Way to Grow knows that literacy begins long before a child enters school. From board books shared with babies to chapter books read by third graders, every story matters. This belief sits at the heart of our partnership with Big Hill Books, an independent bookstore in Minneapolis that shares our commitment to literacy.
An independent bookstore building community
Since opening in July 2023, Big Hill Books owner Beth Thompson has looked for community partners who share her love of books and learning. This spring, that search led her to Way to Grow.
“Since Big Hill Books opened, our goal has been to partner with a local organization that would help us promote literacy and a love of books among children and their families,” Beth shared. “Early this year, we found the perfect fit with Way to Grow.”
What began as a conversation quickly grew into something more. A fundraiser followed, then a shared commitment, and now a partnership built on trust, values, and care for families.
Ninety-three gift cards, countless stories
During Big Hill Books’ second anniversary celebration this past July, the bookstore invited friends and neighbors from the Bryn Mawr community and beyond to purchase twenty-dollar gift cards for Way to Grow families. Over the following months, ninety-three gift cards were purchased!
Those cards are now in the hands of children and parents. Families will visit the bookstore to choose their own books, meet Beth and her welcoming staff, and maybe receive a hello from Goose or Adso, the resident cats, or Gigi, the sweet dog who often found napping behind the front desk.
For many families, this will mark their first visit to an independent bookstore in Minneapolis. It’s a chance to browse shelves, ask questions, and leave with books chosen for their own home libraries.
Why literacy matters at every age
Literacy weaves through every stage of Way to Grow’s work. Family Educators partner with families from pregnancy through third grade, bringing books, learning games, and reading strategies directly into homes.
Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that reading aloud from infancy builds vocabulary, language skills, and school readiness. That is why Way to Grow starts early, reading aloud with babies, practicing letter sounds with preschoolers, and supporting children as they move into independent reading.
Through partnerships like Big Hill Books, families build home libraries that reflect their interests, cultures, and languages. When children see themselves reflected in books, reading becomes a path to both learning and belonging.
Where readers gather
Big Hill Books also serves as a gathering place for readers of all ages. Beth and her team host story times, romance and horror book clubs, date nights, and open mic events. These moments invite conversation, creativity, and community, reminding us that books bring people together.
Supporting Way to Grow’s mission
This fall, Big Hill Books deepened their support by sponsoring two live auction experiences at Way to Grow’s Shine Celebration in October. Beth and staff member Kristin Nilsen, a local author of middle-grade books including The Scott Fenwick Diaries, made possible two intimate book club gatherings featuring a book by keynote speaker Kao Kalia Yang.
These book clubs, scheduled for 2026, will bring together small groups of readers with Kristin facilitating the discussion and Kalia joining as a special guest. Yang is a Minnesota Book Award winner and National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellow whose memoirs The Latehomecomer and The Song Poet explore family, migration, and identity with profound care and honesty.
A relationship that lasts
This partnership reflects what happens when local businesses and community organizations move together. Big Hill Books supports Way to Grow by investing in families, celebrating stories, and helping children build lasting relationships with books.
Way to Grow celebrates Beth, Kristin, and the entire Big Hill Books team for their generosity and creativity. Together, we build home libraries, foster curiosity, and support readers as they grow. Support local literacy by visiting Big Hill Books or giving to Way to Grow to help more families access books and early learning support. We’ll see you there!
