Voices: I’ve seen books change lives — mine included. Young Utahns must have the freedom to read.
- Salt Lake Tribune, Sept. 16, 2024
Access to books should not be a privilege, but a right.
My kindergarten teacher at Lakeridge Elementary, Miss Young, introduced me to “Ramona the Pest” by Beverly Cleary. Sitting in that classroom, captivated by the adventures on Klickitat Street, I discovered a love for reading that would shape my entire life.Through Ramona, I realized there was a universe beyond my own experiences, filled with characters who were both different from and similar to me. This awakening marked the beginning of a journey that would lead me to a lifelong passion for books and a career in independent bookselling. Access to books, I learned, holds the power to transform lives, offering endless possibilities and hope.
I know firsthand how a single book, the right book, changed my trajectory, how reading influenced my life profoundly and why ensuring access to books for everyone is a cause worth fighting for.
My kindergarten teacher at Lakeridge Elementary, Miss Young, introduced me to “Ramona the Pest” by Beverly Cleary. Sitting in that classroom, captivated by the adventures on Klickitat Street, I discovered a love for reading that would shape my entire life.
Through Ramona, I realized there was a universe beyond my own experiences, filled with characters who were both different from and similar to me. This awakening marked the beginning of a journey that would lead me to a lifelong passion for books and a career in independent bookselling. Access to books, I learned, holds the power to transform lives, offering endless possibilities and hope.
I know firsthand how a single book, the right book, changed my trajectory, how reading influenced my life profoundly and why ensuring access to books for everyone is a cause worth fighting for.
This realization sparked a passion for reading that would become a cornerstone of my identity. In a home where opportunities felt limited, books opened doors to possibilities I hadn’t known existed, allowing me to dream beyond the confines of my circumstances.
As I delved deeper into the world of books, I noticed significant changes in my life. Reading became more than just a hobby; it was a gateway to personal and academic growth. My test scores began to improve as I developed better comprehension skills and my ability to understand complex ideas expanded. Beyond academics, reading nurtured a sense of empathy within me. Through stories, I encountered lives and perspectives far removed from my own, which taught me to approach the world with greater compassion and understanding. This newfound passion for reading transformed me from a child with limited prospects into someone who believed in a future filled with possibilities. My love for books eventually led me to a vibrant and fulfilling career in independent bookselling. Here, I could channel my passion into helping others discover the joy of reading, just as Miss Young had once guided me. The books that filled my life with wonder and possibility became tools I could use to impact others, fostering a love for reading in those who might not have regular access to books.
As a bookseller, I’ve come to see my role as more than just someone who sells books — it’s about being a literary matchmaker, guiding readers toward the stories that can transform their lives. I understand firsthand how a single book can leave an indelible mark, shaping a person’s thoughts, emotions and even their future.
This is why I take the responsibility of recommending books so seriously.
Every reader is unique, and personalized recommendations can lead them to hidden gems they might never have discovered on their own. However, the joy of reading should not be a privilege reserved for those with means. Access to books must be universal, regardless of socioeconomic status. Initiatives like community libraries, book drives and free access to books in schools and the surrounding community are crucial in bridging this gap, ensuring that everyone can explore the joys of reading.
Moreover, when book bans threaten access to diverse ideas and stories, it’s more important than ever to stand against censorship and advocate for the freedom to read and the empowerment of personal selection.
At Brain Food Books, our mission is to put books into the hands of those who need them most because the right book can change a life — and sometimes, even the world.
The journey that began with “Ramona the Pest” profoundly changed the course of my life, revealing the transformative power of reading. Growing up with limited resources and then discovering books opened doors to new possibilities, fostering my academic success and personal growth. This passion led me to a career in bookselling, where I now help others find the stories that can shape their lives.
Access to books should not be a privilege, but a right — one that we must protect and promote through community efforts and by resisting the efforts of a few to reduce access, hinder choice and sabotage reading for pleasure. My lifelong commitment is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience the life-changing power of reading, just as I did.
- Salt Lake Tribune, Sept. 16, 2024
Access to books should not be a privilege, but a right.
