Welcome to the July Buckeye Bookmark, this issue is filled with momentum and opportunities to make a meaningful impact. The excitement is building and I am grateful to bring you all the updates that keep our community connected and thriving. There are 100 days until the 39th Annual Buckeye Book Fair!
Only one more day remains to enter our Summer Escapes Book Raffle. Your ticket gives you a chance to win a stack of eight Buckeye books, perfect for making summer last a smidge longer. Do not miss this chance to support our work and take home an incredible prize.
This month, we are highlighting the powerful work happening inside Buckeye Book Camp, where young readers are discovering confidence, curiosity, and the joy of storytelling. We are also excited to share Louise Borden’s newest release, Thank You, School, a perfect celebration of learning as families prepare for the school year ahead.
You will also find two invitations that are essential to our mission:
• Volunteer with us. Your time directly supports literacy access across Ohio.
• Become a Buckeye Book Fair member. Your commitment will strengthen the programs, authors, and readers we serve.
Be sure to read the important update in this newsletter about our printed catalog below, a beloved tradition that continues to evolve as our organization grows.
I hope you will explore every story in this issue. Each one opens a window into the heart of our work and reminds us that your involvement is the spark that keeps this community thriving.
~Kimberly Jarvis
Featured Articles
Your First Look at the 2026 Cover
We are excited to reveal this year’s cover image, illustrated by Jieting Chen from It Won’t Be Long by Laura Hays Hoover. This tender picture book follows a child’s journey from first steps to growing independence, paired with gentle, rhythmic verse that celebrates the small moments that shape childhood. Chen’s expressive artwork captures the joy and bittersweet beauty of watching a child grow. You can also enjoy more of her illustration work at the Fair in Mary Kay Carson’s Before It Was a Hurricane, a fascinating look at how the most massive and destructive storms begin.
Important Catalog News
As we prepare for this year’s Buckeye Book Fair, we’re taking an important step to refresh our 17,000‑person mailing list. Many addresses in our system are outdated, and we want to be sure our catalog reaches the readers who truly want it.
This year, we will still send postcards to everyone on our list. The postcard will guide you to choose how you want to receive your catalog. You can select a digital copy or request a printed version.
Our digital catalog goes live on September 25, so you can start browsing your next favorite reads early.
Prefer flipping real pages? We’ll happily mail you a printed catalog. Just sign up at BuckeyeBookFair.org by September 15.
Become a Member of the Buckeye Book Fair
Join a Community That Inspires Readers
For four decades, the Buckeye Book Fair has connected readers with authors, celebrated Ohio’s literary talent, and promoted a lifelong love of reading. When you become a member, you help ensure that this tradition continues while expanding literacy opportunities for children, families, and communities across Ohio.
If you love receiving the printed catalog, please consider becoming a Buckeye Book Fair Member. Membership helps offset the rising costs of printing and mailing, and it ensures we can continue offering this treasured piece of Buckeye Book Fair history for years to come.
Your choice helps us steward our resources wisely while keeping the catalog experience you love. Thank you for being part of the Buckeye Book Fair community and for supporting literacy across Ohio.
The 39th Buckeye Book Fair is Saturday, November 7th, 2026
The Buckeye Bookmark is the Buckeye Book Fair’s Newsletter, celebrating the transformative power of literature. Each issue shares how one book can change your life forever. Join us as we spotlight Ohio authors, promote literacy, and share stories that inspire and ignite the imagination. Don’t miss out on the magic!
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