. Louis 2nd graders! Thanks to our partnership with First Book, scholars from local Title I schools each went home with a brand-new book and teddy bear reading buddy. They spent the day learning about the power of storytelling from Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson, the inspiring illustrator and author couple behind the Busload of Books Tour.
Our literacy work comes to life across the United States and Canada, where we partner with First Book to host Reading Celebrations in Title I schools. Our world-famous Bear Builders visit the schools to lead story time and share reading buddy furry friends with students, making an amazing experience in their local community. As employees of Build-A-Bear, associates use paid volunteer time to make these events possible!
The Believe Projects and St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature help us share the joy of reading in our hometown of St. Louis. We’ve funded the opening of two Believe literacy labs in St. Louis Public Schools, making art, culture, and diverse children’s books available to students. We also supply every Believe lab with furry friend reading buddies to inspire comfort and imagination for young readers.
First Book
An online community of more than 550,000 educators, First Book serves kids in need in the United States and Canada. By providing access to new, high-quality, diverse and affirming books and educational resources to kids in historically under-resourced communities, First Book is working to build a path out of poverty through educational equity. We’re on a mission to donate 1 million books and 100,000 reading buddy furry friends with First Book by 2027!
The Believe Projects
Led by St. Louis Black Authors of Children’s Literature, The Believe Projects is building literacy labs in our hometown of St. Louis to ensure all children become confident and competent readers by the end of third grade. Each Believe literacy lab includes a rich collection of books by authors of color, providing inclusive reading experiences for Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students. Build-A-Bear Foundation has sponsored two Believe literacy labs and supplies all Believe rooms with reading buddy furry friends.
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Sharing books, bears, and amazing experiences with those in need.
Promoting childhood literacy and sharing the comfort of teddy bear hugs far and wide, Build-A-Bear Foundation adds a little more to life for kids and families in need.
Sharing books, bears, and amazing experiences to add a little more to the life of kids and families in need.
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