My kindergarten teacher at Lakeridge Elementary, Miss Young, introduced me to “Ramona the Pest” by Beverly Cleary. Sitting in that classroom, captivated by the adventures on Klickitat Street, I discovered a love for reading that would shape my entire life.Through Ramona, I realized there was a universe beyond my own experiences, filled with characters who were both different from and similar to me. This awakening marked the beginning of a journey that would lead me to a lifelong passion for books and a career in independent bookselling. Access to books, I learned, holds the power to transform lives, offering endless possibilities and hope.
I know firsthand how a single book, the right book, changed my trajectory, how reading influenced my life profoundly and why ensuring access to books for everyone is a cause worth fighting for.
My kindergarten teacher at Lakeridge Elementary, Miss Young, introduced me to “Ramona the Pest” by Beverly Cleary. Sitting in that classroom, captivated by the adventures on Klickitat Street, I discovered a love for reading that would shape my entire life.
Through Ramona, I realized there was a universe beyond my own experiences, filled with characters who were both different from and similar to me. This awakening marked the beginning of a journey that would lead me to a lifelong passion for books and a career in independent bookselling. Access to books, I learned, holds the power to transform lives, offering endless possibilities and hope.
I know firsthand how a single book, the right book, changed my trajectory, how reading influenced my life profoundly and why ensuring access to books for everyone is a cause worth fighting for.
This realization sparked a passion for reading that would become a cornerstone of my identity. In a home where opportunities felt limited, books opened doors to possibilities I hadn’t known existed, allowing me to dream beyond the confines of my circumstances.
As I delved deeper into the world of books, I noticed significant changes in my life. Reading became more than just a hobby; it was a gateway to personal and academic growth. My test scores began to improve as I developed better comprehension skills and my ability to understand complex ideas expanded. Beyond academics, reading nurtured a sense of empathy within me. Through stories, I encountered lives and perspectives far removed from my own, which taught me to approach the world with greater compassion and understanding. This newfound passion for reading transformed me from a child with limited prospects into someone who believed in a future filled with possibilities. My love for books eventually led me to a vibrant and fulfilling career in independent bookselling. Here, I could channel my passion into helping others discover the joy of reading, just as Miss Young had once guided me. The books that filled my life with wonder and possibility became tools I could use to impact others, fostering a love for reading in those who might not have regular access to books.
As a bookseller, I’ve come to see my role as more than just someone who sells books — it’s about being a literary matchmaker, guiding readers toward the stories that can transform their lives. I understand firsthand how a single book can leave an indelible mark, shaping a person’s thoughts, emotions and even their future.
This is why I take the responsibility of recommending books so seriously.
Every reader is unique, and personalized recommendations can lead them to hidden gems they might never have discovered on their own. However, the joy of reading should not be a privilege reserved for those with means. Access to books must be universal, regardless of socioeconomic status. Initiatives like community libraries, book drives and free access to books in schools and the surrounding community are crucial in bridging this gap, ensuring that everyone can explore the joys of reading.
Moreover, when book bans threaten access to diverse ideas and stories, it’s more important than ever to stand against censorship and advocate for the freedom to read and the empowerment of personal selection.
At Brain Food Books, our mission is to put books into the hands of those who need them most because the right book can change a life — and sometimes, even the world.
The journey that began with “Ramona the Pest” profoundly changed the course of my life, revealing the transformative power of reading. Growing up with limited resources and then discovering books opened doors to new possibilities, fostering my academic success and personal growth. This passion led me to a career in bookselling, where I now help others find the stories that can shape their lives.
Access to books should not be a privilege, but a right — one that we must protect and promote through community efforts and by resisting the efforts of a few to reduce access, hinder choice and sabotage reading for pleasure. My lifelong commitment is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience the life-changing power of reading, just as I did.
How Booksellers Are Taking On Book Banners, PW, Sept. 16, 2024
...“When people ban books, they’re not just banning words; they’re banning access to empathy, hope, and new worlds,” declares Calvin Crosby, owner of the King’s English Bookshop in Salt Lake City. “Especially with our nonprofit, Brain Food Book [which distributes children’s books to classrooms, schools, pediatric offices, and day care centers throughout Utah], we’re making sure kids have access” to diverse books at a time when Utah has been in the news for statewide bans. Crosby feels bolstered by his customers, “who will buy a stack of banned books to make available to kids.”...
Read the full article here.
