Welcome December — A Season of Warmth,
Wonder, and Giving ✨

As December arrives, we’re reminded of the magic this season brings — twinkling lights, shared moments, and the joy of giving from the heart.

Here at Books Are Gems, this month feels especially meaningful. Every child who walks through our doors reminds us why we do what we do: to spark imagination, open new worlds, and ensure every young mind has the chance to grow through the power of reading.

This season, we also want to share our holiday schedule so you can plan your visits:

🎄 Closed from Christmas Eve through
Sunday, December 28th

✨ Closed from New Year’s Eve through
​Sunday, January 4th

We’ll reopen each following Monday, refreshed and ready to continue our mission of inspiring young readers.

As always, thank you for filling this year with generosity, laughter, and hope.

​Here’s to a December full of warmth, peace, and many beautiful stories yet to be written. ❤️📚✨

Storytime Update:
Our Saturday Storytime — the magic returns on Saturday, December 6th!

​Your donations Keep Us Increasing Literacy! - Thank you!!

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DONATE TODAY!
Your Donation will be used for the purchase of new children's books.  Our mission is to increase literacy rates in our community by placing a book in every child's hands!
Scan QR Code to Donate today!
Thank you for your Donation!
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Books Are Gems Launches “Legal Literacy Storytime” with Support from Texas Bar Foundation
El Paso, TX -- Books Are Gems is proud to announce the launch of its newest initiative, Legal Literacy Storytime: Inspiring Kids with Justice, Rights, & Responsibility, made possible through a generous $6,500 grant from the Texas Bar Foundation.
This innovative program introduces young readers to essential legal concepts—such as fairness, justice, and civic duty—through engaging Storytime sessions, bilingual books, and interactive educational materials. The project aligns with Books Are Gems’ mission to increase literacy rates in El Paso County by providing free books and educational experiences to children and families across our community.
#TexasBarFoundation
Bookstore is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday- Noon to 6 pm
Saturdays 10 a.m. -1 pm
Stop by and pick up free books for all the kids!
​Pase por aquí y recoja libros gratis para todos los niños!

 Saturday Story Time 
​Every Saturday 
​@ 11:30 a.m. 
Hora de cuentos todos los Sábados, a las 11:30 a. m. ¡

​Story time books will be given to the first 15 Families attending Story Time Saturdays
Se entregarán libros de cuentos a los primeros 15 familias que asistan a los sábados de cuentos.

Books will be read this Saturday ! Join Us!
 Libros se leerán este sábado! ¡Únase a nosotros!

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The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn by Shawn Harris
​
Once upon a time, in a land where horses were mythical beasts, there lived a unicorn—a Teeny-Weeny Unicorn. He lived with his family in a palace—one that was extra-large for him, full of extra-large rugs and extra-large food. And when his brother and sister played chess, they used him in place of a pawn.
Sunny and Oswaldo by Nicole Melleby
​
Sunny does not like cats—especially Oswaldo. He’s cranky and mean.  Sunny’s dad loves Oswaldo. She does not understand why.  When Oswaldo doesn’t come home one day, Sunny is happy. But her dad is sad.  Sunny wants her dad to be happy, so she helps him look for Oswaldo.

Special Announcement - Books are Gems is a Microsoft Tech Hub

Microsoft has provided us with laptops that can be used by
Adults and high School students,

The laptops can be used to create, update and print your resume!

You can also use the laptops for online training via LinkedIn!

Stop by during Bookstore hours and ask to use a laptop,
there is no charge for this!

Remember, we are open M, W, F from noon to 6 pm.
​and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
 

¡Ayúdanos a reducir los residuos! ¡Trae tu bolsa de reciclaje y llénala de libros!
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Cada niño puede seleccionar un nuevo libro para niños ¡y ocho (8) libros usados ​​en buen estado!
​ ​¡Son 9 libros gratis para todos los niños!
​¡Además, los padres pueden recoger libros para sus hijos! ​

We Celebrated our 20th Birthday! Thank you Vemac for your Sponsorship!
Everyone Had a Great Time!
Celebramos nuestros veinte años ¡Cumpleaños! ¡Gracias Vemac por su patrocinio! ¡Todos se lo pasaron genial!

A Magician Performed Magic Tricks!
¡Un mago realizó trucos de magia!

Vivian Venegas Gonzalez read to the kids!
Vivian Venegas González lee a los niños!
Your Donation Will Help Us Continue to Provide "Free" Books for Kids!
Thank you!
¡Su donación nos ayudará a continuar brindando libros "gratis" para niños! ¡Gracias!

​We Thank You for Supporting Books are Gems Bookstore!
¡Le agradecemos su apoyo a la librería Books are Gems!

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Gratis para profesores
Libros gratis, 25 por semestre
Recursos gratuitos para profesores Libros de trabajo para estudiantes,
Gráficos, Pósters, Juegos & Más

MEET OUR NEW BOARD MEMBER
​TOMAS PORRAS ACOSTA
Sharing his story about Books are Gems!

CONOCE A NUESTRO NUEVO MIEMBRO DE LA JUNTA ​ - TOMÁS PORRAS ACOSTA
Compartiendo su historia sobre ¡Los libros son gemas!
Click on our video below to learn more about Books are GEMS.

How Books are GEMS began:
A Love Story

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Twenty (20) Years Later
Veinte (20) años después
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.

Desde sus inicios, Books are GEMS ha proporcionado más de 1,5 MILLONES DE LIBROS a niños y educadores. Gracias al apoyo continuo de la comunidad de El Paso, Books are GEMS continúa ampliando su alcance a través de varios programas.
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 PNC Bank building
​Línea de tiempo
  • Enero de 2003: Books are GEMS se convierte en una organización sin fines de lucro 501(c)(3) y comienza la recaudación de fondos.
  • Las distribuciones comienzan en Alamo, AOY y Roosevelt en el sur de El Paso.
  • Los libros comienzan a fluir y el dormitorio de Gracie se desborda.
  • El salón y el comedor de Paula Madriles se llenan
  • El garaje de un amigo se desborda
  • Paula Madriles y amigos se ven obligados a alquilar un trastero, y luego otro
  • Junio de 2003: Books are GEMS se muda a la Placita Santa Fe en Doniphan
  • Enero de 2006: Books are GEMS llega a su ubicación actual, 7744 North Loop, Suite B, ubicada en el lado derecho/mitad trasera del edificio PNC Bank.
Books are GEMS Programs
- Nine (9) Free Books a Month
- General Bookstore
- Free Materials for Educators
- Storytime Saturdays
- Major Distribution
- Rx to Read -for physicians
 Programas de GEMS
- Nueve (9)  libros gratis al mes
- Librería General
- Materiales gratuitos para educadores
- Sábados de cuentos
- Distribucion mayor
- Rx para leer - para doctores

Our Location
Nuestra ubicación

Books are GEMS

Phone:
(915) 845-5437

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

Trouble finding us?
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Books Are GEMS is located on the right side / back half
of the PNC Bank building
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Scan the QR code or Click on the Image to Donate! Thank you!
¡Escanee el código QR o haga clic en la imagen para donar hoy! ¡Gracias!
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Help place a book into the hands of a child.
Donate today to give the gift of reading!

Ayude a poner un libro en manos de un niño.
¡Dona hoy para regalar la lectura!