Donate to the Zora’s Garden Book Drive
The Zora’s Garden Book Drive is a community-powered literacy initiative inspired by the life and legacy of Zora Neale Hurston, one of the greatest storytellers of all time.
Zora’s Garden reimagines Zora as a child learning how to tell stories in the garden alongside her mother, honoring the roots of her imagination long before her literary voice was recognized by the world. The story invites children to see storytelling not as something distant or reserved for others, but as something they already belong to.
Through community donations, copies of Zora’s Garden are shared as Bookseeds—seeds for the imagination—and planted in learning spaces across the country. These spaces, known as Garden Beds, include schools, libraries, community organizations, and other places where children gather to learn, imagine, and grow together.
When enough Bookseeds are planted in a Garden Bed, the experience continues with a virtual author visit, creating a shared storytelling moment that brings the story to life and connects children to Zora’s legacy in an age-appropriate, joyful way.
The Zora’s Garden Book Drive exists to extend what has already proven possible when children are invited into storytelling through care, imagination, and joy.
How the Book Drive Works
Books donated through the Zora’s Garden Book Drive are shared as Bookseeds and delivered to Garden Beds: learning spaces where children gather to read and grow together.
Once Bookseeds arrive, each Garden Bed is invited to schedule a virtual author visit for a shared storytelling experience.
30 Bookseeds is the foundation that allows a full group to experience the story together. It is the starting point, not the limit.
What Garden Beds Receive
For every fully funded garden bed, the receiving group receives:
One copy of Zora’s Garden for each child or student
One virtual reading of Zora’s Garden led by Rae Chesny
A minimum of 30 donated books is required
Virtual readings are typically scheduled four to six weeks after donation, allowing time for books to be ordered, delivered, and the garden bed to be ready to be planted
A digital copy of the Zora’s Garden Coloring Book and Activity Guide
K–3 Common Core alignment for ELA and Social Studies for educators
A sticker and a packet of Zora’s Garden seeds to extend engagement with the book
Seed packets ship separately
Educators, caregivers, and facilitators may choose how and when to use these materials in ways that best serve their students and learning environments.