WHAT WE DO
STORYTIME FRIENDS brings the joy of storytelling and the power of community to children in hospitals and care-giving facilities through a carefully curated read-aloud series that includes conversations with picture book creators. We also provide free copies of our featured books to kids, along with educational and fun activities. We believe in the value of authentic human connection. We believe this happens by creating a sense of friendship and community through sharing books. We support the emotional safety of patients by helping to reduce stress and lift spirits. We center books that feature diversity and highlight social justice themes.
& WHY WE DO IT
Meet Rob Liu-Trujillo, artist, writer, community activist, and Storytime Friends Advisor. Rob shares his reasons for supporting our programming, with a personal reflection.
We just completed our first fundraising campaign, and we are honored to share that
We Raised $30,880!!!
STORYTIME FRIENDS was founded in 2022 and to date has been completely volunteer-run. We are proud to have already served thousands of children at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital (a regional level-1 trauma center serving the West) and several community-based clinics in Oakland. If you would like to help us continue to grow our impactful programming, please join us!
CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
STORYTIME FRIENDS joyfully thanks our Founding Circle of Friends, members of our community who donated $1,000 or more to our initial campaign. We are able to grow in 2025 and beyond because of their generous support.
CATHERINE BILLECCI & SANDRA LIM
MICHAEL GENHART & JOHN STIEHLER
JIM & BARBARA WALKER
If you would like to join our Circle of Friends, please reach out.
WHO WE SERVE
Since 2022, WE HAVE SERVED THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN and their families through our ongoing partnership with UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland Campus. We've delivered more than 500 hours of video programming, more than 1,000 free books, and many fun & educational activities. We have also delivered children's books to several outpatient clinics in Oakland. In 2024-25, we've once again partnered with UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in Oakland. This year, we are excited to announce that our featured authors/ illustrators will join the "CHO SHOW," the hospital's monthly educational programming. Kids will listen to a read aloud then get to chat with their guest.
To learn how to bring our programming to your hospital or organization, reach us here.
Enjoy one of Our Read-alouds here:
OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Children's Fairyland generously donates free entry passes to Storytime Friends so we can bundle our book give-aways with park admission for the families we serve at UCSF in Oakland. Learn more about Children's Fairyland here.
Mr. Mopps’ has generously lead holiday book donation drives for Storytime Friends, which has allowed us to put even more books into the hands of the kids we serve. Learn more about Mr Mopps' here.
The OLC awarded Storytime Friends a 2023 "Reading Everywhere Action" Grant. We received 500 books and $500 to distribute the books to community-based health clinics throughout Oakland. Learn more about OLC here.
WHO WE ARE
ANGELA DALTON is an award-winning author of children’s literature based in Oakland, California. Her work has been recognized by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, Jane Addams Peace Association, California Golden Poppy Awards, and many other esteemed organizations in children’s literature. She is a board member of Tandem, a literacy program in the Bay Area.
Angela Dalton
Executive Director
ALEX GIARDINO is the author of three award-winning picture books: ODE TO AN ONION, ME + TREE, and THE GOOD SONG. In addition to this work for kids, Alex is a poet, Spanish translator, community builder, and event creatrix. She's also a community college professor, black belt in karate, avid hiker, and mythosomatic DJ.
Alex Giardino
Creative Director
OUR ADVISORY BOARD
Julie Barton, PhD,
is a consultant in nonprofit management and fundraising with more than fifteen years in the industry.
Elyse Lily Cann
is a Certified Child Life Specialist, with more than twenty years' experience in the field.
Michael Genhart, PhD,
is the author of several award-winning picture books. He's also a licensed clinical psychologist.
Rob Liu-Trujillo
is an award-winning author-illustrator, frequent public speaker, teacher, community activist, and co-founder of several organizations .
Breanna J. McDaniel, PhD, is the co-founder of Researchers Exploring Inclusive Youth Literature and an author of both academic work and also several children's books.
Amy Novesky
is an award-wining author of several picture books and also a highly regarded book editor, with more than thirty years experience in the publishing industry.
OUR CREATIVE COLLABORATORS
STORYTIME FRIENDS builds strong creative connections by proudly working with authors & illustrators.
We curate our annual programming to center and celebrate diverse voices and ways of storytelling.
SOME FEATURED AUTHORS & ILLUSTRATORS
Sandhya Acharya, 10 Gulab Jamuns
Laura Atkins, Sled Dog Dachsand
Mac Barnett & Shawn Harris, A Polar Bear in the Snow
Carmen Bogan, Where’s Rodney?
Nidhi Chanani, What Will My Story Be?
Angela Dalton, Show me the World!
Hayley Diep, If You Give a Girl a Bike
Danielle Dufayet, You Are Your Strong
Michael Genhart, May Your Life Be Deliciosa
Chelsea Johnson, La Toya Council, & Carolyn Choi,
Love without Bounds: An Intersection AlliesBook about Families
Nancy Johnson & Constance Moor, Black: Many Wonders of My World
Darshana Khiani, How to Wear a Sari
Rob Liu-Trujillo, Alejandria Fights Back
Janine MacBeth, Oh, Oh Baby Boy
Marissa McGee, Free the Curls
Bethanie Murgia, What’s Your Name?
Amy Novesky, Girl on a Motorcycle
Jane Park, Juna and Appa
Meenal Petal, Priya Dreams of Marigolds and Masala
Dr. Rachel Remen, The Birthday of the World
Melissa Reyes, I Am Sausal Creek
Nadia Salomon, A Voice of Hope
Grant Snider, What Color Is the Night?
Meera Sriram, Dumpling Day
Peter Stein, A Tree for Mr Fish
Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Love in the Library
Deborah Underwood, Here Comes Valentine Cat
Muon Thi Van, I Love You Because I Love You
Natasha Yim, Mulan's Lunar New Year
You can donate any of these books to children at UCSF through our Wish List here.
You can also support us by buying participating authors' books here.
