We are not "rich" but well-off enough to afford whatever books we want. Both of my kids love(d) getting books in the mail from the "book lady". During the pandemic, Dolly even read some and posted the videos to Youtube (they've since been removed). So many of their books have become our favorites. Sure, there are some duds, but by and large they are well chosen, age appropriate, and become loved in our house. And when we're done, we give them away. I agree that participating in activities that were set up to aid those who need it most is a good thing. It's a shared experience that my kids will have with kids from around the country (and world). In DC, I often see these books in the little free libraries (whereas I rarely see other kid books in them)--further helping to increase access to books for kids, including those whose parents don't sign them up. Sure, we have great libraries in DC. But I think there is something stabilizing for kids to have books at home that won't ever go away--and even better if it's the kid's favorite. I'll support that with my tax dollars and participation anytime.

Yes because they need #s of people to sign up or else the programs go away for certain cities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely sign up. It gives your child an experience that is common across income levels. It might even destigmatize something that is (according to previous posters) just supposed to be for the poors.

Also, just offset the cost by donating.

https://donate.imaginationlibrary.com/

100% this. Also just getting a surprise book in the mail every month is something that can make your kid looking forward to books and reading. You might be able to do that yourself, but you won't. I'd say about 50% of the books were solid additions to our home library.

My kids look forward to a dozen books a month from the library because we live in a civilized city and are engaged parents.

Congratulations. My kids probably read the Dolly Parton “Road Builders” book hundreds of times over the years. They both loved the book and read it to near tatters. It was a family favorite and my one kid dressed up as the book for Halloween and brought it with her. So, sometimes owning books is nice, too!

Yes, the same way you still can go trick or treating even though you can afford candy, or you can accept gifts at your birthday even if you could have purchased them yourself. The program gifts books to promote love of reading. Accept the gift without guilt. (Unless you really don’t want the books - I’m just saying don’t feel guilty accepting them)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely sign up. It gives your child an experience that is common across income levels. It might even destigmatize something that is (according to previous posters) just supposed to be for the poors.

Also, just offset the cost by donating.

https://donate.imaginationlibrary.com/

100% this. Also just getting a surprise book in the mail every month is something that can make your kid looking forward to books and reading. You might be able to do that yourself, but you won't. I'd say about 50% of the books were solid additions to our home library.

My kids look forward to a dozen books a month from the library because we live in a civilized city and are engaged parents.

No, don't. Books are not scarce. Books in (some) kids hands are scarce. If you don't need books, don't create more waste. If you know a kid who would benefit from a book, hook the kid up.

Yes it's for EVERYONE! If you think you're too rich, then just send them a fat donation. Problem solved.

Anonymous wrote:I would, and then give to books away when my child finishes reading them. Plenty of poor parents out there don't know to sign up for these programs.

Yes, sign up. I buy donated books at the library to re-donate to classrooms.

The book can help other kids when you are done with it.

Probably the dumbest question on dcum ever

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if we count as rich, but we can definitely afford books. We did it. I liked the books we got, including some that I wouldn't have otherwise known about, and I think it's good to have programs that cut across income lines. I've seen "I Love My Daddy, Because" in homes of kids with all kinds of socioeconomic classes, and that's nice. We also use the library and shop at the used book store, it's good to have lots of ways to get books.

This is a great point, and there’s a lot of research that shows when we remove means testing, those who have the greatest needs actually benefit more. My state voted to provide free breakfast and lunch to ALL students. No one ever gets lunch shamed or denied. No one has to go through an application process.

Sure! Why not?

I would, and then give to books away when my child finishes reading them. Plenty of poor parents out there don't know to sign up for these programs.

I don't know if we count as rich, but we can definitely afford books. We did it. I liked the books we got, including some that I wouldn't have otherwise known about, and I think it's good to have programs that cut across income lines. I've seen "I Love My Daddy, Because" in homes of kids with all kinds of socioeconomic classes, and that's nice. We also use the library and shop at the used book store, it's good to have lots of ways to get books.

I don’t see an issue with it. It’s not income-restricted, it’s for everyone. We’ve received really cute books that I wouldn’t have known about otherwise. Like others said, you can donate if you feel bad.