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 diverse read-aloud series that includes conversations with picture book creators. We also provide free copies of our featured books to kids.
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.
We have partnered with UCSF for our inaugural year and are excited to hear from hospitals interested in collaborating with STORYTIME FRIENDS in 2023-24.
If you work for a hospital and are interested in collaboration, please reach out here.
WHO WE ARE
ANGELA DALTON is an award-winning author of children’s literature based in Oakland, California. She self-published her first picture book If You Look Up to the Sky in 2018 and released her fourth titled To Boldly Go: How Nichelle Nichols and Star Trek Helped Civil Rights (HarperCollins, 2023) in January. Her other work includes Ruby’s Reunion Day Dinner (HarperCollins) and Show the World! (Viking). 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.
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. As an extension of her writing for children, Alex is honored to serve her community through Storytime Friends. In addition to this work for kids, Alex is a poet, Spanish translator, community builder, and event creatrix. She translated MY LIFE WITH PABLO NERUDA and worked extensively on art projects related to the Chilean poet. In collaboration with Italian Americans, Alex produces a biannual poetry and music event in San Francisco called La Notte Estatica. She's also a community college professor, black belt in karate, avid hiker and yogini, and mythosomatic DJ.
Alex Giardino
Communications Director
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PETER LIMATA is a Zambian-American teacher who loves books, word games, and stories. A public school elementary teacher and administrator-in-training, he lives in Oakland, California. He is also the host and creator of the internationally renowned "Storytime with Mr. Limata." When not working or studying, Peter is on the soccer field or biking through the hills with friends.
Every week, Peter introduces our featured picture book author and does a read-aloud of their book.
Mr. Peter Limata
Host & Creative Director
Watch one of Mr. Limata's upbeat read-alouds!
AUTHORS & ILLUSTRATORS 2022-23
STORYTIME FRIENDS proudly works with authors & illustrators who live in the same communities
as the hospitals we serve. We build on and expand strong creative connections!
Bay Area Authors & Illustrators Featured in our Inaugural Year:
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 the World
Hayley Diep, If You Give a Girl a Bike
Alejandra Domenzain, For All / Para Todos
Danielle Dufayet, You Are Your Strong
Michael Genhart, May Your Life Be Deliciosa
Alex Giardino, Ode to an Onion
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?
Innosanto Nagara, Oh, the Things We’re For
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, Goodnight, Ganesha
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, Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas
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.
PARTICIPATING HOSPITALS
In 2024-25, we've partnered with UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in Oakland.
We look forward to developing programs with other hospitals. Please reach out here about collaboration!