Scary Monster Craft
Illustrator Deborah Melmon leads children in drawing a scary monster. Halloween costumes are encouraged.
A new chapter for Bay Area readers
One million books.
One million beginnings.
The Linden Tree Literary Fund brings new books, unforgettable author experiences, and writing opportunities to children—starting with Title I schools across the Bay Area.
1,000,000 new books in the hands of children
Saturday, October 24th
Linden Tree Books
Celebrate a new chapter with us.
Visit the store throughout the day to discover the Literary Fund through special displays, enjoy free cookies, and join one—or all—of our free events.
Two-Sentence Horror Story Workshop
Royd Hatta and Shu-Hsien Ho help middle school writers create tiny tales of terror and introduce the Judie Wolken Writing Scholarship.
Young Adult ARC Social
Teens can meet fellow readers and choose free advance reading copies of forthcoming YA books to review.
Book Launch with Trish Lundy
Trish launches The Worst Is Yet to Come in conversation with Charlotte Lillie Balogh, author of Capsized, followed by audience Q&A and a book signing.
Why this matters
Every child deserves to meet the book that opens a door.
In the Bay Area, extraordinary resources sit alongside real gaps in access. We begin with Title I schools and young readers who might otherwise go without, working with educators and trusted community partners to put books and literary experiences directly into children’s hands.
Books to keep
New books make reading possible beyond the classroom.
Experiences at no cost
Free author visits invite every child into the story.
Local knowledge
Schools, librarians, and community partners know their readers best.
- 1,000,000
- new books—our long-term goal
- 100
- books in our first librarian giveaway
- Bay Area
- our home, with Title I schools first
Our first chapters
We’re starting now.
Three concrete ways we’re beginning.
One hundred books for librarians
New books placed directly with working librarians, ready to reach the readers they know best.
The Judie Wolken Writing Scholarship
A new scholarship honoring Judie’s belief in children, creativity, and the lasting power of a well-told story.
Free author experiences
School visits and public programs that let young readers meet the people behind the books they love.
Applications open October 15–December 31, 2026
The Judie Wolken Writing Scholarship
Two middle school writers will each receive ten private mentoring sessions and a $1,750 scholarship award.
Help a story begin
Your gift becomes a book, a visit, a spark.
Give a child a book to keep, a chance to meet an author, or time to grow as a writer.
LTLF has partnered with the Los Altos Mountain View Community Foundation as our philanthropic partner to process all donations to the fund.
Donate now
Interested in giving books, hosting an author, or becoming a community partner? We’d love to hear from you.