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Bringing the Joy of Picture Books to Children’s Hospitals

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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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. 

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Alex Giardino 
Creative Director

OUR ADVISORY BOARD

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Julie Barton, PhD,

is a consultant in nonprofit management and fundraising with more than fifteen years in the industry.

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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.

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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.

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