...“When people ban books, they’re not just banning words; they’re banning access to empathy, hope, and new worlds,” declares Calvin Crosby, owner of the King’s English Bookshop in Salt Lake City. “Especially with our nonprofit, Brain Food Book [which distributes children’s books to classrooms, schools, pediatric offices, and day care centers throughout Utah], we’re making sure kids have access” to diverse books at a time when Utah has been in the news for statewide bans. Crosby feels bolstered by his customers, “who will buy a stack of banned books to make available to kids.”...
Read the full article here.
Poet (Delayed) Podcast, September 10, 2024
I [Scott Edgar] was joined by Cal Crosby, owner of the King’s English Bookshop in Salt Lake City, Utah, as well as Brain Food Books, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to putting books in the hands of those without regular access. We also discussed what it’s like to run a local independent bookshop and the role it, as well as all locally owned businesses, plays in the community.
Listen here.
I [Scott Edgar] was joined by Cal Crosby, owner of the King’s English Bookshop in Salt Lake City, Utah, as well as Brain Food Books, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to putting books in the hands of those without regular access. We also discussed what it’s like to run a local independent bookshop and the role it, as well as all locally owned businesses, plays in the community.
Listen here.
Turning Pages with Toni Wheeler and Cal Crosby
Toni and Cal discuss book bans, literacy, access to books, and Brain Food Books.
Turning Pages airs on KZYX FM, Mendocino County CA's public radio station on the first Wednesday each month.
Toni and Cal discuss book bans, literacy, access to books, and Brain Food Books.
Turning Pages airs on KZYX FM, Mendocino County CA's public radio station on the first Wednesday each month.
Good Things Utah, ABC4, July 3, 2024
Get the kids excited about reading not only for the summer, but for the entire year. Tara Pearce, Literacy Specialist for Jordan School District, and Calvin Crosby, Executive Director of Brain Food Books and co-owner of King’s English Bookshop, stopped by our set to talk about the power of opening a book.
Watch the full interview here.
Get the kids excited about reading not only for the summer, but for the entire year. Tara Pearce, Literacy Specialist for Jordan School District, and Calvin Crosby, Executive Director of Brain Food Books and co-owner of King’s English Bookshop, stopped by our set to talk about the power of opening a book.
Watch the full interview here.
KRCL, April 1, 2024
Its a Loud and Clear Youth Radio takeover of RadioACTive. Tune in as Loudies highlight local businesses, The Kings English + Brain Food Books as well as Peasantries and Pleasantries discussing their roles in the community and the importance of physical media in this era in SLC.
Listen here.
Its a Loud and Clear Youth Radio takeover of RadioACTive. Tune in as Loudies highlight local businesses, The Kings English + Brain Food Books as well as Peasantries and Pleasantries discussing their roles in the community and the importance of physical media in this era in SLC.
Listen here.
PW, September 8, 2022
Brain food is on the menu as Salt Lake City’s The King’s English Bookshop partners with a local pediatrician to provide books for children in underrepresented communities. For years before she retired in 2019, Dr. Barbara Bean ran Brain Food Books, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that she launched to give books to her patients during their wellness appointments. The King’s English Bookshop now is reviving and expanding the program to provide books for children in both Utah and Arizona.
Read the full article here.
Brain food is on the menu as Salt Lake City’s The King’s English Bookshop partners with a local pediatrician to provide books for children in underrepresented communities. For years before she retired in 2019, Dr. Barbara Bean ran Brain Food Books, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that she launched to give books to her patients during their wellness appointments. The King’s English Bookshop now is reviving and expanding the program to provide books for children in both Utah and Arizona.
Read the full article here.
September 1, 2022, Shelf Awareness
The King's English Bookshop Launches Brain Food Books NonprofitThe King's English Bookshop in Salt Lake City, Utah, has launched a nonprofit called Brain Food Books that will distribute children's books to classrooms, schools, pediatric clinics and day care centers throughout Utah. The nonprofit also hopes to fund author appearances at schools in areas of economic hardship and provide each child in attendance with a free book.
Read the full article here.
The King's English Bookshop Launches Brain Food Books NonprofitThe King's English Bookshop in Salt Lake City, Utah, has launched a nonprofit called Brain Food Books that will distribute children's books to classrooms, schools, pediatric clinics and day care centers throughout Utah. The nonprofit also hopes to fund author appearances at schools in areas of economic hardship and provide each child in attendance with a free book.
Read the full article here.
