Before her retirement in 2019, local pediatrician Dr. Barbara Bean​, founder of Brain Food Books (BFB), raised thousands of dollars in order to provide books to each patient during their wellness appointments. Her commitment to the community included keeping her book purchases local.

​Through a chance conversation with Calvin Crosby, co-owner of The King’s English Bookshop (TKE), Barbara and Calvin discovered their shared goal of making books accessible to under-served communities throughout the state and began to work together to that end. 

Cal Crosby’s journey through the world of books is a testament to the transformative power of literature. As the Executive Director of Brain Food Books and co-owner of The King’s English Bookshop, Cal’s life has been dedicated to ensuring that books are accessible to everyone, particularly children. From a young boy growing up below the poverty line on the west side of  Salt Lake City, where books were a rarity, to becoming a leading figure in the bookselling community, with over 30 years of experience, his story is one of passion, resilience, and a deep commitment to the belief that books can change lives. Brain Food Books is a testament to his unwavering mission to bring books into the homes of those who need them most.
​Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors
​Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop used these terms to illustrate the importance of books in a child's life that allow them to see people like themselves reflected in the story, “mirrors”, and “windows” when they read about people and experiences unlike their own. Books become "sliding glass doors" when readers are transported into the story and develop empathy for the characters.