Driving a love of reading: Six years, 30,000 books later, Book Bus looks to next chapter
When the Book Bus rolls up to a stop, kids know they’re in for a treat. When the door slides open, excitement builds as kids climb the steps to pick out a free book.
Each book taken makes a lasting impact. Children in the Elkhart area took home over 4,000 books in 2025 from dozens of events throughout the community.
And after six years and nearly 30,000 books given away, the bus is looking to level up by becoming entirely funded by donations.
Heather Miller, director of Growing Kids in Elkhart, says the Book Bus allows all their families, regardless of means, to put books into their kids’ hands.
“Obviously, as a learning center, we want to give our kids every opportunity to be exposed to great literature,” she says. “We know that students who love reading and read more will be better prepared for school and to go out into the world.”
According to Allison McLean, head of the Elkhart Public Library children’s department, kids respond better when they are choosing what to read rather than being told what to read.
“When kids own their own books, especially books they have chosen, they are more likely to enjoy the reading experience,” says Allison.
Heather says building an early love of reading is key for student success.
“If we can grab their interest at a young age, books can transform their world and take them some place they’ve never been,” she says. “It all helps prepare them for reading and for the older kids to help them learn to read.”
Even after three years of the Book Bus coming to special events at Growing Kids, like their Halloween and summer parties, Heather says the kids remain just as excited.
“When they see it, they know what it means. It’s amazing, they love to walk up those steps and walk around in there,” she says.
And parents love finding out it’s free, she adds.
“Parents can’t believe it’s free. They are just super thankful. It’s great that their child gets to pick out a book,” she says.
With books available in Spanish and English, the Book Bus is accessible for all Growing Kids’ families, she adds.
“Having the opportunity for many of the Spanish-speaking kids to pick out books in their own language is huge,” she says. “And we appreciate that it’s no-cost for our families, because that might be a barrier for them. We’re thankful for the opportunity it gives all of our families.”
The Book Bus has made additional community stops at festivals and celebrations around the Elkhart area, plus at neighborhood pop-ups at apartment complexes and neighborhoods to reach as many people as possible.
On this Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, EPL is planning a single-day fundraiser for the Book Bus. Watch Facebook.com/MyEPL and MyEPL.org for more information on how to support the Book Bus. For corporate partnership opportunities, call EPL’s Jill Martinson, 574-522.5669, ext. 1705.