Books Are GEMS
"The more you read, the more things you know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go!"
~Dr. Seuss
  • Who We Are
    • Mission and Vision
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact us
    • GEMS News
  • What We Do
    • Six (6) Free Books a Month!
    • Storytime Saturdays
    • Test Prep Student Resources
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Educator Support & Materials
    • Major Distribution
    • General Bookstore
    • Rx to Read
  • Where To Find Us
  • Donate
  • Newsletters
    • April 2020 Newsletter
    • March 2020 Newsletter
    • February 2020 Newsletter
    • January 2020 Newsletter
    • September 2019 Newsletter
    • August 2019 Newsletter
    • July 2019 Newsletter
    • Spring 2019 Newsletter
  • Our Partners
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Special Events
    • Summer Reading Challenge
  • FAQs
  • Research

April is National Poetry Month & National Autism Month!​

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Meet
Ismael Enriquez,
Our Volunteer!

Ismael Enriquez is a Vietnam Veteran from El Paso. He's a graduate of El Paso High School & Park University.  He retired as a Foreman from the Las Vegas Transit System. He returned to El Paso & now volunteers at Books are Gems!  He is also president of the Vietnam Veterans of America El Paso Chapter 574 and a board member of the Ysleta VFW. He also serves on the board of the League of Women Voters!
He says he enjoys giving books to children and watching their happy faces!
Thank you Ismael for serving our country and contuniung to serve our community!
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Books are Gems Is Now Giving FREE "Bags of Books"
Every Friday in 2021, until further notice.

 Book Donations are  Also Accepted Every Friday!

​Hours of Operation - During the Pandemic
Friday's Only we are Open from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Books are Gems is closed Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun

Children do not need to be present to receive bags of books!

Story Time Saturday Continues on Zoom 
​We are on Zoom on Saturdays & Facebook Live @ 10:30 a.m. 
Every Saturday Until Further Notice!

Click to Join Zoom Storytime:
Click the following:
https://zoom.us/j/7088769805
Passcode: Books


Meeting ID: 708 876 9805
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/abdvWNIsV
You Can always Watch previous Story Time Saturdays by visiting our Facebook Page:
Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/booksaregems


Celebrating National Poetry Month
Meet
Deb Rodriguez

Join Us for this Fun Saturday Morning!

Deb Rodriguez studied Special Education at University of Texas at El Paso and was graduated in 2009.  She has now retired as a teacher in the Clint Independent School District.  She also taught in Ysleta ISD,  Job Corps Center-David L Carrasco and El Paso Academy Charter High School-East.  Deb is a reader.  She is currently doing substitute teaching in our schools districts, volunteering in various community organizations and does tutoring for children who struggle with reading.  She has started a Small Lending Library in her front yard where children can get a book to read or leave a book they have finished reading. 

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This Saturday, March 27th, the Following Books will be Read
      My Many Coloured Days by Sr. Seuss

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Accompanying a manuscript Dr. Seuss wrote in 1973, was a letter outlining his hopes of finding "a great color artist who will not be dominated by me." The late Dr. Seuss saw his original text about feelings and moods as part of the "first book ever to be based on beautiful illustrations and sensational color." The quest for an artist finally ended—after the manuscript languished for more than two decades—at the paint brushes of husband-and-wife team Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher whose stunning, expressive paintings reveal such striking images as a bright red horse kicking its heels, a cool and quiet green fish, a sad and lonely purple dinosaur, and an angrily howling black wolf. Using a spectrum of vibrant colors and a menagerie of animals, this unique book does for the range of human moods and emotions. Here is a wonderful way for parents to talk with children about their feelings.
Miss Deb will also share with children a collection of her favorite poems.  Some of the poems are rhyming poems, some poems are “tongue twisters” and some poems are riddles. 
Join Miss Deb for a fun filled morning with much laughter and giggles.  



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Please Print the Following Activity Sheets for the Saturday Story!



THANK YOU FRONTLINE WORKERS! We Honor You!
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Please Stay Safe During this Pandemic!
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Click on our video below to learn more about Books are GEMS.

Changes to Our Programs, Because of the Pandemic! We Will Continue to Provide Free Books for Children! Please read the information below!
Correction to email: contact@booksaregems.org

Grab a Free "Bag of Books" on Fridays Only!
Pick up Your "Story Time Book" 
​on Fridays Only  2021 !

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How Books are GEMS began:
A Love Story


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Sixteen (16) Years Later
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Since its inception, Books are GEMS has provided over 1.5 MILLION BOOKS to children and educators. Thanks to ongoing support from the El Paso Community, Books are GEMS continues to expand its reach through various programs.
Timeline
  • January 2003 - Books are GEMS becomes a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and fundraising begins
  • Distributions begin at Alamo, AOY, and Roosevelt in South El Paso
  • Books begin flowing in and Gracie’s bedroom overflows
  • Paula Madriles’s living and dining room fill up
  • A friend’s garage overflows
  • Paula Madriles and friends are forced to rent a storage unit, and then another
  • June 2003: Books are GEMS moves into the Placita Santa Fe on Doniphan
  • January 2006: Books are GEMS reaches its current location, 7744 North Loop, Suite B, located on the right side / back half of the BBVA Compass Bank building
Books are GEMS Programs
- Six (6) Free Books a Month
- General Bookstore
- Free Materials for Educators
- Storytime Saturdays
- Major Distribution
- Rx to Read

Our Current Program Changes! Children Cannot Go Inside the Bookstore to Select Books, We Will Provide Each Child With a Bag of Books by Grade Level & Gender!

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Please Be Patient When Standing in Line, Please Wear a Face Mask, Practice Social Distancing, Use Hand Sanitizer & Your temperature Will Be Taken Before You Enter to Receive Your Free Bag of Books for Each of Your Children!

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Our Location


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Books are GEMS

Phone:
(915) 845-5437

Address:
7744 North Loop, Suite B
El Paso, Texas 79915


Trouble finding us?

Books Are GEMS is located on the right side / back half
of the BBVA Compass Bank building. -->

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Donate today to give the gift of reading!

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